In Touch News with Shotley September 2018

In Touch

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with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone Volume 8 • Issue No. 10 • SEPTEMBER 2018

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR This summer we celebrated my brother’s 50th birthday (the first opportunity we’ve had since he turned 50 last November). I was in charge of the playlist so my task was to compile music he has liked over the years into one handy iTunes list we could play on repeat for the afternoon and evening.

The opening song had to be Neil Young’s Old Man with the line ‘Old man take a look at your life…’. John appreciated the sentiment! Bob Dylan also featured as well as The Cranberries, The Waterboys, The Stunning, The Bangles, The Pogues The Pretenders, The Undertones (who knew so many band names began with THE?), U2, Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Christy Moore and Hothouse Flowers. With a few additions (a whole lot more Leonard Cohen along with Regina Spektor, Snow Patrol and Nick Cave), I now have a playlist which brings me a lot of joy. I sing-along when I’m in the mood (and alone) and sometimes I find myself in tears (don’t ever play Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars when you’re feeling sad). I remember people and places from times gone by. I remember items of clothing (my Bananarama phase was a sight to behold!), bus journeys with my Walkman, cycling around Dublin to Lou Reed’s Perfect Day… Music is incredibly powerful and there are many studies into how it can improve brain health and function and make you smarter, happier and more productive at any age. It’s even used to help Alzheimer’s patients.

Music therapy has been very successful at getting through to patients even when nothing else has. It seems that musical memories far outlast other kinds of memories and help alleviate depression, anxiety and agitation.

Imelda May helped me though many long days when I was on maternity leave. Jack and I still dance like lunatics when Johnny Got a Boom Boom comes on the radio or TV. I hope you have access to the music you love, but if you know someone who doesn’t, perhaps an elderly friend or neighbour, wouldn’t it be lovely to make it possible. I’m currently working on a list for my parents. Ever heard of Ray Lynam?

In Touch

with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints.

We also publish In Touch with...

•B eyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge

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OCTOBER DEADLINE

© 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 Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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NEWS LONDON TO PARIS IN MEMORY OF EDDIE ROGERS On July 25 my dad and I embarked on a crazy adventure, riding from London to Paris on our push bikes in loving memory of my late Uncle Eddie and to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Care. Three hundred and thirty six miles in four days!

The ride was incredibly challenging, coping with 39-degree heat, numerous hills, mechanical breakdowns and getting lost. At one-point dad ended up battling the HGVs on the A20!

We met some incredible people along the way whose stories really inspired us to keep peddling on. Definitely a great bunch!

Completing the ride and cycling round the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs Elysees before finally coming to a finish under the Eiffel Tower is a memory that will stay with me forever.

Eddie sadly passed away just before the new year after a two-year battle with cancer. Although this brought sadness upon our family, I’ve found inspiration from the kindness of the Macmillan nurses and carers to do what I can to help them to continue doing their amazing work. So, in my own way cycling to Paris was the least I could do to pay tribute to this lovely wonderful man and to thank all those wonderful staff at Macmillan who gave Eddie and the family such tremendous support during this sad time Thanks to the incredible kindness and generosity shown we have managed to raise £3,446 (with more to come) in support of this fantastic cause, so a big thank you! If would like to contribute please go to my JustGiving page at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/missionforeddie Ronnie Bradford

R&W PAUL GETS A NEW LEASE OF LIFE A famous and familiar Ipswich brand returns as part of the latest puzzle room venture at Suffolk Food Hall.

R & W Paul still features significantly along the Ipswich waterfront, but is also now a central part to the latest crypto-challenge to open at Suffolk’s very first permanent puzzle room. The Orwell Dockyard is inspired by the old family business, R & W Paul, who were the great-great-great and greatgreat-grandfathers of the owners of Suffolk Food Hall. In its prime R & W Paul lined Ipswich docks and had a rich history of trade using the Orwell as its economic artery.

Aptly this puzzle room is set in the same Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, overlooking the Orwell. The experience offers a variety of interactive challenges and puzzles that need piecing together and is suitable for ages nine through 90. The story is set at the turn of the century, when the family business was at its peak.

Charlie Webb, the man charged with running The Orwell Dockyard, has a chequered past. He skippers a barge that travels the length of the east coast exchanging grain and other materials. Perhaps the strongest trade link lies with Newcastle and the feared Lord Wilkinson. His Lordship is missing some art and fine textiles from his collection and suspects Webb is involved. R & W Paul wants to root out any trouble and has already searched its other loading bays.

Become a part of a search mob to turn-over The Orwell Dockyard and find the evidence Wilkinson so desperately craves within the hour, before Webb slips away on the falling tide.

For further information on the room please book directly on 01473 786618 or visit www.suffolkfoodhall.co.uk/puzzle-room. Alternatively, enter our competition on our Facebook page to win an entire day’s worth of sessions in both of our puzzle rooms for free.

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NEWS MAASAI WARRIORS RETURN TO HARKSTEAD We are delighted to welcome back the Osiligi Troupe of Maasai Warriors to Harkstead Church in October. In 2013 they first came to Harkstead and their two performances were a sell-out. It was a memorable occasion, as you will know if you were present. For anyone who has not seen them, it is a very special chance to experience and enjoy the diverse culture of the Maasai.

Their tribal music and dance is incredible – mesmerising to hear, fascinating to watch, and includes the spectacular jumping for which the tribe is famous.

The troupe has been successfully raising money for their village community in Kenya on tours to this country since 2007. They usually perform in much larger venues such as cathedrals, schools and colleges, and we are thrilled that they want to come back to our small country church.

They are giving two performances: Friday, October 5 at 7.30pm and Saturday, October 6 at 3pm. Tickets at £10 including refreshments are available from Sally Wilden (01473 327140 / sally.wilden@gmail.com) or Eleanor Soar (01473 327166 / eleanor.soar@gmail.com).

This may be the last time they visit Harkstead – don’t miss seeing them!

JAMES CARTLIDGE, MP FOR SOUTH SUFFOLK At last, some good news for constituents on the controversial matter of housing. Of all the issues that face our communities, I can think of none more controversial – including Brexit – than where homes should or should not be built. But for the time being at least, we have just gained a little more control over that difficult decision making process.

Babergh’s biggest issue with housing developments has been the five-year land supply planning policy. Since April 2017, Babergh has not been able to demonstrate this supply which left them open to speculative planning applications that would not normally have been accepted under their local planning policies. In fact, I recently held a parliamentary debate on this policy to outline the issues that we have faced.

As such, I am delighted that Babergh District Council has now announced that they have restored the five-year land supply bringing much greater control over planning decisions back to local people.

It also means that local policies once again become the priority in considering applications, including neighbourhood plans, ensuring the development is decided by our locally elected representatives, instead of increasingly relying on the planning inspector over whom we have little or no accountability.

Of course, it is worth stressing that this doesn’t mean we will suddenly stop seeing new homes built in Babergh. Nor will ‘unpopular’ development cease since homes have to go somewhere. What we need to see is a sustainable level of delivery, a sweet spot resulting in neither disproportional development in inappropriate locations nor seeing any single proposal for new homes opposed and defeated.

We should also remember that developers could potentially appeal the presence of a five-year land supply and so it remains vital not only that Babergh continues to work to deliver its joint local plan, but that communities continue to prepare neighbourhood plans.

If anyone in a village considering a neighbourhood plan thinks this positive change is reason not to produce one I would argue the opposite: this is the ideal time to get a neighbourhood plan in place so that communities are ready if at some point in the future we once again lose our five-year land supply.

I hold regular advice surgeries offering help and support to local people. Please see page 17 for my contact details.

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STUTTON FEST! Stutton C of E Primary School is hosting Stutton Fest on Saturday, September 29, 4-6pm.

There will be live music, tombola, a raffle, lucky dip, cream teas, tug-of-war, hair and face painting, Pimms and a beer tent, children’s stalls, a barbecue and more.

We look forward to seeing you there!

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Over the past month, officers from the local SNT have been busy carrying out high visibility patrols in Hadleigh and the surrounding villages as part of Operation Parkland, the constabulary’s initiative in South Suffolk to tackle anti-social behaviour and associated criminality in the summer months.

Working alongside officers from the other Ipswich SNTs, a number of youths have been encountered at various locations and a large amount of alcohol has been seized from either underage drinkers or because Hadleigh has a DPPO (designated public place order) with the alcohol then being disposed of.

Having received reports of antisocial behaviour in Stoke by Nayland, extra patrols have now been implemented to deal with the issues. If you witness any anti-social behaviour, whether drug related, alcohol related or simply people shouting and being abusive, then please report this to the police.

As part of a TISPOL campaign, officers from the Road Casualty Reduction Team have been out and about in several villages, including Woolverstone, carrying out speed enforcement and the SNT are hoping to complete another speeding enforcement day in the next couple of weeks. If there is a particular problem in your area then please get in touch and we will add it to our list of locations to try and visit. With one of the SNT priorities being the illegal use of roads, officers on the team have seized two vehicles for having no insurance and have dealt with the drivers for other document offences as well as carrying out a number of breath tests.

Bobbits Lane continues to be a priority for the SNT with patrols being carried out to target off-road motorbikes illegally using the area. There have been a number of reports of bikes in the area and also criminal offences where the installed warning signs have either been damaged or stolen. These are being investigated and a number of options are being considered to try and prevent any further offences taking place.

Due to recent residential burglaries across the area in the past month, officers have been carrying out reassurance patrols and we would again like to remind people to ensure their houses are secure before going out.

Please also consider items left outside which offenders may be able to use to force entry to your property and ensure that outbuildings are secure. The Constabulary has secured a number of RING video doorbells which can be applied for by residents in Suffolk free of charge and act as a deterrent to potential burglars. This is a great initiative and opportunity and would allow people to feel safer when away from their property. To register an interest please email: doorbell@suffolk.pnn.police.uk If you have any quires or questions please contact Hadleigh SNT at Hadleigh Police Station, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD. Hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk Emergency: Call 999 Non-Emergency: Call 101 Follow us on Twitter@ HadleighPolice Police Connect: Suffolk.police.uk/police connect

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NEWS CHELMONDISTON PARISH COUNCIL Report from the meeting held on July 3 The chairman welcomed 15 residents to the meeting.

Chelmondiston Parish Council has approved a £300 donation to the centenary event which is being held at Shotley Village Hall on November 11.

Further donations of £440 have been approved to 11 charities across the region to support their ongoing works with a further £250 approved to St Andrew’s Church.

The clerk reported to the parish council that she has been chasing down and reporting various road signs, potholes and overgrown verges to Suffolk County Council.

Following a call to arms in a previous edition for support with checking of the defibrillator at the village hall, a resident has now offered his services.

Councillor Wood has offered to part fund a projector for the parish council from his locality grant.

A grant of £8,890 has been received to help fund the Neighbourhood Plan.

Residents of the parish expressed their disappointment in regard to the granting of the Woodlands development by Babergh District Council even though there had been several objections to the development. They expressed concern that their comments about safety, access and other comments had been disregarded.

NOTICE OF VACANCY IN OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR Chelmondiston Parish Council is now in a position to fill this vacancy by co-option as no election was called for.

Do you reside in the parish? Or live three miles within the boundary line. Are you on the electoral roll? Are you interested in getting involved with local projects such as: supporting the community, being involved in the decision making for planning applications, housing needs and finance, to name but a few.

The parish council is not political, but is governed by legislation. We have Standing Orders and Financial Regulations and we abide by a Code of Conduct. We work together to represent all residents of the parish. We discuss issues and we vote on issues.

Want to find out more about the role of a councillor? Chat to one of our councillors or to the clerk. We will be only too pleased to help.

The co-option process is less formal than an election. If you wish to be considered for co-option, you would need to complete an application form, be asked to attend a parish council meeting and, if still interested, your co-option would be considered at the following meeting.

Contact Chelmondiston Parish Council Clerk Jill Davis 01473 780159 / clerk@chelmondistonpc.info

Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw REPORT TO PARISHES, ALTON WARD: SEPTEMBER 2018 WARD BOUNDARIES After a seemingly endless process of consultations on new ward boundaries for Babergh, we have received the final recommendations from the Local Government Boundary Commission. We had some wards that were getting too big or too small for equal representation. At the same time, the council decided that we didn’t need so many councillors. That might say something about the fair division of the work done. So, in cutting from 43 members to 32, we’ll end up with fewer ‘politicians’. I’m fairly sure that might be well received. It also means each member will represent more people, previously about 1,650 and, by 2023, an estimated 2,330. Obviously the wards have to change accordingly.

The basic unit is always the parish (or divisions of the larger Sudbury and Hadleigh areas). I’ve always maintained throughout that the 12 largest communities should form the basis of a ward. Round here, that means Brantham, East Bergholt, Capel St Mary, Holbrook and Shotley. It’s also a very good idea to have single member wards. It means both accountability and an even sharing of workload. People will know who their district councillor is.

Ideally, where there are smaller parishes, you’d like to group them with others that have similar concerns. It’s been my experience, so far, that parishes tend to focus on their own concerns. It’s fairly rare that shared concerns need to have the same councillor.

We’ll have a larger number of single member wards from 2019, 17 of them.

Brantham, East Bergholt and Capel St Mary will all be one-member wards.

Across the peninsula, Shotley and Erwarton will form Ganges Ward. Stutton will be represented together with Holbrook and Harkstead to form Stour Ward. Tattingstone joins with Wherstead, Belstead, Freston, Woolverstone and Chelmondiston in a new Orwell Ward. It might seem an unusual shape, but it’s actually on the small side (less than nine per cent of the average) of the range. I have to confess that it’s not a perfect combination, but it is road connected. I think I looked at every other possible combination here (the same is true of Bentley) and analysed all the numbers. They were all either too big, too small or even weirder.

These recommendations will now go to parliament. A draft order will be laid and about 40 days or so later, subject to scrutiny. The new electoral arrangements will come into force at the May 2019 local elections. On a personal note, the Alton Ward that Harriet and I represent will disappear. But not yet! I’m still here until the end. I also suspect I’ll always keep a weather eye out for the two villages. And I do like the new names!

You can find the full report on this at: https://tinyurl.com/ycnehf6k (Click on Final Recommendations) We moved from Hadleigh last year. People asked for Customer Service access closer than Sudbury. A Customer Services Pilot is underway at Shotley Village Hall on Monday afternoons for eight weeks (not the bank Holiday) from August 13. Derek Davis (Independent Cabinet Member) has been instrumental in setting this up. If it’s useful, we’ll likely look at extending these ‘pop-up’ services.

The warm weather is maybe gone for a while, but I’ve given the Claud Butler a good workout recently. Next up is the 37th annual Suffolk Historic Churches Bike Ride on September 8, one of my favourite days. I can always be contacted as below.

Alastair McCraw: 07812 564188 / alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (a joint open group)

DEMENTIA Together Call Free 08081 688 000 email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com 6

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NEWS SHOTLEY PENINSULA CYCLING CAMPAIGN CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT The SPCC has just held its 2018 AGM, marking the end of my first year in the chair. We are delighted to welcome three new faces to the committee following the loss of two long-standing committee members who have moved to the south coast. See below for details of our new committee.

Since our setback in 2017 regarding the Bourne Bridge to Freston Hill section of the route, we have had to consider other priorities, one of which was supporting the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths AONB funding bid to promote a cycle route along the southern side of the peninsula. This would have produced some upgraded surfacing of bridleways in the Freston area and new signage along quieter roads through Holbrook, Harkstead and Erwarton. Sadly the first bid was unsuccessful. However, earlier this year we had further discussions with people from the AONB and County Council Rights of Way teams regarding plans for reviving the southern route by putting in a bid for different EU funding. A useful discussion took place about that and about how the route might dovetail with our ‘spine’ route and on into Ipswich. The possibility that the route could be called The Shotley Peninsula Green Way and use our logo on the signs was also raised.

The group has also had to grapple with GDPR, which became law in May this year. All our members were contacted to ask permission to retain their contact details and continue to contact them. In hindsight, and in the light of much clearer advice subsequently issued by the relevant authorities, we almost certainly did not need to have jumped through this particular hoop and, needless to say, we lost quite a number of our members unnecessarily. We would love to increase our membership again: if you can help by recruiting some new members (and remember that membership is now free), the SPCC committee would be extremely grateful as more members give us a louder voice.

Later in the autumn we held a meeting with the landowner of fields to the Orwell River side of the B1456 from the Freston Boot into Woolverstone village, who said that he might be willing to entertain having a cycle path on the field edge following the B1456, on the east/north side. This led us to re-consider what route we might take coming up Freston Hill, as it would make sense to stay on the river side, if possible, to meet up with this field edge path. We have had an informal ‘walk through’ of this section with a retired highway engineer, who is very supportive of us, and he has been quite positive about the possibilities of creating a cycle path here. Our next step will be to commission him to carry out a feasibility study.

Acting on our renewed contacts with the AONB and Rights of Way teams,

we asked for a further meeting to include Councillor Dave Wood (in both his capacities as chairman of the AONB and as a county councillor). At this meeting we requested a review of safety for the crossing point on the slip roads where the A137 crosses the A14 as this would be an ideal solution for enabling the southern route to link straight into Ipswich and to meet up with our projected route from Shotley Gate to Bourne Bridge.

The Ganges development S106 funding was also discussed and we were pleased to hear that money is still earmarked for the section of our route from Shotley Gate to Shotley Street. We also have a short-term plan for using some bridleway routes in Chelmondiston as an alternative to using the B1456, until such time as we are able to concentrate on a field edge path for getting between Chelmondiston and Erwarton/Shotley, although this short-term option requires further discussion with landowners.

So, despite an unpromising beginning to the year 2017-18, we have made progress, we have areas on which to focus with reasonable prospects of success, and we are maintaining our important links with county departments and local district organisations. Suffolk County Council, spurred on by Green Party member Robert Lindsay, agreed at a meeting on July 19 that they would push for a network of safe cycling routes.

Unfortunately they did not vote on the funding required for this, but it means we should be able to count on more positive support from the county for what we are doing.

Chairperson Rosie Kirkup COMMITTEE Chairperson: Rosie Kirkup Secretary: Cathy Crouch Treasurer: Sally Williams Membership: Mike Crouch Webmaster: Tony Gould COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mike Havard, Jez Meredith, Karla Powell, Denise Tinker CO-OPTED MEMBER Sean Tinker For more information about Shotley Peninsula Cycling Campaign please visit: www.spcc.info To contact us, email: admin@spcc.info

HOLBROOK PARISH COUNCIL Key points from the meeting held on June 18 Reade Field Project The Play Equipment Safety Survey has been completed and all recommendations will be actioned. This included repairs to the zipwire which were dealt with immediately. Discussions are taking place regarding the costs of new equipment and possible match funding requirements. The work is hoped to be scheduled to be completed in the autumn. The Holbrook Lottery had been started and will be an additional fundraiser for the Reade Field Project.

Speed Awareness Sign Speeding in the village has been an ongoing concern and has been on the agenda at various parish meetings. After investigations, visits to other parishes and resident’s support it was agreed that a speed awareness sign should be purchased for the village. Work will now be undertaken on the best locations for the sign and approval from the council is required.

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

Shotley Rose, every Tuesday from 11.30am-1pm Do you feel like the weekend has dragged?

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Future meeting dates: September 17 and October 15

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DEREK DAVIS – BERNERS WARD Shotley, Erwarton, Chelmondiston, Woolverstone and Freston Pop-Up Customer Support Point for Peninsula You will be aware that as part of my cabinet portfolio I wanted to improve interaction between our residents and our customer services team. I’m delighted that Shotley has been chosen to pilot a new pop-up customer support access point dealing with Babergh District Council matters. Currently residents have to travel to Stowmarket or Sudbury if they want to deal face to face with Babergh officers. This new service headed up by Babergh’s Customer Service Team who will allow provide support for peninsula residents to access the council’s online services. The pilot scheme, working in partnership with Suffolk Libraries, will run each Monday throughout September at Shotley Village Hall from 1-4.30pm.

New Look District Wards for Peninsula Shotley peninsula will get a new look ward structure after the Boundary Commission released its final recommendations for Babergh District Council.

Newly named Ganges, Stour and Orwell wards will replace the bulk of the current two-member Berners and one member Holbrook wards and overlap into Belstead and Tattingstone.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) had originally looked at making much of the peninsula a three-member ward, but representations by Holbrook councillor David Rose, supported by myself and a couple of parish councils, pointed out that would be unworkable and the panel agreed.

Ganges, named after the former Royal Navy Training Establishment, will comprise of Shotley and Erwarton and be looked after by just one district councillor. Boundary commissioners took account of development at the former Ganges site, comprising of 285 new homes, a small hotel, residential care home, a café, retail units and a number of community facilities, which would add to the electorate.

Stour ward, named after the mouth of the river, will also be a one-member ward and will now take in Harkstead, Holbrook and Stutton, making it slightly larger than the current ward. On the other side of the peninsula, Orwell ward will also be a one-member ward but will include Belstead, Wherstead and Tattingstone along with Freston, Woolverstone and Chelmondison. Brantham will become a one-member ward as expected growth will also boost the electorate there.

The division of those four wards means the same geographical area will lose one district councillor. In total Babergh district council will reduce the number of councillors from the current 43 to 32, serving 24 wards, with the changes coming into effect at the next district council election in May 2019. In its report the Boundary Commission explained how it changed its original recommendation of forming a three-member ward to three single-member wards after representations were made.

Babergh exceeds housing land supply target Babergh District Council has published its Annual Monitoring Report, demonstrating a Housing Land Supply of 6.7 years – meeting the government’s

requirement of five years. As of Wednesday, July 11, the council considers it can demonstrate this land supply, meaning that Babergh can prove that there is enough deliverable land to meet the number of homes that need to be built over that period to meet housing need. The council has been unable to demonstrate this land supply since April 2017, but now the updated figure has been made possible as a result of a proactive approach to delivery.

Outdoor Gym Equipment Congratulations to Chelmondiston Parish Council, and in particular the playing field working group chaired by Sam Nunn, which has brought the new outdoor fitness gym to fruition after consultation with the residents.

Cabinet There have been more changes to the cabinet with fellow ward member Peter Patrick stepping down and being replaced by Simon Barrett. Kathryn Grandon has also joined the cabinet in a communications role and someone I will be working closely with on a large project due to be completed in December.

Community toilet scheme to be set up As well as looking at handing over public toilets to parishes or community groups, including the conveniences at Pin Mill, Babergh wants to ensure that the main town centres, key tourism locations and large parks have an adequate provision of public conveniences. Businesses are being invited to work with the council to establish the scheme, which will also give town and parish councils the ability to directly manage and maintain facilities in their areas. Babergh District Council will be investing £13,000 to carry out basic repairs and improvements to the existing toilets.

Councils to Pilot Pioneering Developer Contributions Database As part of by portfolio I’m delighted to introduce a new computer software system where residents and those in the development industry will be able to see how money collected from developers as part of planning agreements is being spent on providing infrastructure for local communities.

Babergh is working with the software provider Exacom as part of a pilot exercise involving two other local authorities to hone this innovative, new database which will transform the way that information is held for developer contributions paid for by legal agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Babergh’s Section 106 and CIL data will be used by the software provider in the launch of the Planning Obligations Public Facing Module across the country. This will be hosted on the councils’ websites later in the summer and will enable people to search for information by district, ward, parish or infrastructure type with details of where monies are collected, allocated and spent. It will also allow people to see legal agreements secured as part of the planning process. The information will be updated daily.

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-Your Independent Councillor

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE EVENTS

HOLBROOK SOCIETY

Sunday, September 9: Concert with Cream Tea SHOTLEY CHURCH 700 An afternoon of music and fun withHERITAGE entertainment

by Phoenix Hand Bell Ringers at 3.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Shotley.

Tickets are £8 and are available from Shotley Post Office BINGO & GRAND and NormanDRAW Bugg: 01473 787358

Friday, September 7: Foraging – Food for Free!

Vivia Bamford of Sciapod Dairy will inspire us to forage in the Suffolk countryside.

Saturday, September 29: Bingo & Grand Draw

November 9: Peace Concert in the Church November 24: Christmas Shopping Trip to Norwich Please note we have to increase our charge from £3 to £4: hall fees increased a year ago as have other expenses and to continue to absorb these costs would endanger our financial stability.

Shotley Village Hall, 7 for 7.30pm th SATURDAY 29 SEPTEMBER SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL Starting: 7.00pm for 7.30pm

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Dispensary Over the last couple of months we have experienced severe staff shortages in our dispensary due to a change of staff and unforeseen sickness. This has meant that sometimes we haven’t had medication ready or that it has taken us a long time to find your order. We dispense a high number of items per month and our staff work very hard to minimise disruption. We have brought in locum staff from Lowestoft and other staff have done many extra hours, including working over the weekend when we are shut to try and catch up. We have now filled all our vacant hours and recruited an additional bank dispenser so we should soon be back to ‘business as usual’. Thank you for bearing with us over this difficult period; we do appreciate how frustrating this can be for our patients and have taken every step possible to minimise disruption.

Paramedic As part of our collaborative working with a number of other rural Suffolk practices, we have engaged the services of a paramedic, Terry Dix, who will be working with us on Mondays. Terry will primarily be undertaking home visits to care home and community patients who need to see a GP. He will be in communication with your named GP and will discuss treatment accordingly. Terry will be wearing a practice name badge and will carry identification should you wish to see this.

GP and Staff Training Our next training afternoons will be Thursday, September 13 and Wednesday, October 19. The practice will be open for patients to come in to collect/drop off prescriptions and book appointments or 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 on these afternoons.

Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day.

In an emergency, dial 999.

Flu Days The way we run our flu vaccination clinics will be different this year due to a change in vaccinations and a very late and spread out delivery schedule. We will have one vaccine for eligible patients under 65 (those with certain long term conditions such as asthma and diabetes), and a different vaccination for those aged 65+, called Fluad.

There is only one national supplier for the Fluad vaccination, which means that our delivery dates have been staggered from the end of September to the end of November. This is a national issue and there we have had to set a strict timetable accordingly.

Open access flu clinics for all eligible patients will be as follows: Monday, October 1, 2-6pm at Holbrook Thursday, November 1, 2-6.30pm at Shotley Wednesday, November 21, 2-6.30pm at Holbrook Eligible patients under 65: there will be an additional pre-booked clinic and we will write to you as usual with details of this. You may also attend any of the above clinics.

Patients who will be 65 and over by 31 March 2019: please attend any of the above clinics.

For those patients due to have shingles or pneumococcal vaccinations, we are now inviting you just after your birthday so this will ease the pressure on the flu clinics.

Practice Manager Julia Smith

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

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

As the first group in Suffolk to be awarded Walkers are Welcome designation, we are pleased to be attending the first WaW National Conference to be held in the East of England. Our friends in Cromer are hosting the conference from October 11-13. For details visit: www.WalkCromer.co.uk At the event we will be showcasing all of the attributes of Shotley as a walking destination, with excellent accommodation and venues for eating and drinking, a great opportunity to help boost the economy on the peninsula.

Our involvement with One Life Suffolk is continuing to flourish, with the dates being set for the autumn programme of Shotley Health Walks. Please keep your eye on this magazine and our website for details.

Our next walk is for the Stour River Festival, and is from Cattawade to Flatford Mill and back on Sunday, September 16, starting at 11am. If you wish to join us please book a place via www.riverstourfestival.com/events or give us a ring on 01473 788555.

The rest of our time is spent cutting and strimming around Shotley to keep some of our pathways bramble free for the comfort of our walkers.

If you want to see what a lovely place Shotley is to enjoy a walk, visit our website where there are loads of photos and descriptions of the areas to be enjoyed: www.shotleyopenspaces.co.uk Finally, if you wish to be included on the growing Shotley Open Spaces email list, please contact Geraint Pugh (g.pugh1@btinternet.com), Gary Richens (gary.richens.583@btinternet.com) or Tony Lawford-Randall (keyworker@hotmail.co.uk).

Gary Richens

ALTON BELLES WI QUIZ NIGHT We are delighted to announce our annual quiz night with quizmaster Garry Kilworth on Friday, October 26 at 7pm in Tattingstone Village Hall.

All welcome with tables of up to six people. The cost is £6 which includes a ploughman’s supper. There will be a raffle. Bring your own drinks.

To book your place please contact Tamzin (01473 328670), Annette (01473 328499) or Jane (01473 327865).

In Touch online:

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OUT & ABOUT HARKSTEAD VILLAGE HALL We have two eagerly awaited events coming up soon, so please put these dates in your diary.

Common Ground Theatre Company: The Mariner We are pleased to welcome back our local touring company on Tuesday, October 30 at 7.30pm when they will be putting on a performance of their latest touring production, an enthralling, slightly surreal adaptation of Coleridge’s The Rime of The Ancient Mariner, with its themes of ecological disaster, man’s destructive compulsions and the death and rebirth of imagination and faith.

The availability of seats is limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Tickets (£12/£7) from: 07807 341364 Harkstead Village Auction Our next auction is on Saturday, November 3. If you would like more information or to book items in for sale, please contact: harksteadauction@btinternet.com / 01473 328649

SHOTLEY DRAMA GROUP AGM Roll up, roll up! Are you looking for a new hobby to take up during the long winter nights? Then you could be just the person the drama group is looking for!

We are looking for additional personnel to join our successful group; as well as both adult and child performers we also require back stage crew. You are cordially invited to our Annual General Meeting on Thursday, September 13 in the large committee room in Shotley Village Hall at 7.30pm.

After the AGM has concluded we will have a read-through for the next pantomime. And remember, no experience necessary as training will be given so please don’t be shy if you have an inkling to join!

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to call me on 01473 787460.

Mandy Peters

ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET & CAR BOOT SALE The next market and car boot sale at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, September 8, 9am-12.30pm.

We will also have all your favourite market stalls; fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items.

East End Butchers are pleased to be the market’s resident meat supplier.

If you would like to place on order with them it can be collected at the market each month. Their number for orders is 01206 392190.

Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue.

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

BELSTEAD VILLAGE MONTHLY MARKETS A market is set to take place in Belstead Village Hall from 9am-noon on the first Saturday of every month to raise vital funds to support refurbishment of the kitchen and ladies toilet.

With an extensive range of tables, a raffle and refreshments, the market is the perfect place to meet with friends for a chat over a cuppa and a piece of cake while supporting this essential local amenity.

You can also support Macmillan who will have a table laden with homemade goodies for sale.

If you can sew, make or create and would like to hire a table (£10) please contact: 07981 335859 / market@belsteadvillage.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL The village hall committee welcomes people to use the grass area around the hall for picnics or dog walking. We do ask that dog owners act responsibly and clean up behind them. The area is appreciated and well-used; please help us keep it hygienic.

Our next auction is on Saturday, September 15.

Lots cost £1 an item to enter and must be booked with Norman Bugg (01473 787358) or Jim Catling (01473 788499 / james.catling@yahoo.co.uk) Lots can be delivered to the hall on Thursday, September 13 between 10am and 7pm (different times by arrangement).

Viewing takes place on Friday, September 14 between 10am and 6pm and on Saturday the hall opens at 8.30am for viewing or early refreshments including bacon or sausage rolls, tea and coffee.

Lots cost £2 for a minimum bid.

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB Our autumn term begins on Wednesday, September 5 when Tracey Mackness of the Giggly Pie Co will present her life story.

Then on Wednesday, September 19 David Ablewhite will return to tell us about The Other Prince William. Norman Jacobs talks about Pie ’n’ Mash and Prefabs on Wednesday, October 3 and two weeks later on October 17 Sally Chicken’s talk is on The Regeneration of Shotley Pier.

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 at 10.30am. For further details please contact speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY We hope you will join us when our new season starts on Wednesday, September 5, when Rosalind Whyte will be giving a talk entitled 250 Years of the Royal Academy.

In 2018, The Royal Academy of Arts celebrates its 250th anniversary. We will look at the position of artists in London before and after the formation of the academy in 1768 and some of the characters involved, including the first president, Sir Joshua Reynolds. Like any important institution, the academy has been embroiled in intrigue and controversy over the course if its history and no scandal or outrage will remain unexposed!

We shall be holding our second informal study day at Rushmere Village Hall on Friday, September 7, when the subject will be Feisty Ladies – Women Travellers from Victorian Britain. Roger Mitchell, the speaker who made last year’s study day so memorable, will once again be entertaining us with a fascinating look at those intrepid women from days gone by.

We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins in advance on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space.

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

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OUT & ABOUT 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 We are holding a Coffee Morning at Stutton Village Hall on Saturday, September 1, 10am-noon.

Enjoy coffee and cakes, a raffle and a silent auction for a magnum of Champagne. All welcome, admission is free.

CHELMONDISTON WI On July 10 we had a very informative visit to Corner Garage at Shotley where Nick and Trish Butler went above and beyond, missing a World Cup football match to make us better informed about how to do some basic checks on a car, including changing a wheel. Well done to Lucy who actually did so under Nick’s watchful eye. We then returned to the hall for our business and refreshments, joining with some of the members who had been chatting and trying to complete a quiz.

On August 14 our committee hosted our summer meeting with delicious refreshments and entertainment provided by Tony, a humorous songster with great guitar skills. He also treated us to a number playing his rare droma guitar from Nashville.

Why not come along to our next meeting September 11 when we have a return visit from Rachael Bennett to do another drumming workshop? The ladies enjoyed her so much last year they requested her back so you can be confident of a great night! With homemade cakes, tea and coffee to round off the evening, what more could you want? We will make you very welcome and the meeting starts at 7.30pm in Chelmondiston Village Hall.

SHOTLEY WHIST DRIVE

SHOTLEY SOCIAL CLUB

Our next whist drives are on Thursdays, September 20 and October 4, 1.50-4pm.

On August 2 we went to The Alex in Felixstowe where we had lunch before going to The Spa to see Seaside Special. This was a lovely day out. Now we have a coach with a lift, it’s easy for everyone to access the coach.

For information or lifts please contact Norman: 01473 787358

Our meetings for September are on Thursdays 13 and 27, 1.50-4pm.

For information or lifts please contact Norman: 01473 787358

SHOTLEY PENINSULA BRANCH Our August meeting was held in St Andrew’s Church for our Wave of Prayer Service. This service is an opportunity to pray for our five linked diocese around the world, including our own diocese.

Although short on members’ attendance due to holidays and a summer coach trip, we welcomed The Rev Liesbeth to lead us in prayers and readings. We were fortunate to have Tom as our organist to accompany us with the hymns.

Thank you Tom, and also for your valuable help in the kitchen to provide refreshments after the service.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, September 5 in St Andrew’s Church Room at 2pm. Our speaker is Paul Laughlin from Talitha Kuom.

We enjoy our meetings and learn from our speakers. We always manage time for tea and a chat, we have a bring-and- buy stall to provide funds for our branch and any surplus after expenses is sent for the work of the Mothers’ Union’. Everyone is made very welcome to join our meetings. We look forward to seeing you all.

Pam Ross

SHOTLEY AND ERWARTON WI During July we usually have an outing in place of our normal meeting and this year it was no different. We boarded a coach and travelled to Aldeburgh. Many of us stopped for fish and chips and then a stroll along the sea front. Finally we watched a play called Body Language at Aldeburgh theatre which was a farce about what can go wrong during a double head transplant.

Our next meeting is on September 19 at 7.15pm in the village hall where we will have an instructor teaching us armchair yoga.

If you think our WI might be for you, please come and give us a try. We are all ages and a very friendly group. For more information contact Jo Lee: 01473 787311

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On Wednesday, September 26, the coach trip departs from Shotley at 9am with carvery lunch at noon. Coach and meal £16.

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 (10am4pm) and Monday meetings (7.30-10pm) are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms.

Monday, September 3: Block Printed Fabric with Debbie Samples of each project are displayed the month before and other projects are available.

Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534

SOCIAL SEW-AND-SO’S Our August meet-up was very well attended with 14 people attending with knitting, embroidery, sewing, beading and a lot of chatter!

One set of beading being worked on was the making of what will be 13 ceremonial necklaces. The other was a beautiful necklace that looked much like you’d expect a picture of DNA to look with the twists and linked molecules. A lot of time, effort and concentration has gone into them. The making of poppies and quilts continues and there are now some bits and bobs for sale such as magazines and small cross stitch.

The next few dates for your diaries are: September 1, October 6, November 10 and December 1.

Sewing sessions are held at Harkstead Village Hall. Currently we meet from 9am-noon, but when the weather turns, we plan to stay open for longer. Come and join us for a tea/ coffee with your craft project(s), or just pop in and be nosey. If you don’t know which project to bring, just fill your car and bring them all!

For further details, contact Sarah: 01473 328692

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OUT & ABOUT VILLAGE LINK CLUB

CHELMONDISTON SOCIAL CLUB

Village Link will celebrate 25 years in March 2019. The Children’s Day Centre parents, staff and personal friends had a big had in getting Village Link started at Raydon Village Hall. It moved to Tattingstone as the club grew. Its aims were to bring communities together and we have over the years attracted members from many villages.

On September 20, Elizabeth Storer from Healthwatch Suffolk is coming along to chat to members about their experiences will the local health service.

I would like to see new members from all local villages at our meetings, either as visitors or members in readiness for our March celebration when members will be able to enjoy a free main meal paid for by the club. As membership is only £5 per year, this is good value for money. A small admission fee is payable at each meeting.

We are a mixed group of men and women, with partners and without. I feel it is one of the few groups offering professional speakers on a variety of subjects throughout the year in a rural setting. We would like to attract more housewives and househusbands when their children are at school or retired, part time workers of all descriptions and ages, and anyone who would like company for one morning per month.

I hope you will join us for our next meeting at 10am on Wednesday, September 12 at Tattingstone Village Hall when Derek Firman presents a talk entitled Collecting Hobby or Obsession.

Founder & Chairlady Linda Evans / 01473 311262

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 CLUB July Draw Winners 1: Mrs J Stafford (117) £25 3: Mrs A Long (081) £15 5: Mrs C Cushing (141) £7

2: Mrs S George (037) £20 4: Ms E Fleming (012) £8

New members are always welcome. To join contact Norman; 01473 787358.

October 4 sees the ever popular Mike Reid entertain us and on October 18 we have a visit from the Coffee Caravan to give us advice on what help is out there in Suffolk.

We open at the village hall every Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4pm so come along for coffee and cake and a social afternoon with the friendliest of people.

Mike & Michele Rutherford

STOUR VALLEY U3A Our summer dinner and social was held at a new venue, The Ipswich Best Western, Copdock, and this sell-out event was enjoyed by all members present who enjoyed good company and food. As suggested by members, we introduced our first August meeting on Wednesday 8 when Tania Harrington MA, artist, art lover and researcher talked on Art Attack – A History of Vandalism in Art. She looked at works of art that have been vandalised over the years and the reasons behind these criminal attacks, divided into political motivations, mad attacks and artist attacks. It was a serious, at times disturbing, but also humorous illustrated talk.

On September 12, historian Taff Gillingham will present a very British view on Remembrance and The Great War. Taff advises film makers, emphasising the need for historical accuracy on the 1914/18 war. Richard Heap, Production Director of Stephen Walters & Sons Ltd, will talk on silk weaving in Sudbury on Wednesday, October 10. In a talk entitled The Silk Road from China to Sudbury, he will cover the history of silk weaving and how it came to Sudbury, how silk yarns are processed, the silk trade, partnerships and relationships between supplier and customer and how the company engages with the local community and the environment.

Our November 14 meeting will feature Davis Simmonds, a National Trust speaker and volunteer, introducing The Coast of East Anglia. The East Anglian coast is full of contrasts and has much beauty, history and wildlife.

His presentation will focus on National Trust coastal properties in Essex and Suffolk.

The Coffee Grinders meet at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt CO7 6SD from 10am-noon on the fourth Friday of each month. 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, September 21.

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.

SHOTLEY GARDENING CLUB I was sorry to have missed the meeting in June which was a guided walk round Golden Wood with Ian Peters. The members who went have told me how much the wood has developed since our last walk with Ian. Our July meeting was postponed until August 1 when we visited the Exotic Garden at Henstead and then went on to Southwold for a late lunch and an afternoon at the seaside. We were fortunate to be given a guided tour of this very impressive and unusual garden by Andrew Brogan who has extended and planted over the past 15 years. It is an impressive work of love and knowledge which I would encourage you to go and see for yourselves. Too much for me to do justice to in a few words but don’t miss out on the home-made cake and coffee served in a forest clearing.

Our AGM is in Shotley Village Hall at 7.30pm on September 10 when the programme for next year will be shared and there may be news of the next club holiday.

New members are always welcomed. For information contact Karen (787731) or myself, June (787244).

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SCHOOLS / SPORT STUTTON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL

EBONY’S BLOG: LIFE AT THE SHELLEY CENTRE

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new children and their families and trust that their time at Stutton will be happy and successful. We are also excited at the prospect of working much more closely with Stutton Young Explorers and look forward to having their pre-school children enjoying three mornings of activities in our school.

What clever animals the ponies and horses at The Shelley Centre are! Weeks and weeks without rain meant microscopic growth of the grass, but they kept on looking fit and healthy, ignoring the flies and just carrying on with life like the troopers they are! Well done you lot and well done the team that kept an eye on you during the holidays.

As I write, our two KS2 classrooms are enjoying a substantial facelift. The old sheds are being demolished in preparation for the smart new one; this will increase car parking space for Stutton School and Stutton Young Explorers staff, thus freeing up the lay-by. Our chickens will also soon be enjoying a refurbished, relocated run!

The start of the school year is always quite exciting as we shall be welcoming new riders from their schools as well as our ‘old’ regulars. People will be amazed to see the new colour of our arena with its golden surface, a very jolly topping to the old worn one.

The centre has been polished and cleaned, spiders moved, pigeons shooed away and rabbits sworn at.

The tack is clean and supple and the herd is ready for action.

September dates for your diary Friday, September 21: 2pm Harvest Festival, St Peter’s Church, Stutton Friday, September 28: we will be joining forces with the village community for the Macmillan Coffee Morning

Here is an archive photo of me being spring cleaned last year, when I was still a tall horse! It’s amazing how much rubbish we accumulate over a year and the volunteers, like John who is pictured here, have been tidying up all the nooks and crannies for the start of the school year.

Saturday, September 29: Stutton Fest, 4-6pm – postponed because of the World Cup (see page 4) Anne Clarke www.stuttonprimary.school

CHELMONDISTON C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL At the time of writing the summer holidays are upon us. So far we have enjoyed some lovely hot weather, but at the moment it is pouring with rain!

The end of term was a very happy and successful one for the children at Chelmondiston Church of England Primary School. As many readers will know the exam season now extends to primary schools as well as those taking GCSEs. I am delighted to report that the children at the school did extremely well.

The Reception children did particularly well, with 85 per cent achieving the expected standard. In Year 1 the children take phonics tests designed to ascertain how well they are learning how to read and spell. I am delighted to report that all of these children attained the expected standard.

This is a fantastic result and allows the children to continue their journey with confidence.

At the end of Key Stage 1, when the children are in Year 2, they again take tests designed to measure the effectiveness of their learning up to this point.

I am pleased to say that the children did as well as was expected. It should be noted that the government is phasing out these tests over the next few years as they have recognised that these are not the best way to assess progress.

Those in Year 6, at the end of Key Stage 2, did particularly well with 94 per cent achieving the expected level in spelling, grammar and punctuation test. Eighty-eight per cent achieved the expected standard in reading and in maths and writing the children achieved 82 per cent. This gave a combined percentage of 71 per cent achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. (The figures are based on the attainment of individual children in all three subjects – they need to pass all three areas in order to be included in this data.)

While these results are very pleasing, it is just as important to point out the successes the children have had in different areas. Many of the children in Year 6 participated in visits to France and also in a fantastic production at the Jerwood Dance theatre as part of Youth Perform. I am confident that the children have been well prepared for the next steps in their academic careers and we wish them the very best.

We still have vacancies in some year groups and if you would like your child to attend Chelmondiston Church of England Primary School, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

Readers, if you would like to sponsor a live pony, there is a link on our website that makes the whole process very easy. My Aunty Di runs the Sponsor A Pony scheme, and the herd much appreciates the support it gets from wellwishers. Babs and I don’t feature on her list of candidates as we are not so cuddly, but we share the workload and support the live herd in its therapeutic work. www.shelleyrda.com / 01473 824172

SHOTLEY ROSE BOWLS CLUB The season is drawing to an end with both our teams in contention. The Monday team is pushing for promotion for the third season running and currently they are lying second. The Wednesday team, which plays in a larger and more competitive league, is fighting relegation after two years of success but we are still hopeful of holding on in our current league.

The club has managed to field full teams in almost every match with the fantastic help of fringe players. There have been evenings of great success and some where we have just missed out on badly needed points.

Shotley Rose Bowls Club is deeply indebted to Len Haines who again, along with Paul Catchpool, has made an enormous effort to keep our green slightly less brown during the heat and drought this summer. Alongside this Len has captained the Wednesday team and is a vital player in both teams. Len is stepping down at the end of this season from his responsibilities and we would like to register a big vote of thanks to him.

Therefore, Shotley Rose Bowls Club is looking for a new greenkeeper to take care of our green throughout the closed season and next year. If anyone reading this article would like to, or knows someone interested in taking care of and improving our bowls green, please get in touch with club secretary Andrew Coulson (01473 787304) or club treasurer Norman Bugg (01473 787358).

To finish we wish good luck to all our club members involved in the later rounds of county cup competition. Also, anyone interested in trying a game bowls please get in touch with Andrew or Norman Simon Whitney

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS

Season Update School sessions will resume in September. Progress to date has been good and very few planned sessions had to be cancelled or re-arranged due to weather conditions.

Summer Courses The summer courses were well attended and we were especially pleased to see some of the pupils from Chelmondiston Primary School who helped us in the instructor course. We have been able to involve some of our newly qualified instructors in these courses too, giving them an early start to gain further experience in instructing. They are doing a grand job and it’s very rewarding to us to see them demonstrating their skills.

Craft for Sale

We still have six craft for sale, three Wayfarer and three Omegas. We would like to sell these as soon as possible so we can continue to update our fleet. Contact us via the website.

Preparing for Next Year In October we will be laying-up our fleet and we have scheduled a series of work parties to clean the hulls, check for damage and store for the winter. Our power boats engines will be maintained and winterised. In the new year we will antifoul, re-rig and and finally launch the boats we leave in the water.

For booking or additional information visit: www.neptunesailing.org.uk

CHELMONDISTON CARPET BOWLS With just one game left in the summer league it looks like we shall finish either second or third depending on other results. Either way, it’s a very creditable performance. A big well done to Michael, our summer captain, and welcome back to Patrick, our winter captain.

By the time you read this two of our members will have tied the knot; congratulations to Karen and Adam.

We are trying to arrange another fish and chip supper for the autumn; watch this space for more details.

Alan Storey

THE PENINSULA BAPTIST CHURCH Pin Mill Road, Chelmondiston IP9 1JE We invite you to join us on Sunday morning at 10.30am or Sunday evening at 6pm.

“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

CLEANING ROTA AT ST MARY’S CHURCH, SHOTLEY Our cleaning rota would welcome some new volunteers. If you feel you could spare a few hours approximately six times a year please contact Norman on 01473 787358. We are very grateful to all who clean or have cleaned the church. Thank you.

It may be September, but the sailing season isn’t over yet. The club’s annual regatta is on September 29. This is an open event and details and entry forms can be found on the club website.

The laying-up supper marking the end of the sailing season follows swiftly on after the regatta and then our winter programme starts with a nautical photograph competition. Entries over the years have been of very high calibre and they are on display prior to judging from October 13.

Last year we held an open coffee morning prior to the judging of the competition in aid of Macmillan Nurses and it was so successful that we will be doing this again.

For more action and entertainment visit: www.pmsc.org.uk Facebook: PMSCSocial

TWO RIVERS BENEFICE SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER ST PETER’S STUTTON Sunday 2 8am Sunday 2 10.30 Saturday 8 Noon-1pm Sunday 9 9.30am Sunday 16 9.30am Monday 25 2.30pm Sunday 23 11am Sunday 30 11am

Holy Communion Worship for all Soup & Roll Holy Communion Holy Communion Prayer Group Informal Service Rector’s Farewell at Freston Benefice Service & Harvest Festival

ALL SAINTS HOLBROOK Sunday 2 4pm Sunday 9 10am Sunday 16 8am

10am Sunday 23 9.30am

Afternoon Tea Matins Holy Communion Informal Service Holy Communion

ST MARY’S WHERSTEAD Sunday 2 No service Sunday 9 11am Sunday 16 No Service Sunday 23 11am ST PETER’S FRESTON Sunday 2 11am Sunday 9 No service Sunday 16 11am Sunday 23 No service

Holy Communion Morning Prayer Matins Holy Communion

ST MICHAEL’S WOOLVERSTONE Sunday 2 11am Café Church Saturday 8 9am-12.30pm Monthly Market Sunday 9 11am Worship the Woolverstone Way Sunday 16 11am Morning Prayer Sunday 23 11am Holy Communion After 11 years as Rector of Stutton, Holbrook, Freston, Woolveston and Wherstead, I am moving to Shipton-under-Wynchwood to be vicar of four churches. My time here has been a real joy and blessing, living and serving a wonderful and friendly community. I will miss people very much, but at the same time am looking forward to the new challenges ahead.

I will continue to remember you all in my prayers.

Yours, The Rev Geoffrey Clement

20

In Touch online:

St Mary’s Church Harkstead

The Heritage Lottery Fund is contributing over ÂŁ50,000 towards major external repairs to Harkstead's mediaeval church, including work on the tower buttresses, roof areas and walls.

We are encouraging people to get involved in discovering the heritage of the church.

If you would like to participate in creating images of the church and its artefacts, or following a trail created by the Arts Association, or exploring the social history of the village as recorded in church documents, please contact: Charlotte Stewart 01473 328039 (artwork) Eleanor Soar 01473 327266 (trail) or Margaret Harward 01473 328657 (social history). www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

21

CHURCH NEWS SHORELINE BENEFICE SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER ST ANDREW’S CHELMONDISTON Sunday 2 9.15am Holy Communion with Harkstead,

Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 9 9.15am Holy Communion, Rev D Newton Wednesday 12 10am Tuesday Midweek Communion,

Rev Canon L Oosterhof Sunday 16 9.30am Holy Communion at Harkstead. Rev T Crosbie Sunday 23 9.30am All-Age Family Worship, Mrs C Ward Sunday 30 11am Benefice Holy Communion BCP at Erwarton,

Rev Canon L Oosterhof ST MARY’S ERWARTON Sunday 2 11am Sunday 9 11am

Sunday 16 11am Sunday 23 10.45am

Sunday 30 11am

Holy Communion BCP, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Holy Communion BCP with Shotley, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Harvest Family Service, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Holy Communion at Shotley, Rev Canon C Chapman Benefice Holy Communion at Erwarton Rev T Crosbie / Rev Canon L Oosterhof

ST MARY’S HARKSTEAD Sunday 2 9.15am

Sunday 9 3pm

Sunday 16 9.30am

Sunday 23 11am

Sunday 30 11am

Holy Communion at Chelmondiston, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Prayer Stations & Songs of Praise, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Holy Communion with Chelmondiston, Rev T Crosbie Harvest Family Service & Lunch, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Benefice Holy Communion at Erwarton, Rev Canon L Oosterhof

ST MARY’S SHOTLEY Sunday 2 10.45am

Sunday 9 11am

Sunday 16 10.45am Sunday 23 10.45am

Sunday 30 11am

Family@ShotleyChurch – Back to School, Mr A Coulson Holy Communion BCP at Erwarton, Rev Canon L Oosterhof Worship for All, Mr A Coulson Holy Communion with Erwarton, Rev Canon C Chapman Benefice Holy Communion at Erwarton, Rev Canon L Oosterhof

Please check church websites and noticeboards for any changes to services.

COME TO THE MOVIES Showing Evan Almighty on Sunday, September 9 at 10am at Holbrook Methodist Church.

When God told Noah to build an ark in the middle of nowhere, his friends and neighbours must’ve thought he was nuts. In Evan Almighty, a family-friendly comedy about a modern-day Noah, God tells a U.S. Congressman named Evan Baxter to build an ark. Evan initially resists, but once he’s convinced he’s really heard the voice of God – animals follow him around, two by two – he decides to trust, obey and build the big boat – right in the middle of a new affluent housing project.

Everyone thinks Evan is off his trolley, including his family, who pretty much desert him. Yet Evan, like Noah, persists in obedience, no matter the consequences – even when it appears he’ll lose everything.

How does the story end? Come along and find out. It’s a film all the family will enjoy.

22

CHELMONDISTON & HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES What did I (almost) forget to say?

We have just returned from a wonderful holiday. The weather has been amazing, though farmers, gardeners and water industry authorities are anxious for more rain. Having lived in Zimbabwe for 10 years, we also love rain – you long for it after seven months of a dry season and there is great excitement when the first rains come. I’ve even sensed some British people getting excited about the rain this year.

On holiday we did the things I wrote about last month; we walked, swam, sailed, read, relaxed, went on a ferry, ate in and out, worshipped, met with friends, family and acquaintances.

I visited my first Sunday School teacher, recently moved into a residential home and will be 90 by the time this is printed. My father had conducted her marriage service and they had celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary before her husband died. She kept in touch with my parents until they died and continues to keep in touch with me and my siblings. I was able to thank her for her faithfulness in teaching me, my siblings and many other children about Jesus and for her regular prayers for our extended family over these years. She was one of several people who helped me in my Christian walk. I am glad that I was able to say “thank you” before it was too late. I know there are others whom I wish I had thanked, but who had already died. Don’t put off thanking people who have made a difference in your life.

I would like to say “thank you” to the many volunteers who offer service to individuals and communities. Perhaps you have thought about giving up because few or even no-one has said thank you. What you do for even the least important person is still a significant gift of time, of love, of yourself and God has noticed. On behalf of all those unsaid thank yous please accept this thank you.

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

6.15pm Circuit Service (at Chelmondiston) Sunday 9 10.45am Worship with Rev Hill

6.15pm Worship – Local arrangement Friday 14 3.30pm Messy Church Sunday 16 10.45am Worship with David Cordle

6.15pm Worship with Chris Jowett Friday 21 7pm Pots and Pudds Sunday 23 10.45am Worship and Communion with Rev Howes

6.15pm Worship with Rev Diane Smith Sunday 30 10.45am Worship with Rev Sankey

6.15pm Harvest Songs of Praise Lay Pastor and Outreach Worker Rachael Wainwright: 01473 603616 AT HOLBROOK METHODIST (HCT: Holbrook Churches Together) Tea and Chat (HCT): Mondays, 2.30-4pm Home Groups: First and third Tuesday’s at 7.30pm – ring for venue Saturday 1 10-11.30am Coffee Morning Sunday 2 10am Worship with Mr Roger Theobold

6.15pm Circuit Service at Chelmondiston Sunday 9 10am Come to the Movies: Evan Almighty (HCT) Sunday 16 10am Family Friendly Worship with Alicia Holmes Sunday 23 10am Worship with Dr Liz Cope

6.30pm Something Different with Rev Sankey Sunday 30 10am Harvest – Worship with Heather Bentley Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in November. For more information about Messy Church, Tiddlers and Family Live (HCT) contact Alicia Holmes: ajnholmes@gmail.com / 01473 658478

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23

notes & nibbles

Recital Hall, Music School / Tickets: ÂŁ7 on the door Pupils from the Royal Hospital School perform a programme of solo and chamber music Lunchtime concerts with a buffet lunch available from 12.30pm

Monday 17 September

1.30pm

Monday 8 October

1.30pm

Monday 12 November

1.30pm

Monday 10 December

1.30pm

Monday 21 January

1.30pm

Monday 11 March

1.30pm

Monday 6 May

1.30pm

Monday 20 May

1.30pm

Monday 24 June

1.30pm

Concert lasts approx. 40mins. Parking available around the School Chapel.

For any enquiries please contact the Music School 01473 326222 or music@royalhospitalschool.org the royal hospital school, holbrook, ipswich ip9 2rx