In Touch News with Sproughton January 2020

In Touch

™© ™©

with Burstall & Sproughton

Volume 10 • Issue No. 3 • JANUARY 2020

Image by Sheila Sawers

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I am utterly addicted to and obsessed by Leonard Cohen, so you can imagine how excited I was to discover a new album was to be released three years after his death. Thanks for the Dance has been arranged by Leonard’s son Adam and features various collaborators and previously unheard material. Every line is a masterpiece, all the more poignant because it was written and recorded when he was “Waiting for the miracle to come”. Death and dying have always been key themes of his work, but is it fair to refer to the man who said “The older I get, the surer I am that I’m not running the show” as ‘the grandfather of gloom’?

I go to one or other of his albums for inspiration, comfort, reassurance, hope and even humour. Tonight Will Be Fine always makes me smile: Sometimes I find I get to thinking of the past.

We swore to each other then that our love would surely last.

You kept right on loving, I went on a fast, Now I am too thin and your love is too vast.

And the ultimate love song must surely be If I Didn’t Have Your Love: If the sun would lose its light And we lived an endless night And there was nothing left That you could feel That’s how it would be My life would seem to me If I didn’t have your love To make it real I can’t imagine a world without music (it doesn’t have to be Leonard Cohen all the time), but for others it might be art or theatre, movies or even long walks in the countryside which provide the indefinable something which makes life better. Whatever it may be, I hope you find time and space to indulge in it this year. Maybe we can help you find it if you haven’t already!

And when you’re having a bad day…

“Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.”

Leonard Cohen

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In Touch Titles • Stowmarket & Stowupland • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew • Melton & Woodbridge • Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley • Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath • Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit • Needham Market & The Creetings •S hotley, 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 •W esterfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall

NEWS BRAMFORD GUIDE & SCOUT HQ 100 CLUB Nearly 40 years ago Bramford Guides and Scouts took over the newly converted ‘Old School’ building in Bramford as their HQ and have met there ever since.

Recently we have been busy fundraising to completely refurbish our kitchen and toilets and we are pleased to say that the kitchen has now been completed – and it looks fabulous. Thanks are due to the fundraising team led by Sarah, to The KBB Centre for overseeing and doing most of the work, to Suffolk County Councillor John Field for a generous grant from his locality budget which paid for the electrical work and to all the parents and friends who have given their financial support to the project.

Now we want to get the toilets done, including a disabled toilet, as soon as possible.

To help with fundraising we have launched a 100 Club which will run for the twelve months of 2020. We have made a good start with members, but we need a few more so if you would like to help us, here are the details: Numbers will be £2 a month, so £24 for the whole year (to be paid in full before January 15). There will be a draw at the end of every month; prizes will be £50 for first, £30 for second and £20 for third (subject to us selling 100 numbers), with the other 50 per cent of the monthly income going towards the project.

If you are interested in buying a number or you have any queries, please email: sarah@kbbeastanglia.co.uk

SPROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL Sproughton Parish Council would like to wish all the residents a very Happy New Year.

Pigeon Development /Burstall Lane Following on from the public exhibition at the Tithe Barn on November 22/23, comments were to be received by post or email by December 16.

The Sproughton Working Group had a questionnaire for those residents attending and there was an overriding objection to the development. It’s thought Pigeon will apply for planning in the new year. Look out for updates on Next Door, our website, Facebook, Twitter and in the community shop.

Bennett Homes/Flood Water This has been a very frustrating issue and there now seems to be some development and so hopefully things will soon be resolved. Thoughts must go to the residents for their patience in this matter.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Wednesday 15 January 7pm Planning Meeting / 7.30pm Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 29 January: 7pm Planning Meeting Parish Council Contact Details 07540 053289 / sproughtonpc@gmail.com

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Friday 10 January is the advertising and editorial deadline for the February edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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NEWS SUE ROBINSON – THIRTY YEARS OF SUPPORT FOR HOSPICE Sue was born in the Bishop’s Hill area of Ipswich in 1958. She attended Derby Road Primary (now Rose Hill) and then Copleston Girls before signing on for a two-year course at Civic College studying for a career in nursing. She qualified in 1980 and soon afterwards became a theatre nurse. Although she never had a problem with the sight of blood, initially her main concern was ‘the first cut’, but she soon got used to it.

Thereafter, her biggest problem was keeping quiet in a job where the nurse spoke only when spoken to. She thoroughly enjoyed the long hours, the hard work and being directly involved with the saving of lives.

After a seven-year courtship, Sue married Nicholas Robinson: the ceremony took place in the Alan Road Methodist in 1982 where she had been a member of the Sunday School, the Girls’ Brigade, Junior Church and Youth Club. The following year, 1983, they moved into their current home in Church Lane, Sproughton. After further experience at Anglesea Road Hospital in the Churchman Ward, and time spent at the Chantry Convalescent Home, Sue left nursing in 1985 to raise her family of three: Avril was born in January 1986, Nicole in December 1988 and Zoe in January 1995.

Sue traces her awareness of the importance of palliative care, and her subsequent involvement with the hospice, back to when she was a young nurse of 18. On the Easter Sunday, a very old, terminally-ill lady asked for a bed pan. Moments later, she was dead, right in the middle of visiting time.

This was Sue’s first encounter with death and the experience shaped her life from that moment. “You had to have a sense of humour to survive. There was no dignity to the end of life.”

At that time, about 1977, there was much talk in the area about a hospice, but it was some 10 years before it really got under way and Sue was one of the early volunteers and fundraisers. Her very first event was in 1987 when a coffee morning held in her dining room raised all of £40 for the charity.

She has been closely involved ever since and her latest venture was the preChristmas Craft Fair in the Tithe Barn on Saturday 2 November which raised in excess of £1,000. “Not bad for a pouring wet day when the Orwell Bridge

High-profile events such as the fair raise a comparatively small amount. The real money has been made by 30 years of constant hard work behind the scenes, and Sue has been very much ‘hands on’ for many hours every single week. There is far too much detail to relate here, so suffice it to say that Sue is involved with the bric-à-brac side of sales at St Elizabeth Hospice outlets, 26 in Suffolk and just one in Essex.

Take, for example, Tuesday 5 November. She processed 89 items for sale at their retail centre in Holywells. Has she ever made any finds? “There was an 18ct gold necklace found in a cardboard box being torn up for recycling... and a set of silver forks and spoons valued at £75 each and which raised £1,650 as scrap!”

With all this constant activity in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice, has there been any time for holidays? “In 1978 I went to Malta with a couple of friends and got sunstroke. Once was enough!” There is the annual journey to Fort William in Scotland to see the Scottish Six Day Trial in which hundreds of motorcycle trial riders from 20 countries compete – next May will be their thirtieth such visit – and outings to the Land Rover factory in Solihull, classic car events at Goodwood and the National Motor Museum at Gaydon.

Sue and Nicholas are still involved with the garage in Westbourne Road that has been the family business for 70 years, and was in the 19th century the local slaughter house. Otherwise, it has always been back to places like Needham Market, Manningtree and Ipswich in pursuit of funds for her beloved hospice.

What of the future? “Carry on fundraising. But don’t tell Nicholas.” There is also involvement with four grandchildren and helping daughter Zoe in her shop at Kersey Mill. One thing’s for sure: Sue does not find time hanging heavily on her hands.

And the tally so far? “With the sum raised at the recent craft fair in Sproughton, the total stands at just over £100,000.” Frankly I am in awe of such commitment and dedication, and can but wish Sue continued success in the important area of raising funds for palliative care.

Ken Sheppard (neighbour)

ORCHARD PLAYERS 2020 PANTO

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Red Riding Hood, January 9-11 at Capel St Mary Community Centre

From the Ipswich Journal in August and September 1819, several notices were posted by farmers regarding the area and game trespassers being prosecuted. Some landowners still used traps and spring guns. This didn’t deter the people who stole a wether sheep from Wm. Waspe’s land near London Road and left the head and entrails in a field. A £20 reward was offered.

Not many things can upset the villagers of Fermley on the Fiddle – that’s except werewolves and politicians! Join us this panto season as we tell the story of the most famous Red Hood around.

Tickets (£8/£6) for performances on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 January at 7.30pm and at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 11 are now on sale.

Box Office Number: 07793 820215

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was closed by bad weather.” This was her fifth such fair and was remarkable for its friendly atmosphere, good stalls, and excellent food: I speak as one who was there.

Doreen Bradbury

In Touch online:

Here for you every hour of every day Meredith Greengrass Ground Floor, Station Yard, Needham Market

01449 798267

283 Norwich Road, Ipswich

01473 855631

247a Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich

01473 855783

www.eastofengland.coop/funerals

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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NEWS SPROUGHTON COMMUNITY SHOP: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE Happy New Year to you all! It’s incredible to think that our shop is coming up to its 10th birthday in March. Researching other community shops prior to establishing Sproughton, I visted Polstead Stores which at the time had been going for 10 years. Such a history seemed at the time to be nothing short of miraculous, and yet here we still are!

2019 was a funny old year. 2017 was frighteningly disappointing.

Turnover dropped 10 per cent, but during 2018 turnover picked up by two per cent. Not stunning, but thankfully in the right direction. 2019 started with a bang; it looked as if we would be back to 2016 levels

by August. But then came the worst September ever. We don’t know why this was, except perhaps the fact that the position of the traffic lights for the roadworks had made it impossible to get in and out of the courtyard. For the next lot of roadworks, we were careful to move the ‘queue here’ sign to the west side of the entrance, but alas, October too was disappointing. However, November was the best since 2013, so next month I hope to be able to report that business was up on 2018.

We are not necessarily more expensive. For instance our screen wash and heat logs are cheaper than local supermarkets. If everyone in the village made sure to use us just a little bit, we’d definitely be able to increase the £7,000 we have already donated to village charities.

2019 has seen us give up single-use plastic almost entirely. This brings

its own challenges. For a start, compostable packaging is much more expensive, and secondly is not airtight. So the sandwiches have to be put in re-used plastic bags at night (more work for the volunteers) and the bread in our smart new lucite display cabinet, which, since it is bespoke, was not cheap. We have always used compostable carrier bags, or multiple use bags which customers have brought us, but now the daily use items are all ecologically friendly.

In November the EPOS back office system which we have been using since the beginning, decided to have a breakdown, with a concomitant muddle of inconsistent figures. So we have had to learn to use a new and improved system; a bit of a headache that close to the year end, but Wendy overcame with her usual incisive grasp of essentials.

In October we said farewell to our director, Sally Sparrow, as she establishes herself in her new home in Eye. It was a bit of a shock, but it made us think, and in December we welcomed Helen Childs and Tracy Booth onto the board. We look forward to input from a younger perspective.

It only remains as always to thank our wonderful volunteers and our loyal customers, and to look forward to a prosperous 2020.

Rosalind Lavington

enquiryatsproughtonshop@mail.com / 01473 747768

FRESH CRANBERRY CHEESECAKE I’ve always loved playing with my food, so putting things together is something of a pastime, sometimes with good results, sometimes leaving me wondering what I was thinking about. More times than not, measurements are casually recorded, if at all. However, all recipes here have been tried and tasted – by somebody! And that’s because unless the recipe is very, very sophisticated and complicated, it can probably lend itself to new and different ingredients and/or treatment. The imagination is your only limit.

I ran the basic recipe for this cheesecake over three years ago, so yes, I’m cheating, but only a bit – this time to make it more seasonal and cheery, and to satisfy the British curiosity of what on earth to do with cranberries – other than sauce – both during and after the holiday. Enjoy this tart tart – a perfect finale to a traditional turkey dinner and actually, any time the mood strikes.

Start with the basic cheesecake recipe, then top with the cranberries, as instructed. Cranberries can be found out-of-season in the frozen food section of some supermarkets. Or freeze your own when fresh if you have the freezer space.

BASIC CHEESECAKE One 9-inch graham cracker/digestive crust* or 1 pre-baked crust.

300gm cream cheese 1 can sweetened condensed milk 3fl oz lemon juice 1tsp vanilla extract Beat the cream cheese until fluffy and gradually blend in condensed milk. Stir the lemon juice and vanilla extract in

and mix thoroughly. Pour into prepared crust and chill for two hours until set. *If making this yourself, use a 9” tart pan to mix the crust in. Take 18 digestives, finely crushed, add 75gm of butter (soft or melted), 50gm sugar and 1tbsp vanilla essence, and mix thoroughly. Pat evenly into place on the bottom and along sides. Bake at 170℃/ gas mark 4 for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown. Let it cool off, then chill before topping.

FRESH CRANBERRY SAUCE 300g fresh cranberries, picked through and washed 100g granulated sugar 4fl oz water Pinch of salt 1tsp vanilla Heat the sugar and water together until it forms a steady stream when dribbled from the spoon. Immediately stir in the cranberries, cover and remove from the fire. Allow to set for about five minutes, covered, then check the sauce has reached a thick syrupy consistency, not too runny nor too thick. Add vanilla and salt. The moisture from the cranberries as they pop open from the heat of the syrup should end up making it the right consistency, so if it’s too thick, allow to set a bit longer, covered, or add a tiny amount of water. But do that only if the berries have already popped open and it’s still too thick. Allow to reach room temperature before topping the cheesecake. Chill before serving. Enjoy!

©Mary Bright Basan / Questions or comments to: mbb.101@hotmail.com

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

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

Wills and Trusts Lasting Powers of Attorney Probate Disputes

Probate and Estates Court of Protection Financial Planning

01473 556900

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

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

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

SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB Now we have Christmas and the New Year behind us, we shall be thinking about our activities for 2020 and will inform you of these once they have been confirmed.

Meanwhile we shall continue with our usual meetings with cards, tea and biscuits and bingo, and hope the weather is kind to us so we will not have to cancel any meetings.

GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB Open to anyone living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area, we meet in Great Blakenham Parish Room every Monday from 2-4pm. The cost is £2 per week to include workshop materials, raffle prizes and refreshments.

In November we made Christmas Tree banners as our contribution to the tree festival in the church and had our last meeting and AGM on December 2.

The club will reconvene on February 3 and our programme for 2020 is: February 3 March 2 April 6 May 4 June 1 July 6 August 3 September 7 October 5 November 2 December 7

A Little Light Reading Forever Flowerz Birds, Butterflies and Flowers Have a go at Bargello Prick and Stitch for Men The Vintage Look Sewing/Paper Mash-Up Wobble Wobble Christmas Tableware Christmas Card Medley AGM

For further information please get in touch with Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB The club will meet from 10am to noon on Wednesdays 8, 15 and 29 January in the upstairs room at the Bramford Methodist Church. Please note there is no club meeting on January 22.

The cost is £3 per two-hour session, plus £1 membership per school year, payable from September.

There’s no set programme, but the club is here to help you get the best out of your computer.

We have a very fast internet connection and refreshments (tea, coffee and biscuits) are always available. Why not give us a try?

COUNTRY RAMBLES During the past month we have gone on a few short walks in the local area. Weather permitting we shall walk on Sunday 12 January, meeting at the church at 2pm, and on Tuesday 21 January, leaving the church at 10am.

Destinations not yet decided.

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Join us on the last Wednesday every month (excluding July & August) for a three-course lunch followed by an interesting speaker and a prize raffle. On the second Wednesday we meet for coffee and a chat.

In July and August, and at Christmas, our wives, partners and friends are invited to join us. They also accompany us to theatres, shows, musicals and trips to places of interest in East Anglia and beyond.

Why not come and meet other gentlemen, all retired or semi-retired and from a wide range of careers, interests and backgrounds? Our objective is to provide fellowship for members and their families. Prospective new members are always welcome and there is no requirement to have belonged to any other organisation previously.

For further details, please contact Malcolm Kemp: 07711 689130

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS VALENTINE’S DINNER The River Gipping Trust has now applied for full planning permission for a new footbridge across the River Gipping just upstream of Baylham. With approved planning permission, the trust can apply for funding to pay for the bridge.

This new bridge, which will sit on top of existing 230-year-old brick abutments, will restore the footpath at Baylham to its original position along the river’s towpath. The primary objective is to improve the walking experience of those that use the Gipping Way. Through most of November the current footpath, alongside the railway line, was underwater and not passable without Wellington boots. The new path over the bridge will not be so susceptible to flooding.

Our volunteer workforce meets up every Wednesday at 9am, normally at Pipps Ford or Baylham, and we welcome new volunteers and members (a work party of volunteers is pictured cleaning up at Baylham).

Further details can be found online where you can download a membership application form. Full membership is just £10 per year.

Restoration Manager Ian Petchey: restoration@rivergippingtrust.org.uk www.rivergippingtrust.org.uk / Facebook: The River Gipping Trust

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 January 21 when Chris Parfitt will be giving an illustrated talk on Hidden Bhutan, focusing on the eastern area and the less visited valleys. Chris has travelled extensively around the world and has built up a collection of interesting and informative talks. This promises to be no exception, especially as this area is one of his favourites.

On February 18 Brian Dyes, a founder member and past chairman of Ipswich Transport Museum, will be giving a talk about the museum.

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.

Saturday 15 February, 7 for 7.30pm Church Hall, Sproughton MENU Carrot, Ginger, Turmeric Soup or Smoked Salmon Vegetarian Curry or Beef Bourguignon Filled Meringue Nests Choc Mousse with Shortbread Apple Crumble Tickets £15 including a glass of Prosecco / B.Y.O. Drinks Sponsored by Sproughton Community Shop

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL It gives me great pleasure to share with you the events, activities and news in school, particularly as the month of December is always full of festivities and celebrations.

At the end of November a group of language students visited the province of Seville in Spain to take part in a week-long exchange trip. Students took part in organised group activities during the day, staying with their host families each evening and over the weekend. This was a fantastic opportunity, allowing students to soak up the culture, practise the language and experience the wider world, developing key life skills. We look forward to the return exchange when the Spanish students visit us in March.

Our former Year 11 students who left us in the summer, returned to Claydon High School on Tuesday 3 December for a presentation evening where they were awarded with their GCSE certificates and special subject achievement awards, recognising individual commitment and progress. We are all extremely proud of all aspects of their success and achievement and wish them all the very best for whatever the future brings.

Families, friends, governors, teachers and students were treated to a festive evening of music on December 17 at the school’s Christmas Concert. The evening featured a fusion of musical theatre alongside some more traditional performances and involved more than 40 students across all year groups. The dedication, commitment and hard work from students and staff was certainly evident and my thanks and congratulations go to all involved.

Once again students surpassed expectations for the ninth year running and created an amazing range of Christmas hampers which were donated to a local charity, The Chapman Centre, part of IHAG (Ipswich Housing Action Group) who provide relief for people in the community suffering from extreme financial poverty or homelessness.

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

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Tuesday 28 January. Please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders on 01473 836110 to book a place.

www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

Headteacher Maéve Taylor

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VILLAGE CONTACTS LIST

Details for organisations and activities in Sproughton Allotments / Sproughton Parish Council

sproughtonpc@gmail.com 07540 053289

Almshouses (Cooper Trust)

make.shep@btinternet.com

Badminton Club

dennisjackaman@btinternet.com

Burial Ground / Sproughton Parish Council

07540 053289 sproughtonpc@gmail.com

Bowls Club

01473 742572 / David Taylor

Brownies

www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested

Carpet Bowls Club

01473 748302

Children’s Play Area / Sproughton Parish Council

pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk

Church Hall Booking

01473 464336

Sproughton Community Shop

01473 747768

Footpath Warden / Sproughton Parish Council

pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk

Jigsaw Pre-School

info@jigsawsproughton.org.uk

Millennium Green Trust

kenseager511@gmail.com

Toddler Group

revannettes@aol.co.uk

Parish Council Clerk Diana Stroh

sproughtonpc@gmail.com 07540 053289

Parish Council Chairman Helen Davies

01473 742862 / helend@hotmail.com

Sproughton All Saints’ Church

revannettes@aol.co.uk

Playing Field Committee

pfmcandbar@gmail.com

Lunch Club

Rosalind Lavington 01473 213254 / 01473 747768

Quilters

Julie Hodges: 01473 226004 / martin.rl.hodges@btinternet.com

Ramblers

Doreen Bradbury: 01473 210008

Reading Room & Caretakers House Trust

sproughtonreadingroom@gmail.com

Senior Citizens Club

eunice.pk585@yahoo.co.uk

Sproughton CEVC Primary School admin@sproughton.suffolk.sch.uk Sproughton Tennis Club

evercope62@gmail.com

Tithe Barn Bookings / Sproughton Parish Council

07540 053289 sproughtonpc@gmail.com

Tower Captain (Church Bells)

ralphearey@gmail.com

Tree Warden / Sproughton Parish Council

07540 053289 sproughtonpc@gmail.com

Village History Recorder

Doreen Bradbury: 01473 210008

SPORT / CHURCH NEWS CLAYDON & DISTRICT BADMINTON CLUB Feeling full and ever so slightly guilty about the amount you have eaten over the festive season? Why not get back into badminton right here on your doorstep at Claydon High School?

Claydon & District Badminton Club is a social badminton club which meets on Monday nights from 7-9pm during school term time in Claydon High School Sports Hall. Although we are a popular club, we have some space and you would be very welcome.

As we have to pay for use of the hall, our fees are ever so slightly higher than if you booked a court for four people at a local sports centre, but you don’t have to find three other people to play with and you get to play with a mixture of talents (each game a different group). As variety is the spice of life, come and spice up your life.

This term starts again on Monday 13 January so please do come along to meet us and have a few games, not just that night but any Monday night during school term.

For more information contact C&DBC chairman Dik Langan – 01473 831692 / claydonbadders@gmail.com – or visit: www.claydonbadminton@wordpress.com

SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH What’s the best gift God could give you?

For the start of 2020 we have a series on Thursday evenings that, with the help of a superbly shot video and discussion questions, explores what we are really living for. It moves on to discover that, in Jesus, God meets our deepest desire for happiness. The best gift he could give us is himself.

There are seven Life Explored videos in the course. We will meet at the chapel from January 9. You are welcome to join us for a simple hot meal at 7pm followed by the video at 7.45pm to finish by 8.45pm. Do come along and try it out.

You are welcome to join our regular meetings of worship and fellowship: Sundays 10-10.30am: Prayer and Share 10.45-11.15am: Bible Study (Communion first Sunday) 11.30am-12.30pm: Worship Service Refreshments are served between meetings; come when you can and leave when you want.

Weekdays at the Chapel Life Explored: see above Friends and Neighbours: 7.45pm on Monday 20 January Lunch and Listen: Thursday 6 February Pastor Mark Newcombe: 01473 831940 / 07958 830103 m.newcombe940@btinternet.com Edwin Mayhew: 01473 658100 Baptist Chapel, Chapel Lane, Somersham IP8 4QE Facebook: somershambaptistchurchsuffolk WORSHIPPING AND FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER

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CHURCH NEWS THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook and Belstead & Bentley with Tattingstone The Rev Annette Shannon The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton IP8 3BQ revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674 Benefice Administrator Hayley Purnell northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07904 972116 Dear Friends, Unless you drink loose tea and believe in reading tea leaves at the bottom of your cup to tell the future, there’s no way to make a close inspection of the coming year. The label on this New Year just says ‘2020’. Not very informative!

The only way to inspect the contents is to live the year. Superstitious fortune telling being out of fashion, perhaps ‘futurology’ might help. This doesn’t depend on tea leaves, but on projecting past trends into the future and comparing present and past scenarios to see what might happen next. So how about January 1920? Can it give us any clues?

The war to end wars had been consigned to history. The Treaty of Versailles had been signed but not ratified by all concerned. Payment for all the damage had been agreed but not yet paid. The troops were home but the women who had done so many ‘men’s jobs’ were consigned to the kitchen at home again!

And the deadly flu pandemic was fading. Things would surely get better and for some, they did indeed get better in some ways. Party on! It’s the Jazz Age (if you had the money)! What could possibly go wrong?

What indeed? Through history’s lens we see better than they could. But except for those aged 101 or more we weren’t there. We cannot personally know what it felt like to stand on the threshold of that New Year 1920.

As we stand on the threshold of this New Year 2020 we can’t interrogate it and demand to know if it is the year we want, the year we would order if we had the power to do so. For each of us much may depend on how we approach the future. Like a dodgy zip fastener that won’t connect when you put on your coat, your expectations of 2020 may not connect with reality.

When Jesus started his ministry many people wanted to pin the label MESSIAH on him. But Jesus didn’t fit their expectations.

They asked: “Are you the one who is to come or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:19) His answer was to point to all the good things he was doing, but that didn’t satisfy some of them. They expected a powerful political and military leader. They got a healer, a preacher, and for those willing to accept him as he is, a Saviour, the only One able to give people eternal life. When the authorities of the day crucified Jesus they got rid of a threat to their political security, but God used their action to open the way to a life lived in his presence from here to eternity.

So as we step into the unknowable future let us go with God, the One who reates the future. Let us try always to behave as God desires: “To do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) With my prayers and best wishes for us all in 2020, Don Mehen

St Peter’s Church, Copdock, will be closed for refurbishment from January 1 until March 8. All services will be held at St Mary’s Church, Belstead. We apologise for any inconvenience caused while this essential work is being carried out.

North Samford Baby and Toddler Group 9.30-11.30am at Sproughton Church Hall on Mondays in term time. Suggested donation £2 per family. Leaders: The Rev Annette Shannon (01473 807674) / Doreen (01473 311122) Sproughton Burns Night: Saturday 25 January, 7.30pm Wedding Preparation Day: Saturday 1 February from 10am at Bentley Village Hall FROM THE REGISTERS Weddings Harriet Plummer and Edward Read – Belstead Funerals Patricia Cook – Copdock Burial of Ashes Jennifer Jones – Copdock Peter Jones – Copdock Ethel May Steward – Copdock Graham Steward – Copdock EVENTS IN JANUARY Wednesday 1 Thursday 2

Tuesday 14 Saturday 18 Monday 20 Wednesday 22

Saturday 25 Thursday 30 Friday 31

Bentley Home Communions, 10am Bentley Coffee and Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Churchwarden’s and Treasurer’s Meeting, 10am Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm Ministry Meeting, 7.30pm Burstall Approval of Accounts Copdock Home Communions, 10am Sproughton Burns Night Afternoon Tea Copdock Community Get Together, 2pm

SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Sunday 5 January 8am Belstead 9.30am Burstall 10am Tattingstone 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 11am Sproughton

Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Morning Prayer Family Service Family@Church

Sunday 12 January 9.30am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Belstead 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone

Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Taize

Sunday 19 January 9.30am Burstall 10am Belstead 10am Bentley 3.30pm Tattingstone 11am Sproughton

Holy Communion Simply Sunday Morning Prayer Family@Church Holy Communion

Sunday 26 January 8am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Bentley 10am Belstead 6pm Tattingstone

Holy Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion

Please submit church letters and copy for the February edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by January 4: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com

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