In Touch News with Sproughton March 2020

In Touch

™© ™©

with Burstall & Sproughton

Volume 10 • Issue No. 5 • MARCH 2020

Image by Charmian Berry

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In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

NEWS

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

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

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

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

A message may be appreciated but a hug is everything.

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

SPROUGHTON COMMUNITY FETE 2020 I know spring has hardly sprung but your fete committee has already started planning for this year’s fete.

It will be on Sunday 28 June, starting at midday and closing with the grand draw just after 4pm, on our lovely Millennium Green as usual.

You can enjoy pony rides, ice cream, the beer tent, a barbecue (including meat-free options), tea, cakes and refreshments, the crockery smash, tug-o-war, live music from the ever-popular St Peter’s Band, a fun dog show, a coconut shy and lots of other stalls and sideshows.

All the proceeds go towards securing next year’s fete and to local charities, so come to enjoy the fun and the sun and help local good causes into the bargain.

Share our pride in life in Sproughton!

Put the date in your diary and watch for more news and announcements in future editions of In Touch.

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

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

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

by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

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

Tuesday 10 March Printed on gloss paper from FSC certified sources

Please recycle.

is the advertising and editorial deadline for the April edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

BURSTALL’S 67th ANNUAL FLOWER & FUN DOG SHOW Saturday 1 August 2020 Just six months to go and the flower show schedules are now available.

If you are a Burstall resident your copy will be delivered to you. Copies are also available from the telephone box, the village hall and the church and you’ll also find it online at: www.burstall.onesuffolk.net If you would like to enter the potato or geranium challenges you need to register by March 2 by emailing coopersaa@gmail.com. As a result of theft from the telephone box last year, the seed potatoes and plugs will be issued from the village hall on the morning of Saturday 14 March. If you are unable to collect please email the above address.

This year there will be a charge of 50p for adult challenges (children free) payable at the time of collection but no charge for show entry.

SPROUGHTON MORNING MARKET Now only once a quarter, our next morning market is on Saturday 14 March at 10am in Sproughton Church Hall where there will be tea/coffee with a biscuit, a raffle and greetings cards for sale.

Come along to meet and greet, with plenty of time for a good chat.

The monthly Millennium 100 Club Draw may also take place during the morning.

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NEWS SPROUGHTON MILLENNIUM GREEN FUN QUIZ NIGHT Our next fun quiz night in aid of Sproughton Millennium Green will be held on Saturday 18 April, starting at 7.30pm in the Church Hall, Lower Street, Sproughton.

Come along and join in the fun – fundraise with us and exercise your brain cells at the same time. Light refreshments will be served – please bring your own bottle!

Tickets (adults £5, under-16s £3 / £1 extra at the door) will be available from mid-March at Sproughton Community Shop or by calling 07578 552324.

Look out for event posters around the village too.

Please book or buy your tickets early so that we know we have a viable event.

All proceeds from this event will go towards the upkeep and maintenance of our Millennium Green. Thank you for your support.

BURSTALL CRAFT FAIR Burstall Craft Fair takes place on Saturday 4 April, 10am-4pm at Burstall Village Hall IP8 3DU. Refreshments will be available all day, as well as a raffle.

Entry is free, as is parking.

To book a table (£10) phone: 07985 558014

SPROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL Hopkins Homes/Loraine Way (49 Dwellings): The Sproughton Working group has delivered leaflets to residents in the village. The deadline for any comments was February 20.

Tithe Barn: The Tithe Barn holds many events, including badminton on Tuesdays from 2-4pm and dancing on Thursdays from 5.45-8pm. The Sassy Stitchers meet once a month on a Thursday from 9.30am-4pm.

The lunch club may return when a new cook is found; they usually meet in the Barley Room on a Wednesday from 12.30-2pm.

Grants: The parish council has now changed its policy and will now accept applications all year round.

12th Sproughton Beer Festival: The 12th annual Sproughton Beer Festival is being planned for the weekend of May 8, the Friday being a bank holiday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the formal end of the Second World War. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Wednesday 11 March: 7pm Planning Meeting / 7.30pm Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 25 March: 7pm Planning Meeting Parish Council Contact: sproughtonpc@gmail.com

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU My family and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone for the cards, kind messages and big hugs when my husband died recently. Thanks too to Annette, Heather and Michael, Tony and Rosie, those who did the lovely flowers in the church, the choir, Phil, Sandy and Jill, and all those who attended Bob’s funeral on January 16.

We felt surrounded by love and support at this difficult time: a wonderful tribute to Bob. God bless you all, Alison Hardwick

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REPORT FROM ZAC NORMAN District Councillor for Sproughton and Pinewood I’ll begin with an update on Wolsey Grange. After a few conversations I discovered that the reserved matters application for Wolsey Grange 1b (the current approved outline development next to the Holiday Inn) is expected to be submitted to Babergh very soon. The outline application for Wolsey Grange 2 (the other side of the road) is expected after a few delays to come to Babergh at some point in March, although this is dependent on no other delays. This application will likely be for 750 homes.

I was pleased to be able to secure an extension to the Hopkins Homes applications DC/18/02010 and DC/18/02412 (for 49 homes on Loraine Way) until February 20, two extra weeks from the original deadline.

Anyone who had previously made a comment on the old application will have been notified of this. If you weren’t able to comment this time but did last time, your comments will still count so don’t worry too much. Nevertheless, thank you to all who commented this time round.

You’ll remember that in the week beginning 20 January 2020 cones were put out on High Street with no warning. In the same week, there was an Orwell Bridge closure which created traffic chaos through our village. I have complained to the county council that no notice of these cones or the associated works was given to residents, so it is quite understandable that there was frustration, especially about the bridge closure. One particularly worried resident contacted me to tell me that her son was almost hit trying to go to school due to cars mounting the pavement. I explained to SCC that all we really want is notification of the works and the cones being put up at a reasonable time. These cones were put out for drain works and Anglian Water needed access to the gullies three days before the works were due.

During the recent Orwell Bridge closures many residents reported the number of lorries breaking the 7.5 tonne weight limit in the village (not limited to Orwell Bridge closures). Just to say that if you report these to me, I’d be happy to chase them up and find out what actions are being taken to prevent these vehicles coming through the village.

Maybe I was a fool for thinking that the Bennett Homes flooding issue was sorted. A very successful meeting attended by myself, County Councillor Hudson, Parish Councillor Maxwell, James Cartlidge MP, Suffolk County Council Highways representatives, Bennett Homes and local residents to get Bennett Homes and the county council to agree a way forward was held on January 24.

A compromise from the county council and Bennett Homes was to fund the investigative works which involves jetting works, a CCTV survey to find any blockages, the undamming of the stream and associated traffic management works to be carried out in the week commencing February 3. However, on Tuesday 4 February, the drainage board arrived and they have subsequently lost (and since failed to retrieve) the camera they were using. They then informed Church Lane residents that they were planning to undam the water later that day or on Wednesday 5, but this hasn’t happened. Water is still flooding the houses. I have been back in contact with James Cartlidge, Suffolk County Council, the drainage board and Bennett Homes but have heard nothing as of yet, which is very disappointing.

As always, if you have anything you’d like to raise with me, please don’t hesitate to get in contact. zachary.norman@babergh.gov.uk / 07577 359922 If you would like to sign up to my newsletter with more in-depth information, please email me and you will be added to the mailing list.

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NEWS

THE REV TONY WILCOX Retired Minister and Internationalist Tony and Rosie moved to Sproughton after his ‘retirement’ in 2007. Before then his 39-year ministry was in three parts: first in a five-year curacy in Cheltenham following his ordination in 1967; then as a minister in Beccles; and finally for 25 years, 1981 to 2006, as vicar at All Saints in Chevallier Street, Ipswich. They lived in Norwich Road, in a church property called Green Tiles. Their house had a bus stop just outside, and that meant they often had people knock on the door. “Please can we use your toilet?” It was a door which also attracted ‘gentlemen of the road’ looking for a cup of tea and something to eat. Well, it was a vicarage, even if it hadn’t been built as such.

They were married in Cheltenham where Rosie was matron in a wellknown boarding school for girls. The job was good preparation for family life as Ruth was born in 1971 while they were still in that town.

Andrew, Michael and Sarah were born in Beccles and Jonathan was born in Ipswich in 1985. Having five children must surely have laid the foundations for their very successful venture in Chevallier Street.

At this point I should refer to the inverted commas around ‘retirement’ in the first sentence. Tony said: “Reverends do not retire from the ministry, but only from a particular job. They have a life-time qualification for conducting services for baptisms, funerals and marriages. Without the role of retired ministers the work of the church would grind to a halt.” Retirees have ‘permission to officiate’ and Tony’s next service will be a baptism in late February at Capel St Mary where parishioners are currently without a minister.

Tony and Rosie’s arrival in Sproughton was a godsend, literally you might say, to two organisations within the village. The first is Croissant Church, an informal family act of worship which takes place after excellent tea, coffee and croissants in the Church Hall on the second Sunday of the month. It was started in 2007 by five people, four of whom no longer live in the parish: Tony has been responsible for its continuing success since 2013. The second was Mothers and Toddlers, established by Tony and Rosie back in 2009 and modelled on their extraordinarily successful venture in All Saints where they had up to 180 families on their books. The Sproughton group was,

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of course, very modest in comparison but it filled a need and was highly valued by the young mums with toddlers who attended the weekly gathering in the Church Hall. After seven years as leaders, they felt they had rather worn themselves out and had to bring the venture to a close. Fortunately, their legacy lives on as it was restarted by the Rev Annette and is once again strongly supported each Monday in term time.

I must now explain the ‘internationalist’ aspect of Tony’s work. His interest in Russia started in the early nineties and in 1995 he travelled to St Petersburg for what was supposed to be ‘a one-off visit’. There he met an English woman who was working in an orphanage. As a result, Tony and Rosie’s daughter, Sarah, bravely travelled on her own to Russia’s second-largest city in 1996 to work as a volunteer in an orphanage: she was 16!

Tony’s second visit was in 1997 after which time he became a trustee of a charity whose purpose was, and still is, to relieve poverty amongst the disabled, abused and destitute, with especial attention to children in orphanages and families in trouble. The charity is called Caring Hands Russia, registered with The Charity Commission in London: and you can read about it by Googling the charity’s name. Over the intervening years, Tony has become the leader of the charity and has visited St Petersburg 21 times.

In St Petersburg, Tony is frequently asked to assist in English classes because the students want to hear someone ‘who speaks English English and not American English’.

In recent years, Tony has organised several visits to Sproughton by Russians, some of whom are studying English and some of whom are already qualified to teach the language and hold responsible positions in schools. The groups have been led by Tony’s Russian contact, Masha, the spelling of whose surname has quite defeated me. These visits, with students staying in local families, have done much to promote understanding and friendship.

And what of the future?

Tony intends to carry on with his charity work in Russia and with helping the church locally for as long as he is able to make a contribution.

We wish him well.

Ken Sheppard (friend and parishioner)

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NEWS SPROUGHTON COMMUNITY SHOP: Something for everyone

H A P P Y 1 0 th B I R T H D AY Happy 10th Birthday to us! Over that time we have done more than £750,000 of business, at least 50 volunteers have helped in one way or another and half a dozen have been serving you since before we opened.

We have given in excess of £7,000 to village charities, sponsored the community lunches and helped lots of people out of isolation. We have more than 30 local suppliers and about a thousand different lines of stock.

So how are we going to celebrate? Well, we invite you to share some birthday cake with us during opening hours on Wednesday 25 March.

As climate change becomes more worrying, we have decided not to order any more plastic carrier bags. We always purchased biodegradable ones but we want to encourage all our customers to bring their own bags with them. We have a few branded cotton bags which you can purchase but please don’t stop bringing your own unwanted bags to the shop for those of us who haven’t got into the habit yet.

Mothering Sunday happens on March 22 and we shall be providing daffodils to church for the children to take home in posies as gifts for

their mothers. For those of you somewhat older, come and see the wonderful array of flowering bulbs and charming potted plants which make lovely gifts and last so much longer than cut flowers.

With Mothering Sunday on the fourth Sunday in Lent, Easter isn’t far behind. In addition to chocolate eggs, we have a selection of more ingenious ways to indulge a sweet tooth!

We look forward to seeing you on March 25.

Rosalind Lavington www.sproughtoncommunityshop.co.uk 01473 747768 / enquiryatsproughtonshop@mail.com

SPROUGHTON MILLENNIUM GREEN 100 CLUB

RANSOMES AND RAPIER ANNUAL REUNION

As we start another year of looking after our Millennium Green, your directors wanted to say a big thank you our 100 Club subscribers for another year of vital support.

Sunday 15 March at Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road, Kesgrave IP5 1EE. All ex-employees, families and friends are welcomed from 12.30-5pm.

The 100 Club raises around £1,600 a year for our funds. It’s our mainstay: we receive no funding from other sources, other than occasional public donations and our own fundraising events. The importance of the 100 Club cannot be overstated. Without it we would have to run a fundraising event every seven weeks to meet our annual costs.

Costing just £1 a month for a number in our monthly draw, and with the chance of winning a £40 prize each month, we have a few spare places for 2020 if anybody wishes to join. A prompt response to this item, and you could be in with a chance to win the February prize!

For more details please call or text: 07578 552324

FROM THE ARCHIVES From the April magazine of 1916 there is a letter written from Poplar House by a Winifred Mason, Commandant of Suffolk / 88, saying:

Come and see fascinating artefacts, documents and videos. Meet up with old friends at a really enjoyable event and see what new stories and pictures have surfaced.

Food and drinks are available to purchase at reasonable cost. Admission is £2.50 per person.

For more information: 07910 659219 / derek@dclarke.me.uk

EASTER BRIC-A-BRAC SALE 1st Sproughton Brownies are holding an annual Easter Bric-a-Brac Sale in aid of Save the Children, Thomas Wolsey Ormiston Academy and Brownie funds on Saturday 28 March in Sproughton Church Hall from 2-4pm.

Please come along, support us and grab yourself a bargain.

Admission is free. Stalls include white elephant, toys, books, clothes, next-to-new, cakes, a draw, tombolas, games and refreshments.

“Dear Sir, I am extremely grateful to you and to the committee of the Sproughton Whist Drive for the cheque (£3) for British Red Cross Society which I received today. I am paying it into the Suffolk / 88 account and you may rest assured it will be put to a good use.

Winifred Mason, Commandant, Suffolk / 88” This was during the First World War and it’s good to know that Sproughton residents were supporting the Red Cross.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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NEWS SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM During the last month I have been out and about delivering school presentations about careers in the police and internet safety. It’s important for all for us to consider online safety.

It’s not just young people who can get into difficulty online and there are many scams still going on around us. Many of you may have received emails using your email address but if your name isn’t used, it’s probably a scam. If it doesn’t seem right it probably isn’t.

Tell your friends and family if you think you have been the victim of a scam or if you suspect a scam and call the Citizens Advice consumer helpline for practical advice: 0808 223 1133 The Police and Parish Forum dates are set out below. Please take this opportunity to come along and ask any questions.

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

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

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

Community Engagement Officer PC 287 Sarah George E: CEOipwesthadleigh@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY Did you know that household waste left after recycling is no longer landfilled in Suffolk? At the energy-from-waste facility we use waste as a fuel to generate electricity for the National Grid. If you are interested in seeing the process in action, we have spaces remaining on our upcoming open days: March 30 at 2pm, April 8 at 6pm, April 15 at 2pm and June 3 at 10am.

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

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

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

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

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

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

•

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

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

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

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

Open days are free of charge and available to anyone interested in finding out more about waste and the facility. There are up to 20 spaces available each day but pre-booking is essential: suffolkefw.uk@suez.com / 01473 839149

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

Free educational visits Nearly half of all visits to the facility are from schools, colleges and clubs. We provide age appropriate educational activities for all visitors from ages seven and up and have been awarded a Learning outside the Classroom quality badge for our commitment to providing high quality learning outside of the classroom. Visits are a great opportunity to see first-hand what happens to non-recyclable waste in Suffolk, as well as learning about reducing, reusing and recycling.

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

School visits are available Monday to Friday for class sizes of up to 30 pupils, and evening visits are available for clubs. For all enquiries, please contact: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com We’re on Twitter Did you know that we are on social media? For more frequent facility updates, fun facts and all the handy tips you could ever need about rubbish, recycling, and food waste, follow us on Twitter @suffolkefw.

If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact us at: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 / SUEZ Communities Trust: 01934 524013

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

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

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

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

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OUT & ABOUT LENT SOUP LUNCHES You are warmly invited to soup lunches at Sproughton Church Hall on Thursdays between noon and 1.15pm throughout Lent. They started on Thursday 27 February and continue until April 2. On each occasion there will be a cake stall (contributions are invited) and the proceeds from this and the lunches will go to World Vision.

World Vision is a Christian organisation currently helping more than 100 million people in nearly 100 countries who struggle against poverty, hunger and injustice, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

Come and enjoy a bowl of soup (home-made whenever possible) and a roll, buy a cake for your neighbour and have fellowship with others, knowing that your money is helping some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

NEW TUNES FOR YOU Out of hibernation with new numbers and renewed enthusiasm is the message from Jazz Galore.

The members of this long-established Suffolk group offer a wider range of tunes and play for little more than expenses. They are easy to accommodate: a power socket and a bit of shade against the blazing sun is all they want. Plus a cup of tea and a bun would be nice.

Four weekends are already taken up with repeat bookings – a beer festival, two village fetes and a concert – so if you’d like them to play at your event this year contact Mike Smith on 07874 034390 before too long.

BARHAM HALL PICNIC CONCERT Essential Sounds (an 18-piece big band) will entertain us with music from stage and screen while we enjoy our picnics in the wonderful setting of Barham Hall Gardens on Saturday 27 June. We will also have a Michael Bublé tribute act to entertain us when the band takes a break and, as usual, the evening will end with the ever-popular flag waving Last Night of the Proms sing-a-long.

The gates will open at 5.30pm to allow plenty of time for visitors to view the beautiful gardens before the band starts. We aim to finish proceedings at 10pm when the light is failing.

Tickets go on sale on Sunday 1 March at the early discount price of £12 (instead of £15). This discount will apply to all tickets paid for before Saturday 23 May. Cash or cheques payable to Claydon and Barham PCC should be sent with a self-addressed envelope (and a stamp if you live outside Claydon and Barham) to Roger Colthorpe, 5 Phillipps Road, Barham IP6 0AZ. Please don’t delay as a sell-out is again probable as we have to limit the numbers to comply with the temporary event notice under which this event is held.

For those who may not have visited these wonderful gardens before, Barham Hall is opposite the church in Barham (IP6 0PT) and has plenty of parking behind the gardens. The restriction on numbers means that there is plenty of space to spread out on the fabulous lawns with your picnic. In keeping with the surroundings, we hire luxury toilets to avoid the unpleasantness of many outdoor events. In order to avoid damage to the beautiful lawns we cannot allow gazebos, barbecues or emptying of hot water from flasks.

Unfortunately, we all have to gamble on the British weather, hence the early discount price before knowing what the forecast will be. Weather like last year would be fantastic.

All proceeds go to the Claydon & Barham Church Fabric Fund to help fund the next major project which is restore our ancient bells and get them ringing again with hopefully two additional bells. Barham Church bells haven’t been rung properly since 1947. We look forward to being able to open a concert with a peal of bells from across the road in the not too distant future.

Our thanks to Mr and Mrs Burrows for inviting us into their gardens for this wonderful community event for the 13th year.

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In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT

BURSTALL WI What a change from January’s hectic meeting!

In February we were able to relax and quietly watch beautiful photographs of Norway and the Northern Lights. Chris Parfitt is hugely popular with WI groups, a great photographer and a very interesting speaker. He has visited Burstall before and we have always enjoyed his presentations and this one didn’t disappoint.

Chris showed stunning views of his sea trip through the fjords, gave lots of facts about the Norwegian way of life and how they cope with five months a year of snow and concluded with pictures of the natural phenomenon known as the Northern Lights.

After coffee and cake we chatted about the various events the WI is involved in this year; members will be catering for Burstall VE Day commemorations, helping with the Bumblebee birthday party, entering several classes at the WI Showcase event and organising a charity fashion show for EACH, so plenty to get our teeth into!

SPROUGHTON BEETLE DRIVES 5. Feelers 2. Head

4. Eyes

3. Legs

1. Body 6. Tail

Being a leap year, our Beetle Drive can only occur on February 29 every four years (and even then it has to be a Saturday) so make the most of it! Then a month later, it’s happening again on March 28 at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. Just £4 with refreshments and a raffle.

SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB We will meet each Wednesday throughout March from 2-4pm. During the month we shall arrange our new schedule which will be reported in April.

Meanwhile we would welcome new members to join us for cards, bingo and refreshments in the church hall.

A STORY 84 YEARS IN THE MAKING…

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.

The club reconvened on February 3 with every member receiving a craft magazine full of papers and toppers together with some cards and envelopes for a card making session. We were also pleased to welcome new members and hope they will enjoy our meetings.

March 2 Forever Flowerz April 6 Birds, Butterflies and Flowers May 4 Have a go at Bargello June 1 Prick and Stitch for Men July 6 The Vintage Look August 3 Sewing/Paper Mash-Up September 7 Wobble Wobble October 5 Christmas Tableware November 2 Christmas Card Medley December 7 AGM With the recent influx of new members I cannot accommodate anyone else right now but will happily place your name on a waiting list if you are interested in joining.

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

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?

Since the Regal first opened its doors in 1936, improvements have continued with the addition of the stage, dressing rooms, bar, 3D digital projector, sound and satellite systems. The current redevelopment project between Stowmarket Town Council and Mid Suffolk District Council is the next step in that journey and I’m confident that the end result will be an entertainment venue that respects the charm and character of the current building while providing all the modern facilities that today’s customers expect.

We have been wrestling with how best to deliver the project for some time and have reluctantly concluded that the project can be managed most effectively by handing the site over to the contractor during the construction period. Consequently the Regal will be closed from February 24 to the beginning of December to allow for the project to be delivered in the most cost effective and timely manner. However, we can’t leave you without a cinema for that long so we’re excited to announce that we’re taking the Regal on the Road and converting the John Peel Centre on Church Walk into a cinema for around 10 screenings a week.

All tickets will be £5, except for Pocket Money Movies which will continue at £2.50 with an accompanying adult going free. Regal Golden Tickets will also be accepted.

Watch this space for exciting news and our Regal on the Road launch programme.

Thank you for your continuing support.

David Marsh

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.

Follow us on Twitter to keep up with all your local news:

If you wish to join us, as a guest initially, or require further details, please contact our secretary, Malcolm Kemp: 07711 689130 / secretary.ipswichprobus@gmail.com

@InTouchEast

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS HADLEIGH CHORAL SOCIETY Dramatic and majestic in its sound, the organ will feature prominently in three choral works at Hadleigh Choral Society’s upcoming spring concert. All are invited to attend as we perform a series of musical depictions of biblical psalms, requiem mass and heartfelt poems. Latin, Hebrew, English plus a bit of Gregorian chant harmonisations will all be on the menu as the choral society sings Chichester Psalms by Leonard Bernstein, Requiem by Maurice Durufle and Five Mystical Songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

COUNTRY RAMBLES Unfortunately some of our regular walkers who live outside the village couldn’t get to the meeting place on Tuesday 21 January because there had been an accident on Orwell Bridge and the roads were nose to tail.

We hope that will not happen for our March walks, which will be on Sunday 8, leaving the church at 2pm, and Tuesday 17, leaving at 10am, destination not yet decided.

Directed by Christopher Phelps, the choir will be accompanied by professional soloists Nina Bennet (mezzo soprano), Tim Travers Brown (counter tenor) and Owain Browne (baritone), along with organist Tom Bell. Harp and percussion instruments will round out the musical ensemble.

Join us St Mary’s Church in Hadleigh (IP7 5DT) on Saturday 28 March at 7.30pm for this evening of celebratory praise through these well-loved choral classics, two of which made their debut appearance at such esteemed venues as Chichester and Worcester Cathedrals.

Tickets are £15 (under-25s free) from www.hadleighchoralsociety.org.uk, The Idler bookshop in Hadleigh (37 High Street), choir members or on the door. For more information phone 01473 823791.

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of or a volunteer for the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you.

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

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

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; the entrance fee is £3. National Trust members and volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

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

BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB The club will meet from 10am-noon on Wednesday 4, 11, 18 and 25 March in the upstairs room at the Bramford Methodist Church.

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?

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CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL We have been busy with various trips, visits and activities, including our GCSE Bootcamp at Mersea Island, indoor rowing championships and an A Level languages taster session at Cambridge University, as well as some successful sporting achievements in cross-country, athletics, basketball and futsal.

On February 10 a group of students were joined by a fantastic local band called Scarlet and a team from IEM (Industry Education in Music) to take part in a rock band workshop and concert. Students from across all year groups split into groups to form separate bands and spent the day composing original pop music from scratch. With a very tight deadline this was a huge challenge, but our talented students worked extremely hard, using advice and guidance from the professionals to come up with some impressive and original material that was performed at a concert on the very same evening.

Elsewhere in school, the art department have been busy with students taking part in an exclusive portrait workshop with the world-famous artist Colin Davidson at the Made in Suffolk: Ed Sheeran Exhibition in Christchurch Mansion. The day included a tour of the exhibition

by John Sheeran (Ed’s dad) and an oil painting masterclass at Suffolk One led by their Level 4 course leader, Emma Connolly. A group of Year 11 art students also had the opportunity to visit the Sainsbury’s Centre in Norwich on Wednesday 12 February to view their permanent collection and participate in a practical workshop which will form part of their preparation for their GCSE Art/Art Textiles exam. Drama students from across all year groups have been given the opportunity to experience live theatre at the New Wolsey Theatre this term, kicking off with Year 7 watching Aladdin.

As I write we still have so much to look forward to including a BBC School Report Day, maths competitions, a trip to the Globe Theatre to see Macbeth, a visit by students from the Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria Alixar on the return leg of our Spanish exchange programme, and our PTA quiz night on Thursday 12 March at 7pm.

If you would like to join us for this fun and popular evening, please contact Lisa: admin@claydonhigh.com 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 Thursday 5 March. To book a place please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders, on 01473 836110.

Headteacher Maéve Taylor

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / SPORT A LOVE LETTER TO IPSWICH In November 2017, We Are Ipswich (the collective of theatres and arts organisations in Ipswich) released their cultural manifesto for the town, setting out their mission to make Ipswich a great place to live, work, visit and invest.

Two years later, DanceEast, Eastern Angles, Gecko, New Wolsey Theatre, Pacitti Company (SPILL Festival), Red Rose Chain, Suffolk Libraries, Ipswich Museums and Ipswich Borough Council theatres (Ipswich Regent Theatre, Corn Exchange and Ipswich Entertains) are excited to announce the positive impact that culture has made in Ipswich with more than 5,000 performances and £25million income for the local economy.

Collectively, the organisations that make We Are Ipswich have created new opportunities for young Ipswich and Suffolk artists, developed home-grown shows that have gone on to tour the UK and across the world, engaged and empowered local communities, brought world-renowned art to Ipswich and contributed over £25million to the local economy, all helping to cement Ipswich as a nationally significant destination for arts and culture.

From November 2017, We Are Ipswich pledged to deliver “cultural, social and economic growth in Ipswich”. Since then, they have delivered: • More than 5,000 performances and exhibitions, including KISS & TELL which saw the iconic The Kiss sculpture by Rodin come to Christchurch Mansion, SPILL Festival bringing the haunting sound installation Clarion Call on the waterfront plus a huge range of theatre, dance and performance across the town.

• More than one million attendances, the equivalent of every person in Ipswich attending four times a year. Summer festivals and events in Christchurch Park, organised by Ipswich Entertains (Ipswich Borough Council), are some of the biggest events in Suffolk.

• 128 commissions of new work and 50 premiers in Ipswich. DanceEast regularly host world-premiers of performances from some of the greatest dancers and choreographers.

• More than 18,000 active sessions for almost a quarter of a million children and young people, and 10,000 active sessions for 230,000 adults.

Companies such as Red Rose Chain, Ipswich Library and Eastern Angles continue to do important work that engages and inspires all members of the Ipswich community.

• 50,000 hours of volunteering by more than 1,800 volunteers.

• Over 250 jobs and income of over £25million.

All of the organisations that make up We Are Ipswich are proud to be based in Ipswich and thrilled with the impact they have collectively made in the town and across Suffolk.

Sarah Holmes, chief sxecutive of New Wolsey Theatre says: “This is great proof that Ipswich is a culturally vibrant town. Those who live or work here are very lucky and as for everyone else in the world: come and see for yourselves.”

Dave Muller, chair of Visit Ipswich, adds: “We Are Ipswich reinforces what a great cultural offering we have the positive impact on the town; further demonstrating why Ipswich is such a great place to visit and enjoy.”

Rosalind Wynn, executive produce for Gecko Theatre, says: “We’re proud to take the name of Ipswich wherever we travel, and always happy to come home. The next two years promise to be even more exciting for us as we create our next show here in Ipswich and look forward to opening our own building, The Gecko Creation Space, as we repurpose an unloved warehouse on St Peter’s Wharf in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council in 2021.”

The work doesn’t stop there. The We Are Ipswich collective intends to build further on their achievements in the coming years and hope to release their next manifesto in 2021. Until then, all the theatres and arts organisations are continuing their innovative work in Ipswich, empowering communities, attracting investment and creating great art. www.we-are-ipswich.co.uk

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A MUTTLEY CREW NEEDS YOU This year we have several great sporting events to look forward to; The Olympics, Euro 2020 and many more, but closer to home you too could be part of a winning team.

With the backing of Sport England; This Community Can is a Community Action Suffolk project tackling rural isolation with volunteer-led activities. We have many great groups across Suffolk, from gardening to table tennis, yoga to youth clubs, and while all are very different, they are united in that they bring local people together for fun and friendship in their own community.

Recent headlines about the surge in mental health challenges, especially among men, is a big cause for concern and there is interest in forming activities for men to enjoy with their peers which are free, accessible and without the need for any equipment!

We are launching a new initiative in March called The Muttley Crew which will be a relaxed and friendly walking group for men of all ages and their dogs, if they have one!

If you are a man who would like to spend some time in the fresh air with others, getting fit while making friends and finding new places to walk in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, with the bonus of ending up in a local pub, the Muttley Crew is for you. Dogs of course, are optional but will be very welcome and the pubs selected will be welcoming to walking boots and muddy paws.

A walking club is a great way to meet people, especially if you struggle to talk to others in more formal settings. This will bring you together with like-minded men in a setting which allows you to be as chatty as you feel comfortable with. Due to the physical nature of walking it is possible to walk without talking if you prefer.

If you, or someone you know would enjoy the chance to be part of The Muttley Crew do please get in touch with Nicky Russell: 07775 661970 / nicky.russell@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk

SPROUGHTON PLAYING FIELD Hopefully spring will be on its way by the time you read and we’ll be looking forward to taking in the fresh air of the lighter days (apologies if we’re knee deep in snow).

If you are thinking of getting healthier and/or fitter in 2020, then why not try one of the sports clubs available at Sproughton Playing Fields? We have facilities for all ages and tastes – crown green bowls at a very busy and sociable bowls club, a tennis club with floodlit, well-maintained hard courts, youth football teams (although there is a waiting list) and ‘veterans’ teams (i.e. those past the prime of youth). In addition, there are outdoor gym facilities that are always available, with QR codes to enable you to download safe use guidelines and suggested workouts.

For those whose exercise is more sporadic, why not join the playing field team where you’ll occasionally be able to help out maintaining the area and keeping it fit for use by all? You’ll also be able to get the satisfaction of giving something back to the community.

And finally, after all that exercise, Sproughton Playing Fields boast one of the last licensed premises in the village (at time of writing) where you can sit down and partake of some liquid refreshment after a hard day’s work.

Due to licensing requirements, you have to join the bar as a member to be eligible, but the cost is pennies and the rewards many, with a burgeoning social scene.

Details can be found on the noticeboard at the entrance to the playing field or email us at: pfmcandbar@gmail.com Sproughton Playing Field Management Committee (PFMC)

In Touch online:

SPORT / CHURCH NEWS SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH CLAYDON FC It’s been a little while since we provided an update, a symptom of not having enough admin support.

It’s been another good year so far as we continue to grow our youth teams, especially younger age groups where we have had more teams than ever before. The coaches and support crew for each team put in a lot of time and effort and it’s been fantastic to see the youngsters grow and develop.

We have a couple of projects on the go; refurbishment of the new port-a-cabin and improving drainage on the main pitch. Both are at the planning stage but we are committed to getting the new changing room in place to provide additional facilities for youth teams and our men’s A Team.

Our senior teams are having a good season with the 1st Team currently in fourth place in the senior division, the Reserves in second and the A Team in third, so not bad all round. This is a reflection of good coaches and support staff working hard to maintain momentum as players move up the ranks. Of course, the background staff are vital to this, through to the ‘ground force’ that is Tony, John, Charlie and Mick who keep the ground in tiptop condition. We have much to do but the quality of the ground has been noticeable over recent months so I thank them for their efforts and commitment.

Every big club relies on volunteer support groups to work together to ensure it meets the obligations and needs of the community. Our recreation committee has been transformed in the last year to enable us to take on the challenges we face. With the number of players wishing to play for Claydon on the rise, we rely on them to maximise capacity. It’s great that the rec is firing on all cylinders as we work together to ensure we meet our community commitments.

We have numerous youth team sponsors and the senior teams are sponsored by Whip Street Motors. Their three-year commitment has assisted us enormously and we are now playing in smart new kits.

My thanks to WSM – we look forward to their continuing support.

Quite often people say they wish they had faith but they find they cannot believe. Life infused with faith is perceived to have some advantages, especially through life’s difficult seasons. But faith does not drop out of the sky, it is not washed into you at baptism, it comes from discovering Jesus.

He is found in the gospels, reading of him is the route to believing in him. The apostle John wrote his Gospel to help people believe; ‘Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you might have life in his name’.

(John chapter 20 verses 30+31) Believing in Jesus is the channel in which forgiveness flows and eternal life given. Being accepted by God is not about what kind of person we are, but what kind of person Jesus is. All kinds of people are accepted by God because of faith in Jesus.

Do you wish you had faith? Read the four Gospels about Jesus in the New Testament and pray about what you have read. Faith is given freely by God to all who seek him in his Son, Jesus of Nazareth.

We have free paperback copies of the New Testament, just let Mark know and one will be delivered to you.

Sunday 29 March: Asia Link Jim Gourlay is visiting from Asia Link, an organisation whose purpose is to support Christians throughout Asia.

He will have a video presentation and message so we have adjusted our morning meeting accordingly: 10am Prayer and Share, 10.45 Worship in Song and Prayer, 11.30am Asia Link Ministry.

REGULAR MEETINGS Sundays 10-10.30am: Prayer and Share 10.45-11.15am: Bible Study (Communion first Sunday) 11.30am-12.30pm: Worship Service

Up and coming events include a race night at the community centre and our annual clairvoyant evening, details of which will be announced in the coming weeks.

Refreshments are served between meetings; come when you can and leave when you want.

We now turn our attention to an event for players, parents, grandparents and friends, the club presentation day on Saturday 16 May. We look forward to providing challenges, entertainment and trophies to the youth section.

Lunch and Listen: Noon on Thursday 5 March

To ensure continuity, we need more people to assist in running the administration and governance of the club. Please contact me to discuss.

Chairman Tim Carr

WEEKDAYS AT THE CHAPEL Friends and Neighbours: 7.45pm on Monday 16 March 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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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CHURCH NEWS THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook and Belstead & Bentley with Tattingstone For parish queries please contact:

Burstall Craft Fair: Saturday 4 April in Burstall Village Hall

The Rev Annette Shannon The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton, Ipswich IP8 3BQ revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674

FROM THE REGISTERS

Benefice Administrator Hayley Purnell northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07904 972116 Dear Friends, As I write I am part way through a ‘dry January’ (a challenge I agreed to after the Christmas and New Year festivities). I would like to stress that I am not an alcoholic but admit that it hasn’t been especially easy to break the habit of a drink at weekends or on social occasions. Temptation is all around us.

I expect many of you also took up the challenge of a ‘dry’ or vegan or smoke free January and hope that you felt better for it. You will almost certainly have been physically healthier for it. It has led me to reflect on Lent, which runs throughout March leading up to Easter. Lent starts on Ash Wednesday (February 26 this year) and ends on Easter Saturday 11 April. It is seen as a time of observance, reflection and preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus at Easter. It has traditionally been a period for fasting or abstinence in order to get our minds and hearts ready for remembering Jesus’ life, death and bodily resurrection.

Fasting is common practice in other religions and was much more common in Christian England prior to modern times. A pillar of Islam is the practice of fasting in daylight hours in the month of Ramadan. Many of us know something about this from our Muslim friends and colleagues and I have great respect and admiration for the very many of those who practice it.

So why has abstinence gone so out of favour in this country and indeed why bother to do something so alien to our modern way of life? Should we consider giving up alcohol or chocolate or tobacco or similar pleasures, or go for the full fasting experience?

Abstinence may be very helpful in encouraging us to reflect on our faith when before we would have reached for a drink, a snack or a cigarette. Much better for us too than a short-lived dopamine boost!

We will not be giving up the things that we truly need. We will still have shelter, sufficient food, family and friends, community and our faith. However, an observance of Lent with some form of abstinence may well help us to focus better on the things we need to do to build our spiritual life.

A different approach might be one with an outgoing positive action rather than the somewhat inward-looking one of giving something up. I have recently found and enrolled on the (free) ‘40 Acts’ scheme run by Stewardship, which sends participants daily readings and optional small challenges (such as saying thank you to people in your community, or small donations or acts of help) every day of Lent. Look it up if you are curious: https://40acts.org.uk I hope this will give me that little extra nudge to spread the Christian message this Lent.

Yours in faith, Simon Harley Churchwarden St Mary’s Tattingstone 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) The Red Barn Murder Come and hear the tragic tale of a poor Polstead maiden and the aftermath.

Friday 27 March in Bentley Village Hall at 7pm. Ticket £6 (including a glass of wine, cheese or pate and biscuits) from Sandra (01473 310383) or Peter (01473 310518).

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Funerals Frank Terence Tunstall, Sproughton (January) Bob Hardwick, Sproughton (January) Burial of Ashes May Talmadge, Tattingstone (January) MARCH Tuesday 3 Wednesday 4 Thursday 5 Thursday 5 Friday 6 Tuesday 10 Tuesday 17 Wednesday 18 Saturday 28

Copdock Approval of Accounts Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Bentley Home Communions, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm Burstall World Day of Prayer, 7pm Ministry Meeting, noon Afternoon Tea Sproughton Church Hall Tattingstone PCC Meeting Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm

SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Sunday 1 March 8am Belstead* 9.30am Burstall 10am Bentley 10am Copdock 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton

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

Sunday 8 March 9.30am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone

Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Evening Prayer

Sunday 15 March 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton

Holy Communion Simply Sunday Healing Service Family@Church Holy Communion

Sunday 22 March 8am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Belstead 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone

Holy Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion Mothering Sunday Non-Eucharist Holy Communion

Sunday 29 March 10am Copdock

Benefice Service

Sunday 5 April 8am Copdock 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton

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

*Copdock Service at Belstead Please submit church letters and copy for the April edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by March 4: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com

In Touch online:

VILLAGE CONTACTS LIST

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

sproughtonpc@gmail.com

Almshouses (Cooper Trust)

make.shep@btinternet.com

Badminton Club

dennisjackaman@btinternet.com

Burial Ground / Sproughton Parish Council

sproughtonpc@gmail.com

Bowls Club

01473 742572 / David Taylor

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

sproughtonpc@gmail.com

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

To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

Brownies www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

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

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

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

evercope62@gmail.com

Tithe Barn Bookings / Sproughton Parish Council

sproughtonpc@gmail.com

Tower Captain (Church Bells)

ralphearey@gmail.com

Tree Warden / Sproughton Parish Council

sproughtonpc@gmail.com

Village History Recorder

Doreen Bradbury: 01473 210008

www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton

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Furniture, Glass, Porcelain, Reclaim, Period Ironmongery & Lighting

Old London Road, Copdock, Suffolk IP8 3JF

www.suffolkheritage.co.uk Telephone 01473 730351 email: info@suffolkheritage.co.uk Open everyday except Tuesdays