In Touch with...
The best place to advertise your business services Delivered FREE to your door!
In Touch
™© ™©
with Burstall & Sproughton
Volume 9 • Issue No. 7 • MAY 2019
Looking Forward by Charmian Berry Image by
BE YOUR OWN BOSS START YOUR BUSINESS WITH MENTA FREE BUSINESS TRAINING START RIGHT WORKSHOPS
Do you want to be your own boss or have you started a business in the past 12 months and are based in Suffolk or Norfolk? MENTA’s three, free ‘Start Right’ workshops are designed to be fun and informative. You’ll find out about legal structures, business plans, successful marketing, bookkeeping and tax. With multiple dates and workshop locations, book your free training soon and ‘Start Right’. Start Right is funded by
Book online at www.menta.org.uk or call 01284 760206 mentabusiness
2
mentabusiness
mentabusiness
In Touch online:
NEWS
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR One recent Sunday morning, Jack and I got up early to bake cakes for one of our little charity stalls at the front gate, this time in aid the Cyclone Idai appeal. We’d watched the news reports about the cyclone which has left around three million people in need of help and Jack’s immediate response: let’s bake! And so we did. We cut out letters to make a Cyclone Idai Appeal banner and set up the table with cupcakes at 50p each. It was a lovely morning and the lane was busy with dog walkers and cyclists so trade was brisk. The little money pot was filling up nicely, but when we realised we’d forgotten to tell grandma what we were doing, and knowing how much she loves cake, we ran next door to tell her we were almost sold out. When we returned our little money pot had disappeared! At first I thought it had just blown off the table, but there was no sign of it anywhere. It was well and truly gone. Jack’s little face was a picture, and not a pretty one. I still can’t quite believe it happened. I just don’t understand how anyone could be so heartless, or even have the nerve to do it! But the story doesn’t end there. Feeling the need to vent, I posted a message on the local Facebook page and was humbled by what happened next. The first person who posted a reply also made a £25 donation to the appeal. Then a man I don’t know turned up at the door with a £5 donation. He wanted to meet Jack and to tell him not to be disheartened by what had happened. There were a few angry comments on Facebook, but most people wanted to express sympathy and to ask when we were having our next cake sale. Many others donated to the appeal and in addition to the £10 we received from a lady who dropped by the house later in the day, and our own contribution to cover sales, the total donated on the day was £160. Clearly there is an odd bad egg in the world, but so many, many, many more good eggs who can achieve great things when they come together. Of course, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. In every area where we publish there are multiple fundraising events happening all the time, but isn’t it lovely when a negative becomes a positive and doubts are overcome. And on that basis we shall be running another cake stall very soon!
In Touch
with Burstall & Sproughton
Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sproughton@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
ADVERTISING Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 DISTRIBUTION Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 PRINTING Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk
01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Burstall & Sproughton is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
We also publish In Touch with... •B eyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge
In Touch with...
JUNE DEADLINE 10 MAY 2019 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy
www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton
SPROUGHTON FETE 2019 SUNDAY 23 JUNE A reminder that our village fete will be held as usual on the Millennium Green between noon and 4pm on Sunday, June 23. We still have a few more spaces for stalls. Why not promote your business, local organisation or charity by taking a stall? Raise awareness and/or funds and have fun at the same time! Business stalls are £40 each (negotiable); smaller businesses £10. Charites and not-for-profit organisations are free! Call 07578 552324 to make an enquiry, or pick up a stall booking form at the community shop. Many people asked us last year where the crockery smash had gone! So, back by popular demand, the crockery smash will feature again at this year’s fete. Please keep your old crockery for us, and call the above number in early June so we can pick it up. Anything other than glass objects will do: plates, vases, cups, bowls, teapots, Ming, Meissen or whatever – the more expensive it looks, the more kids want to smash it! Posters are going up around the village soon giving full details of the fete programme and the ever-popular Fun Dog Show (with new categories for 2019). Look out for them and our grand draw tickets. This year’s first prize is a whopping £100 cash. Come and join us on the green on Sunday, June 23. It’ll be fun!
SPROUGHTON ALMSHOUSES The trustees would like to recruit a member of our community to replace a trustee who is retiring. The charity is responsible for the two almshouses situated in Lower Street. If you are interested in becoming a trustee and would like to discuss what’s involved, please contact Ken Sheppard: 01473 743122 / make.shep@btinternet Basic information can be found by Googling Charity Commission Charity No. 211278.
11TH ANNUAL SPROUGHTON BEER FESTIVAL: MAY 10-12 This is a fantastic family-friendly event with a great atmosphere and free entry at the 16th century Tithe Barn and courtyard with food and refreshments on sale all weekend. 40 real ales plus a local lager will be on sale with a BBQ and other refreshments available all weekend. The festival starts on Friday evening with an all-ticket disco. Tickets can be purchased from Sproughton Primary School and the community shop. The beer festival starts at noon on Saturday until 10.30pm and on the Sunday from noon until 10pm. There will be music on Saturday with Saltshaker returning to headline for the fifth time at 8pm. Sunday evening sees the return of the popular quiz at 7pm.
SUFFOLK DAY Friday, June 21 is Suffolk Day, celebrating the county on the longest day of the year. Sproughton church will be open with refreshments provided from 10am until 6pm. There will be a small exhibition featuring people from our past with connections to the village, with photographs, information and floral displays. Ploughman’s lunches will be available, for donations, from noon until 1pm, together with a vast selection of second-hand Christian books on offer, free to good homes. We may well have the church open on the Sunday also, if we have people to be present, alongside the village fete. Please direct queries or suggestions to the Wilcoxes: 01473 461561
3
NEWS BRIAN BOLTON: MARCONI, MOTORS & MUSIC Brian and Julia arrived in Sproughton in 1976. Their new home, situated between All Saints Church and the old school, was a decaying, leaking wreck of a building, with a roof threatening imminent collapse. But at least they had a caravan which the family could live in for a few years. So why did they give up a nice house in Chelmsford where Brian had a good job? The answer, I suppose, was ultimately to do with fast motor cars. Brian was educated at Ipswich School. With good A Levels he joined Marconi in Chelmsford as an apprentice and qualified as an electronics engineer working on government projects and early computing. He was well placed at Marconi, but there was a problem. Brian was a speed freak! An underpowered scooter was replaced by a fast Matchless 600 motorcycle which, after a nasty road accident, gave way to a smart MG, courtesy of Brian’s father. To fund his growing interest in motorsport and to ease family finances, Brian started direct selling in what little spare time he had. So successful was he, that he was lured away from Marconi by Encyclopaedia Britannica to develop their sales teams in London. He saw an advertisement for a Ford Cortina. Nothing special, you might think, but this was a Lotus Cortina. Moreover, it had been fitted with a race-tuned 4.7-litre V8 fed by four twin-choke carburettors. This will mean little to many readers, but there will be some of us who feel the thrill of adrenalin as we contemplate the potential. In this car Brian won prestigious saloon-car races on just about every race-track in the country. He was invited to form a team of cars to take part in a support race at the Swedish Grand Prix in 1968, a race which he won. That was probably the highlight of his career on the track. His work in London had become increasingly frenzied so, in 1976, Brian joined Boltons Garage in Ipswich as works director and the family moved to Sproughton, which is where this article started. The business, started by Brian’s grandfather, was situated at the junction of Valley Road and Norwich Road. The firm were agents for Vauxhall, Morris, Ford and, later, Nissan.
The Nissan dealership meant that Brian had to make several business trips to Japan. Despite the demands of the job and motor racing, Brian qualified as a pilot and served for some years on Sproughton Parish Council at the time of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and the restoration of the Tithe Barn which had been gifted to the village by Mrs Hughes-Reckitt. At the same time, Julia served as parish clerk. Only four years later, in 1980, Bolton’s site was needed for development and the garage gave way to a large housing block. Brian stayed in the car business, establishing Symbol Cars in Bramford Road, opposite Lloyds Bank. For several years the garage was well known for dealing in sports cars, greatly helped by the fact that Brian was one of the top saloon-car racing drivers in the country. There comes a time when even the most successful movers have to slow down. Brian’s version of ‘slowing down’ was to sell Symbol Cars, start a desk-top publishing and electronics business, thus completing the circle. He bought a very rare Nissan Stagea which looks like an ordinary family estate but is a formidable performer. Brian used to drive the Nissan to race meetings, compete on the track, and then drive carefully home! And then came inevitable retirement. He and Julia designed a bungalow to be built beside the River Gipping. Brian acted as site manager until completion and they have now lived there for 16 happy years. It is time to mention music, the third element in this article’s heading. Brian’s mother was an accomplished pianist and arranged lessons for Brian as soon as he was five. He was a keen learner and continued studying piano until he left Ipswich School to become an apprentice. He also learnt to play the organ and once incurred the wrath of a vicar in Ipswich when he was caught playing the Dambusters March in church. These days I expect he would have been commended. His keyboard abilities stood him in good stead in Japan where he was encouraged by the Nissan executives to play British tunes. On one of his visits he found himself giving a concert of piano music to an audience of 500 enthusiastic Japanese. Now well into retirement, Brian still plays the grand piano or the electronic organ daily, inspired, no doubt, by the lovely view over the river. Ken Sheppard, Neighbour.
SPROUGHTON PARISH COUNCIL New Councillors The parish council is pleased to announce that we have two new councillors joining us. This brings the total to eight, but we still have vacancies for four more. Please feel free to contact us or come along to our meetings at the Barley Room behind the Tithe Barn. Agendas for these meetings can be found on the parish council noticeboards at Hadleigh Road (opposite Chantry Park gates) and at Lower Street (next to the bus shelter). You can also find them online at: www.sproughton.onesuffolk.net The parish clerk can be contacted at: 01473 463852 / sproughtonpc@gmail.com June Webb has responded to two articles in the April edition. In Ken Sheppard’s piece about Michael Earey he mentions that the original church hall had been built by a company called Cocksedge. June actually has the names of the men who did the work and this wonderful postcard image of them outside the building after completion. Pictured left to right are Ted Callis, Charles Mee, Charles F Mee (Ted) and Reverend Callis. The two boys were Jackie and Ted Green. The postcard would have had a half penny stamp for inland or one penny foreign. June also found the article about The Wild Man interesting, and was surprised to read that there had been a bowling green behind the inn where skittles was played. She is keen to know when the bowling green was moved to the other side of Burstall Lane, opposite the Inn where two houses now stand, as that’s where she remembers it being in her childhood. If you can provide further information please email me at: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
4
Planning The council has been busy dealing with planning proposals from the Pigeon development (114 houses on Burstall Lane) and Hopkins homes (54 houses along Lorraine Way) to which the council has made strong objections. DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Wednesday, May 1: Annual Parish Meeting in the Tithe Barn, 7.30pm Wednesday, May 8: Planning Meeting, Barley Room at 7pm Annual Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm Wednesday, May 22: Planning Meeting, Barley Room at 7pm See Sproughton Beer Festival on page 3
In Touch online:
IPSWICH MR MISTY.pdf
1
06/04/2019
09:08
WE SPECIALISE IN DOUBLE GLAZING REPAIRS, CALL FOR YOUR FREE CHECK UP
IPSWICH
Mr Misty ‘The Window Doctor’ is a family run business that prides itself in exceptional customer care. W e p r o m i s e e a s y s e r v i c e f r o m s t a r t t o fi n i s h . DOES YOUR DOUBLE GLAZING STEAM UP? WE REPLACE JUST THE GLASS AND NOT THE FRAMES AT A FRACTION OFTHE COST FOR NEW WINDOWS
C
M
PROBLEMS WE SOLVE
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
ELIMINATE WINDOW CONDESATION
SECONDARY GLAZING TO BLOCK OUT NOISE
BROKEN WINDOW PARTS
LOCKS
BROKEN GLASS
FAULTY HINGES
K
COMMON SUMMER TIME PROBLEM
LAWN MOWER STONE CHIPS & BROKEN GLASS
FREE PHONE : 0800 25 45 111 FOR YOUR FREE CHECKUP WWW.MRMISTY.CO.UK
www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton
5
NEWS HASTINGS TO SPROUGHTON ON FOOT If you have picked up this copy of In Touch soon after it has come through your door, the chances are that I am about to start my Born to Run Home Challenge to mark my 60th birthday or am actually underway as you read. The challenge is to run 132 miles from where I was born (Hastings) to where I live now (Sproughton) with no sleep. In doing so I am raising money for the Ipswich Hospital Eye Appeal and ActivLIves.
FROM THE ARCHIVES In the Ipswich Journal during August and September 1819 several notices were printed regarding game trespassers being prosecuted. Some landowners used traps and spring guns. This did not deter the people who stole a wether sheep from William Waspe’s land, near London Road and left the head and entrails in a field. A £20 reward was offered. Doreen Bradbury
If you would like to support me in helping these charities you can donate at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/borntorunhome
SnOASIS PARISH ALLIANCE (SPA)
Or contact me for a sponsorship form: 01473 742314
Over two years after SnOasis Reserved Matters were first submitted to BMSDC Planning, we now know that they have been passed. The SPA and others still maintain that the developer has not submitted enough of the crucial details about matters of vital important to the local communities who will bear the brunt of the development – traffic, light pollution, drainage, impact on wildlife, etc. In spite of the short notice we were given of the meeting, the SPA members worked hard to prepare for the meeting and to ask that the committee members took our concerns and unanswered questions into account.
The challenge itself is really the pinnacle of a sequence of challenging preparations to make this a success. I had to be fairly ‘ultra’ fit when I entered 30 weeks of focussed training accumulating some 1,500 miles of running in readiness for this challenge, being very mindful that a single injury could jeopardise the whole event. There have been times when I haven’t been well so have had to re-plan sections of the training to get me back on track. What could go wrong? I have had to think about this a lot and consider a range of ‘what-ifs’. I will carry a small medical kit and will be able to phone for assistant if I am in difficulty. I will have to cope with whatever weather comes my way and will top-up with water and food on average every 20 miles or so. The key thing is to think about all of these things beforehand as my mental reasoning will deteriorate as I get more tired. The biggest logistic risk I face is if the ferry service across the River Thames is cancelled. Though the ferry has always been a risk, I hadn’t appreciated the likelihood of it being so until I looked at the Twitter messages for March when the service had been cancelled for full days due to high winds, technical failure and a damaged gangway. If you would like to track my progress live on a map, you will find a link on my JustGiving site which will be using updates from my GPS tracker. David Cranwell
BARHAM HALL PICNIC CONCERT Saturday, June 29
Essential Sounds (an 18-piece big band) will again be the main entertainment while we enjoy our picnics in the wonderful setting of Barham Hall gardens. We also welcome back Sarah Hitchcock (a local vocalist) who will entertain us during the intervals. As usual we will end the evening with a flag waving Last Night of the Proms sing-along led by the band and Sarah. The gates will open at 5.30pm to allow plenty of time to view the beautiful gardens before the band starts. We aim to finish proceedings at 10pm. Tickets are on sale now at the early discount price of £11 (instead of £14). This discount will apply to all tickets paid for before May 22. Cheques payable to Claydon and Barham PCC should be sent with a self-addressed envelope (with stamp if you live outside Claydon & Barham) to Roger Colthorpe, 5 Phillipps Road, Barham IP6 0AZ. Please don’t leave buying your tickets too late as a sell out is again probable as we have to strictly limit numbers to comply with the Temporary Event Notice under which this event is held. Unfortunately, we all have to gamble on the British weather, hence the early discount price before you know what the weather forecast will be like! All proceeds will go towards 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 which have not been rung properly since 1947 but we will hopefully be 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 the twelfth year. In order to avoid damage to the beautiful lawns we cannot allow gazebos, barbecues and emptying of hot water from flasks.
6
The SPA has made the point over and over again that there is still too much detailed information missing from the proposals, too many questions that remain unanswered. We hoped that the planning committee would agree with this position and act accordingly. However, they chose not to do so. This is both disappointing and concerning, but the SPA will continue to try and work with any developer involved with the site, as well as with planning, to protect the interests of residents and get the best possible outcomes for our community. A number of local parish councils and meetings joined together to form the SnOasis Parish Alliance to work together to represent the residents of their communities, over 11,000 people who will be affected by this development. The SPA member parishes are Baylham, Barham, Bramford, Claydon and Whitton, Great Blakenham, Little Blakenham, Needham Market, Nettlestead and Somersham. For further information, please email our clerk, Janet Gobey: snoasispa@icloud.com SnOasis Parish Alliance Chairman Steve Plume
ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY Spring 2019 Shutdown Our spring shutdown is well underway and will continue until mid-May 2019. Shutdowns take place twice a year for essential cleaning and maintenance, ensuring the facility continues to run efficiently. Essential components of the boilers are currently being repaired or replaced, and maintenance is being carried out inside the furnaces. The maintenance of each of our two furnaces will be staggered, so that we can continue to accept waste throughout the shutdown period. There will be an increased amount of contractors on site during the shutdown, but there should be no impact on the local community. If you have any concerns about the works, please contact us via the details provided below. New website Our new website has recently launched. If you are interested in finding out more about our operations, the energy-from-waste process or energy-fromwaste emissions, group tours, open days and our work in the local community, visit: www.suffolkefw.co.uk. If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact the facility: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS To book a visit: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910
In Touch online:
advertorial
Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up? Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter. A failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed
double glazing? If you act now you can avoid these problems. Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution‌ Just replace the glass!! If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly
experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it. With years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee.
Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors. Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Andy Kerridge and he services the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, East Bergholt, Capel St Mary Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.
Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!
www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton
7
AKENHAM CARPENTRY & JOINERY Fitted kitchens, bedrooms, offices, windows, doors, staircases etc in any timber • Kitchen fitting service available on your own units • All interior and exterior carpentry • Competitive rates
NO VAT
Mobile: 07790 370030 Email: dalewatts@btinternet.com
8
Looking after you and your family... Our private client team offers individuals a high level of personal service, tailored to your needs, ensuring you have peace of mind.
Wills and Trusts Lasting Powers of Attorney Probate Disputes
Probate and Estates Court of Protection Financial Planning
Contact us today to make an appointment: enquiries@ellisonssolicitors.com www.ellisonssolicitors.com
01473 556900 Wherstead Park, The Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2BJ
Ellisons Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA Number 49336
In Touch online:
OUT & ABOUT SPROUGHTON COMMUNITY SHOP: Something for Everyone Those of you who sampled our lovely cakes will know that we have just celebrated our ninth birthday. Pretty good going for a community enterprise largely run by volunteers!
already in the pipeline) and the welcome leaflet we distribute to all new households telling them about the shop and the village.
Community is in our shop name and a recurring theme in our aims, ambitions and achievements. One main aim is to provide added value to the community and we have achieved this in a number of different ways. Our 20+ volunteers, nearly all Sproughtonites or very local, have created a thriving, supportive network who enjoy meeting new people, both volunteers and customers, as well as learning a variety of new skills. Just goes to show it is never too late to get on the learning curve even if it’s outside your comfort zone. Over the last few years we have donated in excess of £7,000 to village organisations including the school (where our donation was used to purchase the pictured Buddy Bench), the playing field and the millennium green. We support, sponsor or help at various fundraising and social events like the pancake supper, Halloween disco, village fete, Christmas crafts fair and beer festival. We will be selling our delicious pies and pasties at this year’s beer festival.
The eagle eyed amongst you will notice we have a new external noticeboard, much easier for displaying posters advertising a variety of events. Inside we have a small ads/sales board and one for business cards.
The shop has also been a drop-off and collection point for the many ongoing concerns and correspondences about mass housing plans for the area.
We look forward to seeing you all and thank our friends and supporters.
Two other things worthy of note are the calendar depicting local scenes and events (so popular we had to do a second print run with ideas for 2020
As always we have lots of local goodies. Not everything is the cheapest, but you’ll be surprised how many are comparable. Watch out for English asparagus and don’t forget our lovely eggs.
Director and Occasional Volunteer, Sally Sparrow May Bank Holiday Opening Hours: 10am-1pm
SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS CLUB BURSTALL TABLE TOP SALE There will be table top sale in Burstall Village Hall on Saturday, June 1 from 11am to 4pm. It will cost £5 to hire a table and the money raised will be split between Burstall WI and the village hall. We will also be serving tea and cake. If you are looking to have a clear out this would be the perfect opportunity! For more information or to book a table please contact Katie or Anna Cooper: coopersaa@gmail.com / 01473 652725 This fundraising event is a contribution to my bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. Hope to see you there. Katie Cooper
LENT LUNCHES Thank you so much to everyone who supported in any way the six Lent Soup Lunches which, through your generosity, raised £341. This is being sent to World Vision, an international Christian charity working continuously in many places, but also among the first to respond with practical help in emergencies. Our request this time is that it be used for the work among the victims of Cyclone Idai in Southern Africa. Rosie Wilcox
www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton
As I write we haven’t yet had our AGM so I will report on that in the June edition. As mentioned last month we will be visiting Bypass Nurseries in Capel for afternoon tea on May 22. On other Wednesday afternoons we will have our usual meeting where we play cards, have tea and play bingo from 2-4pm. If you are alone and would like some company, please call into the Church Hall, Lower Street, Sproughton. All are welcome. If you would like to know more please ring Olive on 01473 463987.
PMR/GCA SUPPORT GROUP The next meeting of the Polymyalgia Rheumatica/Giant Cell Arteritis East Anglia Support Group is on Thursday, May 16 at Needham Market Community Centre IP6 8BB. The hall will be open at 10.30am for registration, refreshments and an opportunity to meet others who experience the same problems as you. The speaker will be Dr Max Yates, Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Norwich Medical School University of East Anglia and Honorary Consultant at East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust. For further information please contact us at: pmrgcaeachair@btinternet.com
9
OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB
BURSTALL WI
Open to anyone living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding areas, the club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite the Chequers PH) from 2-4pm. The building is fully accessible. Members pay £2 per meeting to cover hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. Alternatively you may wish to bring your own project and enjoy our company and make new friends. Members take it in turns to make the tea.
After a hectic few meetings, Burstall WI members were able to relax and enjoy a talk in April. The speaker was Wendy Smith, who having been an umpire and linesman at Wimbledon for 30 years had plenty of tales to tell. She fed us all sorts of fascinating titbits about the organisation of what is still considered the world’s most prestigious tennis championship and her views on one or two of its stars! She brought along a selection of memorabilia and told us that she has a wardrobe full of past uniforms which we would have loved to have seen too.
Our workshop for March was entitled Seaside and the picture shows some of the finished items. Fact and Fantasy was the title of the cardmaking workshop in April featuring robots and unicorns. Pictures to follow next month. 2019 PROGRAMME May 13: Village Life and Little Mice June 3: Summer Sewing July 1: A Bit of Bling August 5: Autumn’s Coming September 2: Take Heart October 7 : Fabric Cards November 4: Christmas Cards with a Twist December 2: AGM There is currently room for new members so please get in touch if you would like to join us. Although the club is all ladies at present, gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome. Unfortunately I can’t accommodate children. Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690
The ornaments that we painted last month were ready for collection having been beautifully glazed and fired. We were hugely impressed by our handiwork and hope to have them on show in the church on June 6 as part of the arts and crafts exhibition On June 1 there will be a table top sale in the village hall. Profits will be donated to Bumblebee. Tables will be £5 and can be booked by emailing: coopersaa@gmail.com
WORK ALONG THE RIVER GIPPING A good turnout of volunteers each Wednesday along the River Gipping has continued through the winter months. Last year the trust totalled nearly 4,000 man hours of volunteer labour along the river and expects this year to be similar. The trust is currently working hard on clearing and restoring the old riverside footpath leading up to the bridge abutment remains on both sides of the river which are about a mile upstream of Baylham Lock / Rare Breeds Farm. The brick bridge abutments are thought to date back to 1790 when the canal was built, and the trust’s appointed surveyor has indicated that, with a little work, the abutments will be sound enough to support a new bridge. The old bridge span between the abutments disappeared some 70 years ago. The trust is always looking for environmental improvements, like using old tree branches creating dry hedges, and leaving suitable piles of branches to encourage the wildlife. We often collect bucket loads of plastic rubbish. The trust has no paid employees, everyone volunteers their time accordingly. The trust produces a very informative newsletter magazine (The Gipping Gossip) every six months for its members, and they would love to increase their membership which helps ensure continuation of their work. Membership details, the latest 24 page colour newsletter and contact details can be found on their website. The trusts AGM will be held on Friday, May 17 at 7.30pm at Needham Market Community Centre. Members of the public are most welcome to attend. www.rivergippingtrust.org.uk
BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB This month the club will meet on Wednesdays, May 1, 8, 15 and 22 in the upstairs room at Bramford Methodist Church between 10am and noon. We won’t meet on May 29 as it’s the school half-term holiday. Membership is £1 for the year, payable in September, and £3 per two-hour session. We have no set programme, but are here to help you to get the most out of your computer. Why not give us a try?
COUNTRY RAMBLES The Sunday walk in March was cancelled as it rained and there were very strong winds. For the Tuesday walk, the group went to Chantry Park and found the walled garden was open so we paid it a visit. There were some ladies in the green house preparing pots for the summer displays in town. There were plants for sale and some of us were tempted!
10
In Touch online:
OUT & ABOUT 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. We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.
ALTON BELLES March found us welcoming Ann Henderson, chair of the East Suffolk group of Macmillan, a very informative speaker who was passionate about her subject. Ann has organised and continues to organise numerous events to raise money for Macmillan. She explained how Macmillan’s research helps to develop and influence better care and services.
Our next meeting is on May 21, when, in a change from the previously advertised programme, Mark Mitchels will be giving a talk on London’s Globe Theatre. He will be bringing the theatre to life, describing the atmosphere, and explaining what it was like to attend a performance. Why were all classes of London society, from the noblest to the poorest, able to enjoy and appreciate the genius of Shakespeare? It promises to be a fascinating journey back in time.
Macmillan helps cancer sufferers and their carers live life as fully as possible by providing physical, financial and emotional support. They endeavour to offer the best information, advice and resources for everyone. They also offer a range of free courses, workshops and e-learning for people affected by cancer, including carers, family members, volunteers and community members. It was also really good to hear that the oncology centre at Ipswich Hospital is greatly improved.
This the last event before the summer break. We meet again on September 17 for a talk on Churchill and his part in the First World War.
As I write we are looking forward to welcoming Sandy Taylor who will demonstrate how to make new jewellery from old. In May we will be voting on the resolutions that will go forward for WI members to work on in 2019.
Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; the entrance fee is £3. National Trust members/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.
If you want to hear more about how you could get involved in our vibrant and forward-looking WI, please do contact either Tamzin (328670) or Jane (327865).
For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary at: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
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. 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
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY A FREE FLOWER ARRANGING TASTER DAY? On Saturday, September 14 Ipswich Flower Club will be holding a free workshop with Adele Kent as the tutor at St Augustine’s Church Hall from 10am to 3pm. You will make two flower arrangements during the day with a break for a packed lunch. For details or to book a place, please phone Stella on 01473 711946. We would also like to invite you to our next meeting on May 13 when Alan Smith will present a demonstration entitled Floral Magic. The meeting starts at 2pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Bucklesham Road. This month’s meeting is free for visitors and will include tea and biscuits. You will be warmly welcomed if you just turn up, or for more information please contact Janet on 01473 415749. The demonstrator on June 10 will be Brenda Eyers whose presentation is entitled Bursting Out All Over. The usual visitors fee of £5 will apply. The flower club meets on the second Monday afternoon of the month. We also have six Friday afternoon workshops during the year which are suitable for all standards. The workshop on June 28 will be a tapestry/pave arrangement and will be tutored by Janet Philimore. For details please phone Stella on 01473 711946.
www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton
SPROUGHTON PLAYING FIELD NEWS With the arrival of spring, the grass is growing apace at Sproughton Playing Fields and the trees are coming back into bud. These are the two areas we’ve been working on recently. We currently have a contract with Vertas to cut the grass on the football pitch, car parking areas and around the gym and tennis courts. While this eases the work burden on the small band of committee members, it is our biggest maintenance cost. We are therefore very grateful to Sproughton Parish Council for the payment of a grant towards the majority of this cost over the 2018/19 season. Without this our expenditure would outstrip our current income, and we would like to express our sincerest thanks to SPC for this financial help. Talking of income, it is still the intention of the Playing Field Management Committee (PFMC) to develop the clubhouse and facilities at the playing fields, creating a venue the village can boast about, that can be hired out for functions and, most importantly, will attract new members. We hope to make some serious headway on this project in 2019. Getting back to trees, we held a very useful working party in March to cut back many of the branches overhanging the football pitch, which will hopefully improve the quality of the grass. This required working in the longer grass that borders the fences and here we discovered many uncollected doggy deposits. Please, please, please can those using the playing fields to walk their dogs, bag it and bin it. Finally, the usual call for volunteers, but if we don’t ask, we won’t get. If you would like to help maintain this village asset, please get in touch. You don’t have to become a trustee; just occasionally helping out with maintenance would make a difference. Or if you have skills you can offer when it comes to planning and building, we would also love to hear from you ahead of getting started on the new clubhouse. You can contact us at: pfmcandbar@gmail.com Dan Pryce
11
12
In Touch online:
SPORT / CHURCH NEWS SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Our next ladies Friends and Neighbours meeting at 7.30pm on Monday, May 20 promises to be an interesting evening as we welcome Maureen Reynel, the founder of FIND (Families in Need). Maureen will tell us about her involvement and the opportunities and challenges faced in the work.
SPROUGHTON BOWLS CLUB Well, it has been a busy time at the club with final touches having been put to the green and completion of the new surround. Many thanks to everyone involved for their hard work and dedication throughout the winter months. The club held a pre-season social evening at the end of March which was attended by around 50 members and a great evening was had by all. Thanks to chairman David Taylor for providing an excellent buffet, Anne Jones for organising a quiz and everyone else who helped organise and run the evening. The green was opened on April 13 with president Mick Jones delivering the first bowl. This was followed by a gentle competition for the Sheila Herring Trophy. On Sunday, April 14 we held a taster session for prospective new recruits – news of these events and more will follow in the next edition.
For almost 30 years FIND has offered a lifeline to people who are experiencing poverty and despair in Ipswich and surrounding areas, as they provide free food parcels and other items, including furniture and bedding to help people especially through a crisis. An army of over 70 volunteers regularly give up their time freely to check and sort donated food, collect items from local stores, and then make up the food parcels before delivering them. It’s a six-day a week operation! The demand for food parcels has risen year on year to now more than 5,000 a year! FIND distributes an average of 70 parcels every week and even more at Christmas. We also welcome Maureen Green from Barking Chapel who will given a short talk at the end. So do come and join us ladies for a coffee and a chat! You are very welcome.
Here at Sproughton Bowls Club we run 10 teams in leagues throughout the summer with bowling each weekday evening. As you read, preparations for the league season will have been completed and the first matches will have been played. Good luck and happy bowling to all.
Wheelie Fun Day, May 11: A Somersham Community Association event held on the playing field from 10am-10pm. We will be manning a stall for FIND and members of the Suffolk Christian Motorcycle Association will be our guests. We will be very pleased to see you!
Please feel free to come along and enjoy watching an evening of gentle competition and good natured banter. You never know, you might get bitten by the bowling bug! For full club details, contacts and a fixture lists, talk to any club member or visit: www.sproughtonbowlsclub.com
You are welcome to join our regular meetings of worship and fellowship: Sunday 10-10.30am: Prayer and Share
SPROUGHTON TENNIS CLUB
10.45-11.15am: Bible Study (Communion on the first Sunday) 11.30am-12.30pm: Worship Service
Here at Sproughton Tennis Club on Church Lane we have three lovely courts of which two are floodlit. Our new summer season starts now with adult club nights on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm. We have many teams in varying divisions, including our men in the top division, but there really is something to suit all standards.
Refreshments are served between meetings, come when you can and leave when you want.
Our juniors meet for coaching on Thursday afternoons with ages four-eight from 3.50-4.20pm, ages 8-11 from 4.20-5pm, and over 11s from 5-6pm.
Friends and Neighbours: Monday, May 20 7.45pm
All new members pay half the normal rate for the first year. Anyone interested in joining please contact John Tallent: jttractorboy@sky.com
Mark Newcombe, Pastor 01473 831940 / 07958 830103 m.newcombe940@btinternet.com
BURSTALL CARPET BOWLS CLUB
Weekdays at the Chapel Lunch and Listen: Thursday, May 2 at noon
CONTACTS
Edwin Mayhew: 01473 658100 WORSHIPPING AND FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER
The Winter League has now been completed. Our last match against Stutton was a real tussle, but we came out victorious with a 7-3 win. Previous games away against Harkstead (8-2) and at home against Rivers (10-0) also went our way so we will be going into Division 1 next season. A great result and well done to all the players. Our captain for 2018/19 has now earned the right to remain captain for another year. Congratulations Richard. Some kind of celebration will be arranged I’m sure! We begin the Summer League in May when we really enjoy visiting other clubs in the lovely light evenings. We would welcome new members. Just come along to Burstall Village Hall on a Monday or Friday evening at 7.30pm and give it a try. For further information contact Richard Sago: 01473 742468
www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton
13
Our experienced personal injury lawyers handle accident claims arising out of incidents at work, home, on the roads, on holiday or in a public place in the UK or abroad. You will receive professional dedicated support throughout every part of your claim to help you recover the damages that you deserve.
Contact us
www.prettys.co.uk
01473 232121 enquiry@prettys.co.uk
PR534 Personal Injury Advert (InTouch) v3.indd 2
09/05/2018 16:33
Pip’s Tree Services Pruning, shaping and reductions. Felling and dismantling. Hedge cutting and stump grinding.
Contact me for a free quote or advice:
Philippa@pipstreeservices.co.uk
07538 797 302 All Aspects of tree work undertaken.
14
In Touch online:
CHURCH NEWS THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook and Belstead & Bentley with Tattingstone For parish queries please contact: The Rev Annette Shannon The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton, Ipswich IP8 3BQ revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674 Benefice Administrator: Hayley Purnell northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07904 972116 Friends, I seem to spend a lot of time looking out of the window. Today, the sun is shining down on the garden and the flowers are aglow. There is a blackbird pecking in the grass looking for worms. I love it when they sing, their song is beautiful. It conjures up memories and brings joy to my heart. John and I might have planted our garden, but it is God in all his glory who created everything that grows and lives in it. And yet, sometimes, we take it all for granted. We seem to forget we need to take care of our world. We cannot keep taking from it, polluting it without regard for tomorrow. At the Mothering Sunday Service I was reminded how easy it is to take our parents for granted. We forget to ask, say please and thank you. We assume they will do it, regardless of our behaviour. My parents gave their all to look after my brother and I. They loved us so much, as we loved them. And where is God in this equation? He is right at the top, holding us all in his loving arms. He is always there for us. We are never alone even when we think we are, all we have to do is talk to him in prayer. Looking through the window, the sun is shining on the daffodils. They remind me of Easter, when we celebrate what God did for us, sending his only son to set an example for us, showing us how to live and love one another. His ultimate sacrifice was to give his life for us, suffering a painful death on the cross. As I sit here, I ask myself do we take God for granted? Do we expect God to take care of everything for us so we can sit back on our heels and watch it all happen, or should we try to look after our wonderful world and the people in it? Sitting and looking, I give thanks to God for all he has done for everyone including me and the people I love, and I rejoice in the glory of the world around me. In love and prayer, Lay Reader Gwen Runnacles 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) Copdock Plant Sale Saturday, May 11 in the Church Room from 9am-noon. Burstall Arts & Crafts Exhibition Saturday, June 8, 11am-4.30pm. Refreshments and cream teas. Burstall Garden Party Thursday, June 13 at Burstall House, 2-4pm. FROM THE REGISTERS Weddings Enya Ayden-Bridge and Thomas Perry – Copdock Funerals Maryta Humphries – Copdock Irene Carr – Copdock Joan Hall – Sproughton
www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton
MAY Wednesday 1
Bentley Home Communions, 10am
Thursday 2
Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm
Saturday 4
Copdock Monthly Market, 10am
Saturday 11
Copdock Plant Sale, Church Room, 9am-noon
Tuesday 14 Churchwarden’s Meeting, Sproughton Church Hall, 10am Wednesday 15 Copdock Home Communions, 10am Thursday 30
Quiet Day – St Thomas’ Ministry Team
JUNE Saturday 1
Copdock Morning Market, 10am
Wednesday 5
Bentley Home Communions, 10am
Thursday 6
Bentley Coffee & Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm
Saturday 8
Burstall Arts & Crafts Exhibition / Afternoon Tea
Wednesday 12 Joint PCC Meeting Thursday 13
Garden Party at Burstall House
Wednesday 19 Tattingstone PCC Meeting Copdock Home Communions Archdeacons Visitation SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE Sunday, May 5 8am Copdock 9.30am Burstall 10am Bentley 10am Copdock 10am Tattingstone 11am Sproughton
Holy Communion Holy Communion Family@Church Morning Prayer Holy Communion Family@Church
Friday, May 10 6.30pm Bentley
Evening Prayer
Sunday, May 12 9.30am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 6pm Tattingstone
Croissant Church Family Service Holy Communion Holy Communion Evening Prayer
Sunday, May 19 9.30am Burstall 10am Washbrook 10am Bentley 11am Sproughton
Holy Communion Morning Prayer Morning Celebration Holy Communion
Sunday, May 26 8am Sproughton 9.30am Burstall 10am Copdock 10am Bentley 10am Belstead 11am Sproughton 10am Tattingstone Crag Pit Farm
Holy Communion Matins Holy Communion Holy Communion Morning Worship Holy Communion Rogation Service
Thursday, May 30: Ascension Day 7.30pm Belstead Holy Communion Please submit church letters and copy for the June edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by May 4: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com
15
16
In Touch online:
ON THE GRAPEVINE
MY HEALTH, OUR FUTURE Children across Suffolk will potentially benefit from changes in how their mental health and emotional wellbeing is supported after taking part in a county-wide report focusing on the challenges young people face in and out of school. Healthwatch Suffolk’s My Health, Our Future project, which Suffolk ONE was part of, highlights troubling statistics surrounding body image, self-harm, exam stress, cyberbullying, and social media use, including the shocking revelation that a quarter of female students aged 16 say they have self-harmed. Released this month, the full report – which over two years has gathered almost 14,000 responses from people aged 11 to 19 – can be downloaded directly from www.healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk With every participating school having received a tailored report detailing their student’s responses, it is hoped that the findings will continue to drive vital changes in curriculum and policy. If your child or family feel that they need support, you can get in touch with the Children and Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing Hub on 0345 600 2090, or find further contact details for information and advice for young people in Suffolk by visiting The Source at: www.thesource.me.uk
HOW MANY BISCUITS DO IPSWICH’S MIDNIGHT WALKERS NEED? Last year more than 2,473 walkers joined the St Elizabeth Hospice Midnight Walk, walking more than 20,000 miles in total, raising more than £230,000, eating more than 7,000 biscuits and consuming more than 5,000 drinks! This annual St Elizabeth Hospice event takes more than nine months of planning and needs 150 volunteers to make it possible. The Midnight Walk is now in its 13th year, which means more than 20,000 local people have walked for St Elizabeth Hospice since 2006, raising almost two million in total for St Elizabeth Hospice so far! Watch these statistics come to life in our latest video: https://youtu.be/BGFCvW0FTe8 Joanne Rodgers, Events Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “On Saturday, May 11 we need the people of Ipswich to join us and walk for their local hospice to help us continue helping local families. The Midnight Walk can raise enough money to run the hospice for a week, so it’s a really vital fundraising event for us and we need people to keep supporting us each year.
MENDLESHAM STREET FAYRE On Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, the village of Mendlesham will hold its 39th annual street fayre. The fayre starts at noon with a procession of May Princess Olivia Bowye, attendants Maedwe Taylor and Lily-ella Baker (pictured) and the May Queen accompanied by Suffolk School of Samba. Old Market Street will be closed to traffic and full of stalls selling crafts, bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery and tickets for our grand draw. Throughout the afternoon there will be live music on stage including Stowmarket Strummers Ukulele Band, Stowmarket Boys Brigade Band and dancing from East Suffolk Morris Men. The Tricky Twister will be there to entertain the children and there will be birds of prey on the playing field, a craft fayre in the community hall, remote controlled trucks, a hog roast, bygone farm machinery and the famous armoury in St Mary’s Church. Our newly refurbished 50/50 will be open with ‘Good as New’ clothes. You will find plenty of refreshments, hot dogs, teas, sandwiches and cakes, all provided by village charities. Entry is by programme (adults £3 / U16s free) and there’s a free car park. To book a space in the street contact 01449 766483. No food outlets needed. The event is run by Mendlesham Community Council and the money raised each year goes to help support village charities, the school and the community.
LOCAL BUSINESS ANNOUNCES ITS QUIZ FUNDRAISER FOR HEARING DOGS Regarded as one of the region’s biggest trivia events, one local business has announced their charity quiz night will return for 2019. The Hearing Care Centre, a family-run hearing care company with 26 centres across East Anglia, will be holding their seventeenth quiz fundraiser on Sunday, June 9 at Kesgrave Community Centre. Teams can include between four and six members and entry is only £5, with snacks included.
“This year’s event will be a throwback to 1989 (the year the hospice was established) to mark our 30th anniversary, so we’re asking everyone to get their leg warmers on and support our annual charity walk 80s-style!
Thanks to generous support from local businesses, there are cash prizes to be won for the top five teams, as well as a giant prize draw. All proceeds from the evening will be donated to The Hearing Care Centre’s chosen charity, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
“There is a six and 10 mile route to choose from which take our wonderful walkers around the outskirts of Ipswich but importantly both routes stop at the hospice. Tickets cost £15 and walkers can also choose to fundraise in memory of a loved one. Or, if you don’t fancy completing the walk this year but still want to be involved, we still need volunteers to help make the event possible.”
Karen Finch, Managing Director of The Hearing Care Centre, said: “After managing to meet our pledge of raising £20,000 for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People in 2018, we are so excited to continue our fundraising throughout 2019. The two quizzes we hold every year are a real highlight for us and such a great evening in aid of an excellent cause.”
Sign up to the Midnight Walk today at: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/midnightwalk To volunteer, email: midnightwalk@stelizabethhospice.org.uk
www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton
With an expected attendance of over 200 people, and a history of selling out fast, organisers are advising interested teams to book early to avoid disappointment. To book your place visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/quiz or call 01473 230330.
17
ON THE GRAPEVINE
30 TRAILMAKERS FOR 30 YEARS
In just three months’ time, 55 beautifully painted, unique sculptures will be brightening up the parks and open spaces of Ipswich town centre and waterfront as part of Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk, St Elizabeth Hospice’s latest art trail, organised in partnership with Wild in Art and Andersen Press. And don’t forget the Learning Herd of 85 young Elmer sculptures, currently being decorated by schools and youth groups across the area, who will also be displayed in all their glory in herds across the town! Since November 2016, the Elmer team have been hard at work preparing the trail, but with the launch date drawing ever nearer, the time has now come to look for some additional help. This week they are launching a recruitment drive to find 30 Elmer Trailmakers, representing the 30 years being celebrated this year by both Elmer and the hospice. Campaign Manager Norman Lloyd said: “With our previous Pigs Gone Wild trail, it quickly became apparent that having good trailmakers is absolutely essential for the smooth running of the trail and the wider campaign. It was such an exciting, busy time when the sculptures were all installed in their locations around Ipswich and we really relied on having that additional support from our team of wonderful volunteers. We are looking forward to creating a new team of Elmer Trailmakers, or Elmer Guardians, as they have also been called!” The Elmer Trailmakers will be the public face of the parade. They will be out and about on the trail, ready to welcome, inform and assist any visitors they may meet. In addition, they are the eyes and ears of the team back at Elmer HQ, looking after the sculptures and working as part of a team to ensure the smooth and successful running of this high profile campaign. This is a unique opportunity for sociable, enthusiastic volunteers to use their passion for Ipswich, St Elizabeth Hospice and Elmer’s Big Parade Suffolk to inform and inspire the community. Patrick Eade, a former Pigs Gone Wild trailmaker, said: “If Elmer is anything like the Pigs we can look forward to an influx of visitors and a huge feelgood factor this summer. It was great being a trailmaker and meeting so many people – Suffolk folk are a hospitable lot with a keen sense of fun so Elmer is bound to be a success. Science has proven that elephants have great memories, I’m sure seeing 140 Elmers in Ipswich this summer is going to be something we will never forget!” If you are aged 18 or over, enjoy meeting and talking to new people and are looking for something fun to do in summer, this could be just the role for you. To register your interest or have an informal chat about the role please contact Sue Joy: 01473 707016 / volunteer@stelizabethhospice.org.uk
18
In Touch online:
VILLAGE CONTACTS LIST
Allotments/ Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852/ pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Almshouses (Cooper Trust)
make.shep@btinternet.com
Badminton Club
dennisjackaman@btinternet.com
Burial Ground / Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Bowls Club
01473 742572 / David Taylor
Brownies
www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested
Carpet Bowls Club
awaiting
Children’s Play Area / Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Church Hall Booking
01473 464336
Sproughton Community Shop
01473 747768
Sproughton Football Club
georgina.studd@aol.com
Footpath Warden / Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Jigsaw Pre-School
info@jigsawsproughton.org.uk
Millennium Green Trust
awaiting
Toddler Group
awaiting
Parish Council Clerk
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Parish Council Chairman Helen Davies
01473 742862 / helend@hotmail.com
Sproughton All Saints Church
awaiting
Playing Field Management 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 Trust House Charity
awaiting
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
Details for organisations and activities in Sproughton
Sproughton CEVC Primary School awaiting Sproughton Tennis Club
evercope62@gmail.com
Tithe Barn Bookings / Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Tower Captain (Church Bells)
ralphearey@gmail.com
Tree Warden / Sproughton Parish Council
01473 463852 / pc@sproughton.suffolk.gov.uk
Village History Recorder
Doreen Bradbury: 01473 210008
Following changes to the data protection laws, GDPR 2018, a number of village contacts have not forwarded their details for publication. The parish council will endeavour to put you in contact where we can.
Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning
Dry Carpet Cleaning Professional Local Service For a FREE no obligation quotation
call John Burch: 07870 347486
Tel: 01449 721441
www.keepingintouchwith.com/sproughton
19