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Vol. 19 • Issue No. 2 • NOVEMBER 2013
Volume 25 • Issue No. 4 RESIDENTS • JANUARY FREE to STOWMARKET & STOWUPLAND 50p where2020 sold
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I am utterly addicted to and obsessed by Leonard Cohen, so you can imagine how excited I was to discover a new album was to be released three years after his death. Thanks for the Dance has been arranged by Leonard’s son Adam and features various collaborators and previously unheard material. Every line is a masterpiece, all the more poignant because it was written and recorded when he was “Waiting for the miracle to come”. Death and dying have always been key themes of his work, but is it fair to refer to the man who said “The older I get, the surer I am that I’m not running the show” as ‘the grandfather of gloom’? I go to one or other of his albums for inspiration, comfort, reassurance, hope and even humour. Tonight Will Be Fine always makes me smile: Sometimes I find I get to thinking of the past. We swore to each other then that our love would surely last. You kept right on loving, I went on a fast, Now I am too thin and your love is too vast. And the ultimate love song must surely be If I Didn’t Have Your Love: If the sun would lose its light And we lived an endless night And there was nothing left That you could feel That’s how it would be My life would seem to me If I didn’t have your love To make it real I can’t imagine a world without music (it doesn’t have to be Leonard Cohen all the time), but for others it might be art or theatre, movies or even long walks in the countryside which provide the indefinable something which makes life better. Whatever it may be, I hope you find time and space to indulge in it this year. Maybe we can help you find it if you haven’t already! And when you’re having a bad day… “Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.” Leonard Cohen
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In Touch Titles • Stowmarket & Stowupland • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew • Melton & Woodbridge • Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley • Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath • Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit • Needham Market & The Creetings •S hotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone • Martlesham • Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton • East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford & Stratford St Mary • Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham • Capel St Mary (Capel Capers) • Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone & Washbrook • Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead •W esterfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe
Friday 10 January is the advertising and editorial deadline for the February edition
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NEWS STOWMARKET CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 2019 Once again people of all ages from far and wide visited Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival which had 500 Christmas trees in Stowmarket Parish Church, the garden at Red Gables, Stowmarket Library and Abbots Hall in the Museum of East Anglian Life. As well as those who came when visiting family and friends for Christmas, there was also a large number who had travelled especially to see the trees, including a coach party from Hampshire. Many groups, schools, charities, businesses and organisations in the town and surrounding area were involved, and together a wonderful community event by the community was held in the four town centre venues. As well as seeing Christmas trees, visitors also took part in the extra special activities and services which took place throughout the festival. Some found time to do some Christmas shopping and eat out in the town centre too. The trees had been decorated to an exceptionally high standard with great ideas and creativity and the organisers would like to thank everyone who was involved in any way to help make the fifteenth Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival a very special one. Thanks also go to popular children’s author Nick Butterworth who switched the Christmas tree lights on in the parish church and stayed for over two hours to meet people and sign books. If you were inspired by Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival and would like to compose a poem, short story or write about your experience, please hand your submission in at the library by February 1 for possible inclusion in a dedicated book. If you are having a clear out after Christmas and would like to donate an artificial tree or decorations for use next time, please get in touch with the parish church office: 01449 774652 The 2020 dates are November 21-January 2. Application forms to decorate a tree will be available in the summer and it’s open to all groups, schools, charities, organisations and businesses as well as families and individuals.
1ST STOWMARKET RAINBOWS For girls aged 5-7 years Meeting at the Scout Centre, Milton Road North on Thursday from 5.30-6.30pm. Brand new programme with the girls working towards badges, as the Brownies do. We now have spaces for girls to join our unit. Contact Sandra at: sandra.hogger@hotmail.com Or visit www.girlguiding.uk and choose the 1st Stowmarket Unit
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NEWS
SUFFOLK-BASED MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CHARITY SET FOR NEW YEAR’S RELAUNCH Suffolk Oxygen Therapy Centre was formed over 35 years ago as the Suffolk Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre to provide oxygen therapy and support to those living with the disease. Since then, the charity has grown to support people living with many other conditions and now undertakes more than 3,000 therapy sessions per year. In the last year, the charity has made a number of alterations to its existing building which has allowed it to start developing a complementary therapy service and provided us with the room for power-assisted exercise chairs. In February 2020 the centre is launching these new services and invites health professionals and the public to visit the centre during the open week: Monday 3 (10.30am-2pm & 3-6pm) to Thursday 6 (Tue-Thu 10.30am-2.30pm) February. Centre Manager Victoria Barber is keen for as many people as possible to come along and see for themselves the good work that the charity does: “We’re always happy for people to pay us a visit, but this is a good chance for people to come along and enjoy a cuppa and have a chat, meet some of our members, volunteers, staff and trustees and learn about oxygen therapy. It will also be an opportunity to try our power assisted exercise chairs and learn more about the other therapies on offer.” For more information in advance contact Victoria at: 01473 830359 / victoria@suffolkoxygentherapy.co.uk
The 2020 Stowmarket Carnival Committee has been meeting regularly to begin the enormous task of planning this year’s carnival. If you’d like to get involved in any way, helping throughout the year or volunteering on carnival weekend, contact the committee now at: info@stowmarketcarnival.org.uk
Fundraising bingo nights continue at Stowmarket Community Centre (Hill Side IP14 2BD) so pop down for a 7pm start on the following dates for a fun evening and support the carnival at the same time: February 1, March 7 and April 4. Soft drinks and snacks will be available to purchase but feel free to bring your own alcoholic drinks. www.stowmarketcarnival.org.uk
Suffolk Oxygen Therapy Centre (SOTC) receives no state funding and relies entirely on donations, legacies and fundraisers to function, with any fundraising put towards service development and improvement. The public self-refer for therapy at the centre, which is staffed by fully trained operators and supported by a team of willing volunteers. Victoria is clear that the charity has capacity to help more people: “This launch will raise the profile of this wonderful charity and we hope that local businesses and organisations will want to help us to reach more people living with long term and chronic disease and life limiting conditions. We have many events coming up in 2020 such as a Race Night on 3 April at Felixstowe Trades & Labour Club, Open Gardens in May and a James Bond Ball at Ufford Park on 10 October. We hope local businesses may wish to support us with these in addition to corporate sponsorship, being chosen as charity of the year and match funding to name a few.” The charity’s longer term goal is to fundraise for a new centre, including the purchase of its own oxygen generation facilities, which will bring long term cost efficiencies by reducing both ongoing costs of oxygen delivery and the carbon footprint, thus protecting its future as a sustainable charity. The charity is in the early stages with its appointed architect, but early indication is that it will take approximately 10 years from now to fund this in its entirety. For more about the centre, visit: www.suffolkoxygentherapy.co.uk
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Friday, January 17, 6.45am: Breakfast Networking at The Mix in Stowmarket Book online: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events
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NEWS DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT: DECEMBER 2019 Councillors Rachel Eburne and Keith Welham, Haughley, Wetherden and Stowupland Ward Council Meetings Cancelled In the run-up to the General Election, all MSDC council and cabinet meetings were cancelled, as were Overview and Scrutiny committee meetings. The next meetings will be in January. Planning and Regulatory committees continued to be held as normal. In addition, all member briefings were also cancelled. There is likely to be a delay in a number of council decisions, including the setting of Council Tax for 2020/21. An extension of time for the allocation of locality grants has been agreed. Planning applications in Stowupland Applications which are expected to be decided during December and January are the outline application for 70 new homes to the north of the Bloor Homes site which is currently under construction and the detailed applications for the Linden Homes site of 143 new homes to the west of Thorney Green Road. Suffolk Coast Ecology The Suffolk Coast Recreational Disturbance and Habitat Strategy was adopted by cabinet at the beginning of November. The strategy is a means by which new residential growth can be delivered, alongside the protection of Suffolk’s coastal, estuarine and heathland European wildlife sites, which is a legal requirement for all councils. Joint Local Plan Officers are continuing to work through the submissions made to the Preferred Options (Regulation 18) Consultation. All submissions can be viewed on the MSDC website. The timescale for further steps in the process to adoption of a Joint Local Plan have not yet been confirmed. Grants for Home Adaptations If you know anyone who needs adaptations to their home due to disability or a long-term health condition, MSDC offer grants of between £1,000 to £5,000. This scheme is open to all homeowners, private tenants and council property tenants. For more information call 0300 123 4000 or visit: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/housing/disabled-adaptations-grants
Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk CAB recently held their AGM. During the last year they addressed nearly 10,000 issues and helped 3,400 clients. So far their client numbers are up 17 per cent on last year. In 2018/19, CAB helped clients in Mid Suffolk achieve over £1.4 million in financial gains through benefit claims, employment negotiations, consumer refunds and charitable support. The work done by the 45 volunteers has been officially valued at more than £380,000. The Overview and Scrutiny committee had commenced a scrutiny of CABs in Suffolk but the work was halted because of the General Election. This work will start again in January. Budget and Council Tax Parish precept forms have been sent out to all parishes across the district. The MSDC draft budgets for the general fund and for the housing revenue account will be discussed at the January cabinet meeting, before going to full council in February. Funding Community Infrastructure All developers pay a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Larger developments also have to draw up a legal agreement (S106) for funding affordable housing, highway improvements, etc. As an example, for an average-sized four bedroomed house, the CIL to be paid by the developer could be around £25,000. Of this, in Stowupland, 25 per cent is passed on to the parish council now that the Neighbourhood Plan has been adopted. The remainder (apart from some admin charges) is retained by MSDC and infrastructure providers, such as SCC for a new school, have to bid for funding. Details of all the money collected from developers is now publicly available at: www.pfm.exacom.co.uk/midsuffolkbabergh It is good to see this information provided openly and transparently. Keith Welham: keith.welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk Rachel Eburne: rachel.eburne@midsuffolk.gov.uk
STOWUPLAND BEACON LIT FOR ARMINSTICE DAY The Stowupland beacon was lit on Armistice Day, Monday 11 November, as an Act of Remembrance. It was a lovely dry evening with a full moon shining and nearly 50 residents watched as the flames burned brightly. Many thanks to Phil, Paul and John for preparing the beacon.
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OUT & ABOUT THE REGAL – JANUARY 2020 Step away from the mince pie! You’ve probably eaten more than you should, there is nothing worth watching on the TV and the weather isn’t great, so it’s definitely worth wrapping up warm and venturing down to the Regal where we have some fantastic films on offer… and not a mince pie in sight! Frozen 2: Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa’s powers in order to save their kingdom. Jumanji: The Next Level: The gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world’s most dangerous game. Knives Out: A detective investigates the death of a patriarch of an eccentric, combative family. Cats: A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life. 1917: During the First World War two young British privates are given an impossible mission: deliver a message deep in enemy territory that will stop 1,600 men, and one of the soldier’s brothers, from walking straight into a deadly trap. Little Women: Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War. Motherless Brooklyn: In 1950s New York, a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette’s syndrome ventures to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga. We’re also pleased to be showing Andre Rieu’s new concert, 70 Years Young. Happy New Year Stowmarket!
STOWMARKET CRAFT MARKET We are relocating! We are all about supporting the local community, be it the crafters, the venue, local schools and charities or giving people somewhere to come and socialise. From 2020 Stowmarket Craft Markets will be found in The Mix, which is located opposite the Regal Cinema. This will give us the chance to finally grow our market and make us easier to locate. The Mix supports local families and young people in the area, especially teens and young adults. It also has the fantastic Cabbages and Kings cafe so refreshments and seating will still be provided. Our events will start from April and will continue on a monthly basis throughout the year on the first Saturday of the month from 10am-1.30pm. I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank all the stallholders and the local community who have supported us over the last few years. We look forward to being able to share our events with even more of the community, so if you’ve yet to visit us, 2020 will offer many more opportunities.
VINYL LOUNGE 2020 The third anniversary of the Vinyl Lounge at the John Peel Centre is coming up in March so we feel a birthday party coming on! It has become a real success story for the John Peel Centre and is fast becoming one of the town’s most talked about events with people regularly coming from Ipswich, Norwich, Bury, many of the villages and, of course, Stowmarket’s finest! 2019 was our best year to date and our biggest ever Christmas party sold out six weeks early. At time of writing, 170 people have bought their tickets and are looking forward to a great night getting geared up for Christmas. There are many who missed out, for which we apologise, but capacity is limited. Why not buy your tickets now for next year? Maybe you’ve seen the posters, banners or signs, but don’t know the Vinyl Lounge? We invite you to bring a few of your vinyl records of any size or genre along and for the first couple of hours, the hardest working DJ in town works his socks off to put them into a meaningful playlist to get as much ‘incoming’ vinyl played while getting people dancing. It doesn’t usually take too long! If you don’t have any vinyl or you’d rather leave it at home, that’s cool with us – we’ve got loads! Usually at around 9-9.30pm we invite guest DJs to play 20-30 minute sets of varying genres, e.g. Northern Soul, Disco, Ska/Reggae, and more recently punk has made an appearance. Something for everyone in other words! All dates are now published for 2020 and tickets are on sale. Outside Christmas, you can usually buy on the door but if you want to be sure of entry, don’t leave it to chance. Additional Vinyl Lounge themed events might be added throughout the year so please keep an eye on social media or the John Peel Centre website for further details. Doors/ bar open at 7.30pm. The bar closes at midnight and the music and dancing finishes at 12.30am. Here’s to another amazing year at the Vinyl Lounge. We hope you’ll keep coming, or indeed join us if you haven’t made one yet. Please note the John Peel Centre is run almost entirely by volunteers, so bear with us when you are queuing for that drink! All profits from the Vinyl Lounge go to support the John Peel Centre. Tickets are £4 in advance and £5 on the door for our March 3 birthday party, June and September Vinyl Lounges and £7 in advance, £8 on the door for Christmas. The Christmas event will definitely sell out again so we strongly advise buying your tickets early. Vinyl Lounge events outside those shown here might have different charitable or not for profit beneficiaries. Further details on request. Dates are subject to change. For further information search Vinyl Lounge @ the John Peel Centre on Facebook and Twitter. To buy tickets call the John Peel Centre box office on 01449 774678 (Mon-Fri, 10am2pm) or visit www.johnpeelcentre.com where you can buy tickets at any time, subject to availability (10% online booking fee charged).
For more information contact Sherilee: Stowmarketcraftmarket@gmail.com
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Shaun is the manager for your Combs F ord supermarket
POP IN TO SEE THE CHANGES WE’VE MADE TO YOUR COMBS FORD SUPERMARKET
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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET & DISTRICT MONDAY CLUB We enjoyed various activities in the run-up to Christmas with card making, snowman making, a party and another Christmas themed evening. We now look forward to a new year and will start with a disco with Jane and Julian on January 13. We hope that the real snowmen won’t be much in evidence and that we don’t have to cancel any meetings due to bad weather. We wish all our members, helpers and friends a very happy and healthy 2020. We are a club for adults with learning difficulties and meet each Monday from 7.30-9.30pm at the Community Hub in Crown Street, Stowmarket. We are run entirely by volunteers and new members and helpers are always very welcome. If you would like further information, please contact me on 01449 672123 or come along on a Monday evening. Lilian Fidler
BACTON & COTTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Tuesday 21 January, 7.30pm at Bacton Village Hall Fig Leaves, Farthingales and Fichues – The Evolution of Fashion by Frances Saltmarsh A look at the history of costume from prehistoric times to modern day, showing how costume evolved from purely functional to having status value and as decoration. Frances will also bring authentic period costumes for us to see!
ROTARY CLUB OF STOWMARKET GIPPING VALLEY
The River Gipping Trust has now applied for full planning permission for a new footbridge across the River Gipping just upstream of Baylham. With approved planning permission, the trust can apply for funding to pay for the bridge. This new bridge, which will sit on top of existing 230-year-old brick abutments, will restore the footpath at Baylham to its original position along the river’s towpath. The primary objective is to improve the walking experience of those that use the Gipping Way. Through most of November the current footpath, alongside the railway line, was underwater and not passable without Wellington boots. The new path over the bridge will not be so susceptible to flooding. Our volunteer workforce meets up every Wednesday at 9am, normally at Pipps Ford or Baylham, and we welcome new volunteers and members (a work party of volunteers is pictured cleaning up at Baylham). Further details can be found online where you can download a membership application form. Full membership is just £10 per year. Restoration Manager Ian Petchey restoration@rivergippingtrust.org.uk www.rivergippingtrust.org.uk / Facebook: The River Gipping Trust
The Rotary Club of Stowmarket Gipping Valley presented its popular third annual concert at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket. Proceeds were in aid of the British Heart Foundation and well in excess of £1,000 was raised. The concert consisted of an evening of acapella and barbershop music performed by two groups, Stellar Acappellar and The VIPs. The acoustics of the URC building emphasised the high quality provided by both choirs and the audience appreciated the beautiful sounds. Gaynor Schofield, musical director of Stellar Acappella, spoke of her delight in the popularity of the group. She said: “We love being able to take our music to those who haven’t heard our harmonies before, as well as being able to support charities.” The VIPs repertoire includes four-part arrangements of popular songs from recent decades as well as barbershop from the start of the last century. A video of the concert is on the Stowmarket Gipping Valley YouTube channel which can be found online via Google. The Rotary Club of Stowmarket Gipping Valley is always looking for new members (both male and female) who are interested in good fellowship and service within the local community. They meet at the Cedars Hotel in Stowmarket on alternate Thursday evenings and if you would like to give them a try please contact Richard Tingey: 07834 247244 / richard@tingeys.co.uk www.gippingvalleyrotary.org / Facebook
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ALLERGY THERAPIST at Woolpit
(Brickfields Business Park) Testing for food, environmental and chemical sensitivities – as well which can cause unpleasant symptoms and illnesses.
For an appointment contact Helen Parsons Dip Allergy Therapy, Food Studies Cert.Ed, B.I.A.E.T.
Are you in pain? Chiropractic may help with many problems including lower back pain, neck pain and related headaches as well as arm and leg pain.
STOWMARKET CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CLINIC
Tel: 01531 670746
March Accounting & Taxation Services Ian Coombes FCCA MBA
• FREE initial consultation to discuss any tax, accounting and general business issues • Payroll, Auto Enrolment,VAT, Self Assessment, and full accounting service • Personable and professional tailored support • Fees agreed in advance • Out of office hours service available Individuals, self employed and limited companies
Please call Ian on: 01449 740285 / 07939 837939 E: ian@marchconsultingltd.co.uk
Michael T E Bailey Doctor of Chiropractic Registered with the General Chiropractic Council
7 Stowupland Rd Stowmarket IP14 5AG
Tel/Fax 01449 612620 www.michaelbailey.net
Providing Health Care to the Community for over 35 years.
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OUT & ABOUT HOW TO HEAT THINGS UP THIS WINTER Last month we talked about applying ice in the first 24-36 hours after an injury and in the process crushed some myths. This month it’s the turn of heat after those first 36 hours. This will increase blood to the area to bring in nutrients to help you heal, relax muscles and speed up healing processes. At some point we have all reached for that hot water bottle or heat pack to ease sore muscles or stiff joints. You may have also noticed how aches and pains seem better after relaxing in a hot tub or bath. These are all forms of heat therapy or thermotherapy. Heat therapy has been used for centuries to relieve pain and tension in the body. Heat therapy is more useful than most people realise mainly because muscle is a source of much pain. For starters, heat should not be applied to an infection or fresh/acute injury or any other inflammation; the soothing effect of ice will be more helpful in these circumstances. Also, applying heat to a heat related injury like a burn is not a great idea. Having cleared that, heat is a cheap, drugless way of taking the edge off many non-inflammatory body pains. Heat is reassuring and reassurance is analgesic, after all warmth is comfortable. Heat therapy works by stimulating the nerves that sense heat and ‘scrambling’ the signals from the nerves that sense threat. Heat can also penetrate a few centimetres into tissues, which can then help increase blood supply to the affected area, which encourages healing. Applying heat at home should be as easy as applying a band aid. A hot water bottle, heat pack or wheat bag will do the trick. This should be applied for 15-20 minutes at a time. This is enough to increase tissue temperature by 3.8 degrees Celsius at an approximate depth of one centimetre. At this depth, heat-sensing nerves can be stimulated, effectively creating the ‘scrambling’ effect on threat sensing nerves. A common misconception is that heat only works when the heat pack is very hot. This is not true; a 60-70 degree Celsius hot water bottle wrapped in a towel applied for about 15-20 minutes will have the desired therapeutic effect. If using any heat pack, simply follow the instructions and you won’t go far wrong. Also, for chronic pain where emotional stress and/or muscle ‘knots’ are main contributing factors, full body heating in a warm bath or for those able to, a long soak in a hot tub, saunas or steam rooms can be great ways of relaxing muscles and stimulating blood flow. Heat therapy is not recommended for anyone with sensory impairment (numbness and reduced sensation), especially at the affected area, circulatory problems, DVT and malignant tumours In conclusion, heat therapy is a great first step in taking the edge off many chronic pain problems like back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, arthritis, muscle ‘knots’ and so on before seeing your physiotherapist. Moderately heated heat packs applied for 15-20 minutes several times a day is enough to have the desired effect. Sylvester Dengzee MSc MCSP HCPC Senior Physiotherapist PhysioFixx Physiotherapy Clinic
STOWMARKET BRIDGE CLUB With new competitions on the horizon, the club looks to increase membership in 2020. The Children in Need simultaneous pairs event held on November 8 raised £115, with Andy Billinge and Sekar Pillai being the club winners, finishing 17th out of 909 in England and Wales. Recently, Simon Riley and David Willson, after finishing first in the qualifying round, came second in a very competitive Felixstowe Congress. Also, the club finished fourth in the Suffolk Teams of Eight League and ninth in the Teams of Eight Championship. A new mixed pairs competition will begin next year. Meanwhile, in-house competitions continue. The Ron Ion Trophy is at the quarter-final stage and in the ‘Upside Down’ cup, Willson’s Warriors hold a slender lead over Wright or Wrong and Heath’s Heathens. We play at St Mary’s Hall (IP14 1LS) in Stowmarket, close to Wolsey Road Post Office, on Wednesdays from 7pm and Fridays from 2.15pm. Come along with a partner or contact Arthur Winchester (01449 612105) who will help to find one for you. We have players of all abilities. To find out more, contact Arthur or visit: www.bridgewebs.com/stowmarket
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB Monday 10 February: Open Competition No. 3, judged by Andy Wilson LRPS As agreed at the AGM, entries are limited to one monochrome print, one colour print and two PDIs. Monday 24 February: Overlanding through East & South Africa by Glenda Taylor New members are always very welcome. You don’t have to be an expert photographer; all you need is a camera – any camera – and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras. Regular meetings, which start at 7.30pm, are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Monday of the month between September and June. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us? For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net
STOWUPLAND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP We don’t meet in January but listed below is our programme for 2020. February 5 History of Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society by David Lilley March 4 My Family of Criminals by Jill Wright April 1 Parish Workhouses by Ray Whitehand May 6 Witches in Suffolk by Pip Wright June 3 Behind the Scenes at Who Do You Think You Are by Gill Blanchard July 1 AGM & talk TBA July 6 Visit to Woolpit Village and Museum August 5 Becoming a House Detective – Researching the History of your Home by Stephen Poulton September 2 TBA October 7 Two Suffolk Historians – Edmund Farrar & Charles Partridge by Sarah Doig and Neil Langridge November 4 TBA December 2 TBA We meet at 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ where there is plenty of space to park. Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are available. Admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members. For more information, please contact Judy Clarke: 01449 615386
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OUT & ABOUT
THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT BRANCH NEWS Remembrance commemorations went extremely well, starting with the Poppy Appeal launch and followed by the Festival of Remembrance and the Armistice Dinner. All details were included in the last issue of In Touch. These are all great events and if you haven’t attended in the past, you should place them in your diary for this year and come along. Look out for the dates.
open days to allow non-members to come aboard and find out a little more about the branch, held various social events including curry nights, Uckers (a navy board game) nights, visited the sea cadet flagship TS Royalist, took part in the mayor’s charity quiz night and, of course, held our annual Trafalgar Night Dinner, where we hosted 70 guests. And there’s been a lot more.
Of course, the Remembrance Parade, Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony went ahead on Sunday 10 November in excellent weather. It was extremely well attended, which is a credit to the people of the town and surrounding areas. This was followed by a curry Lunch in the club on Tavern Street which was kindly provided by 3 Regt AAC from Wattisham.
We have attended several memorial services, including the 75th anniversary of D-Day and Remembrance, and raising funds for charities and groups that our shipmates have expressed a wish to support. This culminated at the end of the year in being able to hand over a cheque for £800 to SERV. SERV provide a free service to the NHS, transporting blood products in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.
Many thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of all these events. Plenty of photographs were taken, as you can see opposite, with many more to see at: http://branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/stowmarket
We’ve been somewhat busy to say the least. If you would like to join us, please feel free to do so. In the meantime, here’s to another eventful year ahead.
Following our AGM in November, we would like to welcome our new chairman, Mr Pete Chivers, and bid farewell to our outgoing chairman, Mr Gary Quinn. Gary has been on the committee for several years in various appointments, including secretary and chairman, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his service and wish him well for the future.
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN’S SECTION (STOWMARKET) David Marsh from the Regal Cinema attended our November meeting to give us a presentation about the history and plans for the cinema. It is pleasing to hear that cinema audiences continue to grow, whether showing films or shows, with Saturday morning for kids proving to be very popular. It was a very informative talk and David finished by judging the competition of an old programme. Hazel took first place, Lynda took second and third went to Janet B.
If you are interested in finding out more about what we do or in becoming a member of the Royal British Legion, call the secretary on 07860 120695. The president, chairman, committee and all members of the Branch wish In Touch readers and everybody from Stowmarket and the surrounding areas all the very best for the New Year. STOWMARKET POPPY APPEAL – EJD59 The 2019 appeal has so far raised £32,200. Many volunteer collectors have been extremely busy. The patron of the Stowmarket appeal, Town Mayor Councillor Paul Ekpenyong, carried out the mayor’s individual town collection on launch day and led the town pub tour. The Military Vehicles Trust Suffolk held a successful fundraiser in town while displaying their vehicles. Numerous business and community outlets, including schools, had static collection tins on their premises. The launch, hosted by ASDA, took place at Stowmarket United Reformed Church on October 26. This ceremony provides great impetus at the start of the annual collections. The appeal was launched by a young local veteran, Bethany Willis, who has been a beneficiary of the Royal British Legion via the facilities of the Battleback Centre at Lilleshall. Having to cut short a military career due to serious injury, Beth is adamant that the help and support received was vital to her recovery and helped her embark on a new career as a self-employed fitness instructor. Clearly the welfare work of the Royal British Legion is as relevant today as it was almost 100 years ago when it all began. I pass on grateful thanks to all individual collectors, community and business outlets, as well as to all contributors. I am also grateful to all those who help us prepare for the appeal and complete the counting and administration following the collections. Being a poppy volunteer is a very enjoyable and rewarding experience and new volunteers are always welcomed.
Following the presentation, Liz was thanked for carrying out the duties of Standard Bearer during the Remembrance week activities. Coffee mornings continue as do collections for the food bank. The meeting concluded with a short quiz about romantic films which was won by Pam. Janet collected money for our Christmas party where we hope to be joined by Rev Canon Pauline Higham, the Women’s Section Chaplain. Our next meeting will be on January 15 when Nik Wray will talk to us about tinnitus. We wish all our members all good wishes for 2020. ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION STOWMARKET BRANCH Well, it’s now 2020! Our members and friends would like to wish In Touch readers a very happy and healthy New Year. As reported last month, we were pleased and privileged to be involved in all the Remembrance commemorations in the town, the Festival of Remembrance, the service in the church and the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Memorial Gates. By the time this goes to press, we will have had our Christmas meeting in the club with a buffet prepared by Kelly. We will also have taken part in the RBL Christmas Fayre, where we were raising money for the RAFA Wings Appeal. Our Branch doesn’t meet in January so our next meeting will be on Wednesday 5 February. We are always pleased to welcome any prospective new members. If you would like any further information, please contact our secretary on 01449 676871.
Rachel Oakley: rachel@oakleyvillas.co.uk
OLD COMRADES ASSOCIATION At our November meeting we had a very interesting talk by Ken Snow about Shackeldon’s ill-fated journey to the Antarctic. This was our last meeting of the year, with just our Christmas dinner on December 14 to come.
ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION If 2019 is anything to go by, 2020 promises to be just as interesting.
If you have served in the army and would like to join us at one of meetings, you would be made very welcome. Our next meeting, which will be the AGM, is on Wednesday 25 March at 8pm.
In addition to the ‘general’ duties of the branch, in 2019 we attended monthly veteran’s breakfast clubs in Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds, visited other RNA branches in Beccles, Rayleigh, Harwich, Norwich and Ipswich hosted
Stowmarket & District Royal British Legion Club We will be holding our Annual General Meeting on Friday 31 January at 7.30pm at the club premises, 8 Tavern Street, Stowmarket.
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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE 2019 The day started early for members of the council as they hosted a breakfast for invited veterans and guests. The breakfast was a huge success, enjoyed by all. Following this, councillors and guests made their way to the Market Square in preparation for the parade march past.
Once everyone was in position the Wreath Laying Service started with the fly over by an Apache from Wattisham Flying Station.
The parade started from Red Gables at 10am under the control of the Parade Marshall, Jason Sewell. The parade itself seems to be getting bigger each year with many more organisations and people taking place. The parade marched down the main street and finished at the church where all participants went for the service. The salute was taken by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, The Lord Stevenson of Coddenham.
It was not easy fitting all those who wanted to attend the service into the church, but it was achieved, and the service and Act of Remembrance was conducted by Reverend Michael Eden. An excellent, very relevant sermon was delivered by Reverend Ian Hooper. Once the service was complete the congregation made their way out to Market Square to move up to the Memorial Gates for the Wreath Laying Service.
The mayor concluded the commemorations by thanking all those present for taking the time to help Stowmarket mark Remembrance Day in a fitting way. It is without doubt that Remembrance Day in Stowmarket goes from strength to strength thanks to the people of the town. The committee and members of the Royal British Legion would like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who made events throughout the morning possible and to the people of Stowmarket and the surrounding areas for making it such a special occasion.
Following the conclusion of the Wreath Laying Ceremony many people made their way to the Royal British Legion in Tavern Street for a curry lunch kindly provided by the unit catering manager of 3 Regt Army Air Corps in Wattisham. Planning for Remembrance 2020 will begin early in the New Year with a meeting between the council and the committee of the Royal British Legion.
Once parade participants were assembled, they made their way to the Memorial Gates where they were met by members of 3 Regt AAC, Wattisham who were stood ready at the gates.
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The aim will be to see if we can make improvements on the success of 2019 and we would like to hear from you, the people of Stowmarket and the surrounding areas. To provide your comments or suggestions, please email the secretary at: stowmarket.secretary@rbl.community
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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET RAMBLERS
STOWMARKET LOCAL HISTORY GROUP
Sunday 5 January: 6 mile walk in the Yaxley area. Park and meet near lay-by 0.5 miles north of Yaxley Bull on the Old Norwich Road in Yaxley, accessed by taking turning off A140 signed Yaxley & Mellis, at 10am / GR. TM 119734. Leader: 01449 672168
Monday 20 January: The History of a Finborough Road House by Geoff and Jill Marchant This is a talk about the history of their house and the development and changes in the house over its lifetime to the current day.
Sunday 12 January: 5.5 mile walk in the Wetherden area. Park and meet at Wetherden Village Hall at 10am / GR. TM 006626. Leader: 01449 257349
Monday 17 February: Whistlecraft by Pip Wright An illustrated talk about the true story of a notorious family from Rickinghall and Hinderclay in Suffolk, a tale of poaching, murder, heavy drinking and intrigue.
Sunday 19 January: 4.2 mile walk around Great Barton village and countryside. Park and meet at Great Barton Village Hall (located opposite garage on A143) at 10.30am / GR. TL 894670. Leader: 07795 574762 Sunday 26 January: 5.5 mile walk in the Old Newton area. Park and meet at Old Newton Village Hall at 10am / GR. TM 052625. Leader: 01449 673131
STOWMARKET SUGARCRAFT CLUB
Meetings are held at 7.30pm at Hillside Community Centre, Stowmarket IP14 2BD. Members £1, non-members £3.50. For further details contact Jeannette Baldry: 01449 675271 www.stowmarket-history.co.uk
The end of November was an amazing time for our club. Way back at the beginning of last year we decided it would be a nice to put our collective skills to good use to raise a little money for charity and promote our club at the same time.
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB Our first meeting of 2020 will be on Wednesday 29 January at 12.15pm and will be a lunchtime workshop with homemade soup being served and a workshop given by Pat South entitled Not a Flower in Sight.
The result was on display from November 23 in the window of the St Elizabeth Hospice Shop in Stowmarket with 34 Christmas cakes baked, decorated and donated by our members for the hospice to sell. The cakes sold like the proverbial ‘hot cakes’!
The meeting will be held at Woolpit Village Hall and visitors and new members will be very welcome.
The shop manager was happily surprised at the public’s response and we were stunned. We got to highlight what we do and the hospice has made far more money than we ever envisaged. The final amount isn’t known yet, but we know it’s probably double what we anticipated. The hospice touches on the lives of so many. In fact, when some of our members told friends and family what we were doing, they donated ingredients to be made into extra cakes.
DEMENTIA TOGETHER CALL FREE 08081 688 000
We have a Christmas party in December, but it’s back to normal in January when Glenda, our chairperson, will demonstrate some quick to make flowers.
email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com
As this issue is out before Christmas, I would like to take the opportunity to wish all our members past and present a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
EMPLOYMENT SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS In the context of providing guidance in relation to non-disclosure agreements, the Equality and Human Rights Commission has recently provided some helpful guidance on the key requirements for a settlement agreement between an employer and an employee. A settlement agreement is a contract between an employer and an employee which is entered into when a contract of employment comes to an end. The purpose of a settlement agreement is to set out the arrangement between both parties. Usually, an employee will be giving up any rights that he or she might have to any employment claims that there might be against the employer – for example, for unfair or wrongful dismissal, and that sort of thing. In return, the agreement will usually then provide for some financial compensation by the employer. To be enforceable at law, a settlement agreement must meet certain criteria. The first of the criteria is that it must be in writing – so in this context, any verbal agreement would not be enforceable between the two parties.
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It must also relate to the issue being settled, which hopefully is fairly obvious anyway. Prior to the signature of the agreement, the employee must have received advice from an independent adviser. Usually, an independent adviser will be a qualified lawyer, but this could also be an officer of a trade union, who is competent to give the advice, and is authorised to do so on behalf of the union. It also a requirement that the independent adviser has appropriate insurance in place, and the agreement must identify advisories. The settlement agreement must also state that independent advice has been provided by the adviser.
Buttermarket, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1ED Telephone: 01449 613101 • Fax: 01449 615087 Email: info@gudgeons-prentice.co.uk
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ON THE GRAPEVINE / SCHOOLS Museum of East Anglian Life Iliffe Way Stowmarket IP14 1DL 01449 612229 enquiries@eastanglianlife.org.uk
The Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket presents The Year I went Heywire, a new temporary exhibition of art made from litter discarded by telecom operatives in Woolpit and surrounding Suffolk villages. Concerned by the negative impact that these discarded items are having on the environment, and frustrated by the lack of interest by Openreach to resolve the issue, the artist has taken the situation into her own hands. Not many people wake up in the morning and say, “I should spend an entire year collecting telecom debris from my local junction box and make it into art,” but that’s exactly what artist Christine O’ Connor has done. The exhibition will be open to the public from 23 January to the end of April 2020 (Tues-Sun: 10am-4pm) and entry is free.
CHILTON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL Christmas Craft Morning On Wednesday 27 November, parents and carers of pupils in Reception and Years 1 and 2 were invited to join us in a Christmas craft morning. This involved helping our pupils in creating Christmas tree decorations to sell at our Friends Christmas Fayre. Friends Christmas Fayre On Thursday 28 November, we held our Friends Christmas Fayre and what an amazing turn-out we received. Thanks to our friends committee, there were fun-filled activities for all; including Santa’s grotto, tombola and raffle stands, decorate your own biscuit, face painting as well as Christmas carols performed by our own school choir. We would like to thank those parents and carers who provided us with donations to use for raffle and tombola prizes. Altogether the friends committee raised over £460. School Choir On Saturday 23 November, our school choir performed a variety of Christmas carols at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket for the Mears Christmas Fayre. They also performed at St Peter and St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 3 December, alongside Wood Ley Community Primary School, for the annual Christmas Tree Festival.
Help Plant Hedgerow at the Museum Over the festive season, New Year’s resolutions are often made to volunteer and do more exercise. Come and kill two birds with one stone by spending a few hours helping us plant 3,000 plants to create new hedgerow habitat for birds, insects and small mammals. We will be planting on Sunday 5, Wednesday 8, Thursday 9 and Friday 10 January. Come along for a morning or afternoon session or stay all day. All ages welcome; no experience necessary. Let us know if you’re interested by emailing: volunteering@eastanglianlife.org.uk This project has been made possible by a grant from Postcode Local Trust, a grant-giving charity funded entirely by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
BURY ST EDMUNDS AND STOWMARKET This month we are looking for a new home for Jasper, a distinguished looking boy with beautiful amber eyes and a lovely silky coat. He is a gentle and friendly chap who loves to be fussed and enjoys games. Jasper can be a little hesitant with new situations, but soon gains his confidence. Due to his past history he would be best suited to an adult only home or one with older children, and as an only pet. Jasper is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. If you are interested in giving a home to any of the cats in our care please ring 01449 674584. For more information visit our Facebook page or go to: www.cats.org.uk/bury-st-edmunds If your cat hasn’t been neutered and your circumstances mean that you need help towards the cost, please ring Margaret on 01284 851055 and leave a message. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. Our Admissions and Lost & Found number is 01449 615500. Our table in Needham Market Community Centre in December raised £226.28. Many thanks to everyone who helped on the day and donated prizes to our very popular tombola. Thank you for your continuing support.
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Still to come in December We have many more Christmas celebrations to come here at Chilton Primary. Reception and Years 1 and 2 will be performing A Little Bird Told Me on Monday 16 December. We will be attending the Salvation Army Citadel Christmas Carol Concert on Wednesday 18 and our annual Christmas lunch on Thursday 19 December where pupils may also wear Christmas jumpers. We look forward to a fresh new year in January!
COMBS FORD PRIMARY SCHOOL What a busy term already! Everyone has settled into their new classes and is working hard. We continue to compete in local school sports, with first place in the boy’s 2km cross country and second in the girl’s competition. A Year 4 mixed team and a Year 5 girls’ team took part in football competitions at Stowmarket High School. We have also taken part in a tag rugby festival and dodgeball events. Once you read this it will all be a distant memory, but right now Christmas play rehearsals are in full swing; songs resonate through the school daily and we are looking forward to seeing our budding thespians perform. Our fantastic choir will have performed at the Christmas Tree Festival at St Peter and St Mary’s Church with other local schools and again at St Mary’s Church in Combs for the school carol concert which always fills us with festive spirit. Rock Steady Music School visit the school every week and work with groups of children, giving them the chance to be in a band, perform songs they love and learn life skills. To finish the year they will stage a rock concert for parents. Looking further ahead, we recently held open mornings for parents and children who will be starting school for the first time next September. If you missed these we are still able to offer visits for families before they have to make their final decision. Please contact the school office and we will arrange a time for you to come and see our school in action. Finally, check out our new Facebook page for forthcoming events and news: www.facebook.com/combsfordprimary Combs Ford Primary School, Glemsford Road, Stowmarket IP14 2PN 01449 613112 / admin@combsford.suffolk.sch.uk www.combsfordprimary.co.uk
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Caring is at the heart of everything we do... Together we respect, with compassion we care, through commitment we achieve
Barking Hall
Hillcroft House
Uvedale Hall
Part of the Healthcare Homes Group
Part of the Healthcare Homes Group
Part of the Healthcare Homes Group
Barking Hall, Barking, Near Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8HJ
Hillcroft House, Finborough Road, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1PW
Uvedale Hall, Coddenham Road, Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8AX
Tel: 01449 720793
Tel: 01449 774633
Tel: 01449 722250
Specialising in general nursing, dementia and end of life care.
Specialising in dementia care.
Providing residential care.
ď‚‚ HealthcareHomes
healthcarehomes.co.uk www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket
Barking Hall, Hillcroft House and Uvedale Hall have been rated Good in all areas by CQC (2019)
Good
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SCHOOLS / SPORT WOOD LEY COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL It’s been another fun packed month of learning here at Wood Ley. We’ve had Remembrance Day activities, reading workshops, odd socks day, Children in Need and a construction workshop. On top of all this we have also been preparing for our Christmas Carols by Candlelight performance which is sounding amazing! The month started with us commemorating the First and Second World Wars. We learnt why we do this and each child then produced a poppy, which was placed on our central Remembrance Day display. It looked spectacular and was a fitting way to remember those who lost or risked their lives during the wars. We always like to encourage parents and carers to be involved in their children’s learning so it was lovely to see so many of them at our reading workshops. The children really enjoyed learning with their grown ups and showing how we develop reading at our school. This month has seen two awareness days take place in school. Our school council is a very active child-led team who are always looking to support charities and awareness events. This month we all wore odd socks as part of anti-bullying week and then raised more than £400 for Children in Need. We always like to think beyond the national curriculum and offer experiences that enrich the children’s learning even more. This month was no different as we had some visitors from Eastern Region Training who led a construction workshop for many of our older children. They had a go at plumbing, laid laminate flooring and learnt about keeping safe near construction sites. Great fun was had by all. Finally, we sign off this month by talking about Christmas. Our Carols by Candlelight is taking shape and it’s so lovely hearing the children singing Christmas songs and carols in the hall or as they walk between lessons. What a fitting way to end the term.
SCORPION MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY An excellent full day of coloured belt and blackbelt assessment exams was held at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre, the main headquarters of Scorpion MA Academy and UKKWA (Universal Karate Kickboxing Worldwide Association). Our first group were the junior and senior kickboxers. Their grading was very fitness based. Circuit training, technical work and sparring pushed everyone to their limits. Junior karate followed and this exam concentrated on selfdefence, throws and strong technique. The final exam was the seniors and high grade belt juniors (brown and black belts). Plenty of strong karate and excellent kata (patterns) finished off a superb day of exams. Presentations of new belts and certificates were made at the end of each exam and this is always very special because getting a pass in either universal karate or kickboxing means that you have reached a very high standard. Well done all. The 2020 calendar has a full year of events including coloured belt exams, blackbelt gradings, training weekend camp, seminars, British championships, charity fundraising, interclub sparring tournaments, kid’s Nerf gun fun sessions, free self-defence workshops and lots more. Scorpion Academy celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2020. The club stated in 1990 with just a few very keen students and over the many years that have passed we have taught thousands of children, young people and adults. Any former students who use to train are most welcome to email Mark JR Trent, especially if they have any old photos. Recently one of Mark’s original students got in contact and is now himself a 6th Dan blackbelt. Very soon he will be opening up his own club in Thetford under the guidance of Mark and the UKKWA. We welcome children from five years and seniors from 14 years to join our amazing martial arts academy. Any businesses, schools, clubs and groups that would like to host a self-defence workshop are welcome to contact us to discuss options. All classes are taught personally by Mark JR Trent who has well over 40 year’s martial arts training, 30 years in security/door work, ex-police special and as a youth worker. Our amazing team of instructors are Mel Walmsley, Josh Trent and Peter Izzard, plus a brilliant group of junior blackbelts – Maisie, Grace, Ollie, Taylor and Lilirose. scorpion.ufkkwa@gmail.com / 07708 644162
STOWMARKET CRICKET CLUB LADIES AND GIRLS BADMINTON NIGHTS Stowmarket Badminton Club’s ladies and girl’s only sessions will continue in the new year at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre on Tuesday evenings from 8-9pm. If you fancy a new challenge for 2020, or just want to get back into badminton, why not dust off your racket, lace up your trainers and join us for some casual informal fun sessions? Rackets will be provided and we have courts available to allow you to refine your skills, or just have some fun in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
After another successful season, the recent AGM saw Paul Blake unanimously retain the captaincy of the 1st XI, with Kevin Holland elected vice-captain. The 2nd XI’s new captain is Henry Griffiths, with Simon Codd as vice-captain and also T20 captain. We are always looking to welcome new players, juniors and adults, male and female, to the club. Winter nets are about to be confirmed. Please see our website or contact Clive Witherly for more information: 01359 240019 / wigg51@btinternet.com www.stowmarket.play-cricket.com
For further information please contact Mary Hughes: 01359 240811
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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS STOWMARKET SHORT MAT BOWLS CLUB
AIKIDO BEGINNERS COURSE
Last winter Stowmarket Town, formed in the autumn of 2018, played in Division 2 of the Ipswich & District Short Mat Bowls League. They had a successful season, finishing as runners-up, and were therefore promoted to Division 1.
New people are always welcome to come along and join in at Satomi Kai Aikido Club, but once a year the club runs a special beginner’s course. One of these introductory courses will be starting on Sunday 26 January at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre in Stowmarket.
Now with more members and in their first season in the top division, they have defeated last year’s Division 1 champions and holders of the President’s Cup, the Hawks, in a thrilling tie at the Stone Lodge Community Centre in Ipswich. The match was played over two games simultaneously. In one game Stowmarket Town forced a 23-23 draw with their final bowl, while in the other they were runaway winners at 21-8, giving them a victorious score line of 44-31. This was the first home defeat of the season for the Hawks and means that Stowmarket Town go forward into the President’s Cup semi-finals in March 2020. The club recently hosted an all-day pairs tournament in Woolpit Village Hall in aid of club funds. The very successful day raised £190 and the winning pair, John Whiteman and Malcolm Bailey, is pictured alongside the principal umpire John Hurst.
It’s perfect timing for anyone making New Year’s resolutions to come and try something new. If the pure physicality of heading down to the gym and pounding the treadmills doesn’t appeal, this dynamic Japanese martial art offers a great way to exercise not just the body, but your mind and your spirit too. It’s an art that will grow with you as you get older, so this year’s resolution can last you a lifetime. An introductory course like this is the ideal way to start. Not only does it mean that the lessons are tailored specifically towards new people, but also starting as part of a group of like-minded fresh faces is always a great help. Feedback from some previous attendees says it best: “Walking through the doors of Studio One for my first lesson in Satomi Kai Aikido was one of the best decisions I’ve made, a life choice that will see me walking through those doors for many years to come.” Rob “I was looking for something to try and get me out of the house. What I found was a bunch of new friends, relaxed atmosphere, and a dynamic new hobby. What’s not to like?” Jamie
Stowmarket Town play in both Stowmarket and Woolpit. Anyone interested in trying this enjoyable sport should contact John Whiteman (07717 316685) or Malcolm Bailey (07517 567811). The first four sessions are free.
“The beginner’s course was well structured and everyone was very friendly, helpful and welcoming. I felt like I was being welcomed into a family and I am proud to be part of it.” Michael
STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB
“I wondered what it would be like to be a newcomer in a room of martial arts experts as, with some trepidation, I came along to a new starter course. What I found was a really friendly group of people and instructors who were patient and inclusive. Four years on I am still learning and still in one piece.” Andrew
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year. This is the only time of the year when the professional players can expect a ‘proper’ break, but even this has been shortened by the new Davis Cup format which now extends into late November. Spain are the winners of the first team challenge to be run in the new style. Before this revamped event the players would finish with the finals at the O2 Arena in London and then break until the beginning of January with warm-up events taking place in Australia before the Open at the end of the month. We often hear of the top players having to choose carefully which events to support because of the increasing demands placed on their bodies; they simply can’t play everywhere and expect to emerge unscathed.
The course runs for six consecutive Sundays from 7-8.30pm and costs just £30. This includes association membership and insurance for a full year, so if you fall in love with the art as we did, you can simply continue by paying for classes with no additional joining fee. The club is a non-profit organisation so there are no contracts. Coloured belt gradings are free, and black-belt gradings are all subsidised at national level, so there are no hidden costs. The course is open to anyone aged 16+. Places will be limited for space and safety; anyone interested in the course can book by emailing: aikido@precepts.co.uk www.satomikai.co.uk
Happy New Year! With this thought in mind we are all enjoying a slight lull in activity over the festive season. The winter league takes a couple of weekends off and the coaching programme also has a break from 21 December until 6 January. After this we will all be back in the dome, racing around and trying to shed the odd extra Christmas pound. Or two! As you know, we have indoor tennis all through the ‘off season’ so nothing ever stops at the club. There are taster sessions for all ages, so if you’re looking to get started or even return to the game, get in touch and we’ll get you on court. After all, if the pros are getting back on court, so should we! Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com / 07761 142372
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So Christmas has come and gone and we are really excited about 2020. Our theme for this year is Greater Than All and our Sunday morning services are focused on seeing how Jesus is greater than anything this world has to offer. If you are not currently attending a church then you would be very welcome to join us. We have a lot of activities for people of all ages, including youth groups, Bible study groups and lots of social activities. If you want to find out more, we encourage you to visit our website and we invite you to come along to our services which take place every Sunday at 10.30am at Cedars Park Primary School. www.cedarschurch.com
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CHURCH NEWS STOWMARKET URC Church members and friends would like to wish In Touch readers a happy and peaceful new year. To comply with editorial deadlines, I write these notes ahead of our Christmas celebrations. However, as you read them our church will have been decorated to welcome our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ with the theme of Bells, Stars and Snowflakes. Why not pop in and see? We are open Mondays to Fridays each week between 10am and 12.30pm. Along with Christians all over the world, we celebrate his birth at our Christmas services with well-known hymns, carols, readings and stories associated with this wonderful time of the year. We enjoy the number of concerts performed in our Ipswich Street premises and are pleased to be associated with Community Brew who once again host a traditional meal on Christmas Day for those who might otherwise be alone. Please see our noticeboards and website for details of all these events, and come and see what’s on at Stowmarket United Reformed Church. www.stowmarket-urc.org.uk
THE SALVATION ARMY Violet Hill Road, StowmarketIP14 1NE Sunday 5 January
11am & 5.30pm Services
Wednesday 8 January 7.30pm Live Lounge at Costa Sunday 12 January
11am Service 4pm Messy Church – The Banquet
Saturday 18 January
10am Coffee Morning
Sunday 19 January
11am Exchange of Pulpit – Rev Michael Eden
6pm United Church Service for Christian Unity
Saturday 25 January
7pm Charity Concert arranged by Max Moye Tickets available on the door
Sunday 26 January
11am Service / 4pm Café Church
Sunday 2 February
11am & 5.30pm Services
“Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) On the first day of a new year many of us wish each other a Happy New Year! But as we begin a new year, we need more than a hopeful greeting from the people around us. We need to listen to what God told Joshua about 3,400 years ago.
Throughout Advent we looked forward to the celebrations that would come as we remembered the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. We continue with the festive season as we look out for the wise men at Epiphany and reflect with the ideas at #FollowTheStar. www.churchofengland.org/followthestar January can appear a long and cold month so do come and join us at one of our services where you can be assured of a warm welcome. Epiphany Songs of Praise A service to celebrate the arrival of the Magi at the birth place of Baby Jesus. St Andrew’s Church Great Finborough, 3pm on Sunday 5 January This is a Benefice Service where everyone is welcome. You are invited to stay for a ‘Royal Tea’ which will form the refreshments after the service. Procession of the 3 Kings Sunday 12 January: Join the Procession of the Three Kings, leaving from Battisford Punchbowl at 2.30pm and processing to St Mary’s Church Little Finborough for a Family Service at 3pm. Plough Sunday In this rural landscape we bless the land and celebrate the work of farmers. St Mary’s Church Buxhall, 9.30am on Sunday 12 January
As Joshua was about to lead God’s people into the Promised Land, he had reason to be afraid. He had an enormous task ahead of him, and was well aware of the dangers that he and the people would soon be facing. He needed God’s encouragement. A new year brings lots of questions: Will our health hold? Will our marriage last? Will I be able to hang on to my job? Will I get into the right school? Will I live to see the end of this year? Will the economy improve? Will there be a terrorist attack or some natural disaster that takes me or my loved ones? The Creator of the universe comes to us and says, “Don’t be afraid; don’t be discouraged.” What happens in this coming year is not left to chance. God is in charge, and he promises to stay close: “The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Many years later, the Lord Jesus made the same promise when he said: “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) That’s the reason we can wish each other a Happy New Year! Major James Lloyd WEEKLY EVENTS Monday 9.30-11.30am Funky Monkeys (Parent & Toddler Group)
Healing and Wholeness Communion Service with time for individual prayer for healing and wholeness. St Andrew’s Church Great Finborough, 3.30pm on Sunday 2 February
Tuesday 10am
CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other)
Tuesday 2pm
Over Sixties Club
Messy Church All children with an accompanying adult welcome; join us for craft activities, games, children’s worship, Bible stories, fun and more.
Wednesday 5.45pm
Kidz Club (ages five plus)
Wednesday 7.30pm
Live Lounge at Costa Coffee (first in month)
Saturday 10am-noon
Coffee Morning (third Saturday in month)
• St Andrew’s Church Great Finborough, 3.30pm on Friday 3 January
We have interesting and varied activities during the week and well attended Sunday Services.
• Combs Church Hall, Poplar Hill, IP14 2AY, 10am on Sunday 5 January For more details about any of our services or events please contact: The Rev Chris Childs: revcchilds@aol.com (01449) 673280 The Rev Canon Pauline Higham: 01449 771791
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For more information, please ring Jenny: 01449 614133
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ELECTRICAL Tel/Fax: 01449 612537 Your local electrical service contractor for expert advice
• Rewiring • New Installation • Testing and Repair Work • Supplier of Electrical Equipment Unit 5, Glebe Farm, Onehouse, Stowmarket
John Bull motors ltd Petrol and diesel MOT Testing Servicing, repairs & diagnostics
Unit 7B, Charles Ind. Estate, Stowmarket
Tel: 01449 774150 Fax: 01449 675898 johnbullmotors@btconnect.com
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In Touch online:
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