In Touch with Westerfield April 2020

In Touch

™ ™©©

with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 10 • Issue No. 5 • APRIL 2020

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Some listed events may be cancelled following publication so please check before travelling

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I take this opportunity to express our hope that you and your loved ones are getting the support you need in light of current events.

There are many new initiatives and support networks forming every day which we will help publicise for as long as necessary. We will use social and digital media to support those which haven’t made it into this edition as well as to provide updates about cancelled events and any other information which our readers and advertisers will find useful.

We know this magazine is a valued source of social, political and commercial information and we are working on plans to support our customers, partners and readers in the coming weeks and months.

Many businesses are adapting to this challenging environment by changing their offer or by offering additional services, such as home deliveries or take-away services. We all know how important it is to support our local economy by shopping local and employing the services of local tradespeople/businesses, but it has never been quite so important.

Our sales manager and his team are working with our customers to overcome likely challenges, sharing ideas and expertise which will enable them to communicate with you throughout this crisis and help secure their place in the market going forward.

There are numerous ways in which we and our group partners (Grapevine, Boswell Office Supplies and Colourplan Print) intend to communicate with readers and customers. Please join or like us on the following platforms so we can stay in touch: Instagram: mansionhousepublishing / grapevinelive Twitter: @InTouchEast / @grapevinelive Facebook: Mansion House Publishing / Grapevine Live www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk / www.GrapevineLive.co.uk And don’t forget to download the GrapevineLive app.

Grá go Deo, Sharon and the In Touch team

It’s still possible to do so and we’ll be helping our customers to maintain contact with you using all available mediums (print, digital and social) throughout this ever-evolving scenario. Every decision we are making right now is considered and measured to ensure we are able to continue to support our customers; after all, it is they who enable us to publish 19 magazines every month and we will be a critical source of local information, a vital link within and beyond local communities, until this becomes a distant memory.

We have responded day by day to event cancellations but as many more are likely to be cancelled or postponed, please do check before you travel. We shall announce additional cancellations as we receive them so do stay in contact between now and the next deadline. And as new initiatives take shape, please let us know so we can help spread the word.

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

ADVERTISING

T: 01473 400380 E: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk DISTRIBUTION

Tree Martin: 01473 400380 E: tree@intouchnews.co.uk PRINTING

ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379 E: steve@colourplan.co.uk 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 Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

Printed on gloss paper from FSC certified sources

Please recycle.

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

CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF THE STOP! CAMPAIGN Twenty-five residents of Witnesham and Westerfield living in Cockfield Hall Lane, Pipps Lane and the adjoining Main Road had a champagne party on 27 February to celebrate the cancellation of the Ipswich Northern Bypass project.

We were delighted to welcome Nick Green of the Stop! Campaign to thank him and his team for all the hard work they have put in to prevent our immediate neighbourhood being radically altered by having our lanes bisected by a bypass. We also offered him our best wishes for the Start Campaign.

THE 56TH ANNUAL WESTERFIELD HORSE SHOW Saturday 27 June, Westerfield Hall, Westerfield Road, Ipswich IP6 9AJ By kind permission of the Partridge Family In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support Junior and Senior Unaffiliated Show Jumping Senior BS Classes, Working Hunter, Hunter & Pony Showing Classes Side Saddle, Fancy Dress, Gymkhana and much more Refreshments, cake stall and tombola – fun for all the family!

For full information and schedules visit: www.horsedates.co.uk / Facebook

Tuesday 7 April

is the advertising and editorial deadline for the May edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT ASHBOCKING NEWS It’s mid-March as I write but it may be April before you read this. It’s hard to know how things will be in the village then.

Some of us may be in lockdown, working at home, keeping off public transport, cancelling holidays and family gatherings and avoiding events if they haven’t already been cancelled.

Whatever’s happening, I know parishioners will be looking out for each other.

Already there have been offers of help to get provisions for residents and checks on folk who might be vulnerable in these difficult times.

I’m sure it’s to our advantage to live in Suffolk and particularly to be part of a village community. Let’s make sure between us that no one feels unhappily isolated, fearful or neglected.

Other news? Well I was going to write about an idea that Felixstowe have been very successful in implementing over the last five years.

If you accept that many of our wildlife species are at crisis point, in Felixstowe people are being encouraged and helped to develop wildlife areas in their own gardens.

WITNESHAM & SWILLAND VILLAGE SHOW 2020 This year’s Witnesham and Swilland Village Show will be on Saturday 11 July in Witnesham Village Hall.

The schedules will be out soon so you can start planning. We have some interesting new classes this year so please look carefully at your schedule when it arrives.

We look forward to receiving all your entries and seeing you on the day. Please note we are happy to receive entries from people who do not live in our villages too.

We are excited about the show and hope you are too so please save the date – Saturday 11 July.

The Village Show Committee

Otley are also keen to go ahead with the idea, but I think it may not be the right time now.

So perhaps we can continue feeding the birds, providing some clean water in a shallow container, maybe putting up nest boxes and not manicuring every section of the garden. Every little helps.

But it’s certainly a time for looking after yourself, your family and the most vulnerable – humans and animals.

Liz Stegman

DEMENTIA TOGETHER CALL FREE 08081 688 000 email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com

BOSWELL OFFICE SUPPLIES: WE KNOW OUR BUSINESS – AND YOURS In a global marketplace isn’t it good to know there’s a local supplier with a long history which has not only survived in an increasingly competitive industry, but has secured its place as a preferred supplier based on quality of service and value for money.

Boswell Office Supplies has a long history and still operates out of Ipswich as part of Mansion House Group. Led by Jon Emerson (pictured left), the current team of four has nigh on 100 years of industry insight and knowledge which customers can access.

“Knowledge is everything in this industry,” explains Jon. “Because we know our product range intimately we can quickly identify what our customers need and provide solutions when a specific need exists.

For example, we don’t just deliver office furniture – we can put it together too!”

In fact the very term ‘office supplies’ is somewhat inadequate to describe what Boswell can offer. Of course they provide every variation of every office product you can envision, from paperclips to chairs, but the product range has expanded in recent years to include furniture, shredders, print consumables, first aid kits, arts and crafts supplies, clothing, computer software, cleaning materials and equipment, even catering supplies.

If it’s something you need in your office, village hall, community centre, sports club or school, you’ll probably find it at Bowell Office Supplies.

“We relish the opportunity to find the best products for customers,” says Jon who runs the office with Mark (pictured right). “Not many people understand our passion for office products. In fact we talk in code a lot of the time, using reference numbers we’ve stored in our memories over many years. ”

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Jon and Mark are always available to take calls but more and more customers order online, a simple process once an account has been set up. It’s easy to find specific products on the website where special offers are regularly highlighted.

As part of Mansion House Group, which also includes Mansion House Publishing, Colourplan Print and Musical Marketing, Boswell can provide a range of additional add-on services including a full print service, advertising in any one of several regular publications and a range of online/social media marketing options.

“We are stronger and more competitive as a group,” explains Jon. “Many of our customers come to us for a mix of products or services, knowing we have their best interests at heart but also because it’s easier, quicker and cheaper to deal with a single supplier. Many Colourplan Print customers have become Boswell customers and vice versa. Trust is key to our success and the fact that Andy, our main delivery driver, and Nick, our field sales operative, are well-liked and knowledgeable doesn’t hurt either.”

So whether you need a regular supply of essential products, clothing or office furniture for new staff, first aid kits for staff on the move or any one of the thousands of products Jon and this team can source on your behalf, check out the website or give the office a call if you have a specific enquiry.

“Buy locally, use our local knowledge and get your office supplies delivered right into your office or school,” says Jon. “We are good at what we do because we love what we do. For us it’s personal and that’s why so many of our customers have been with us for many years. We look forward to working with you too.” www.boswellofficesupplies.co.uk 01473 212000 / officesupplies@boswell.co.uk

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT WITNESHAM RECORDER

WESTERFIELD CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS

Where does one begin when recording events for future residents to look back on? Here we are in March and the Coronavirus hasn’t yet been recorded in Suffolk, but we expect it any moment and possibly even in one of our villages. Only time and history will tell.

Art Class A weekly class for newcomers and improvers. To book a place or for more information contact Lisa Ann Puhlhofer: 01473 878734 / 07834 280287

For the moment, let’s all be sensible and hopefully, God willing, we can all look back at it and hope it never raises its ugly head again. It almost makes the Northern Bypass seem insignificant in comparison but we all know that too was a stressful time for us all and one which, at least for the foreseeable future, has gone away. Our countryside is safe and we can continue to enjoy our views and walks and be thankful for how lucky we are.

On a less, some would say, important matter, it is with regret that I have to announce the cancellation of this year’s production by the Barley Players, Cinderella Twist, due to rehearsal venue problems and illness. However, we are going to put our efforts into finding an alternative rehearsal venue and will meet to learn the songs (some 30 odd) so we are in a position to carry out the production in May next year. I’m pleased to say that all the cast are still on board and behind the decision.

Westerfield Bowls Club Members enjoy playing outdoors from April through to the end of September.

Our teams compete in local leagues as well as playing friendly games against other clubs. For further information contact Tony Baker: 01473 411347 Village Coffee Mornings Every Wednesday at 10am in the village hall. Everyone is welcome.

Westerfield & District Gardening Club Meets at 7.15pm on the first Wednesday of the month • April 1: Epimediums by Jay McWilliams of Hedgehog Plants and Gardens • May 6: English Peonies by Sarah Hammond of English Peonies Co. • May 13: Pruning Workshop (10am-noon) In a member’s garden with Graeme Procter

Keep safe.

For further details contact Michele Doick (252330) or Barry Reeve (251843).

Village Historian and Recorder Steve Henley

Beavers, Cubs & Scouts 1st Westerfield Scout Group was founded in 1955. Using the village hall as its headquarters the group consists of:

If you like singing, dancing and acting you need to come to Whikidz!, a musical drama group for KS2 children.

We are a free club running after school on Mondays until 4.30pm at The Ascension Church, Larchcroft Road, Ipswich IP1 6AN. To find out more contact Becky 07956 788069 / whikidz1@gmail.com

Beaver Colony Boys and girls, 6-8 years old Our Beaver Colony is currently closed while we recruit a new leader. If you would like to be informed when we are able to reopen please contact us via: www.westerfieldscouts.org.uk Cub Pack Tuesday, 6.45-8pm Boys and girls, 8-10½ years Cub Leader Joan Gibson: 01473 785510 / gibsonjoan785@gmail.com Scout Troop Friday, 6.50-9pm Boys and girls, 10½-14 years Scout Leader Peter Runnacles: 01473 785298 / peter@runnacles.plus.com If your child is interested in joining us please use the contact form on our website from where your enquiry will be forwarded to the appropriate leader: www.westerfieldscouts.org.uk Westerfield WI Lively meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 7.30pm.

• April 9: Mt Tutu went AWOL with Iestyn Edwards Competition: Item beginning with the letter K • May 14: Birthday Party Competition: An unusual wine glass New members and visitors are always welcome. For details please contact Janet Phillimore: 01473 415749 Pilates Monday from 10.30-11.30am and Wednesday from 6-7pm. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Chi Kung Tuesday from 2.15-4pm and Thursday from 7.15-9pm, £12 per class, suitable for all ages. Contact Sally Askew: 01394 384013 / sally_askew@hotmail.com Yoga Thursday from 9.40-11am. Eighty minutes of yoga stretches and relaxation for all. Contact Caroline Glason: caroline@still-yoga.co.uk / 01473 464204 / 07746 860380 Please note that there is now an online calendar to check availability.

For more information visit: www.westerfield-village.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT ASHBOCKING, SWILLAND & WITNESHAM WI

DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND AND ASHBOCKING

We celebrate our WI birthday on Wednesday 8 April. Join us at 7.30pm in Witnesham Village Hall for nibbles, followed by a chocolate making demonstration.

Events take place in the village hall unless indicated otherwise.

A walk around Snape is in the diary for 22 April when we look forward to warmer weather for exploring our lovely Suffolk countryside.

Lewis Tyler will tell us about the history of the River Gipping at the meeting in May. Visitors are always welcome. Come and give WI a try. For more details about WI visit the Suffolk East Federation of Women’s Institutes website.

THE 2020 SUFFOLK WALKING FESTIVAL Have you ever crafted in the wild, enjoyed baking over a campfire or foraged for a cream tea? If not, then this year’s Suffolk Walking Festival is for you!

The 13th Suffolk Walking Festival launches on Saturday 9 May with over 120 guided walks and countryside events over three weeks across the county.

This year also sees plenty of brand new events including Castle on the Hill celebrating Ed Sheeran’s favourite castle, a fun photography scavenger hunt in Orford and a spooky day head hunting in Ipswich.

The event finishes at the end of half-term week withplenty of family-friendly activities. Here are just a few events to whet your appetite.

A sell-out every year is Walk n’ Water, a short walk and boat trip along the River Stour in Sudbury with a free hot drink at the end. RSPB Minsmere is one of the most special places in Suffolk, famous around the world for its wildlife. Surprising Spring Wildlife shows off the site, introducing you to some of its iconic species. Another icon of Suffolk is Orford Ness and Walk with a Shepherd and a Sheepdog is a guided walk by Kite, the sheepdog who manages the island’s very own herd of sheep. It’s a very fun walk and a joy to watch Kite in action.

Booking Clerk Anne Debenham: 01473 785798 It is always advisable to check availability with Anne.

Swilland and Witnesham Parish Council Clerk Steve Barron 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays Pilates, 7-8pm. Contact Tracy for details: 01473 784558 Tuesdays • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm • Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm. Contact Mr Peter Elmy: 01473 785754 Wednesdays Coffee, Conversation and Cake at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.30- 11.30am Thursdays • Pilates at 8am and 9.30am. Contact Tracy for details: 01473 784558 • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9am-12.30pm • Carpet Bowls from 2pm • Tai Chi: Beginners’ class from 5.45-7.15pm and a more advance class from 7.30-9.30pm. Both have tea breaks. Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays • Mums and Toddlers Group in Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.15-11.15am.

The group only meets in term time. Contact Mrs Jean Pearson for details: 01473 785478 • Pilates, 9.45-10.45am. Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com EVENTS IN APRIL

Campfire Make and Bake at Thornham Walks brushes up your whittling skills before making damper bread over an open fire in the woods. Family Wild Crafts at Brandon Country Park lets you get crafty in the woods as you collect natural materials such as sticks, leaves and rushes to make, and then keep, your creations. And The Nasty Normans at Clare Country Park is a fun take on the history of the Norman Conquests with an actor narrating the story as you’ve never heard before!

Thursday 2: Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room at 7.30pm. Contact Christine Laughlin for details: christinelaughlin4@gmail.com

The festival kicks off at Clare Country Park on Saturday 9 May and runs for three weeks until 31 May. See the full programme and purchase tickets at: www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

Wednesday 15: Swilland and Witnesham Annual Parish Meeting, 7.30pm

Wednesday 8: WI gather for their birthday party at 7.30pm and a chocolate demonstration by Hannah Smith.

Thursday 9: Mobile Library visits The Green, Ashbocking, from 12.15-12.25pm.

Thursday 16: Mobile Library visits Weyland Road, Witnesham (9.5010.20am), the Moon & Mushroom at Swilland (10.25-10.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.55am).

Monday 27: Ashbocking Annual Parish Meeting at SWT HQ, 7.30pm Thursday 30: Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm.

OTHER EVENTS Saturday 20 June: St Mary’s Church Fete at Manor Farm and Witnesham Village Hall, starting at 2.30pm Saturday 27 June: Evening event for Ashbocking residents (inc. children) at Manor Farm Saturday 7 November: Christmas Craft Fair, 10am-noon

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY The meeting scheduled for Wednesday 22 April has been cancelled. Please visit the website or see next month’s edition of In Touch for update.

01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk

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9TH TO 31ST MAY THE SUFFOLK

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50S CLUB Open to anyone of that age living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area, we meet in Great Blakenham Parish Room on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 2-4pm. The £2 attendance fee includes the raffle and refreshments, and £1 extra when we have a game of bingo.

We had a very enjoyable visit at one of our February meetings from a volunteer of the National Trust who gave a presentation about Ickworth and the nearby village of Horringer during the First World War. A lot of research had been undertaken by a group of volunteers and they were able to piece together things like the number of indoor and outdoor staff who had been employed on the estate and the difference it made when they went to France. It proved a most interesting afternoon.

Our meetings in April are: April 8: An Easter themed afternoon including a yellow raffle April 22: A social afternoon New members are always welcome so if you would like to come along and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you.

Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

IPSWICH & DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Last year we reported that we were making syringe driver bags for Ipswich Hospital and were delighted to receive offers of materials from readers. Palliative and End of Life Coordinator Tracy Hitching recently asked whether we could possibly make purple bags in a similar design, not for patients this time but for the Butterfly Volunteers. We couldn’t possibly say no.

These volunteers provide company and companionship to hospital patients in the last days of their lives. They also reassure and support patient’s loved ones (if they have any).

The purple bags will hold notebooks, pens, tissues and whatever else the volunteer thinks would be useful. By wearing the bags the volunteers will stand out so that patients, visitors and staff can recognise them easily.

We have made 16, with varying linings for both men and women volunteers.

We hope they will be of help to them in their sensitive role. But, to cap it all, we heard about Alfie, a volunteer who happens to be a dog! So we have made him a purple neckerchief to wear when he’s on duty.

WITNESHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL Mrs Michaela Harris, our new executive headteacher, has settled in very quickly and has been busy introducing new ideas and practices. The first of which was a new vision statement for the federation – Pride + Passion = Progress – which now underpins everything we do, with the aim of developing resilient learners and to celebrate their achievements so they can perform to the best of their abilities.

HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL Our annual fundraising quiz and curry night sold out and we raised a fantastic £1,400. This money provides a trip to Jimmy’s Farm as well as new resources.

Stay and Play was well supported once again, providing a great opportunity for parents and carers to see their child learning through play.

We are busy enhancing our outside area by providing lots of ‘loose parts’ to encourage imagination and creativity. We have also planted seeds in the garden, been on egg hunts, had cooking and craft activities and visited the local church to learn about Easter.

We currently have limited afternoon spaces available. Applications for September can be downloaded from our website and must be filled in as soon as possible to ensure you get the sessions you require. Please feel welcome to visit us at Henley Community Centre during opening hours so you can see the children play.

We accept eligible 30-hour funded children; these codes need to be in place the term before they are needed. The pre-school is registered with Tax-Free Childcare (for every £8 a parent pays into their childcare service account, they will pay in £2). Children can join us from the age of two and we accept government funded and fee paying children. We are open term time only from 9am-3pm.

We have a well-supported Facebook page where you will find lots of additional information and see what the children have been doing. It’s also another way to contact the setting directly.

For further information please call 07979 468467 during session time (9am-3pm) or email our manager, Bridget Wyatt: enquiries@henleypreschool.com Bridget, Sarah and Kerry

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL Spring is now upon us and it’s good to see so many students taking advantage of lunchtime and after-school clubs as well as the many trips, visits and activities on offer.

Experiencing live theatre is vital in the study of drama and a key component for those students who go on to study it at GCSE as it aids their understanding of a wide variety of skills and performance styles. We have three theatre trips planned, including Year 10 and 11 English students visiting the Globe to see Macbeth. This will be a valuable addition to students’ studies in their English lessons too as it will coincide with our Year 11 curriculum. We have had three maths competition events this month as well as a visit by students from the Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria Alixar on the return leg of our Spanish exchange programme. We will update you further with the results of these activities in the next edition.

In addition to the vision statement, a number of ‘learning muscles’ are slowly being introduced to the children. These are the Curious Crocodile, the Responsible Rhino, the Preserving Penguin, the Motivated Monkey, the Teamwork Tiger and the Independent Iguana. As their names suggest, they each come with their own characteristics, lessons and expectations that the children can learn from.

Time is flying by and we are nearly into the Easter holidays with only one more term left in this academic year. Our Year 11 students are revising hard for the final stage of their journey at Claydon High School. As we move towards lighter evenings, please note that the path which runs between Claydon High School and Claydon Primary School is not a public right of way and is only to be used by students and parents/carers at specific times of the day. No part of the school site should be accessed by local members of the community at any point during the week or over weekends. In particular, when Gipping Valley Archery Club use the site on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons, ‘no access’ signs are posted but I have been advised that these have been ignored and I need to stress the need to follow all of the signage on the school site.

These are exciting times for the school and the federation with Otley Primary.

If you would like further information, please contact the school office: ad.witnesham@owfed.co.uk / 01473 785252

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Tuesday 5 May. Please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders, to book a place: 01473 836110

Chair of Governors Ian Liddell

Headteacher Maéve Taylor

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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FROM SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING Alleluia There is one word associated with Easter more than any other and that word is Alleluia. Literally translated it means ‘let God be praised’.

This is my last letter and it could be a case of ‘Alleluia – Thank God’, but my Alleluia is not one of thanks that things are coming to an end, but Alleluia for all that has been over the last nearly 15 years. I can honestly say that they have been wonderful years. I have shared in the lives of so many people and it has been such an enormous privilege.

There have been hairy moments, moments of deep pain, times of laughter and hilarity and tears shed both with joy and sadness. There have been times spent with individuals and numerous community events.

There have been experiences that I could share with others and more occasions when keeping things to myself was required. People have said you could write a book and probably I could, but the names would all need to be changed and I would need to write under a pseudonym.

B: When the table is set, alleluia C: When the hungry are fed, alleluia A: When peace is celebrated, alleluia B: When communities are brought together, alleluia C: When neighbours love each other, alleluia How many ways can we live with alleluia!?

A: When we live life fully, we live with alleluia B: When we say, “Christ is Risen!’, we live with alleluia C: When we trust the future, we live with alleluia A: When we hold onto hope, we live with alleluia A & B: When we follow the Risen Christ, we live with alleluia A, B & C: When we believe resurrection, we live with alleluia All: Alleluia, Amen Reverend Clare Sanders SUNDAY SERVICES

Quite simply, being a parish priest is one of the most privileged jobs that there is, and I want to say thank you. Thank you for the friendship, the trust, the journey (there has to be a journey!).

Tuesday 7 April • 9.30am: Holy Communion, Swilland

Holy Week and Easter give us opportunity to journey together in the company of Christ – travel through the passion, the love story, that we are all invited to share in – accompanying Christ to the cross and beyond.

Sunday 12 April • 9.30am: Holy Communion, Swilland

I have said on many an occasion, quoting my father who said it first, you can’t celebrate Easter if you haven’t lived through Good Friday. The cross is central – just as in ministry being alongside people in their pain and distress and accompanying them through the experience is at the core of what it means to be made in the image of God, and to follow Christ, not just to the cross, but beyond with the Easter cry of Alleluia ringing out. Love is stronger than death; the light overcomes the darkness, joy replaces tears; hope reigns over despair.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you and beyond Easter, I hope that many of you will join me on May 3 at Grundisburgh at 11am for a final service… and yet more Alleluias!

Easter Statement Alleluia is not just a word, it is a way of living…

How many ways can we shout alleluia!?

A: When the dawn breaks, that is an alleluia B: When the stone rumbles, that is an alleluia C: When the grave-clothes rustle, that is an alleluia A: When the birds sing, that is an alleluia B: When the women run, that is an alleluia C: When the darkness ends, that is an alleluia How many ways can we share alleluia!?

A: When the bread is divided, alleluia

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• 7pm: Reflective Service, Ashbocking

• 11am: Holy Communion, Askbocking Sunday 19 April 11am: Holy Communion, Swilland HOLY WEEK Monday 6 April • 9.30am: Holy Communion at Hasketon • 7pm: Reflective Service at Clopton based on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book Saying Yes to Life by Ruth Valerio Tuesday 7 April • 9.30am: Holy Communion at Swilland • 7pm: Holy Communion at Ashbocking Wednesday 8 April • 9.30am: Holy Communion at Grundisburgh • 7pm: Holy Communion at Burgh School Room Friday 10 April 2pm: An Hour at the Cross at Culpho led by Andrea Skevington GOOD FRIDAY – HOUR AT THE CROSS As we welcome Culpho into the Carlford Benefice, it is good to meet there for our Hour at the Cross. The service will be led by the writer and theologian Andrea Skevington. Andrea lives in Suffolk and draws inspiration for her

In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS work from the world and community around her. Author of several books, her works includes poetry and stories and inspirational work, with special interest in retelling the Bible for a new generation. Please join us if you can.

APRIL 2020 Wednesday 1 & 15: Going Deeper Homegroup, Manor Farm, The Green, Ashbocking, 10am Wednesday 1: Hobbies Group, Clopton Village Hall, 10am-noon Sunday 5: Hasketon Holy Communion, 9.30am Monday 6 & 20: Knit and Stitch at the home of Linda and John Pollard of Hawthorns, The Green, Ashbocking, 10am Monday 6 • Clopton Reflective Service, 7pm • Otley Gardening Club, Otley Village Hall, 7.30pm Monday 6, 13, 20 & 27: Grundisburgh Bridge Club at the Parish Rooms, 7.30pm Tuesday 7 • Baby Café, Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 9-10.30am • Swilland Holy Communion, 9.30am • Ashbocking Reflective Service, 7pm Wednesday : • Holy Communion Grundisburgh, 9.30am • Burgh Reflective Service in the Schoolroom, 7pm Saturday 11 • Baptism of Milly Sarah Elizabeth Logan, Ashbocking Church, 11.30am • Marriage of Alan Todd and Kathleen Kilduff, Otley Church, 2pm Wednesday 15: Clopton Coffee Morning at Clopton Village Hall, 10am-noon Saturday 18: Baptism of Vincent and Albert at Boulge Church Monday 20: Monday House Group at the home of Malcolm and Sandra Green, 7.30pm

WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Back in February we held a Sunday debate at the chapel. A number of folks already connected to the church came although but it was a bit disappointing that others didn’t respond to our invitation to debate the relationship between faith in God and science.

Generally, there is no conflict as history shows that many well-known scientists – those who discovered thinks like the rules of gravity, relativity and penicillin – were people of faith. Their faith in God inspired them to understand the things around them.

For those with faith in God, in Jesus, this month is the pivotal time of year in the Christian calendar. Yes, Easter is in the middle of the month. School holidays, chocolate eggs and bank holidays may zoom large in folks’ eyes but for Christians it is the time of year when we remember and celebrate the crucifixion and resurrection of God’s only begotten Son Jesus.

While many people around the world (and around the corner) may disagree with that previous sentence, I’m sticking by it. This year is 2020AD which is technically calculated from the birth of Jesus; it is the death and subsequent resurrection of Jesus that is the more important. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, I can have an ongoing relationship with God into eternity.

In the last couple of months I’ve attended the funerals of two people who knew of God and Jesus but chose to turn away from Him. While the funeral services were positive as we celebrated their lives and love for others, there was no expression of hope for them into eternity.

Indeed there was no expression of hope for us either. However, Easter speaks into this and though it was through the death of Jesus, we can have hope for the future both here and now and into eternity. Please join me at the chapel over Easter to hear more and learn how you can step into this hope.

Pastor Andrew DIARY DATES FOR APRIL Morning Services begin at 11am (except when stated otherwise) Sunday 5 April: Palm Sunday Holy Communion, Pastor Andrew

Wednesday 22: Ashbocking House Group at the home of John and Linda Pollard, 7.30pm

Thursday 9 April: Maundy Thursday Communion at 7pm

Thursday 23: Holy Communion at Hasketon Village Hall, 11.30am

Sunday 12 April: Easter Resurrection Celebration, Pastor Andrew

Monday 27: Otley House Group at the home of Penny Clark of Cherry Bank, Otley, 1.45-3pm

Sunday 19 April: Morning Service, Team Ministry

Thursday 30: Tiddlywinks in Grundisburgh Upper Room, 2.30pm Beyond Belief Scheduled sessions in April have been postponed until further notice.

Enquiries to Paul: 01473 738474 / paulwiffen222@btinternet.com Men’s Group The meeting schedule for April 21 has been cancelled. We do plan to have new dates just as soon as we can.

In the meantime, if you’d like to have a chat by phone or need help getting things in or posting a letter, please contact us via: www.carlfordchurches.org Update on the search for a new Rector As many of you will know, in January and February we advertised for a new Rector to take over from Clare after her retirement in May. Unfortunately, this first round hasn’t been successful and we are now in the process of adjusting how the job is advertised prior to the next round.In the meantime, our service pattern and services established by Clare and all of us will continue as before.

One particular service I would like to draw your attention to is a Benefice Service on May 3 in Grundisburgh Church, where we will say goodbye to Clare and have an informal lunch afterwards. Please do come to that if you can.

Mark Cresswell

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

Friday 10 April: Good Friday Service at 10.30am

Sunday 26 April: Morning Service, Cherrie Parnell Family Time Together: Every Sunday (term time only) from 9.30-10.15am. All families, parents with children, are welcome for a special time together with craft, singing and stories.

Monday 6 April, 12.30pm: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club. Please contact Heather for details: 01473 785321 Tuesday 7 April, 2pm: Tuesday Craft Corner. Open to all, just turn up. Bring your own craft if you have one.

Wednesdays: 3Cs Café from 9.30-11.30am for coffee (or tea), cake and chat – all welcome.

Fridays, 9.15-11.15am: Mums & Toddlers Group (term time only) Wednesday 8 April, 11.30am: Prayer Fellowship Wednesday 22 April, 11.30am: Bible Exploration We have a collection box for FIND (Families in Need) in the church and nonperishable food is very welcome.

Outside there’s a clothes bank on behalf of the Salvation Army. We have bags you can use (please ask) or you can use your own. Thank you.

The post office is in our conservatory on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. Please use this service to help keep it in the village.

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The United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham

In Touch with WTW Times are aͲchanging

We’re living in an age where the pace of change is even greater than in the Industrial Revolution. From the late 18th century large factories and mills were being built, and a largely rural geography changed substantially as people migrated into towns for work, leading perhaps to a vast exploitation of workers, including children, and a loss of the social stability that was found in rural work and life. We live in villages that mainly housed landͲbased workers.

Our industry is now largely overtaken by other, cheaper suppliers.

The Digital Revolution is upon us, with its benefits but also its woes Ͳ the further breaking up of society's norms and expectations through social media Ͳ FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram (two of these are owned by the same company) and the like. The Year Tutor in one school, who stays with the same pupils through their time at school told me that the biggest problem she faced with pupil relationships was Instagram Ͳ harsh words published that could not be deleted, lies and deceit, vicious rumours, friendships broken, gangingͲ up, bullying and shaming Ͳ and just about everyone in the year can watch it, instantly. My teenage angst was nothing like this.

Times are not going to change back.

However, the people I meet in my Town Pastor guise in Ipswich late at night on Fridays and Saturdays are still talking faceͲtoͲface with each other, are still caring for each other, are still willing to talk about issues of life and faith, though the idea of going to a church

may be foreign to them. You, too, may find the traditional things of past years a little foreign now, and may want to explore similar issues in a less formal way.

Café Church On April 26th at 3.00pm we'd like to invite you to a Cafe Church event at Witnesham Village Hall. There'll be tea and coffee and plenty of cakes. We won't hand you a pile of books as you come in, or make you stand up and sit down at different times. We won't ask you to sing hymns, and won't take a collection either. We'll share something about us, and there'll be time for questions. It'd be good to see you there.

Paul

Dates for your Diary 26th April 3.00pm Café Church @ Witnesham Village Hall

7th June 3.00pm our 1st Pet Service@ The Paddock, Westerfield. Dogs, cats, hamsters and horses etc. all welcome. Tea and cake for the humans in the church hall afterwards.

13th June 2.00pm Tuddenham Fete 20th June 10.00am Witnesham Fete

27th June Open Gardens Tuddenham

Sunday 5th April

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We haven’t got an ordained minister at the moment, but you can contact: Readers: Paul Laughlin

Carol Rivett

01473 785138 Paul@wtandw.org.uk 01473 717404 Carol@wtandw.org.uk

Elder Julia Farmer

01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk

Churchwardens: Tuddenham Jim Bird 01473 785024 Jim@wtandw.org.uk Tuddenham Monica Pipe 01473 784545 Monica@wtandw.org.uk Westerfield Judy Northfield 01473 230188 Judy@wtandw.org.uk Westerfield Mary Scholey 01473 713285 Mary@wtandw.org.uk Witnesham Derek Austin 01473 785673 Derek@wtandw.org.uk Witnesham Karen Cook 01473 213959 Karen@wtandw.org.uk Website: www.wtandw.org.uk

Communion at Home If you can’t get to church and would like to take communion at home, please get in touch with Carol on 717404 or carol@wtandw.org.uk.

She’s authorised to deliver communion at home, and it’s working out very well Ͳ especially when small groups get together.

This information was correct at the time of going to press (early last month).

Occasionally we have to make changes Ͳ please check our website for the most upͲtoͲdate information at www.wtandw.org.uk

CHURCH SERVICES Ͳ April Day / Date

Getting in touch...

St Martin’s Tuddenham St Martin

St Mary’s Witnesham

St Mary Magdalene’s Westerfield

9.30am Family Communion

10am All Age Worship

11am Family Communion

Sunday 12th April

9.30am All Age Worship

10am Family Communion

11am Morning Worship

Sunday 19th April

9.30am Family Communion

10am Morning Worship

11am Family Communion

Sunday 26th April

9.30am Morning Worship

10am Family Communion inc. Sunday Club

11am Morning Worship

In Touch online:

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