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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 7 • Issue No. 3 • FEBRUARY 2017
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR The oldest member of my family died just before Christmas. Kathleen, my great-aunt and surrogate ‘godfather’ since the death of her husband Jimmy when I was 15, died at the remarkable age of 97. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews (including my dad). Despite her age, Kathleen maintained an aura of quiet authority which I’ve always admired. She wasn’t scary or aloof, as often those we defer to can be, but somehow demanded respect from all who knew her. She always had time to chat, putting the kettle on before you’d even sat down. The fact that she was tall and had a very distinctive voice made her standout from the other women I knew as a child. I was never afraid of her, but I would never have wanted to be in her bad books either. Kathleen’s death has inspired me to do a little research into my family tree. I don’t plan to take it too seriously just yet, but just want to get the last couple of generations in place so I know who’s who. It has been fascinating. My dad helped with his side of the family and we did quite well, though he knows very little of his American cousins and nothing of all about their families. Most of my mum’s family still live in Ireland so that side of the tree is a bit more complete. They had big families back then. My dad had 15 aunts and uncles! One child, as I have, would have been a complete anomaly. And the same names came up again and again. I know my parents had intended to call me Elizabeth after my grandmother, but my dad decided he didn’t want my life to be as difficult as hers so broke with tradition and found a name which made its first appearance in the Burke family tree (to some astonishment) in 1969. Elizabeth is my second name. I now wish I knew more about the people who are my family, however distant, and also wonder how I will be perceived when my name is added to a family tree in years to come, perhaps by my great-grandniece. Mostly I wish I could spend time with my long-lost grandparents to talk about their lives. I have so many question. If you can do so, make the most of every opportunity to know those who can still share their lives with you. I also hope I’ll be doing The Times crossword every day when I’m 97, just as Kathleen did.
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In Touch with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
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NEWS
CRIPPS, CRIPPS AND CRIPPS On Thursday, December 22, the cast plus a number of backstage crew had a Christmas party at the Barley Mow, comprising of a fish and chips evening. The evening was an excuse for a get-together, but also an opportunity to celebrate the fact that it was exactly 50 years since the opening act of the play on Thursday, December 22, 1966. The point wasn’t missed by the cast who dressed accordingly. Celebrations were in order for a number of reasons. The first was to recall the good time we all had in bringing this play to the people of Witnesham, plus friends and relations. The second was to announce that we had raised £750 for the children’s charity EACH. The third of course was a good excuse for another party. The play concerned the memories of my time in the City of London as a 17-year-old and I was encouraged to hear from a number of people that the play transported them back to those days. If we achieved only this then the play was indeed a success. Well done to everyone who was involved, including all the many helpers. Steve Henley, Village Recorder and Historian
TO THE RESIDENTS OF WESTERFIELD VILLAGE AND BEYOND The recent social event organised by Westerfield Village Events Group and held at the village hall was a fish and chip meal followed by a very interesting ‘armchair’ talk. It was well attended and the effort which had been made by the members and others was very well received. The fish and chips were followed by an abundance of wonderful homemade desserts and the great selection of wine did much to enhance the conversations. Thank you to every member who helped to arrange this superb event in the run up to the Christmas period. Please be assured that your efforts and commitment to Westerfield village and its residents is truly appreciated. Alf Wheeler On a slightly different note, I would also like to say a big thank you to everyone for the wonderful displays of Christmas lights in Westerfield this year. Coming home from work on a dark and cold December night is so much nicer when it means arriving back to a village full of fairy lights, twinkling icicles and trees decked with decorations. It’s such a selfless act to put lights up outside the house for everyone to see as they pass by, but is such a joy to see. Seeing the Christmas tree lights in the windows, seeing the whole road lit up with colour and festive adornment, has been an absolute picture to behold this year Thank you to everyone for making this Christmas such a pretty one in Westerfield village. Jean Wheeler
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NEWS
HAVE YOU WORKED AT ORFORD NESS? Witnesham Village Hall Friday, February 24 at 7.30pm Teams of six, ploughman’s supper, raffle Bring your own drink Tickets (£6) available from Christine: 01473 785138
ROYAL LEGION POPPY APPEAL Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield and Witnesham A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this year’s Royal Legion Poppy Appeal. In our villages and with Otley we have so far raised a magnificent £4,271.24. We are extremely grateful to everyone who gave and also the unsung and sometimes unseen helpers. This includes everyone who visits you on your doorstep or who allow us to provide them a static collection box. This is a wonderful mixture of clubs, churches, schools, shops and pubs. The unseen element is the volunteers who liaise with the Legion, help put the boxes together and then count and bank the money. We could always do with more assistance so if anyone wishes to volunteer this would be very much appreciated. Finally I would like to thank one particular collector in Witnesham (they will know who they are) who stepped into the breach at the very last moment, not only to do their own collection circuit but that of two other regular collectors, one who was recovering from an operation and the other who was away during the two weeks before Remembrance Sunday. Alexander Raven, 785030
VACANT ALLOTMENT There is a vacant allotment plot in Hall Lane, Witnesham IP6 9HN. The cost for leasing this is currently £10 per year (review due Nov 2017). Please contact the Swilland and Witnesham Parish Clerk if you would like to consider leasing this spare allotment plot and we can arrange a viewing: swill-witpc@outlook.com / 07719 176917
SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE CALL 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help.
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It’s a strange place. Nobody lives there. It’s a place of contrasts. It’s called an Island, but it’s not. If you like wide-open views, our lovely Suffolk skies, nature’s silence, rare plants and wildlife – then you will love it. And if, while walking amongst iconic buildings located in this wonderful landscape, you can imagine the noise of bombs being dropped, of atomic bombs being vibrated or fired into a concrete wall at 150mph, and you can understand the huge commitment of local people to apply cutting-edge technology to improve the effectiveness of various military weapons used in our defense – then you will also love it. Nowhere else in the UK can you visit such laboratories, learn about the technology used, or hear about the people who worked there in such a unique environment. This place is Orford Ness. Opened by National Trust as a National Nature Reserve in 1995, Orford Ness has been the site of military testing and development from the beginning of the 20th century, initially with the development of the aircraft as a military weapon, until 1973 when Cobra Mist, an ‘over the horizon’ Radar system used to detect distant military activities in the Cold War, was shut down.In between those dates, Orford Ness became Watson-Watt’s base for the early development of radar (before he moved his experiments to Bawdsey). Much work was done on improving the accuracy of conventional bombing (working with Martlesham-based flight-crews) and improvements in the aerodynamics of Blue Danube (Britain’s first atomic bomb) took place there. After this research work stopped, bomb disposal engineers spent more than 15 years clearing the Island of unexploded ordinance, including destroying the Bloodhound missile rockets formerly located at Bawdsey. Working in such an exposed environment could be lovely in the summer, but brutal when travelling between test sites in the bitter winter winds. In 1963 the River Ore was so frozen that the landing craft used to carry staff to the Island could not do so. In the race to protect the UK from known and significant enemies, none of this testing and development would have taken place without access to a highly skilled and dedicated workforce: they created and used the innovative methods and engineering facilities for this purpose. We are looking to meet people who worked for the military or for one of the scientific agencies and companies involved, and also those who built, equipped or maintained the various test labs and many other buildings located on ‘The Island’. Were you – or do you know someone who was – involved in this highly secret and complex work? Please contact us if so, because we at National Trust have created an audio archive of the work experiences and memories of those who did. We are keen to record their memories of such an important site in the UK’s military history before they are lost forever. Lead Ranger David Mason 01394 450900 / david.mason@nationaltrust.org.uk
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NEWS ASHBOCKING NEWS One day you see them, the next you don’t! The 40mph signs were installed and then covered up for a significant period as we waited for them to become ‘legal’ and therefore enforceable. No doubt we all feel the positioning of the speed limit signs should have been extended. I am confident this is just one small victory for the improved safety of this road. Hopefully, we shall see the 40mph limit extended from Otley College to Ashbocking Nursery, and maybe beyond, in the future. All I can say is perseverance does pay off if surveys, stats and people’s voices support a scheme such as this. Many thanks for the number of positive emails I have received on behalf of Ashbocking Parish Council. I have informed David Fawcett of Highways, County Councillor Matthew Hicks and and Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore of our appreciation. After all, I’m sure they are all more familiar with complaints and hostile communications. We all need praise at times! And don’t worry; Tim Passmore will get his ear bent to ensure the speed limit is enforced by the police.
very generous gift from Sue Tonkin. Sue is the sister of a parishioner of Ashbocking and is one of the landowners who gave permission so that the parish could lease the land. Sue wished to commemorate the life of her dear daughter Lucy who died in 2000 and learnt that we hoped to have a community barbecue on the land for people to meet and enjoy food together. That has lead to us contacting Otley College and the plan is for students to build our barbecue as a work experience project. So the benefits of Sue’s gift extend beyond the perimeters of the land and of Ashbocking.
The community land still looks good in the dull, damp weather. I know a number of families visited it over the holiday period and I gather they were all impressed with the work that had been done.
Over the past months we have gathered together to celebrate Christmas with song, praise and feasting. In 2016 we have achieved much and have gathered together in so many ways with coffee mornings, community land clearing, tree planting, concreting, sign cleaning, litter collecting, church yard tidying, church cleaning and decorating, village eventing, parish meetings and church services. It’s all part of being in a community.
Many have given of their time, their skills and their enthusiasm. It’s been a great example of community effort. This month we have received a
Viva la community! Liz Stegman
POLICE STATION TIMES FOR WOODBRIDGE SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Noon-1.30pm
2-3.30pm
Monday Campsea Ashe Train Station Car Park 16 Jan, 10 April, 3 July 25 Sept, 18 Dec
Eyke Cul-De-Sac The Street
Bawdsey Lay-By on Main Road
Charsfield Tuesday Village Hall Car Park 17 Jan, 11 April, 4 July 26 Sept, 19 Dec
Grundisburgh Stoney Road Outside Old School Houses
Melton Woods Lane (entrance to Hall Farm Rd)
Westerfield Wednesday Village Hall Car Park 18 Jan, 12 April, 5 July 27 Sept, 20 Dec
Martlesham The Drift Car Park
Woodbridge Library
WEEK TWO
WEEK ONE
10-11.30am
Noon-1.30pm
2-3.30pm
Monday Wickham Market 27 Feb, 22 May, 14 Aug The Hill (beside the Bus Shelter) 6 Nov
10-11.30am
Otley Village Hall Car Park
Witnesham Entrance to Weyland Road
Sutton Tuesday 28 Feb, 23 May, 15 Aug Mace Car Park 7 Nov
Woodbridge Framfield House (CAB office upstairs)
Old Martlesham Entrance to Black Tiles Lane (Phone box lay-by)
Rendlesham Wednesday Costcutters Car Park 1 March, 24 May, 16 Aug 8 Nov
Orford Hollesley The Quay Car Park Shepherd and Dog P/H Car Park
Dad always brought her roses, today was no different It’s the little things that make a funeral special Here for you every hour of every day
01473 257242
for your local funeral director www.eastofengland.coop/funerals 6
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OUT & ABOUT DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING
WESTERFIELD CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS
Events take place in Witnesham Village Hall unless otherwise indicated.
Westerfield Bowls Club The club has more than 50 members who 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
Booking Clerk: Mrs Anne Debenham, 785798 Parish Clerk: Mr Steve Barron swill-witpc@outlook.com / 07719 176917 WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays Dance Classes in term time from 3.30pm. Contact Kelly Fear: 07799 130967 Tuesdays • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm • Drop-in Cafe at Witnesham Baptist Church, 2-4pm. • Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm. Contact Peter Elmy: 785754 Thursdays • Post Office at the Baptist Church, 9am-12.30pm • Carpet Bowls from 2pm. Contact: 785754 • Tai Chi Classes: Continuing class from 7.30pm. A new beginner’s class begins on February 2. For more details contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays • Mums and Toddlers, Witnesham Baptist Room, 9.15-11.15am. Contact Jean Pearson: 785478 • Pilates Class, 10-11am. Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Sewing Classes: For information please contact Kim Shaw: 785678 FEBRUARY Thursday 2: Village Voices resume their sessions in the Baptist Church Room at 7.30pm. Contact Christine Laughlin: 785138 Wednesday 8: WI meets at 7.30m to hear a talk by Rob Spray on Hidden Treasures of the Sea. Thursday 16 • Mobile Library visits Ashbocking Green, 12.15-12.35pm • Village Voices, Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm Thursday 23: Mobile Library visits Witnesham at Weyland Road (9.50-10.20am), Swilland M&M (10.25-10.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.55am) Friday 24: Quiz in aid of Macmillan Care Get a team of six together for a fun evening to support this very worthwhile charity in Witnesham Village Hall at 7.30pm. A tasty ploughman’s will be served, but please bring your own drinks. Tickets (£6) for your team are available from Christine Laughlin at 1 Fredellen / 01473 785138. Saturday 25: Another Messy Church activity will be held for children with games, crafts, a talk and songs followed by a free lunch. Bring your parents, family and friends too. It will be at Witnesham Baptist Church, 10am-1pm, as repairs continue at St Mary’s. AN EYESORE! It would be very much appreciated if you would take old flowers and greenery home with you from Witnesham churchyard as neither the church nor the village hall have a brown bin. In recent months, plastic bags containing greenery have been left by the dog bin at the village hall car park but there is no facility for these to be collected from there either. Consequently they have been left for a community minded villager to clear them up. Can you help prevent this in the future please?
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Village Coffee Mornings Coffee mornings are held in the village hall every Wednesday at 10am. Everyone is welcome. Westerfield and District Gardening Club The gardening club meets at Westerfield Village Hall on the first Wednesday of the month at 7.15pm. February 1: Plants for Difficult Spaces with Darren Brooks from Notcutts March 1: How to Forecast the Weather and Sky Photography by Chris Bell Everyone is welcome. For further details contact: Barbara Bell (01473 231411) / Michele Doick (01473 252330) / Barry Reeve (01473 251 843) Beavers, Cubs and Scouts The 1st Westerfield Scout Group was founded in 1955. Using the village hall as its headquarters the group consists of: Beaver Colony Thursday, 5.45-6.45pm Boys and girls, 6-8 years old Beaver Leader: Jenny Kent, 01473 435711 / jennyk.kent@ntlworld.com Cub Pack Tuesday, 6.45-8pm Boys and girls, 8-10½ years. Cub Leader: Joan Gibson, 01473 785510 / joan_gibson785@yahoo.co.uk 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 in the village hall with different speakers on a variety of topics. The membership is 42 at present. February 9: For the Love of Books by Isabel Clark March 9: Reconstruction of Bury Cathedral by Horrie Parsons New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Janet Phillimore: 01473 415749 Pilates Classes are in the village hall on Mondays from 10.45-11.45am. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. £6.50 in advance/£8 drop-in. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Chi Kung Exercise class at Westerfield Village Hall on Thursdays from 7.15-9pm. Cost £12 per class, suitable for all ages. If you are interested please contact Sally Askew: 01394 384013 / sally_askew@hotmail.com Yoga Westerfield Village Hall on Thursday mornings from 9.40-11am. Eighty minutes of yoga stretches, breathing practises and relaxation, £48 for block of six (£9.50 drop in). British Wheel of Yoga qualified teacher Caroline Glason: caroline@still-yoga.co.uk / 01473 464204 / 07746 860380 Please note that there is now an online calendar to check availability of the village hall. For more information visit: www.westerfield-village.co.uk
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ADVERTORIAL
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of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle. Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing
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OUT & ABOUT SPEND AN EVENING WITH THE POET AND PERFORMER HOLLIE MCNISH
ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND
Hollie McNish will be appearing at the Ipswich Institute, 15 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AA on Wednesday, February 22 as part of Suffolk Book League’s 2017 programme of events. In Nobody Told Me, published in 2016, Hollie writes about poetry and parenthood. Her poems are personal, touching and funny. They are brilliant to read, but hearing her perform them lends them a whole other dimension. If you want to hear how great she is there are clips of her performances on YouTube and you can check her out on: www.holliepoetry.com Doors open at 7pm with the event starting at 7.30pm. The entrance fee is £4 for members of Suffolk Book League and £8 for non-members. Students are free on production of a valid student card. Tickets can be paid for on the door or if you want to book in advance please email: enquire@sbl.org.uk Suffolk Book League, established in 1982, is a quite unique organisation which provides what is essentially a year-long literary festival. Further information about the league, including the benefits of membership, can be found at: www.sbl.org.uk
Have you ever wondered about the story behind antiques through history and in modern life?
GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB Great Blakenham Over 50s Club is open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham, but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room on Stowmarket Road in Great Blakenham. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House. There is a parking area at the rear and the building is fully accessible and has disabled facilities within. Our programme for 2017 is still being worked on, but we will meet on February 8 and 22 (weather permitting). New members are always welcome, but if you would just like to come along and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
Have you ever been to an auction?
Do you watch TV programmes such as Flog It or Bargain Hunt? If you do, then put the date below in your diary. The Roger David Burrows Music Fund presents by popular demand another evening with Elizabeth Talbot MRICS when she will talk about Antiques in Context. Elizabeth is the auction room director of TW Gaze in Diss and has appeared on many television programmes such as Bargain Hunt and Flog It. Join us at St Michaels’ Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL on Monday, March 6 at 7.30pm. Light refreshments, admission £6. The venue is fully accessible and there is adjacent free parking Further details from the Burrows family: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk / 01473 625196
EAST ANGLIA POTATO DAY Saturday, February 11, 9.30am-1.30pm, at Mid-Suffolk Showground Stonham Barns, Stonham Aspal, nr Stowmarket IP14 6AT Potato Day is a gardening event with all our customers and volunteers being gardeners who grow spuds, be it on an allotment, smallholding, garden or in pots on the patio. As well as more than 80 varieties of seed potato available to buy per tuber, we also have onion sets and various stall-holders including Rougham Nurseries, King Seeds, master composters, chip tasting, seed swap, Hedgehog Rescue, tools, Suffolk Smallholders Association, bird boxes from Street Forge Workshops and advice from NSALG. For more details visit: www.eapd.btck.co.uk Previous visitors over the years will remember a very cold barn with canvas walls and a clinker floor, but recent building works have now transformed the barn into a solid building that has doubled in size with heating, carpet, space for a proper seating area for refreshments and the luxury of indoor toilets. 2017 will be the 22nd year and is a joint venture by members of three organic gardening groups: Suffolk Organic Gardeners, Norfolk Organic Group and Ipswich Organic Gardeners Group. Admission is £1.50.
Henley Players Presents….
Junior Summer Show Friday 2nd Sat 3rd June 2017
henleyplayersboxoffice@gmail.com
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OUT & ABOUT STAYING YOUNG WITH TAI CHI In How to Stay Young on BBC 1 last year Angela Rippon advised us how to stay looking and feeling better. I’ve had a go. The wonderful crop of purple sprouting broccoli I nurtured was demolished by pigeons just as it looked like yielding a meal. I resolved to buy blueberries and grapes to eat purple. I don’t know what it does, but if Angela Rippon says I should, I will. And I have taken to aubergines, beans and lentils, although they have anti-social effects so I have to plan carefully. Improvement to brain function is also on her list. Hopeless! I was never any good at languages, I don’t like Sudoku, crosswords or jigsaws. She recommends life drawing which apparently improves concentration, thought and hand-eye co-ordination. Hmm! Dancing as an exercise proved a problem as my husband, who is determined to grow old as grumpily as he can, doesn’t like it, and it’s too late to change partners. Getting up from watching television to go to the kitchen to make a cup of tea during commercial breaks definitely isn’t enough exercise. In fact I read that lack of exercise and bad posture is a major cause of backache). Ah! But I have a solution, Tai Chi once a week with a little practice at home answers the need for exercise, co-ordination and balance and my brain is given a work out trying to remember the sequence of moves in the sets. So job done, it only costs £5 a week and you don’t pay if you don’t go. It’s at Witnesham Village Hall on Thursday evenings, 5.45pm for beginners 7.30pm for improvers. Marc starts a new class at the beginning of February. Angela Rippon says we should stay as young as we can as we grow older so we’ll see you there. Barbara
IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB We really have just one thing on our minds at the moment – the event we are organising in partnership with the University of Suffolk and the Students’ Union as our contribution to the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Lighthouse Women’s Aid in Ipswich. EQUALITY: IF NOT NOW, WHEN? Friday, February 10 at the University of Suffolk
IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, February 23 at 7.30pm: Breda Stringer presents Victoria and her Children – The Ultimate Family History Tree Queen Victoria’s many children forged fascinating links to the Royal families and aristocrats across Europe. Breda takes us on a fascinating journey. We meet at the Co-op Education Centre where the pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: http://suffolkfhs.org.uk
EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre at 7.15pm. Our next meeting is on February 21 when we are delighted to welcome Ben Cowell. Ben, formerly regional director of the East of England National Trust, will be talking about his first year as director general of the Historic Houses Association and the challenges that face historic houses in private ownership. On March 21 Paul Forecast, the new regional director for the East of England National Trust, will be setting out his plans for the next 10 years and, in particular, how the trust will play a more active role in saving nature. The talk will be preceded by a short AGM. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome. The entrance fee is £3. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary (membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761) or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
There will be two speaker sessions: 1-3pm (aimed principally at University staff and students) and 5-7pm (aimed mainly at the public). The keynote speakers will be Dr Emma Bond, associate professor at the University of Suffolk, who will review domestic abuse in Suffolk today and current trends such as the use of social media, and Melantha Chittenden, national NUS LGBT+ officer, who will talk about women’s equality within the LGBT+ framework. There will be plenty to see in the foyer throughout the event. Lighthouse will present a Clothesline exhibition and an interactive Suitcase Journey. There will be displays by charities and organisations which support women, an exhibition of posters/works on related topics by academics and students, a raffle in aid of Lighthouse and, of course, coffee and light refreshments. The event is free but there will be an opportunity to make a donation to Lighthouse. If you are interested in attending the event, places for the speaker sessions are limited so it is advisable to book via Eventbrite. To get a ticket google Equality: If not now, when? and select 10 FEB 2017. We’d be delighted to see you there.
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IPSWICH & DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP The next open meeting will be held on Thursday, February 9 at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Bucklesham Road at 7pm. The main speaker will be Jenefer Roberts who will give a talk about her book Can I Eat That?, a nutritional guide for Type 2 diabetics. Our sponsor, Martin from Silver Lining Estate Planning Ltd, will also give a short talk on estate planning, power of attorney and wills. This is a social gathering of people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to source information on diabetes and talk to other people in similar situations. Refreshments will be available free of charge, plus we hold a draw. There is no admission or joining fee. Caroline Sagar from Diabetes UK will give a short talk on our aims for 2017 when we meet on March 9. For more information email: dsgipswichduk@gmail.com www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org / Facebook DSGroupIpswich
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS ASHBOCKING SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
CHRISTMAS AT WITNESHAM SCHOOL
December was full of activity and a fitting finale to a busy year. Twenty members and family took over the village hall for a Christmas floral workshop with everyone completing a door wreath and a table arrangement. The scent of Christmas filled the air with the aroma from the natural materials used for our decorations. We were indulged with mince pies and mulled wine with Christmas music playing in the background.
Witnesham School was a very exciting place to be in the lead up to Christmas. Classes 1 and 2 performed their Christmas play, Christmas with the Aliens, twice to packed halls of parents. The same classes, together with pupils from Otley Primary Schoool, also went to the New Wolsey Theatre to watch a performance of The 3 Little Pigs. St Mary’s Church, Witnesham, is currently undergoing internal renovation so was unavailable to host the annual Christingle Service. Undaunted the school held its annual carol service on the playground. WI Christmas afternoon tea with Liz Farrow was a delightful experience with a glass of bubbly on arrival followed by tiered plates of miniature sandwiches, scones and wonderful cakes – true WI style and, of course, delicious. Members and potential members can be sure of another busy year ahead with plenty to look forward to. Deep sea diver Rob Spray will present a talk entitled Hidden Treasures of the Sea on February 8. The meeting starts at 7.30pm in Witnesham Village Hall. Another litter pick around the villages is planned for Saturday, April 22, starting at 10.30am. Villagers are welcome to join in the spring clean-up and to enjoy soup and rolls at the village hall afterwards (£3.50). If you aren’t able to take part with collecting litter, then how about soup at the hall anyway to hear how it went? Those who took part in Clean for the Queen last year reported some amazing discarded items collected in their sacks.
Friday, December 16 was an amazing day. Rudolph and his reindeer friends needed to build up their strength for the busy Christmas period so Otley College arranged for a tractor to transport Father Christmas to school for a Breakfast with Santa. The school raised in excess of £130 for Save the Children by wearing Christmas sweaters instead of our school jumpers. On this day we had our traditional Christmas lunch, where staff and governors served the children their Christmas meal. This was followed in the afternoon by class Christmas parties. What a day! We are now looking forward to a busy and exciting school term.
OTLEY & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Patron: Matthew Tanton-Brown We meet at 7.30pm on first Monday of the month in Otley Village Hall, Chapel Road, Otley. Monday, March 6: Clematis for every Season with Peter Gooch Compare gardening notes over tea/coffee and biscuits. All welcome; join up or just come along. Admission is £1.50 for members, £4 for non-members, including refreshments. Annual membership is £10. To find out more, contact: Alan Trevelyan (01473 890563) / Jenny Vince (01473 738244) / Isabel Lincoln (01473 890826)
IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, January 25, 7pm: The Sad Story of Airship 101 We meet at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich – entrance via rear car park. Visitors welcome – £3.50 at door including tea/coffee. Details from: 01473 414746/422145 www.idhts.co.uk
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FINANCIAL HEALTH CHECK Neil Hewitt suggests some tips for a healthier financial lifestyle. If your children have left home and your mortgage is paid, you may find yourself with of a number of financial assets and savings. But do you know how to generate income from these resources? The start of the new tax year is a good time to review your financial plans and make changes in order to use the allowances available to you. ISAs One of the most common financial products to invest in over the past few years has been an ISA. It is worth remembering that if you don’t use your individual allowance of £15,240 each year then you will lose it. For a couple, an ISA is a valuable way of generating tax efficient income to supplement their retirement funds, and to shelter their savings from income, capital gains or possible inheritance taxes. Recent product innovations in buy-to-let ISAs have allowed younger people to build up funds for a property deposit whereby up to £12k can be saved with the government providing up to …… tax free at the time of house purchase. Many people are now considering transferring cash based ISAs into diversified ISAs due to the increase in the tax free savings allowance. Income Tax Relief There are a number of Income Tax Relief products which allow the deferment of capital gains tax and can achieve inheritance tax savings.
Pensions The pensions landscape has been continually changing over the past few years and for many people it has proved difficult to maximise the tax advantages. The much expected loss of tax relief/higher rate tax on pensions didn’t happen in the Budget or the Autumn Statement but is this just deferred? Consider maximising your pension now. Alternative products In recent years due to the increased restrictions in pension funding, the popularity of more esoteric tax planning products has increased. Enterprise investment schemes and venture capital trusts provide Income Tax Relief for up to 30% of the amount invested. Unlike pensions these products have fixed investment terms and allow further planning opportunities and access to funds. However, whilst there are valuable tax benefits to be gained from these products, clients should not consider these without taking independent advice first. Scrutton Bland can help you with tax advice and the implementation of a pension, and we have a number of independent financial advisers who can talk through your options. For more information please contact me on 01473 267000 or email neil.hewitt@scruttonbland.co.uk or check our website www.scruttonbland.co.uk Scrutton Bland Limited is Authorised and Regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority
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SCHOOLS / SPORT WITNESHAM AREA PRE-SCHOOL During the spring/summer term the children are invited to the reception class at Witnesham Primary School to join in with activities while the younger children visit the school library. It has shown that this helps smooth transition to primary school. Witnesham Area Pre-school is a friendly, relaxed, rural pre-school which provides a fun and caring environment for children aged two to five to learn and play. We accept grant-funded and self-funded children. Government funding is available for all three to five year olds and two year olds whose parents qualify for the golden ticket scheme. Annette, our leader, is also specially trained in working with children with special educational needs. For self-funded children we charge £9.50 per three-hour session. Sessions are from 9am-noon, noon-3pm and 9am-3pm. We offer a breakfast club from 8-9am, which is also available to children going to Witnesham Primary School. We are located next to the school. You don’t need to live in Witnesham to join us. If you would like to find out more please contact Annette: 01473 784934 / witneshamarea@preschool1974.plus.com www.witnesham-preschool.co.uk
THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY, HELMINGHAM There was much excitement when the local firemen came to the school next door and we were invited to join them. Being able to sit in the cab and listen to the siren was very popular, but more so was the hose at full force in the playground. There was the chance to try on some of the clothing and equipment with boots that came up to some of the younger children’s waists! There were lots of squeals of delight and enthusiasm when telling parents at pick-up time. We are now well into the term which is all about vegetables and fruit, linking this with colours to add to the children’s learning. We have looked at the strange aubergine vegetable, using purple playdough to make the shape, then moved onto bananas with lots of yellow painting. Our cooking Tuesday sees us making banana bread to share at snack time. Next will be potatoes with lots of printing and weighing. We will plant some potatoes which can then be harvested and used in the nursery. Learning where food comes from and how it gets to our table is imperative and the children learn in a fun way. We can support numbers by counting, sorting and weighing our potatoes. Instead of ‘currant buns in the bakers shop’ we now have ‘potatoes in the vegetable shop’, taking turns to pay our money. An improvised shop with a till and brown paper bags is well used by the children as they bag up the potatoes and carry them off. We just hope we find them all at the end of the day. Some turned up in the dolls pram under the covers the other day. Our New Year newsletter can be downloaded at: www.theoldschoolhousenursery.com To book a visit, please call: 01473 890950
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IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL January saw another big entry in the popular Suffolk six-a-side series at Maidenhall Sports Centre with seven teams in each of Division 1 and Division 2. However, it wasn’t such a successful tournament for Ipswich Ravens due to many of our players suffering from seasonal flu. Our first team in Division 1 was particularly badly affected and we lost all four of our games, two of them against sides we beat comfortably in December. Diss II and Suffolk University both entered teams for the first time in Division 2 as well as Ipswich Ravens Women, showing how this popular sport is growing in our region. In Division 1 the Ravens continued our improvement from last month with a solid performance. Three wins and one defeat left us in a creditable third place out of the seven teams. Captain Chris Giles said: “Our performance was much improved from last month. We really earned our three wins with some sublime hitting from chief hitter Ugis backed up by good all round teamwork.” DIV 1 RESULTS Ipswich Ravens 13-21 Diss Ipswich Ravens 12-21 Stowmarket II Ipswich Ravens 16-21 Ipswich I Ipswich II 21-16 Ipswich Ravens However, our spirits were lifted by our improving ladies team in Division 2 who finished a very creditable fourth out of seven teams, including two wins and the narrowest of defeats by a single point. This was a fantastic performance as it was only the second time the ladies have entered the tournament. It was a result which reflected fairly on the hard work they have been putting in at our weekly practice sessions under the guidance of their dedicated coach. DIV 2 RESULTS Ravens Women 20-21 Stingers Fil Suffolk Smashers 17-21 Ravens Women Seagulls 8-21 Ravens Women Ravens Women 11-21 Stowmarket Aces January 11 was the third anniversary of the date when Ravens was first formed. We’re delighted with the progress we have made since then. The club is thriving and competing with other volleyball clubs throughout Suffolk who are much more established. We›re looking forward to growing the club further during 2017 and getting more people to learn what a great sport volleyball is. Ipswich Ravens hold club practice sessions every Saturday from 2-4pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere. We are actively seeking new members and will welcome anyone, male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from 13 upwards. We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them very enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills and fitness. If you are interested in joining this growing sport, call/text 07508 351875 or visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk
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SPORT / ON THE GRAPEVINE BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB A new year often brings changes to the old order, a new dawning and a fresh start, a chance to throw out the old and bring in the new. In the last fixture before the Christmas break, Nick and Graham were beaten by Adam and Matt (Graham’s sons) in the local derby. This changing of the Old Guard has been on the cards for a while, and the young pretenders new tactic of swapping their dads’ Sanatogen tonic wine for Ribena (other brands are available) would have had an effect on Graham’s stamina, meaning that he would have run out of steam just after bending down to tie up his trainer laces. Similarly, Nick was struggling for fitness following an unfortunate accident on his exercise bike when the stabilisers fell off the back wheel. However, Matt and Adam fully deserved their victory and even graciously praised their opponents play, saying that they had to get out of their deckchairs a couple of times during rallies so it was quite hard fought! The floodlit side have had mixed fortunes, winning and losing in equal measure, and have been relatively lucky with the winter weather so far, though January and February are usually marked by more usual conditions (anyone who has seen The Revenant might, if you look very carefully, see our players in the very far distance when they watch the blizzard scene with the buffalo herd – it was shot on location at Felixstowe in February). The winter leagues should, if on schedule, be completing in March so it gives all participants a chance to get the chilblains and frostbite healed nicely in readiness for the deluges that accompany the summer season kicking off in May(ish). This year we are hoping for the support of the RNLI as they were so helpful with rescuing some of our players stranded on the courts amid rising floodwater following the customary cloudburst that marked the opening home fixture last year. More guff next month, Mick Russ
WITNESHAM CARPET BOWLS Thirty-four members attended our Christmas party on Sunday, December 4. Jacqui Lucas won the competition, a random triples, after which we enjoyed a high tea. The draw raised £85, making a total of £300 raised by club members for Parkinson’s UK. On December 13 the finals of the singles and doubles competition were played. The singles was won by Peter Elmy and the doubles by Donny Allum and John Brace. New members are welcome to our friendly bowls club on Tuesday evenings and Thursday afternoons. Carpet bowls is suitable for all ages; come and give it a try.
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DR DAN POULTER, YOUR LOCAL MP, REPORTS BACK It seems hard to believe that Christmas and New Year are already behind us, but with all the planning, shopping and cooking, and the huge anticipation leading up to the big day itself, it’s no wonder that many of us succumb to the post-Christmas blues as things seem to settle back down into normal day to day life. I certainly enjoyed making the most of my time here in Suffolk without the pressures of the daily routine over the Christmas and New Year period and I’m sure most of us have eaten and drunk more than usual as we relaxed and enjoyed catching up with friends and family. Only recently new figures were announced confirming that a staggering eight in every 10 adults aged between 40 and 60 in England are overweight, drink too much alcohol or get too little exercise. So what better time to get motivated and kick start a healthier New Year than by getting out in the beautiful Suffolk countryside and enjoying all that is on offer right here on our doorsteps. At this time of year, with magazine and television advertisements encouraging us to make commitments which many will struggle to maintain, it’s all too easy to be lured into costly gym memberships and expensive holidays or leisure activities, but walking is something which we can all enjoy with minimum or no cost involved, no specialist equipment required and the opportunity to meet new and likeminded people. Walking isn’t competitive, yet it brings with it a raft of recognised health benefits, not to mention being affordable and accessible to all. Simple things can quickly add up – taking the stairs instead of the lift, or walking instead of hopping in the car for short journeys. I’m lucky that I have two dogs to exercise and they don’t let me forget that I need to get outdoors into the fresh air every day, but for many, it’s easy to become complacent and to not make the effort. Walking to fulfil the recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate physical exercise every week can make a huge difference – it’s estimated that it could save up to 37,000 lives every year and could also lead to almost 300,000 fewer cases of type 2 diabetes. Aside from the physical benefits, walking brings with it a whole range of other benefits. We feel more connected to our natural environment – for families with young children perhaps a competition for them to spot wildlife tracks or collect 10 different types of leaves might turn what they deem to be a dull activity in something far more engaging. When experiencing times of stress or anxiety, walking can help us to clear our heads and regain some order in our busy lives. It’s the perfect tonic for a busy and hectic lifestyle, helping to fight depression and reduce anxiety and boosting our mood and psychological wellbeing. Suffolk lends itself perfectly to walking, with plenty of easy terrain, but also has more challenging routes for those who are more able to take them on. For year round information on walking, there is a huge range of information at: www.discoversuffolk.org.uk
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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FROM SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING Reform – a Gideon’s perspective The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have committed the Church of England to reform and renewal and on October 31 this year will mark the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg, thus setting in train what we know as the Reformation. We shall doubtless hear more of that word this year.
February 12 Grundisburgh Sunday Club, Parish Room, 10.45am
Jane and I have been members of the Gideons for around 20 years and it is my job to organise the annual visits to schools in our area to offer every Year 7 student a personal Gideon Bible. Like the seed in the parable, some do fall by the wayside and go in the bin, but we regularly receive letters telling how someone has read their little red Bible and thereby come to faith and commitment to Christ. Started in the USA in 1898, the Gideons were established in the UK in 1949. Now the British Gideons are also in the throes of reform, initiated partly by disquiet from members about some of the more rigid rules of the parent body and partly by Charity Commission concerns that those rules might infringe the Equality Act.
February 15 Going Deeper Homegroup, Manor Farm, The Green, Ashbocking, 10am
Vested interests, unthinking prejudices, sincerely-held convictions, inertia, tradition and legal red tape (to name just a few) make reform difficult in any age – think of Jesus, think of Luther. In the case of the Gideons, the main obstacle is the attitude of the governing body of The Gideons International (still dominated by the USA), which is currently unwilling to permit the reforms proposed by the UK Gideons that will put men (Gideons) and women (Auxiliaries) on an equal footing in the rule book, reflecting the way things already happen on the ground. Difficult and delicate negotiations lie ahead, just as they do for the archbishops’ agenda and any programme of reform. What is so reassuring and encouraging in our local Gideon branch is what attracted us to join in the first place – members with huge potential for division (we come from different denominations and often disagree markedly on how we interpret the Word in the Bibles we distribute) work, pray and share with sincerity, respect, grace and love. We may need to remember that when we discuss change and reform in our PCCs and churches. I encourage everyone reading this to have an agenda for reform, starting with ourselves, but at the same time to recognise that what is necessary reform to one may be misguided and cause hurt to another. The work of the East Suffolk Gideons goes on – the specific, placing Bibles in schools, hotels, hospitals, colleges, nursing-homes, and the general, making God’s love known by personal witness. The fellowship, example and encouragement of the branch will continue whatever the outcome of the reform process. Equally, the branch values the support and prayers of friends and churches. Do let me know if you would like to find out more. Whether you are frustrated by reform or the lack of it, encourage one another in doing our work of making God’s love known.
February 13 • Knit and Stitch, Burgh Schoolroom 10.30am-noon. Details from: 01473 735544 • Prayer Group, Upper Room, 5pm
February 23 • Hasketon Community Lunch, 12.15pm • Tiddlywinks, Grundisburgh Upper Room, 2.30pm February 25 Soup Lunch at Burgh, noon-1.30pm February 26 Grundisburgh Sunday Club, Parish Room, 10.45am February 27 Men’s Group, The Moon and Mushroom, Swilland, 6.30pm Support for Christian refugees in Jordan Clare’s godmother Pam has a long-established connection with Jordan where she worked for many years. The churches in Jordan have a huge responsibility of care for Christian refugees from both Syria and Iraq. Pam is going out to Jordan at the end of March and hopes to take with her a large collection of children’s and ladies underwear. If you would like to contribute to this, donations of new underwear can be left in our churches and the clergy and churchwardens will ensure that it gets to Clare who will take it to her godmother. Thank you for your support. Otley and Grundisburgh, February 5 at 11am: Celebrate Christingle and support the work of The Children’s Society Men’s Group Monday, February 27 at the Moon and Mushroom at 6.30pm. Please contact Brian Williams if you wish to order supper: 01473 785726 / bfwdent@btinternet.com The speaker is John Peacock on Tales from The Deep. John has had a long and fruitful career working in telecommunications and IT. He holds some of the patents for today’s superfast fibre network and was one of the founding fathers of broadband in 1990s. Soup lunch At Burgh Schoolroom, Drabbs Lane IP13 6QA, on Saturday, February 25, noon-1.30pm. Homemade soup and rustic bread just £3.50, seasonal dessert £1.50. Tea/coffee free. All welcome.
BBC: Bible Book Club A small group – those of faith, agnostics, and atheists – interested in the James Hall historical context of Christian literature. We meet in Grundisburgh on the third Tuesday of just four months each year, and our next meeting is on SUNDAY SERVICES April 18 at 10.30am. We’ll be discussing Who Moved the Stone? by Frank February 5: Holy Communion, Swilland, 9.30am Morison. Why not get a copy and start reading now? We would be very February 12: Family Service, Ashbocking, 11am pleased to have you come along. Please let us know if you would like to February 19: Family Service, Swilland, 11am join us: paulwiffen222@btinternet.com / 01473738474 Hasketon Lent Lunches WHAT’S ON ACROSS THE CARLFORD BENEFICE During Lent, Hasketon will host four occasions on Wednesdays, March 8, February 1 15, 22 and 29 for a simple soup lunch (beginning at 12.30pm) over which Hobbies Group, Clopton, 10am-noon we will discuss Christian issues, prompted by Table Talk. We hope you Grundisburgh SWAPSHOP, Parish Room, 10.15-11.30am will come. Please see the March magazine for venues and other details. Going Deeper Homegroup, Manor Farm, The Green, Ashbocking, 10am Looking ahead… February 7 Recently we have been praying and speaking about discernment, Baby Cafe at Grundisburgh Parish Room, 9-10.30am journeys and change. Well, I have a personal notice to share, which Craft and Coffee at Shrubbery Farm, Hasketon, 10am-noon has been the result of much prayer, discernment and discussion with February 9 Bishop Martin. Tiddlywinks, Grundisburgh Upper Room, 2.30pm In early September I shall be retiring from my current post here in the February 10 Reader Support Group, Upper Room, 9.30am
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Carlford Benefice and will take up what is called ‘permission to officiate’. This means I shall continue to serve God in other parts of the diocese,
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looking forward to new challenges and further developing a ministry of creative art.
My personal thanks to Clare and very many people will be voiced on another day in September.
I look forward to, perhaps, being invited back on occasions as guest speaker, or to conduct weddings, baptism and funerals to those who particularly ask, or give some musical entertainment for the lunch clubs.
The Rev Wendy Gourlay
I have made deep relationships with many of you. I hugely appreciate the support, wisdom and grace evident in these churches, and within a fantastic team of colleagues, second to none.
Ashbocking: Friday 3 at the home of Linda Ellis at Dormers, The Green, Ashbocking, 10am-noon
This autumn will therefore bring change and I can assure you it will be a wrench for me to leave you and move on. Yet, please remember I am still a priest and your friend. As a husband and wife team, this decision is made jointly with Alister. Together, both in our ‘third age’, we look forward to being a Christian witness and having more flexible time to share with our families, both in the States and here.
FANCY A COFFEE?
Clopton: Wednesday 15 at the village hall, 10am-noon Grundisburgh: 10.15am-11.30am on Wednesday 1 and 10.30am11.45am on Saturday 4, both at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms Otley: Thursday 9 at the home of Peter and Rose Rogerson of Church House, Otley, 10am Swilland: Saturday, February 4 at the home of Gill Reidy of 1 Church Lane, Swilland, 10am
WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor: Andrew Croft, 07851 060482 Secretary: Anne Camp, 3 Acre Close, Witnesham / 01473 785448 www.witneshambaptist.org.uk We welcome you to worship at 11am each Sunday. Sunday, February 5: Morning Service with Pastor Andrew Croft including Holy Communion Sunday, February 12: Pastor Andrew Sunday, February 19: Morning Service – Team Ministry Sunday, February 26: Morning Service – Dr Mike Caplin We welcome all families to our new Family Time every Sunday at 9.30am. EVENTS Tuesdays • Drop-in Café, 2-4pm. Everyone is welcome to call in for tea and friendship. Combine a visit to the post office with a cup of tea. • Varied Church Open House, 7.30pm Fridays • Babies and Toddlers Group, 9.15-11.15am. Contact Jean: 01473 785478 Monday, February 6: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club, noon-2pm. Light lunch and good company. Contact Karen: 01473 251787 Wednesday, February 8: Prayer Fellowship, 2pm Wednesday, February 22: Bible Study, 2pm Saturday, February 26: Messy Church, Witnesham Baptist Church, 10am The church is open from 9am-5pm for prayer and listening every Tuesday and Wednesday. At other times please contact Pastor Andrew. The post office is open on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings in the conservatory. With deadline for submission of articles to this magazine being the 10th of the preceding month, I’m writing this a couple of days before I have a holiday and the mind is thinking about what to pack, how warm will it be, how many books am I likely to be able to read, let alone take by weight. So, I’ve just got home from church and its mid-afternoon. This morning has been different to most Sundays as it was a Baptismal Service. Shouldn’t be anything strange in that as we are a Baptist Church after all! It was different because the baptistery hadn’t been used for some 11 years.
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We practice believers baptism so, unlike child baptism, the person being baptised has already made a conscious decision to accept Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives, thus the act of baptism is not so much an entry rite into the church but a public witness to the person’s faith in Christ now. Another difference to child baptism is that it is by total immersion; yes the person is placed fully under the water. As the person enters the water they identify with Jesus who was also baptised and shows that their old nature of disobedience to God is dead. Going under the water shows that those wrong doings are buried as was Jesus who took the sin of people on himself and then coming up out of the water so they rise to new life with Jesus as Jesus rose from the dead. After the service we were able share a meal together with many who came to the service. Now I’m home and thinking of holiday even though today has been a holy day. I consider myself very fortunate that my wife and I can go on holiday, to visit different places and experience different cultures in the knowledge that wherever I go God is with me and I can enjoy his creation. As I look forward to holiday I also look forward to when our church baptistry is open again as another person comes to declare their faith and trust in Jesus. Could that person be you reading this? When I’m back from my week away contact me at church and let’s talk about it – faith in Jesus as well as my holiday. Pastor Andrew MESSY CHURCH Calling all children, their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and all other young at heart members of our community. St Mary’s Church Witnesham and Witnesham Baptist Church invite you all to join us for Messy Church on Saturday, February 26 at Witnesham Baptist Church. The activities begin at 10am and include crafts, games, singing, stories and lunch, finishing at 1pm. Everyone, whatever your age, is welcome, but we do ask that children are accompanied please. There will be something to appeal to all with plenty of choice of activities. There is no cost. Those of you who have been before for our ‘Messy’ events know what fun it is, so we hope you will all come again and bring your friends and neighbours. Please save this date – we look forward to seeing you.
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In Touch with WTW Who was St Martin? Last time I wrote about Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of the church in Westerfield. This time I have been looking at St Martin, after whom the church in Tuddenham St Martin is dedicated. Martin was born in 316 or 336 AD, in Savaria, in the Diocese of Pannonia (now known as Szombathely, Hungary). His father was a senior officer in the Imperial Horse Guard, a unit of the Roman army, later stationed at Ticinum (now Pavia), in northern Italy, where Martin grew up. While Martin was still a soldier, he experienced the vision that became the most-repeated story about his life. He was at the gates of the city of Amiens with his soldiers when he met a scantily clad beggar. He impulsively cut his own military cloak in half and shared it with the beggar. That night, he dreamed that Jesus
The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
Day / Date 5th February Fourth Sunday before Lent
12th February Third Sunday before Lent
19th February Second Sunday before Lent
The miraculous cloak was preserved as a relic, and entered the relic collection of the Merovingian kings of the Franks. The Latin word for ‘short cloak’, (cappella in Latin) was extended to the people charged with preserving the cloak of St. Martin, the cappellani or ‘chaplains’ and from them was applied to the royal oratory that was not a regular church, a ‘chapel’. The dream had such an impact on Saint Martin that he was baptised the next day and became a Christian. He decided to leave the army and became a monk near the city of Tours.
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It’s surrounded by words from the Bible saying, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matt 25.40) reminding us of our service to God through acts of kindness to our fellow human beings.
In Christian art, St. Martin of Tours is identified by a globe of fire, a goose, a man on horseback sharing his cloak with beggar, or a man his cutting cloak in half.
Carol
St Martin’s Day is celebrated on 11th November. Many churches in Europe
St Martin’s Tuddenham St Martin
This information was correct at the time of going to press (early last month) occasionally it can be necessary to make changes—please cross reference with our website for the most up-to-date information at www.wtandw.org.uk
St Mary’s Witnesham
St Mary Magdalene Westerfield
9.30am Family Communion
10am All-Age Worship
9.30am Family Service
10am Family Communion
9.30am Family Communion
10am Morning Worship
11am Family Communion
10am Family Communion
11am Morning Worship
10am All-Age Worship
11am Family Communion
8am Holy Communion
Sunday before Lent
9.30am Morning Worship
5th March
There is a beautiful internal window in Tuddenham St Martin’s Church dedicated to St Martin and depicting his story. It was installed to celebrate the millennium. If you’ve not seen it, do pop in as it’s rather beautiful and the photograph doesn’t do it justice.
Martin of Tours became the Bishop of Tours in 371 AD, and his shrine is in France. It became a famous stoppingpoint for pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
26th February
First Sunday of Lent
are named after Saint Martin. Martin of Tours is a very busy patron saint, being the patron saint against impoverishment, against poverty, alcoholism, beggars, cavalry, equestrians, France, geese, horse men, horses, hotelkeepers, innkeepers, quartermasters, reformed alcoholics, riders, soldiers, tailors, vintners, wine growers, and wine makers!
came to him and returned the half cloak Martin had shared with him. He heard Jesus say to the angels: ‘Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptised; he has clad me.’ When Martin woke his cloak was restored.
CHURCH SERVICES February—March
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9.30am Family Communion
11am Family Communion
8am Holy Communion 11am Family Service
In Touch online:
In Touch with WTW
The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
Church Diary—February Mothers’ Union—Thursday 2nd February: Suffolk Constabulary’s PC Squirrell (Police Dog Handler) will talk to us and then we’ll have tea. (contact Ann Bennett 785685)
THE UNITED BENEFICE OF WESTERFIELD AND TUDDENHAM WITH WITNESHAM PARISH PRIEST: REV’D ALAN FORSDIKE t: 01473 252904
Benefice Youth Group—meet on Wednesday 8th and 22nd February, 6pm (contact Julia 785497)
e: Alan@wtandw.org.uk ASSISTANT PRIEST: REV’D CATHERINE FORSDIKE
Village Voices—Rehearsals Thursdays 2nd and 16th February, 7.30pm in the back room of Witnesham Baptist Church (contact Christine 785138)
t: 01473 252904
Kingdom Kids—meet Sunday 26th February in Witnesham Village Hall and then church (contact Gill Thorley 890821) Wednesdays—said Morning Prayer at Westerfield Church weekly at 9.30am (Holy Communion on the first week of the month)
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e: Catherine@wtandw.org.uk To enquire about Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, telephone or email Alan & Catherine Forsdike.
Christmas in WT&W Attendances at our eight Christmas services were good especially considering we had one fewer service this year. Overall, 540 attended and that figure is 2% up on last year. Tuddenham St Martin looked beautiful and very atmospheric entirely lit with candles and tea-lights for the Carol Service and Midnight Communion services. It was not easy to take photos but Rev’d Alan managed to snap the one below of the sanctuary. The 74 strong congregation stayed on afterwards for mulled wine and seasonal treats and a great time of village fellowship
The Children’s Christmas Celebration Christmas Eve at Tuddenham shared the “Well Good News of Christmas” using resources from the Bible Society and 95 people came. Rev Catherine is sporting a crown; visitors dressed as shepherds, angels and kings. The collection raised £115 for work of the Bible Society in war-torn Syria. Westerfield St Mary Magdalene held their Carol Service in the afternoon of 18th December and following a good sing and attention to the Christmas story, the 42 present repaired to the church room for Catherine’s mulled wine, spiced apple juice, Alan’s shortbread stars and mince pies from several sources including Derek Smith. Left: Since the church can’t presently accommodate above 30 people whilst the improvement works continue, St Mary, Witnesham’s Carol Service was held in the Village Hall which didn’t have quite the same atmosphere but was nonetheless uplifting. The music was ably led by Paul and Village Voices with a beautiful solo of “O Holy Night” given by Jane Blondel. The 63 all enjoyed mulled wine, spiced apple juice, coffee, tea and lovely nibbles afterwards.
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Top: Reader Carol and Rev Catherine prepare to lead the Scouts’ Carol Service—nearly 100 attended. Middle: The Beavers excitedly prepare for their part in the service. Derek Austin was presented with a long-service award for his work as treasurer to the scout group. The collection of £170 was donated to “Daisy’s Wish—Tree of Hope” charity which touched everyone’s hearts.
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