In Touch
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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 9 • Issue No. 2 • JANUARY 2019
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Recently I spent time with an friend who is caring for her elderly dad. Sarah is exhausted, sad, stressed and worried, worn out from sleeping on chairs next to her dad’s hospital bed. She talked about the ongoing struggle to get the support they both need, the ever-changing nature of her dad’s condition and her fears for the future, but also of the people she calls ‘Angels’ who she has encountered along this difficult journey. These ‘Angels’ are few in number, but they stand out because they are so remarkable. One she particularly remembers is Sam. He operates the overnight tea trolley in A&E at their local hospital. A&E is never a pleasant place to be, particularly so at 3am, but when Sam arrived, pushing his tea trolley quietly so as not to disturb or agitate patients, my friend was amazed by his smile and the gentle manner in which he approached people. She watched him make his away around the room and was astonished by the effect he had. People returned his smile, grateful to have a hot drink and to chat for a moment to someone who actually looked happy to be there. As he approached, my friend prepared herself to speak for her dad, but Sam spoke directly to him. He said: “I have a cup of tea for you and something tells me you’d like it with sugar.” Her dad hadn’t said a word for hours, but to Sarah’s surprise he replied and he and Sam had a brief chat. When Sam departed with a smile and a wave, Sarah’s dad continued to chat into the morning. This one brief encounter had lifted his spirits and for a short time Sarah and her dad chatted about all and sundry. For this Sarah will forever be grateful to the ‘Angel’ with the tea trolley. I share this story because it has had such an impact on me. I have never been, and will never be, an ‘Angel’. I try to be positive, I really do, but it doesn’t come to me naturally. If I had to push a tea trolley around A&E at 3am I’d be more likely to leave a trail of despair. I dread to think what my work colleagues might have to say! When I’m feeling sorry for myself I think of Sam and my friend’s tears as she recalled her all to brief encounter with him. January is a difficult month for many people for many different reasons. Do you have the capacity to be an ‘Angel’ in someone’s life for a brief moment? I hope I do!
InTouch
with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham
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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 as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
We also publish In Touch with... •B eyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge
NEWS WITNESHAM & SWILLAND BOXING DAY WALK This year the annual family Boxing Day Walk will start at the school car park by the Moon & Mushroom pub at 11am. Everyone welcome, including dogs on leads, to come along and join in an approximate 2-3 mile circular walk, getting back around 12.30pm. Please make sure you wear suitable footwear. Any queries, don’t hesitate to ring Jerry Hindle on 01473 785669.
ASHBOCKING NEWS It’s pretty hard to imagine that everyone who reads this will know the result of the Brexit vote in parliament, will have experienced the ups and downs of Christmas, and will have recent memories of the New Year, 2019! At this point all is unknown on all counts, but I know which one I am dreading the most! However, with the December issue of In Touch, you will have read, we hope, the invitation from the parish council to become part of the Neighbourhood Plan groups. Some parishes have these plans in place, others, like us, are just getting going. Since Ashbocking was designated as open countryside, allowing no building apart from extensions, it was not considered necessary to do a development plan for the village. Things change. With pressure from government for county councils to build more housing, planning regulations seem to have relaxed. We have been reliably informed that unless a village has an agreed plan in place, developers can ‘move in’ and attempt to push through inappropriate developments. There is much work to be done and some costs to be met for an experienced professional to assist. To meet all the conditions of a plan, it must be formulated by several members of the village and not just the existing parish council. The load must be shared. So please attend the meeting at 7.30pm on February 4 at Suffolk Wildlife Trust to discuss the next steps for the Neighbourhood Plan. Hearing your views and sharing your abilities and strengths, will be instrumental in formulating a successful and acceptable plan. To register attendance email: clerk.ashbocking@btinternet.com How do you want your parish to develop further, into the future? Finally, may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year. Liz Stegman
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NEWS PARISH COUNCILLORS WANTED Swilland and Witnesham Grouped Parish Council is in urgent need of volunteer councillors to represent the two villages on the parish council and would welcome any residents of the villages who would be keen to join and get involved in village affairs. The council meets on a Wednesday evening every two months and deals with varied issues including: • Planning Applications and issues • Highway matters from speed initiatives to pot holes • Footpaths • Play areas and Recreation grounds • Finance and Budget setting • Allotments • Liaising with the Police SNT team • Village Project Initiatives If you are interested and can spare some time to help a very small and dwindling team who genuinely need more help, please visit the website for more information or contact the parish clerk, Mr Steven Barron, for more details: 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com www.swillandandwitnesham.onesuffolk.net
FROM THE ARCHIVES TUDDENHAM ST MARTIN Following my previous notes on Witnesham and Swilland as reported by Arthur Mee back in the early 1940s, I can now move on to Tuddenham with hopefully some interesting facts for local people and those generally interested in history.
DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING Events take place in the village hall unless indicated otherwise. Booking clerk: Mrs Anne Debenham; 01473 785798 It is always advisable to check with Anne to see if the village hall is available. Parish Clerk: Mr Steve Barron: 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays Pilates Class starting in January from 7-8pm Tuesdays • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm • Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm. Contact Peter Elmy: 785754 Wednesdays Coffee, Conversation & Cake at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.3011.30am. Donations welcome to cover the cost of refreshments. Thursdays • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9am-12.30pm • Carpet Bowls from 2pm • Tai Chi Classes from 5.45pm. Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays • Mums and Toddlers Group in Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.1511.15am in term time. For details contact Jean Pearson: 785478 • Pilates Class, 9.45-10.45am. Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com • ‘Bums and Tums’ from 11.30am-12.30pm JANUARY Monday 7: Ashbocking Parish Council meets at SWT, HQ at 7.30pm
According to Mee, Tuddenham possesses a charming Jacobean house among the trees half a mile from the heart of things, and a church with a doorway through which the Normans came; it still has its chevrons, spiral pillars, and carved capitals.
Wednesday 9: WI meets for a talk on Woodbridge Tide Mill by John Carrington, 7.30pm
There is a 15th century tower and a 15th century font with tiny faces, crowned angels, an eagle, a bull, and a winged lion on the bowl, and eight saints on its shaft. When the font was new the doorway for the priest, the stairway by which he reached the rood loft, the piscina level with the floor, and the stone seat in the sanctuary were already centenarians, and they are still there.
Thursday 17: Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm. Contact Christine Laughlin: 785138
Much skilled craftsmanship we see in the rich old woodwork. Time has not spared the angels on the 15th century roof, but there is an unspoilt carving on the medieval bench ends, which still have holders for rushlights, an old witness of the dark ages. This of course was in 1940; it will be interesting to hear from the church if they are still in good order.
Thursday 31: Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm
Among the many beautiful figures on the bench, Mee noticed a parson in his pulpit, a pelican, a cock, a pigeon, a dog and a mermaid. Canopied saints adorn the fine 15th century pulpit. Beyond the massive chancel screen are two old seats and an antique chair. The reading desk and lectern have both seen centuries of service. Well that will do for now, but there is more to come on Tuddenham along with the names of local people at the time. In the meantime comments on the findings by Mee in 1940 compared to now would be interesting and welcomed. Please feel free to write. Village Historian and Recorder Steve Henley
DEMENTIA Together Call Free 08081 688 000 email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com 4
Wednesday 16: Swilland and Witnesham Parish Council meet at 7.30pm
Thursday 24: Mobile Library visits Weyland Road, Witnesham (9.5010.20am), The Moon & Mushroom in Swilland (10.25-10.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.50)
FIND’s Christmas Hampers Thank you from FIND to all of you who donated festive foods to the Christmas Hampers in December or who gave individual presents or monetary donations. FIND can only fulfil its charity’s remit – to provide emergency assistance to families and individuals affected by poverty or dispossession – because so many people help us. In the community of Ipswich and around we have adults who simply exist from one day to the next and who are desperate for help, including youngsters living on low incomes without life or budgeting skills and trying to find ways to feed, clothe and house themselves. We offer our help to those who are deprived of a minimum standard of living, whether they are single, families, lone parents, children and the elderly, sick, disabled or homeless. Everything we offer people in need is given freely because of people such as yourselves who support our work. So thank you on their behalf, as through your generosity the 1,000 or more large hampers and the gifts we distribute will brighten many lives this Christmas. FIND Trustee Heather Cade
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NEWS SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM GROUPED PARISH COUNCIL Parish Council Meeting, Wednesday, November 21 Present: Mr Lightfoot, Mr Rush (Chair), Mr Stanley, Mr Templeman, Mr Everett, Mrs Shaw, Mr Johnson, Dr Nicol and Mr Hindle. Apologies received from Mrs Bailey and SCD Councillor Robert Whiting. SCD Councillor Whiting’s November full report can be viewed at: http://swillandandwitnesham.onesuffolk.net Planning Mr Rush reported on recent applications, whether supported or objected to by the PC, which included: • Street Farm, was not objected to, awaiting decision by SCDC • Barley Mow car park, objected to, application withdrawn • Listed Barn Conversion, Strugglers Lane, supported, awaiting SCDC decision • 1 Mill Lane (Rose Cottage), objected to, awaiting decision by SCDC Mr Everett reported on Homelands House. A temporary Stop Order to remove cars and a skip, cease car sales and abide by the agreed operating hours had been in place since and was due to end on November 14. On November 15 SCDC Planning Committee met and removed the Stop Order from the agenda has it had been complied with. The issue of mini-busses on the site was still unaddressed. Highways Dr Nicol reminded the meeting of the chaos caused by the repeated road closures on the B1077. Signage had been considered as poor and misleading in some instances. Chair would raise this with Robin Vickery. Possible local road improvements were debated relating to alternative routes used, including a tidy up of passing places in Tuddenham Lane which might help. Chair informed the meeting of a possible cut back of vegetation on Mow Hill and Jubys Hill by a local farmer utilising a heavy duty hedge cutter was possible. Gibraltar Crossroads Chair reported that he had given this his best efforts and that SCC Highways were not supportive, mainly on the reasoning of stats for the last five years for the site (one RTC). At one point SCC Highways suggested that the PC fund a survey at a cost of £10,000. Mr Hindle commended the efforts of the chair. The PC agreed they were disappointed with the response. Chair suggested that PC should try and capture all incidents through the local community and would continue to press with Robin Vickery and SCC Highways. Footpaths Mr Hindle reported that the footbridge between St Mary’s Church and Manor Farm had been repaired and anti-slip strips had been fitted. The footbridge in the marshes crossing towards Cockfield Hall had been observed as very slippery and this was to be raised with SCC. There had been some complaints about off-road motorcycling on the footpaths at the end of Weyland Road. Mr Hindle would investigate and approach local residents as appropriate. Mr Lightfoot congratulated Mr Hindle on his work to maintain the very special and valued footpath network in the villages. SAVID (Safer Village Driving) Mr Johnson reported that there had been an AGM and a group meeting on November 14 preceded by a steering group meeting on November 2. Two options considered derived from the steering group, were to dissolve SAVID or to continue to operate SAVID as an advisory group to help parish councils. One or more representatives from each parish would be required for this to continue. SAVID resolved to continue with a permanent chairperson for the year (rather than three-month rota) and would meet again on March 13 (TBC). Playing Field management Committee Mrs Bailey had sent correspondence to the chair outlining that after discussing with the headteacher at Witnesham School, PFMC meetings could be called as and when required. Council discussed this idea and resolved to keep meetings in the diary, at least two per year for 2019-20, possibly May
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and October TBC. Clerk should first contact the school and WASPs and ask for any agenda items for the diary date and call a meeting if appropriate. Play Area Inspections Mrs Bailey was not present. Mr Stanley reported that the recreation ground was in good order. Clerk reported that the annual RoSPA inspection of the Recreation Ground had reported that a bench near the top of the ground was showing signs of rot. This would be kept under observation by Mr Stanley. Recreation Ground Mr Rush advised that grants for the proposed Recreation Ground improvements were being sought via SCDC. Mr Hindle informed the meeting of concern about the condition of the vegetation on the banks by the lower area. VHMC Mr Johnson reported that a VHMC meeting was due on November 23. One of the trustees would chair the VHMC until the AGM in 2019 as Mr Johnson was standing down from VHMC. Tables and shed proposals would be discussed. Chair asked Mrs Shaw if she could continue as the PC rep on the VHMC. This would be dependent on the outcomes of the scheduled meeting. Tree Officer Mr Templeman reported that there had been an offer from the Suffolk Tree Warden Network (STWN) and the Woodland Trust, who had joined forces to provide our tree warden with the opportunity to plant trees in our parishes, but the deadline was November 14, so there had been no time to discuss or plan. This could be a possible agenda item for a future meeting in order to plan ahead for next year. Allotments Clerk reported that two vacant plots in Coopers Close had been advertised in In Touch. Finance Committee had resolved to keep the rates unchanged for 2019-20. Clerk would send rent demand letters out to tenants during November. Council resolved to continue to offer one plot free-of-charge for 2019-20 only, to be used by a designated charity. Correspondence A local resident had written to the PC and voiced concerns over the effects of crop spraying close to the properties in Upper Street Witnesham. The advice from SCDC, which was passed on to the resident concerned, was that this may be something SCDC could look at as an air pollution complaint via their Environmental Protection Team. 2019-20 Draft Budget and Precept The 2019-20 draft budget had been circulated prior to the meeting and hard copies were also distributed. Dr Nicol gave an overview of spending so far this year (2018-19) and that the budget had been planned based on the current major projects would be completed by 31 March 2019. Dr Nicol highlighted key points in the spreadsheet and that total budget expenditure for 2019-20 was £15,762, balanced by income and earmarked reserves of £16,377.63. The meeting seemed unclear on what CIL was held by the council and what, if anything, it was earmarked for. Clerk would circulate a current council CIL summary after the meeting to all councillors. Mr Hindle proposed that the draft budget be approved and adopted, seconded Mr Lightfoot: carried. Dr Nicol explained that if council wanted to keep the same precept per householder in the parishes for 2019-20 as that of 2018-19 (i.e. zero increase), then the actual precept level proposed for council 2019-20 to submit to SCDC should be £13,630.63. Mr Johnson proposed that a precept of £13,630.63 should be submitted by council to SCDC for 2019-20, seconded Mr Templeman: carried. Matters to be brought to the attention of the parish council Mr Hindle reported the Boxing Day walk would start and end at The Moon and Mushroom this year and this had been advertised within In Touch. Mr Johnson announced that he was resigning from the parish council. Mr Rush stated that he was very grateful for Mr Johnson’s efforts, particularly in the Speed Initiatives project and wished him all the best. Clerk: Mr Steven Barron: 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com
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NEWS UPSTAIRS MOW For those who may have missed it in the last In Touch, or simply forgot, the read-through for the next production by The Barley Players will be at Witnesham Village Hall on Monday, January 7 from 8pm. The play concerns the little known fact that Shakespeare came to Witnesham in 1594 in search of his uncle Henry (Red) who it is believed was staying upstairs in the building later to be known as The Barley Mow. We would love to see new members and please remember that this an amateur production and if you ever wanted to, or thought about, acting then this is your chance. My daughter did 30 years ago and is now a professional actress so anything and everything is possible. We would love to see you. The more local events the better, the better for the village which has an ever growing good feel and good heart so, as someone once said, come on down, the time might be right. Village Recorder Steve Henley
WEDDING OPEN DAY AT FYNN VALLEY CAFÉ TERRACE On Sunday, January 20, the new Café Terrace at Fynn Valley is throwing open the doors of its stunning event space to showcase the venue to prospective wedding couples. Come along between 10.30am and 3pm to view the Oak Room set up for a beautiful wedding breakfast and the Acorn Room will be showcasing select local wedding suppliers. Entry is free with fizz and canapés for all the happy couples. Find out more at: www.fynnvalleyterrace.co.uk / 01473 785267
ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Monday, March 11: A New View Down the River Deben Valley – Prehistoric, Roman and Saxon Archaeology along the East Anglia One Cable Route by archaeologist Andy Peachey Andy is an archaeologist who has been working across East Anglia for the last 15 years and over the last two years on a major project, the East Anglia One cable route. This is a corridor excavated along the Deben Valley, through the northern part of Martlesham, before passing over Ipswich to connect the new wind farm to the National Grid. He will talk about the amazing finds discovered during work for these wind farm cables, included an exciting array of new settlement evidence. This fascinating talk will be on Monday, March 11, 7.30pm at St Michaels Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Further information about this event and the music fund please contact the Burrows family on 01473 625196 or visit: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk
WESTERFIELD CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS Art Class Westerfield Village Hall every alternate Tuesday from January 8, 9.15am12.15pm, covering oils, pastel and watercolour over eight weeks. £15 per session, £110 for the full course. To book a place or for more information contact Lisa Ann Puhlhofer: 01473 878734 / 07834 280287 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 Village Coffee Mornings In the village hall every Wednesday at 10am. Everyone is welcome. Westerfield & District Gardening Club Meets at 7.15pm on the first Wednesday of the month. • January: No meeting • February 6: Bats with Anne and Dennis Kell of the Suffolk Bat Group Everyone is welcome. For further details contact Michele Doick (01473 252330) or Barry Reeve (01473 251843). Beavers, Cubs & Scouts 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 218501 / jennyk.kent1@gmail.com 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 at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month with different speakers on a variety of topics. The membership is 42 at present. • January 10: My Year in the Falklands by Stephen Hope Competition: Received Christmas Card • February 14: Summer Flowers by Sonia Burrows Competition: Necklace Made of Sweets New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Janet Phillimore: 01473 415749 Pilates Mondays from 10.30-11.30am and Wednesdays from 6-7pm. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Chi Kung Tuesdays from 2.15-4pm and Thursdays from 7.15-9pm. £12 per class, suitable for all ages. Contact Sally Askew: sally_askew@hotmail.com / 01394 384013 Yoga Thursdays 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 / www.still-yoga.co.uk 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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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH & DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB
OTLEY & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB
We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Jane Riley, to our last meeting and particularly encouraged to hear that she is focussing on finding out more about smaller voluntary groups in the town – like us of course! She kindly presented the quilt which we raffled in aid of Light House at the Women’s Voices, Women’s Vote event to the winner – as it happened, our own newest member.
Patron: Matthew Tanton-Brown We meet at 7.30pm on the first Monday of the month at Otley Village Hall, Otley Monday, March 4: Butterfly Gardening with Dr Ian Bedford Compare gardening notes over tea/coffee and biscuits. All welcome Admission £1.50 for members and £4 for non-members. To find out more, contact Alan Trevelyan (01473 890563) or Isabel Lincoln (0147 3 890826).
3C@W.B.C. Do you feel isolated or alone? Do you feel it would be good to meet up with others? Parents, do you want somewhere to chat about life? Well pop along to Witnesham Baptist Church where in an informal, relaxed style you can enjoy: *Coffee / Conversation / Cake (Children’s Corner) Perhaps read a magazine, have a game of chess, dominoes or cards. Donations of a £1 per morning welcome towards cost of drink/cake. Every Wednesday morning between 9.30 and 11.30am. December meant a Christmas meal together. We exchanged greetings with our Friendship Clubs in France and Denmark. We share many concerns with them. This Christmas we sent a donation to Arras towards an event they are hosting on domestic violence. Naested has a long history of working for trafficked women and we recently organised a lunch in aid of a similar project set up by our club in Poole. Our meeting on January 9 has the odd title Knowing Me, Knowing You. For the benefit of new members, we are going to spend the evening introducing ourselves and explaining more fully what Soroptimism is all about. If you are interested why not come and listen in? Just phone our secretary Joyce on 01394 615659.
TUESDAY CRAFT CORNER Why not join an informal group of people who enjoy crafts? Knitting, crochet, felting, quilling, painting, origami, card making, calligraphy, jewellery… Whatever your craft, come along and while crafting have a cuppa and share what you’re doing or help others. We meet at Witnesham Baptist Church from 2-4pm on the first Tuesday.
*tea or a cold drink
ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY Orwell DFAS does not meet in January so our next lecture will be on Wednesday, February 6 when Andrew Spira will deliver what we are sure will be a fascinating talk entitled The Art and Architecture of St Petersburg. Orwell DFAS meets at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU, on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing promptly at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins before the day on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space. For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.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, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.
IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY Our last meeting in December was at Kesgrave Community Centre where we were able to purchase material from Sarah Brooks. We also took the opportunity to have some festive refreshments and a good time was had by all. Our January meeting is at the same venue, also in the afternoon. Roger Swindells, a society member and a dealer, will talk about thematic collecting and there will be opportunity to purchase material from his extensive stock. The centre will be open from 1-5pm. In February we return to our normal venue, Cedarwood Primary School, and evening meetings (7 for 7.30pm) with a members display evening on Wednesday 6 and our annual competition on Wednesday 20. We are also arranging a trip to London Stampex on February 13 for £20 per person; there are some seats available if you would like to attend. Visitors are welcome; for further information contact Mike at 01473 403904 / michaelsmith1949@gmail.com or visit: www.ipswichphilatelic.uk
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Our next meeting is on January 15 when Mark Mitchels, arguably our most popular speaker, will be talking about the River Deben. Rivers were the old highways of England and along their banks stood the towns and villages which form the earliest settlements in our history. Mark will be taking us on a trip along one off the country’s most beautiful rivers, a journey through history showing how the landscape changed to support the needs of the people. On February 19 Marcia Whiting will speak on the life and works of Alfred Munnings. 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 at: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT ASHBOCKING, SWILLAND & WITNESHAM WI
MEN’S GROUP AT THE MOON & MUSHROOM
Suffolk East Federation of Women’s Institutes is celebrating its 100th year with no shortage of special events to tempt members and friends.
The men’s group will continue in 2019 with a mixture of discussion and visiting speaker evenings.
You are invited to come along to experience a WI meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm at Witnesham Village Hall. We enjoyed Christmas themed festivities in December and are looking ahead to the new year. Our first meeting is on January 9 when we welcome John Carrington who will tell us all about Woodbridge Tide Mill.
Future dates include Mondays, January 28 and May 13. Events are held at the Moon & Mushroom in Swilland. The evening is based around a meal followed by a guest speaker or a discussion based activity. We are a friendly and welcoming group so please do join us. A two-course mean (choice on the night) will be £15. To book, contact Mark Cresswell at least a week before: mark@cresswell.onl / 01473 738313
SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, January 24, 7.15pm: The History of the Suffolk Fire Service, a specially written talk by Chris Turland on the history of fire fighting in Suffolk, from early beginnings to the formation of the national fire service during the Second World War and the immediate post-war history. 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: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk
SUFFOLK PLANT HERITAGE EVENTS Saturday, January 26: All My Own Work – The Essex Garden of Lady Bing by Jan Michalak. Members free, guests £5. Saturday, February 23: Tales from a Norwegian Garden by Tommy Tonsberg. Members free, guests £5. Saturday, March 23: Special Event Bulbs for all Seasons by Anna Pavord. Members £8, guests £15. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Isobel Ashton: 01284 754993 Saturday, April 27: Looking Back at English Garden Daffodils by Sally Kington. Members free, guests £5. All talks are held in Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ at 2.30pm.
GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB Open to anyone over-50 living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite the Chequers PH) on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The building is fully accessible. The cost per meeting is £2 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and the raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. At our November meetings we had a visit from Wiltshire Farm Foods which was very interesting and included some very nice sampling! Sandra hosted a Call My Bluff afternoon for our last meeting of the year. This proved very entertaining. Do you know the meaning of ‘sestina’, ‘tussah’, ‘whydah’ or ‘nankeen’? Something to keep you occupied if you get bored! At the time of writing we had not yet been for our Christmas meal and when next I write Christmas and New Year celebrations will be well and truly over! We reconvene on January 9 (weather permitting) and will have a noisy afternoon with a beetle drive. 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 HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, January 23: The Massey Shaw Fireboat by Tony Roome Wednesday, February 27: Zeppelin Raids Over East Anglia by Ian Mclachlan We meet at 7.30pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich; entrance via the rear car park, visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments. 01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk
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ON THE GRAPEVINE COULD YOU BE A YOUNG SHADOW TRUSTEE? Community Action Suffolk has launched an appeal to identify a new Young Shadow Trustee who will have a pivotal post in contributing to how the organisation is run, and how it portrays the county’s youth contingent. It’s the first time CAS has chosen to include a dedicated Young Shadow Trustee on their board, and comes as part of the organisation’s desire to reflect more diversity. A Suffolk-based programme to support young trustees has been in place since last year, led by CAS, and now sees a total of 10 younger persons in place with the region’s charities. Charities in Suffolk with an existing Young Shadow Trustee include the University of Suffolk Students’ Union, Suffolk Mind, Suffolk Artlink and St Elizabeth Hospice. The person for the newly created Community Action Suffolk role will need to be between 18 and 25, and will be prepared to offer around four hours per month. They will not be able to vote in their position, but will develop leadership skills, increased knowledge in business and finance, and will receive training and mentoring. Meetings are mainly held in Ipswich and travel expenses should be covered. Janet Perry, Youth Volunteering Development Officer for Community Action Suffolk, said: “Since Community Action Suffolk has been leading the Suffolk Young Trustee Programme in the county, we’ve received such great feedback from charities about the benefits of having a clear youth perspective as part of their team.” If you are interested in this or other young trustee placements contact Janet: janet.perry@communityactionsuffolk.org.uk
MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS VALENTINE BY LEAVING AN EVERLASTING GIFT The Leave an Everlasting Valentine Gift Will Month is being supported by Jackamans Solicitors (Ipswich), Ross Coates Solicitors (Ipswich) and Norton Peskett Solicitors (Halesworth), who have kindly offered their services to offer people the opportunity to make a basic single or mirror will in return for a suggested donation to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of making a Will, as well as highlighting the work of the charity, and is a special way to make a difference and celebrate Valentine’s Day in February. Around 60 per cent of people in the UK do not have a will and planning for later life is essential! People are living longer and with ever-changing family lives; second marriages, extended families, civil partnerships, long-term care needs, lasting power of attorney, funeral costs, inheritance tax… Choosing who you want to leave your gifts to is ever more important so your wishes are fulfilled as complications can arise which can become costly. Making a will gives peace of mind and ensures families and loved ones are cared for in the future. It also gives people the opportunity to leave a lasting gift to a charity that will make a difference to others as well as reduce the inheritance tax bill for the beneficiaries. Karen Hare, Chief Executive of Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, said, “We are delighted that Jackamans Solicitors, Ross Coates Solicitors and Norton Peskett are supporting the Leave an Everlasting Valentine’s Gift scheme by giving their time and offering a will writing service for a donation to our charity. All the monies raised stays in Suffolk to help before, during and after cancer.” For more information contact CCiS on 01473 211884 / fundraiser@cancercampaigninsuffolk.co.uk or visit: ww.ccisuffolk.org
OWL SANCTUARY APPEAL TO GET OFF THE BEATEN TRACK Suffolk Owl Sanctuary has launched an urgent fundraising appeal to enable them to develop and maintain the wild owl nest box scheme it runs in conjunction with volunteers from the Thornham Owl Project throughout East Anglia.
“Two out of the five native species of UK owl are amber listed for conservation importance, meaning they are in population decline. Part of the reason for this is the lack of nesting sites due to the demolition of old barns and outbuildings, the loss of connected habitat and the depletion of old, hollow trees lost to elm disease.
With Britain’s owl numbers in decline, the charity’s work in providing siting, erecting and maintaining nest boxes in the remote areas favoured by wild owls is vital to ensuring the conservation of the region’s native species.
“All of the sites that I have visited are tucked away out of site, usually well off the beaten track and some distance from tarmacked roads. It’s often difficult to reach some of the nest boxes, especially when it’s wet! A serviceable 4x4 will enable us to site new nest boxes and maintain our existing network of 290+ throughout the region.
Critical to this work is a 4x4 off-road vehicle, which enables them to reach remote areas to install, maintain and monitor nest boxes for various species including Little Owls, Tawny Owls and the iconic Barn Owl.
“As a registered charity we rely on donations from visitors and supporters so we are appealing to local all wildlife lovers to give anything they can to help us continue this vital work to support the conservation of these beautiful birds.”
Sadly their old, well used off-road vehicle, affectionately known as Mabel, is no longer fit for purpose, so the Sanctuary is urgently appealing for donations to allow them to purchase a new off-roader. Steve Duffell, a falconer at the sanctuary who has hands-on experience with the nest box scheme managed by the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, commented:
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To donate please visit the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary website, call 03456 807 897 or send a postal donation to The Trustees, Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, Stonham Barns, Pettaugh Road, Stonham Aspal IP14 6AT. www.owl-help.org.uk
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oN THE GRAPEVINE
Since May 2017 StartEast has supported over 340 cultural businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk by delivering over 3,500 hours of networking events, workshops, webinars and one-to-one advice sessions. StartEast: building the cultural economy is a major regional economic development initiative which is managed by Norfolk County Council in partnership with Suffolk County Council and on behalf of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Cultural Board. It is delivered by the New Wolsey Theatre and funded by Arts Council England Creative Local Growth Fund and the European Regional Development Fund. StartEast supports creative sole traders, established SMEs and start-ups working in various art-form areas, such as performing arts, outdoor arts, dance, music and literature. It also supports technical roles in the sector such as, for example, stage management. The project has invested over £250k in grants to support the growth of StartEast businesses, including attendance at international festivals and trade fairs to reach new markets and secure new contracts. Laboratory Media Education Paul Weston attended Music Tech Fest in Sweden in September: “We have joined support networks that were previously unknown to us, attracted the interest of a major international technology developer and gained new knowledge, skills and technology that we will use in our work in the region.” Ellie Bowers-Jolley, co-Founder of The Come and Sing Company, describes the project’s impact: “We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for StartEast. We have amazing branding, tech and company clothing thanks to the grants, and the support and knowledge in our one-to-ones, seminars and workshops has helped us to explore how our business can grow.” The cultural sector is an important employer in the New Anglia region and a higher proportion of people work in the sector in New Anglia than the national average. The cultural sector has exhibited strong growth in recent years and continues to do so. An interim evaluation report by BOP Consulting has revealed that StartEast has been particularly successful in attracting early stage and start-up enterprises and there is some early evidence that the support is having an impact in changing the attitudes, aspirations and behaviours of participants. Over 90 per cent indicate they have more ambition for their business, are more motivated to grow and feel more motivated and enthusiastic as a result of the StartEast support. Suffolk County Councillor Paul West said: “Suffolk County Council is
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proud to play a major role in developing and delivering the New Anglia LEP Cultural Board and the important work it carries out. One of our key commitments to Suffolk people is to promote inclusive growth in the area. By working with our partners in Norfolk County Council and local leaders of the cultural sector across the two counties we can have a real impact on the growth of this particular sector. “I am delighted with the achievements of StartEast. By focusing on building our small cultural businesses we are not only promoting economic growth but also adding significant value to the quality of life here in Suffolk.” There is early evidence that StartEast is helping businesses feel more connected, develop a clearer vision, set financial goals and generate new opportunities for their businesses. A positive uplift in turnover for participants is something that will be explored in more detail in the final report next year. “We know that the use of business support by arts and entertainment businesses has declined significantly since 2010. The StartEast programme is delivering high quality, much needed support to the cultural sector in New Anglia, support that would not otherwise be available. “StartEast encourages creative practitioners to focus on how they can make a living out of their practice. This is distinctive from many other artist support programmes.” BOP Consulting StartEast funding was awarded to Norfolk County Council, of which £609,773 is from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) on behalf of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership Cultural Board. The funding released an additional £500k, already awarded to Norfolk County Council from Arts Council England’s Creative Local Growth Fund to support the initiative. One of nine national projects supported through the first round, it was one of only three to be awarded the full amount available through the fund. The initiative is enabling a step-change in the capacity, ambition, impact and economic contribution of our regional cultural sector which is one of the New Anglia LEP’s ten priority growth sectors. The programme is leveraging the strong partnerships already established between Norfolk and Suffolk’s cultural sectors – including 12 Arts Council England National portfolio organisations, the New Anglia LEP and other key growth sectors. For further information about StartEast please visit: www.starteast.co.uk
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SPORT / SCHOOLS BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB
STONHAM ASPAL PRIMARY SCHOOL
New Year’s Resolution We hope that you all had a fantastic Christmas break and are looking forward to an exciting 2019. The club’s tennis programme continues all year round so if you have set yourself a New Year’s resolution to get fit in 2019 why not come along and try your hand at tennis? We are a friendly and welcoming group so don’t be shy; come along and see us and kick start your new fun filled fitness programme.
We’ve been very busy since our last entry as you will see below.
Bramford Minis at The National Tennis Centre
Boys Football Tournament We travelled to Hartismere to attend the High Suffolk Boys Football Tournament on November 7. Stonham Aspal took three teams to this competition. Each team showed great team work, creativity and perseverance. Our A team did so well they won the whole tournament and were through to the regional play-off. All the teams shared their achievements in our celebration assembly and the A team showed the school their medals. Well done to all the teams and thank you to Mrs Corsie for organising the team, and Mrs Wright and Mrs Pritchard for helping on the day. The regional play-off took place on Tuesday, November 27. The result of this game was a convincing 4-0 win to Stonham Aspal, which meant we qualified for the county finals, a really impressive achievement.
At the end of 2018 we were delighted to be invited to take a number of our mini tennis junior players to the National Tennis Centre at Roehamptom. The kids had a behind-the-scenes tour at the LTA’s leading tennis training facility and even got to see Johanna Konta who was practising on the court right next to us! The kids and parents had a fantastic day. We also continue to run our mini tennis squads, but are hoping to relocate to an indoor venue at Great Blakenham Village Hall on Tuesday evenings for the remainder of the winter period. Contact Carl for more information.
The county finals took place on Friday, November 30. There were four games in their first section and Stonham finished second. This meant they qualified for the semi-finals. Unfortunately, they lost their semi-final game and ended up finishing fourth overall out of the 150 teams that originally entered the whole tournament! This is an incredible achievement and all the boys should feel very proud of how far they went and what they have been able to achieve. Well done to all involved. Remembrance
Fast4 and Cardio Tennis Our Tennis Tuesdays ladies’ group (6.30pm every Tuesday) are now taking part in a friendly league based on Fast4 Tennis rules where the sets are shorter, there are no lets and no advantages, so the pace of the game is much faster. Our cardio group (7pm on Thursday) also goes from strength to strength so if you love fitness workouts where you can burn up to 600 calories per session why not come along and give it a go. Contact coach Carl for further details. To find out more at about any of the items mentioned above please visit: www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub www.facebook.com/BramfordTennisClub Teams: grahamcbramford@btinternet.com / 07981 842517 Coaching enquiries: carl.douglas@talk21.com / 07553 966380
On Friday, November 10 we held our two-minute silence on the playground. Class 6 trumpeters led the silence by playing The Last Post. All the children respected the silence and understood the importance of the commemoration this year. An example of the class displays created as part of the commemoration is pictured with a photograph of the stunning church displays that our children contributed to.
HELMINGHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL
Poppy Appeal We raised £100.30. This is an incredible total. As a district we raised £447.08 which is impressive. These totals are amazing and I would like to thank all our community for supporting this great cause.
We have had a busy autumn term with the children taking part in many varied activities. We continue to work on building the children’s resilience and creating a positive mindset and on October 30 all the children spent the afternoon on activities to promote this. They experienced yoga, origami, an opportunity to reflect on all their positive qualities and recognise these in others. It was great to see them persevere and recognise everyone has good qualities. All the children took part in Remembrance Day events in either Helmingham or Framsden. The children have been learning about the First World War and have made some beautiful displays of poppies that they have knitted and crocheted. Their work and research has involved their families and we have been lucky to have parents bring in war memorabilia and talk to the children about it. We continue to have an afterschool sports club once a week, with the first half term being football and during the second half term the children have had the opportunity to learn lacrosse. The children in all year groups took part in a fencing enrichment day which they all thoroughly enjoyed, especially dressing up in the full kit.
Girls Football As winners of the tournament in October, the girls’ team went through to a regional play-off to see which team went through to the county finals. It was a close fought game which even after extra time was 0-0. This meant it went to penalties. It was still equal after five penalties so it went to sudden death. Sadly, at this point we lost. It was a great performance and the girls should all feel extremely proud! Children in Need 2018 This was an amazing day. The children all came to school looking incredibly ‘spotty’ and by donating to dress-up and selling cakes we raised £407.65 in aid of Children in Need, our largest total so far. It is just wonderful to be able to raise this much money for such a great cause. Thank you very much.
The children have lots of activities planned for Christmas which is always a busy and fun time for them all with a Christmas party at Helmingham Hall, Christmas performances and a school Christmas lunch.
Are you deciding which school you should send your child to? We think you would choose our school. We are extremely proud of what we achieve. We have been recognised by the diocese as Outstanding and by OFSTED as a Good School. We have also been recognised by the Department for Education for our excellent work with closing the gap in attainment for our vulnerable groups of children ensuring that all our children achieve good results.
We return to school on Thursday, January 3 ready to start the new spring term.
To find out more about our school please contact the school office on 01449 711346 or visit: www.stonhamaspal.suffolk.sch.uk
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SCHOOLS THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY The children performed their nativity play at Framsden Baptist Church. With a row of angels singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Three Kings giving presents (albeit some wrapped in Spiderman paper), Mary and Joseph placing the new born baby in the manger, shepherds holding sheep and a star and Angel Gabriel sparkling for the occasion, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house! We have also been celebrating some of the children’s favourite stories. The Gruffalo, with his poisonous wart at the end of his nose, lots of rhyming and repeating refrains which are very good for the children’s communication and language skills. We’re Going on a Bear Hunt meant we could act out the story as we went through long grass, mud, snow and then finding a bear in the cave to lots of squeals and excitement. This also led onto a sound hunt, a pattern hunt and lots of messy play. Finally Stickman made an appearance as we collected sticks on our walk and then painted and dressed him. An addition to nursery is our ‘Proud Board’ were notes of the children’s achievements can be pegged up, also pieces of art work, mark making, etc. It’s positioned in the hallway so can be shared between staff, child and parent/carers. Visit our website to view our new year term newsletter or give us a ring on 01473 890950 to come and visit. The Old School House Nursery, School Road, Helmingham IP14 6EX www.theoldschoolhousenursery.com
WITNESHAM & OTLEY FEDERATED PRIMARY SCHOOLS After the usual busy lead-up to Christmas with trips to the theatre, our nativity plays and carol singing, we hope all our children have had a very enjoyable and relaxing Christmas break. We hope that our parents have managed to find some time to relax and have some family time too. Christmas can be such a frenetic time, with so much to do, including buying presents like those shown on one of our display boards at Witnesham! We were delighted at the end of last term that renowned children’s author Nick Butterworth visited both of our schools, enthusing the children about writing and drawing. You may have spotted an article about the day in the East Anglian Daily Times. He also took the time to speak to parents from both schools on the theme that quiet time spent with your children is time well spent. That time could be spent listening to your child as they learn to read, or helping them to understand what they are reading as the language in their books become more and more complex. Or it could be spent telling each other stories, playing games together, or conversing in the car. He used examples from his own family life to illustrate how such time paid dividends in the later years, not just in their improved literacy skills, but when those channels of communication were vital in dealing with difficult teenage issues. It was an interesting and thought provoking talk.
CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL It gives me great pleasure to share with you the events, activities and news in school, particularly as the month of December is always full of festivities and celebrations. At the end of November a group of language students visited the province of Seville in Spain to take part in a week long exchange trip. Students took part in organised group activities during the day, staying with their host families each evening and over the weekend. This was a fantastic opportunity, allowing students to soak up the culture, practise the language and experience the wider world, developing key life skills. We look forward to the return exchange when the Spanish students visit us in March. Families, friends, governors, teachers and students were treated to a festive evening of music on December 11, at the school’s Countdown to Christmas concert. The evening featured over 20 separate performances involving more than 60 students across all year groups. With vocal and instrumental solo and ensemble pieces interspersed with traditional carols and an opportunity to warm up with some hot chocolate and mince pies, it was a lovely evening. The dedication, commitment and hard work from students and staff was certainly evident and my thanks and congratulations go to all involved. Once again students surpassed expectations for the eighth year running and created an amazing range of Christmas hampers which were donated to a local charity, The Chapman Centre, part of IHAG (Ipswich Housing Action Group) who provide relief for people in the community suffering from extreme financial poverty or homelessness. I am always impressed with the special effort our students make and would like to thank parents and carers for their help and contributions from home. Year 11 students took part in their annual Learning about Work Day. Local employers and business leaders joined us to teach students key skills when applying for jobs/apprenticeships. Activities on the day (and leading up to the event) included CV preparation, writing letters and mock interviews. The feedback from our guests was very positive with comments about their maturity, commitment and the way they conducted themselves throughout the day. Sincere thanks to all our guests for giving up your valuable time to support with this event. Our former Year 11 students who left us in the summer returned to Claydon High School on the penultimate week of term for a presentation evening where they were awarded with their GCSE certificates and special subject achievement awards, recognising individual commitment and progress. It was really lovely to spend the evening with them and to hear about how they are getting on in this next phase of their lives. We are all extremely proud of all aspects of their success and achievement and wish them all the very best for whatever the future brings. 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 Monday, January 22. Please telephone my PA, Mrs J Saunders to book a place: 01473 836110 Headteacher Ms Maéve Taylor
The start of the spring term will bring with it elections for Witnesham’s Eco Team. If your child would like to stand for election, now is a good time to think about what improvements they would like to see in the school environment and further afield during 2019. Thinking caps on – we eagerly await their ideas! Happy New Year!
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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FROM SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING DO WE NEED A SPIRITUAL NEW YEAR? Every January we seem to be bombarded with suggestions of how to be a better ‘you’. There’s Dry January – the idea that after Christmas we should have a month avoiding alcoholic drinks. Then there’s Veganuary – the idea to eat in a vegan way for the month. The gyms, exercise classes and slimming clubs will of course want to suggest to us that perhaps we ate a bit too much over Christmas and therefore we need to come to them to burn it all off – and many gyms will see a surge in memberships. Of course, the holiday companies would much rather you took fright at all that and just booked a holiday and looked forward to some sunshine. It used to be that (at least for me) the highlight of January was a new diary (which of course was only kept for a couple of weeks before being forgotten). However, now we have all these initiatives to ‘be better’ and they do seem to meet a desire in us that recognises we could be better. The church however has always had its seasons, those of preparation – Advent and Lent and those of celebration Christmas and Easter – just to name a couple. And of course, the Churches year starts in Advent with a period of preparation, so would another milestone – that of the calendar New Year – be of any use to us? New Year’s often give us that feeling of starting again and moving on. The old year is finished – worn out, and there is hope for the new one. How many times have you heard sentiments like ‘let’s not have another year like that’?
Thursday 24: Midweek Communion at 11.30am followed by Hasketon Community Lunch at 12.15-noon. Contact Claire Harrington: 01394 380644 Sunday 27: Messy Christingle, 3-4.30pm at Grundisburgh Village Hall. Informal worship for all the family. All welcome; suggested donation £1 per family. Monday 28: Men’s Group at The Moon and Mushroom (see page 12) CARLFORD SOCIAL GROUPS Hobbies Group: January 2, 10am, Clopton Tiddlywinks: January 10 & 24, 2.30pm, Grundisburgh Grundisburgh Sunday Club and Discovery Club: January 13 & 27, 10.45am, Grundisburgh PRAYER AND STUDY GROUPS Ashbocking House Group: January 9 & 23, 7.30pm, Ashbocking Going Deeper: January 2 & 16, 10am, Ashbocking Monday House Group: January 21, 7.30pm, Grundisburgh Otley House Group: January 14 & 28, 1.45pm, Otley COMMUNITY LUNCHES Otley: January 24, 12.30pm, Otley Hasketon: Janaury 24, 12.30pm, Hasketon
The Christian faith brings a different perspective to ‘moving on’; for the Christian it’s not so much as escaping from the past but moving on means moving further into Christ. Using times of prayer, reading and reflection to pause and listen spiritually to the God that brings healing to the world and all that has gone before. It’s at the centre of the incarnation we have just celebrated. Of course, we will be starting new things and resuming others. For instance, Pilgrim and Home groups will be resuming. Coffee mornings will be putting the kettles on and reconnecting. In Grundisburgh there will be a new children’s group – Discovery Club – running alongside Sunday Club but for older children, which sounds very exciting. At the start of February, we will also celebrate 50 years of Christingle. The good thing about January then is the desire to reconnect with what is good for us. So perhaps we do need to do that straight after Christmas? After all it’s what Christmas brought us in the form of Jesus, God with us. Mark Cresswell SERVICES THROUGHOUT JANUARY Sunday, January 13: 11am Family Service, Ashbocking Sunday, January 20: 11am Family Service, Swilland WHAT’S ON IN JANUARY Monday 7: Midweek Communion at 9.30am at Hasketon Monday 7: Knit and Stitch at the home of Linda and John Pollard of Hawthorns, The Green, Ashbocking, 10am Wednesday 9: Midweek Communion at 9.30am Grundisburgh Thursday 10: Midweek Communion at 9.30am followed by Otley Coffee Morning (see below) Saturday 19: Otley Quiz Night Carefully select your team and come along to Otley Village Hall for entertaining questions and a yummy jacket potato supper, all for £10 a head. There will also be a bar and raffle, as well as pondering, brain racking (or should it be wracking?). Doors open at 7pm and the questioning fun begins at 7.30pm. Please contact Ruth for more details or to book your places: 01473 890543 / 07902 024976 / 9 Spring Park
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For those of you reading this who haven’t yet attended one of the Community Lunch meals, you really don’t know what you’re missing. They are held on the fourth Thursday of every month at The White Hart. We eat at 12.30pm but folks start arriving at midday to enjoy the pre-lunch socialising and chit-chat. There are usually about 25 of us attending from across three or four villages. We also welcome ex-residents of the village who come along to catch up with friends and local gossip. Linda and her team, both kitchen and front of house, provide the most delicious food, with a choice of three mains plus a vegetarian option, and three puddings. Last month at our table we ate chilli con carne, shepherd’s pie, roast lamb, bangers & mash with a bubble & squeak rosti, seafood (fresh mussels, prawns and cod) in a Thai curry sauce and pumpkin risotto. Can you believe this delicious repast will only cost you £6 per head. Where else for this price can you eat a wholesome meal, sit with friends for two hours round a roaring log fire and not even have the washing up to do? Tempted? Then join us on any fourth Thursday at The White Hart in Otley, but you’ll need to book on 01473 890312. The next lunch will be on January 24 at 12.30pm. FANCY A COFFEE? Ashbocking: Friday 4 at the home of Linda and John Pollard of Hawthorns, The Green, Ashbocking, 10.30am-noon Grundisburgh: Saturday 5 at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10.30am Otley: Thursday 10, 10am at the home of Rose & Peter Rogerson Clopton: Wednesday 16 at the village hall, 10am-noon Burgh: No coffee morning this month, but please come to our Soup Lunch on February 9 Swilland: No coffee morning this month The next one will be held at the home of Gill Reidy, 1 Church Lane, Swilland on Saturday, February 2 from 10am
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WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH Happy New Year one and all! Time seems to race by, or is it just that I’m getting older? I suspect that a number of readers will have made New Year resolutions – perhaps some were the same as at the beginning of 2018 that were not kept. Personally I don’t make New Year resolutions because I’m aware I probably won’t be able to keep them. However, the beginning of a new year gives us all an opportunity to stop, look back over the past year and think about how we are, how things have changed, and look forward to what we would like to do or be in the coming year. So, in beginning to look forward let me ask a question – Are you content? Are you content with all that you have or do you continually desire more or better things? Are you prone to succumbing to the latest adverts for the next new thing? I suggest that contentment comes from being comfortable with yourself and knowing who you are.
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Who you are is not dependant on what you possess or what you do. For me the starting point is that I am made in the image of God. God created all things and all living things including all mankind. So being made by God for God and in His image I know that I am His child. Beyond this, for me a fact, I am His son through my faith and trust in Jesus. In the past our/my relationship with God was broken through us choosing to do our own thing and not recognising Him. To get us back into relationship, Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, came into the world (Christmas) and then through His death and resurrection (Easter) we can be forgiven for our ignoring Him and reconciled and so adopted back into His family. Thus, who am I? I am a loved child of God. Nothing I do can make God love me more or less than He does. Knowing I am a child of God gives me security, contentment in all things because whatever I have will not change the fact that I have a secure future with God after this earthly life. At the beginning of 2018 I asked if 2018 could be the year you make time for The Lord and so develop a relationship with God and giving purpose, direction and hope in your life. I ask it again with the added part about ‘Are you content, do you know who you are?’ The answer lies with Jesus. If you would like to explore this more then come along to any of our services or contact me for conversation about Jesus. Pastor Andrew DIARY DATES, JANUARY 2019 Friday 4 Mums & Toddlers, 9.15am Sunday 6
Family Time Together, 9.30am Worship Service with Communion, Pastor Andrew, 11am
Monday 7
Monday Munch Bunch Lunch, 12.30pm
Tuesday 8
Tuesday Craft Corner, 2-4pm Open House; topical discussion, 7:30pm
Wednesday 9
3C @ WBC, 9.30-11.30am Central Prayer Fellowship, 11.30am-12.30pm
Friday 11
Mums & Toddlers, 9.15am
Sunday 13
Family Time Together, 9.30am Worship Service, Pastor Andrew, 11am
Tuesday 15
Open House; topical discussion, 7:30pm
Wednesday 16 3C @ WBC, 9.30-11.30am Friday 18
Mums & Toddlers, 9.15am
Sunday 20
Family Time Together, 9.30am Worship Service, Team Ministry, 11am
Tuesday 22
Open House; topical discussion, 7:30pm
Wednesday 23 3C @ WBC, 9.30-11.30am Central Bible Study, 11.30am-12.30pm Friday 25
Mums & Toddlers, 9.15am
Sunday 27
Family Time Together, 9.30am Worship Service, Sylvester Dengzee, 11am
Wednesday 30 3C @ WBC, 9.30-11.30am
www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield
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In Touch with WTW Messy Church in March (and December) also featured a good meal after the activities.
Looking Backwards and Forwards IN TOUCH is a wonderful monthly magazine and WT&W benefice is very grateful to the publishers for the opportunity given to contact you through your letterbox. We’d love to be able to review all the lovely Advent and Christmas events of December but the necessary editorial deadlines mean that at the time of writing this, they haven't even happened. By the time photographs are available to be included in this magazine, you’ll be reading this in February which seems a little too late as we’ll be moving inexorably towards Easter! Not to be outdone, here is a review of the year up to early December 2018 starting with the Lent Meal we held in our house to raise money for our Kagera appeal.
The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
In Holy Week, we held reflective services in each church around candlelit installations. After Easter it was soon time to get into “Fete” season in all three villages—teas
were served non-stop during the proceedings at Westerfield (above); young an old clambered onto the trailer for tours around the farm at Tuddenham and the llamas were a star attraction at Witnesham (next column)
CHURCH SERVICES January-February Day / Date Epiphany 6th January
St Martin’s Tuddenham St Martin
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We were blessed by good weather and attendances at all three. The Annual Benefice AwayDay in November at Playford was a good opportunity to get together, worship and learn and eat together. We began the process of looking forward to and planning strategies for 2019. November’s Remembrance season with a Celebration of Life to remember those we’ve loved and lost and the commemoration of the Centenary of Armistice Day as part of our Remembrance Day services. Now we look forward with hope to 2019 and ask God’s blessing on all we do in his name. 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’s Westerfield
9.30am Family Communion
10am All-age Worship
11am Family Communion
9.30am All-Age Worship
10am Family Communion
8am Holy Communion 11am All-Age Worship
Epiphany3 20th January
9.30am Family Communion
10am Morning Worship
11am Family Communion
Epiphany 4 / 27th January
8am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Worship
10am Family Communion
11am Morning Worship
5th Sunday before Lent 3rd February
9.30am Family Communion
10am All-age Worship
11am Family Communion
4th Sunday before Lent 10th February
9.30am All-Age Worship
10am Family Communion
Baptism of Christ / Epiphany 2 13th January
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8am Holy Communion 11am All-Age Worship
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The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
Church Diary—January
Who’s Who:
Mothers’ Union—there is no meeting in January but we start the year on Thursday 7th February when popular speaker and local author Pip Wright will talk about “Whistlecraft” the true story of the poachers of Rickinghall Ͳ 2pm in Westerfield Church Room (visitors welcome—contact Branch Leader Revd Catherine Forsdike 252904).
MINISTRY TEAM:
Benefice Youth Group—meet on Wednesdays 9th and 23rd January at 6.15pm (contact Julia 785497 for more details) Village Voices—meet on Thursday 17th January for their annual meal. They’ll restart rehearsals in February at 7.30pm in Witnesham Baptist Church (contact Christine Laughlin 01473 785138) Kingdom Kids—meet at 10am in the church at Witnesham but at the time of publication the date was not known (contact Gill Thorley 890821) [Wednesday Prayers—please note that the regular Morning Prayer at 9.30am on Wednesdays in Westerfield Church Room is in abeyance for the time being.]
Mother’s Union supports young mothers and babies
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NON-STIPENDIARY PRIEST-IN-CHARGE: REV’D ALAN FORSDIKE t: 01473 252904 e: Alan@wtandw.org.uk NON-STIPENDIARY ASSOCIATE PRIEST: REV’D CATHERINE FORSDIKE t: 01473 252904 e: Catherine@wtandw.org.uk To enquire about Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, telephone or email Rev’ds Alan & Catherine Forsdike. READERS: Paul Laughlin
01473 785138 Paul@wtandw.org.uk
Carol Rivett
01473 717404 Carol@wtandw.org.uk
ELDER Julia Farmer
01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk
CHURCHWARDENS: Tuddenham 01473 785296
Jim Punton Jim@wtandw.org.uk
Tuddenham 01473 784545
Monica Pipe Monica@wtandw.org.uk
Westerfield 01473 230188
Judy Northfield Judy@wtandw.org.uk
Westerfield 01473 713285
Mary Scholey Mary@wtandw.org.uk
Twenty-five of us had a lovely afternoon listening and singing (and eating a slap-up tea) and were delighted to welcome Diocesan President Christine Ward in the last event of her year.
Witnesham 01473 785673
Derek Austin Derek@wtandw.org.uk
To the right of the picture are two ‘Moses Baskets’ brimming over with gifts for new babies and mums which the branch has been collecting throughout the year to present to “The Moses Project.” After enjoying the tea, the remaining food was packed up and President Christine took it to a local project for homeless people.
01473 890821
Westerfield, Tuddenham St Martin and Witnesham Branch of the Mothers’ Union met on Thursday 2nd December 2018 for their annual ‘Christmas Readings, Carols & Readings’ in Westerfield Church Room.
KINGDOM KIDS—WITNESHAM Gill Thorley Gill@wtandw.org.uk
BENEFICE YOUTH GROUP Julia Farmer
01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk
Website: www.wtandw.org.uk Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wtandw/
Church Floodlighting Could you mark an important date? Maybe remember a loved one who is no longer with us or perhaps light up a church to celebrate a special birthday or another happy occasion. Why not sponsor the floodlighting? The money helps the church to maintain and run the lights which really make our churches stand out in the community.
The programme for 2019 is available and a card of events is available to pick up in all the churches. We welcome new members of all ages (men too). If you’re unsure, come along on the first Thursday of the month* and try us out. You’ll be assured of a warm welcome. (*except January and August—in April the venue may vary so please check; call Rev Catherine 01473 252904) www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield
At St Mary Magdalene Westerfield, sponsorship is £7.50 for a week. Ring Judy on 230188 or email Judy@wtandw.org.uk Sponsorship at St Martin’s Tuddenham is £5 for a weekend. Ring Jim on 785296 or email Jim@wtandw.org.uk
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