In Touch
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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 9 • Issue No. 6 • MAY 2019
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR One recent Sunday morning, Jack and I got up early to bake cakes for one of our little charity stalls at the front gate, this time in aid the Cyclone Idai appeal. We’d watched the news reports about the cyclone which has left around three million people in need of help and Jack’s immediate response: let’s bake! And so we did. We cut out letters to make a Cyclone Idai Appeal banner and set up the table with cupcakes at 50p each. It was a lovely morning and the lane was busy with dog walkers and cyclists so trade was brisk. The little money pot was filling up nicely, but when we realised we’d forgotten to tell grandma what we were doing, and knowing how much she loves cake, we ran next door to tell her we were almost sold out. When we returned our little money pot had disappeared! At first I thought it had just blown off the table, but there was no sign of it anywhere. It was well and truly gone. Jack’s little face was a picture, and not a pretty one. I still can’t quite believe it happened. I just don’t understand how anyone could be so heartless, or even have the nerve to do it! But the story doesn’t end there. Feeling the need to vent, I posted a message on the local Facebook page and was humbled by what happened next. The first person who posted a reply also made a £25 donation to the appeal. Then a man I don’t know turned up at the door with a £5 donation. He wanted to meet Jack and to tell him not to be disheartened by what had happened. There were a few angry comments on Facebook, but most people wanted to express sympathy and to ask when we were having our next cake sale. Many others donated to the appeal and in addition to the £10 we received from a lady who dropped by the house later in the day, and our own contribution to cover sales, the total donated on the day was £160. Clearly there is an odd bad egg in the world, but so many, many, many more good eggs who can achieve great things when they come together. Of course, I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. In every area where we publish there are multiple fundraising events happening all the time, but isn’t it lovely when a negative becomes a positive and doubts are overcome. And on that basis we shall be running another cake stall very soon!
In Touch
with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham
Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk
01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: westerfield@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
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01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with 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
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JUNE DEADLINE 10 MAY 2019 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy
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NEWS
WITNESHAM CHURCH FETE Saturday, June 22 Put the date in your diary and come along to enjoy all the bargains and fun at Witnesham Church Fete on Saturday, June 22 from 2pm in the paddock and village hall on Church Lane. Enjoy Ipswich Community Band, cream teas, the grand draw, all the usual stalls including tombola, accessories, cakes, books, toys, white elephant, plants and games and children’s races. All donations for stalls and the grand draw are welcomed. Any queries ring Jerry Hindle: 01473 785669
TUDDENHAM FETE Saturday, June 8 from 2pm Poplar Farm, Westerfield Lane, Tuddenham IP6 9BH More details next month
SPRING OPEN DAY AT OAK TREE FARM Saturday, May 25, 10am-4pm Many people first heard about the farm when it featured on BBC Countryfile and Escape to the Country. It’s located in Rushmere St Andrew right on the doorstep of local residents in the Rushmere, Kesgrave, Ipswich and Woodbridge areas. If you haven’t already visited you can do so on Saturday, May 25 when the farm has its Spring Open Day. You can enjoy tours of the farm including a special wildlife tour which starts at 11am. Think Spring-Watch at the farm! Refreshments will be available, donations appreciated. The farm is a not-for-profit social enterprise and grows food in an environmentallysustainable way. The open day provides the perfect opportunity to find out about the farm’s Community Supported Agriculture Scheme. This is a bit like a shared allotment – shared with more than 50 households! The scheme enables people to enjoy fresh food in a weekly veg box without having to do all the work you would normally do if you had your own allotment. The scheme employs paid growers who do most of the work and people have the option of helping out at the farm if they wish to. Find out more on May 25 or by visiting: www.the-oak-tree.co.uk For further information please contact Sue Hall: hello@the-oak-tree.co.uk
VACANT ALLOTMENT There is a vacant allotment plot in Coopers Close, Witnesham IP6 9ES. The cost for leasing is currently £10 per year. Please contact 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
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NEWS TOYS, TOYS, TOYS… …and any children’s furniture you no longer need. Please think of our Toy Stall at Witnesham Church Fete when you are spring cleaning. We have a spare shed so would be glad to take them anytime between now and June 22 at High View, Tuddenham Lane / 01473 785067. Look forward to seeing you, Barbara
ASHBOCKING NEWS I love this month! Everything is coming to life in our gardens, the fields and our countryside. The new leaves on the trees and the hedges are beautiful. Our monthly coffee mornings continue on the first Friday of the month. They are well attended and I think it’s fair to say, enjoyed by all. The gatherings help to keep us all up to date with village activities. The knitting and nattering group, meeting at Hawthorns on the first and third Monday mornings, have been busy knitting blankets to keep folk warm when attending winter services at All Saints Church, Ashbocking. Obviously, there has been some knitting taking place as we can boast 11 blankets. I can report, with confidence, that the nattering is going well too! If you happen to be passing the church, or have in the last few weeks, you might have noticed a shiny metal tap ready to deliver water. I should say, waiting to provide water. David Gaught has done the strenuous digging and John and Linda Pollard have installed the tap. Of course, there were many admin hoops to jump through first to get this far. Thanks John! Now we await Anglian Water to connect up. The water supply will make it so much easier to provide tea and coffee at services, evening activities and for flower arrangers. Thank you to all concerned. The speed sign is up and running along ‘The Green.’ It can be sited at three different places and we thank our clerk, Steve Stegman, for the time spent on the investigations into signs, and he and Tony Gilbert for regularly charging batteries and for moving it around. We must also thank Tim Passmore and Matthew Hicks for supplying the necessary funds. No doubt all of you, at some time, witness folk speeding through our village still, and at the crossroads. The only thing that will stop that is a regular police presence. That’s unlikely to happen, but, hopefully both signs have a positive effect on some drivers to either reduce their speed or maintain the correct speed while within the vicinity of our village. Two events are soon to take place in the village, so please put these dates in your diary if somehow you have missed them to date! April 29 is the Annual Parish Meeting at SWT starting at 7.30pm. Wine will be served and your newly elected parish councillors look forward to seeing you there. Matthew Hicks, our county councillor, Police Commissioner Tim Passmore and our district councillor will be in attendance, though Tim is up for re-election on May 2. Hopefully, we will be making use of our recently purchased new chairs bought with money from the Locality Fund. Thank you Tim. We have also been able to purchase tables. These items will help us when doing village events in future. Then on May 18, 6-10pm at Ashbocking All Saints Church, there is a quiz. Our own Tony Rubin and Sue Rubin are in charge of the questions and there will be a bar and food provided. There will be a raffle, so if you would like to donate a prize, that would be very much appreciated. Just get in touch with Linda Pollard (890836) or myself (785592) and we will come and collect items. Also, if you would like tickets – adults £10 / children under 12 free – ring Linda Pollard. We hope also to do house to house in the village to sell tickets, but this event is open to folk outside Ashbocking and to friends and family. Teams are six people, but don’t worry if you can’t make up a team, we will sort that out on the night!
SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM GROUPED PARISH COUNCIL Parish Council Meeting, Wednesday, March 20 Present: Mr Rush (Chair), Mr Templeman, Mr Lightfoot, Mr Stanley, Mr Everett, Mrs Shaw, Dr Nicol and Mr Hindle. In attendance: Suffolk County Councillor Robin Vickery and two members of the public. Election for Co-option Candidates After the chair invited two prospective candidates to address council in turn, it was proposed, seconded and agreed that Mr Collings (Witnesham) and Dr Williams (Swilland) be co-opted onto the council. Suffolk County Councillor Report Mr Vickery acknowledged the parish council funded Gibraltar Crossroads initiatives. He reported that there was scope for a possible grant of £1,000 towards play area equipment in his 2019-20 budget. It was confirmed that £3,000 had been granted towards a shared Speed Indicator Device (SID) for the member villages, which includes Swilland and Witnesham. The new East Suffolk District ward boundaries do not fully align with those of SCC currently. Planning Mr Hindle reported on recent application decisions by SCDC which included: Warrens Barn – variation of Conditions on a previously approved application was permitted by SCDC after over a year of consideration; Listed Barn conversion on Strugglers Lane was permitted by SCDC; Fynn Valley Golf Club Variation of Conditions on a previously approved application was permitted by SCDC; An application for Newton Hall Equitation Centre had been withdrawn by the applicant. Suffolk Coastal Final Draft Local Plan Consultation Mr Hindle gave an overview of the plan in terms of the two parishes and the comments submitted to SCDC from the PC Planning Committee. Witnesham is now classified as a ‘Small Village’ in the new plan as opposed to a ‘Key Service Centre’ in the old plan, resulting in a new general policy applying which is different to the old one. Swilland is still classed as ‘Countryside’. For Witnesham, the allocation of 1.5ha of land for approx. 30 dwellings up Mow Hill and the extension of the ‘Witnesham Settlement Boundary’ to accommodate this was viewed as being inconsistent with the policy for a ‘Small Village’. With Witnesham currently having 44 dwellings in agreed allocations or with permission, there seemed to be no justification to increase the amount of new development over the next five years to 74 dwellings (44+30). In addition the Wood Yard site has become vacant during the plan process. This site would likely come forward in the near future for potentially a further 15-20 dwellings and as a ‘brownfield site’. The committee considered this to be a preferable site to that of Mow Hill. On other issues, the Local Plan has no requirement for projects to assess the need and impact of future electricity transmission between the coast and connection to the National Grid. This could have an impact on Witnesham which already has overhead pylons and new underground transmission lines. The plan had no guidance or policy on its approach to dealing with applications for ‘Enabling Development’. This would have been helpful in dealing recently with two such major developments. SAVID (Safer Village Driving) Councillor vacancy for SAVID rep was still to be filled. Clerk reported that further to Robin Vickery’s update on the imminent purchase of a shared SID by SAVID, he would circulate correspondence to councillors regarding the processes to signing up and utilising the shared SID for their consideration. Play Area Inspections Mr Stanley reported that there were no issues with the Recreation Ground which was getting well used. Mr Stanley agreed to assist Mrs Shaw with the initial play area (school site) inspection and for appropriate instructions to be supplied if possible. Clerk reported that the annual RoSPA inspection of the play area was completed and results were pending.
The editor is going to be concerned about how much I’ve written, but she’ll not cut anything. I hope!
Mr Lightfoot is not standing for re-election in May and the chairman thanked him for around 17 years’ service, six as chairman, and asked Mr Lightfoot to attend the APM in April.
Liz Stegman
Clerk: Mr Steven Barron, 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT FROM THE ARCHIVES In the 1940s Arthur Mee compiled 41 volumes which he referred to as a new Domesday Book of 10,000 towns and villages in England. We have so far looked at Witnesham, Swilland, Tuddenham and Ashbocking, this time we are going to look at Westerfield. “Back in the 1940s Westerfield only had a few houses, but it had ten thousand men on its green in the days when Napoleon was scaring Europe. In the church is a memorial to one who helped defeat ‘the bogey man’ at Waterloo. “The church stands proudly with a massive 15th century tower and a doorway with Tudor roses in the spandrels. There are Norman stones in the tower and the whole of the south wall of the nave is as the Normans left it. The rest of the building is about 500 years old (now getting on for 600 years). “The font and some of the bells are 14th century, and there is an Elizabethan chalice. Brick steps lead up to a medieval rood beam, but we must look yet higher, for there are magnificent hammer beam roofs, among the best in the country and possibly 600 years (now almost 700) old. Big and little angels help to bear up the chancel roof, and there are queens with angels in the nave. “A splendid old door leads to the vestry, where there is another Norman stone, a lead roof-plate of 1670, and a wooden queen who has been brought down from the top. In a nave window stands St Michael with blue wings and a flaming sword in memory of a 19th century rector’s son, and in the chancel are inscriptions to two members from one family who died tragically within a few years of each other. One was Sir John Whitefoord’s wife, who died when her clothes caught fire; the other was Major John Whitefoord, who survived Waterloo only to be shot at home by an accident, among his friends.” Well there you have it, the finding of Arthur Mee. I hope it inspires some of you to explore his findings and indeed look upon the hammer beam roofs which he described as among the best in the country. If you have any comments or other information you would like to impart please let me know. Next time I will look at Otley. Village Historian and Recorder Steve Henley
ENPOINTE SCHOOL OF DANCING Enpointe School of Dancing is currently working extremely hard on its forthcoming show. The cast of over 60 pupils from the age of three upwards have been busy learning dance routines and mime since September. The photo represents only a few of our dancers practising on stage. The school holds a show every other year and all the money raised will go to our adopted charity, EACH Treehouse Appeal. This is a wonderful, worthwhile charity and it’s lovely for the children to raise money of a local charity which supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridge and Essex. The school has previously managed to raise more than £500 for the charity and we are hoping to be able to present them with another lovely amount this year. The show is takes place at Henley Community Centre, Church Meadows, Henley IP6 0RP on Friday, May 17 at 7pm and on Saturday, May 18 at 2.30pm and 7pm. For tickets (adults £6, children £3, under-3 free), please contact Kelly Fear on 07799 130967. However, there are no tickets left for the matinee performance. www.enpointedancing.co.uk
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WESTERFIELD CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS Art Class Weekly class for newcomers and improvers. To book a place or for more information contact Lisa Ann Puhlhofer: 01473 878734/07834 280287 Westerfield Bowls Club With 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 Held in the village hall every Wednesday at 10am. Everyone is welcome. Westerfield & District Gardening Club The gardening club meets at 7.15pm at Westerfield Village Hall on the first Wednesday of the month. • May 14: Fuschias with Terry Cook, Chair of Felixstowe Fuschia Society • June 5: The Wonderful World of Salvias with Janet Buist, former nursery owner and National Collection Holder Everyone is welcome. For further details contact: Michele Doick (01473 252330) / Barry Reeve (01473 251 843) 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 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. • May 9: Birthday Party / Competition: Novelty Egg Cup • June 13: The History of St Audrey’s by David Phelan Competition: A Cross Stitch Item New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Janet Phillimore: 01473 415749 Pilates In the village hall on Mondays from 10.30-11.30am and on Wednesdays from 6-7pm. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Chi Kung In the village hall on Tuesdays from 2.15-4pm and on Thursdays from 7.159pm. £12 per class, suitable for all ages. If you are interested please contact Sally Askew: 01394 384013 / sally_askew@hotmail.com Yoga In the village hall on Thursday mornings from 9.40-11am. Eighty minutes of yoga stretches and relaxation for all. Contact Caroline Glason: caroline@stillyoga.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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OUT & ABOUT WITNESHAM AND SWILLAND VILLAGE SHOW SCHEDULE: SATURDAY, JULY 13 VEGETABLE SECTION 1 5 Broad Bean Pods 2 5 Beans – Runner or Dwarf 3 3 Beetroot with 3” foliage 4 1 Cabbage with outer leaves trimmed 5 3 Carrots with 3” foliage 6 3 Courgettes - max 6” length 7 5 Pods of Peas 8 3 Potatoes – any variety 9 3 Shallots – with 3” tops turned and tied 10 3 Sticks of Rhubarb – with leaves trimmed to 3” 11 Box of any 5 Vegetables (1 of each vegetable) 12 An Ugly Vegetable (any sort) 13 Any vegetable not listed in the classes above (must be named) SALAD SECTION 14 1 Cucumber 15 1 Lettuce – any variety, outer leaves trimmed 16 3 Radishes with 3” foliage 17 3 Spring Onions – with roots trimmed 18 3 Tomatoes – with short stalks 19 Box of any 3 Salad Items (1 of each) FRUIT SECTION 20 3 strings of Currants 21 6 Gooseberries 22 6 Raspberries – with stalks 23 6 Strawberries – with stalks FLOWER SECTION 24 Roses – 1 stem of 3 varieties in your own vase 25 1 single Rose in your own vase 26 Vase of Annuals – 2 each of 3 varieties 27 Vase of Perennials – 2 each of 3 varieties 28 Vase of Sweet Peas – 2 each of 3 colours 29 Vase of 3 stems of Pinks or Carnations 30 Vase of Herbs – 3 varieties, 1 stem of each 31 Vase of Pansies or Violas – 3 blooms 32 1 single stem of Delphinium in your own vase 33 A single flower stem to be judged for its fragrance 34 A perfect but lonely flower in a vase (not multi-headed e.g. Hydrangea) 35 1 Hosta Leaf – displayed in a vase 36 A Pot Plant for Foliage – 20cms or 8” max. pot 37 A Flowering Pot Plant – 20cms or 8” max. pot FLOWER ARRANGING 38 A container of floating flower heads – 20cms or 8” max size 39 A flower arrangement in an unusual container 40 A jug of flowers for the kitchen table – to be viewed from all sides 41 A flower arrangement with the theme “Sunshine” 42 A flower arrangement using foliage only COOKERY 43 Victoria Sponge – using 3 eggs, can be filled with jam and buttercream and the top dusted with caster sugar 44 Cheese Scones – 3 on a plate 45 Loaf of bread handmade using yeast 46 Loaf of bread made using a bread maker
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A Gluten Free Cake of your choice Chocolate Brownies – 3 on a plate A Coffee and Walnut Cake – MEN ONLY Jar of Jam Jar of Jelly Jar of Marmalade Jar of Lemon Curd Jar of Honey Jar of Chutney Jar of Pickled Fruit or Vegetables
57 3 home produced eggs (brown or white) HANDICRAFTS 58 An article of Knitting or Crochet 59 An article of Cross Stitch, Embroidery or Tapestry – max 50cms x 50cms, 18” x 18” 60 A Cushion Cover – fabric, knitted or crochet – max 50cms or 18” in any dimension 61 An unframed, unmounted photograph featuring Witnesham or Swilland Village Life 62 An unframed, unmounted photograph featuring doors 63 An unframed, unmounted photo of a bird or birds 64 An unframed, unmounted photo of a sporting event All photos max size 20cms x 15cms or 8” x 6” 65 A handmade “Good Luck” greetings card – max 8” x 6”, 20cms x 15cms 66 A sewn item – hand or machine sewn 67 Decorate a Summer Hat (the hat does not have to be made, to be judged on decoration) 68 A handmade bag using any medium. 69 A handmade Mouse using any medium of your choice 70 A piece of artwork using your own choice of subject and media – max size 40cms x 25cms / 16” x 10” 71 A decorative item made of paper 72 A craft item not already specified, e.g. pottery, jewellery, collage CHILDREN’S SECTION Under-5s 73 Make and decorate a Magic Wand 74 A Finger Painting – max A4 size 75 Decorate 3 biscuits on a plate – judged for decoration only 76 A jam jar of Garden Flowers Ages 5-7 77 Make and decorate a Magic Wand 78 Draw or make a model of a Unicorn 79 Decorate 3 biscuits on a plate – judged for decoration only 80 A jam jar of garden flowers Ages 8-11 81 Make a useful item out of any recyclable material 82 Design a book cover to be decorated front and back – using a folded piece of A4 paper 83 Draw or make a model of a Unicorn 84 Decorate 3 biscuits on a plate – to be judged on decoration only FAMILY CLASS 85 Work together as a family to design a home for a hedgehog
FARLINGAYE HIGH SCHOOL CAR BOOT SALE
Are you aged between five and seven years?
Join us at our very first car boot sale on Sunday, June 9 from 9.30amnoon. Sellers can set up from 8am. Advance booking is essential: cars £8, vans £10, table hire £5, with a discount rate for FHS student-only tables. No trades, no food and drink to be sold.
Witnesham Rainbows meet on alternate Thursdays from 5.30-6.45pm in Witnesham Primary School. Come and join us for crafts, cooking and lots of fun.
Entrance to buyers from 9.30am, 50p per adult. We shall have tea, coffee and cold drinks for sale, plus a cake stall and bacon butties. There will also be a raffle with lots of great prizes.
For further information contact Nyree: 07722 170394
For information and a booking form email: fhsfcarboot@gmail.com
GIRLS HAVE FUN
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OUT & ABOUT DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND AND ASHBOCKING Events take place in the village hall unless indicated otherwise: Booking Clerk Mrs Anne Debenham: 01483 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 Monday: Pilates Class, 7-8pm
UPSTAIRS MOW Well time marches on and by the time you read this the actors will be into the last month of rehearsals. It’s been a long haul with rehearsals starting at the end of January, so well done to all those concerned for their hard work and commitment. There haven’t been too may village events so far this year and with the closure of the community group just over a year ago we have to make the most of events when they occur. So now it’s up to the locals to come along and support the team and make them feel that their efforts are appreciated.
Tuesday Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm. Contact Peter Elmy: 785754 Wednesday: Coffee, Conversation and Cake at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.30- 11.30am. Donations welcome to cover the cost of refreshments. Thursdays Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9amm-12.30pm Carpet Bowls from 2pm Tai Chi with a new beginners’ class from 5.45 -7.15pm. The regular class is 7.30-9.30pm. Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays Mums and Toddlers Group, Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.15-11.15am (term time only). Contact Mrs Jean Pearson: 785478 Pilates Class, 9.45-10.45am. Contact: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Bums and Tums, 11.30am-12.30pm EVENTS IN MAY 2019 Thursday 2: East Suffolk Council Election. Swilland and Witnesham residents’ Polling Station is Witnesham Village Hall, 7am-10pm. Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room at 7.30pm. Contact Christine Laughlin for details: 785138 / christinelaughlin4@gmail.com Sunday 5: Songs and Scones, entertainment from Village Voices and afternoon tea, 2.30pm. Retiring collection for Christian Aid. Wednesday 8: WI meets at 7.30pm for a talk by Roger Fern entitled My Time as Mayor, 7.30pm Thursday 9: Mobile Library visits the Green, Ashbocking, 12.15 -12.25pm Monday 13: Ashbocking Parish Council AGM at SWT HQ, 7.30pm Wednesday 15: Swilland and Witnesham Parish Council AGM, 7.30pm Thursday 16: Mobile Library at Weyland Road, Witnesham (9.50-10.20am), the Moon & Mushroom at Swilland (10.25- 10.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.55am) Village Voices meet in Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm www.witneshamvillagehall.co.uk
FUTURE DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES Friday, May 31, Saturday, June 1 & Sunday, June 2: Upstairs Mow by the Barley Players at Manor Farm, Winesham Saturday, June 22: Witnesham St Mary’s Church Fete on Manor Farm Meadow, Church Lane and at Witnesham Village Hall from 2.30pm Saturday July 13: Swilland and Witnesham Village Show with afternoon tea and cakes by the WI Saturday, November 23: The Christmas Market Saturday, November 30: Witnesham’s Got Talent
This year’s musical comedy recalls the little known story of when William Shakespeare, while staying in Ipswich and making his way to Otley Hall, decided to drop in to a local inn (later to be known as the Barley Mow) to enquire about his missing uncle Henry (Red) Shakespeare. The result of this stop-over created a special bond between the Bard and the village of Witnesham which is still remembered today and retold in this tale. The Barley Players have created a different type of production this year containing more than 18 original songs. We have not only some fine singers (plus some not so fine), but a group of some brilliant musicians to bring a new level to our productions which I am confident will make your night out one you will remember with fondness and humour. There are eight actors across local villages including five from Witnesham as well as Swilland, Tuddenham and Coddenham, musicians from Ipswich and professional sound and lighting provided through our contact with the New Wolsey Theatre. Sounds too good to be true? Well, hopefully not! This is a performance you don’t want to miss. Full details can be found on our Facebook page (The Barley Players) or you can email me at: henleysteve@btinternet.com To book your seat ring 01473 785707 (payment on the door). Performances are Friday, May 31, Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2. Tickets are £7 for adults and £4 for children (£20 for a family of four). All profits will this year be donated to the Blossom Appeal, Ipswich Hospital. Steve Henley
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OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50’S CLUB Saturday, May 18 7.30pm at Tuddenham Village Hall Ploughman’s Supper / BYOB Tickets £7.50 available from Jackie Lugo (252315), Monica Pipe (784545) or Jean Ellinor (785682) In aid of Church Funds
ASHBOCKING, SWILLAND & WITNESHAM WI April has been a busy month featuring our 71st birthday party with guest speaker Lynne Mortimer and a guided walk around Minsmere Nature Reserve. This year, the Women’s Institute will discuss and vote on two resolutions at the national meeting in Bournemouth in June. WI campaigns are about changing things for the better and tackling the issues that matter to members. Every member has the opportunity to vote and set the direction on the National Federation campaigns and policy. The chosen topics to be discussed this year are: • A call against the decline in local bus services • Don’t fear the smear A craft workshop is planned for November, so keep an eye out for the date and topics to be announced.
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. For our March meetings Jean led a quiz afternoon and we had a brief history of the origins of Mother’s Day with a social afternoon. Forthcoming Programme May 8: Games Afternoon May 22: Social Afternoon with Brenda June 12: TBC June 26: Flowers Fruit and Veg July 10: Social Afternoon with Sandra July 24: Summer Party 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
OTLEY & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB Monday, May 6: Wildlife Gardening with John Lewis
This month Roger Fern will visit to tell us about his time as mayor in Ipswich. Join us on Wednesday, May 8 at 7.30pm in Witnesham Village Hall.
BARHAM HALL PICNIC CONCERT Saturday, June 29 Essential Sounds (an 18-piece big band) will again be the main entertainment while we enjoy our picnics in the wonderful setting of Barham Hall gardens. We also welcome back Sarah Hitchcock (a local vocalist) who will entertain us during the intervals. As usual we will end the evening with a flag waving Last Night of the Proms sing-along led by the band and Sarah. The gates will open at 5.30pm to allow plenty of time to view the beautiful gardens before the band starts. We aim to finish proceedings at 10pm. Tickets are on sale now at the early discount price of £11 (instead of £14). This discount will apply to all tickets paid for before May 22. Cheques payable to Claydon and Barham PCC should be sent with a self-addressed envelope (with stamp if you live outside Claydon & Barham) to Roger Colthorpe, 5 Phillipps Road, Barham IP6 0AZ. Please don’t leave buying your tickets too late as a sell out is again probable as we have to strictly limit numbers to comply with the Temporary Event Notice under which this event is held. Unfortunately, we all have to gamble on the British weather, hence the early discount price before you know what the weather forecast will be like! All proceeds will go towards the Claydon & Barham Church Fabric Fund to help fund the next major project which is restore our ancient bells and get them ringing again with hopefully two additional bells. Barham Church bells which have not been rung properly since 1947 but we will hopefully be able to open a concert with a peal of bells from across the road in the not too distant future. Our thanks to Mr and Mrs Burrows for inviting us into their gardens for the twelfth year. In order to avoid damage to the beautiful lawns we cannot allow gazebos, barbecues and emptying of hot water from flasks.
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We meet at 7.30pm on the first Monday of the month at Otley Village Hall, Chapel Road, Otley. All welcome, join up or just come along. Admission is £1.50 for members and £4 for non-members. Annual membership is £10. To find out more, contact Alan Trevelyan (01473 890563) or Isabel Lincoln (01473 890826).
IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Join us on the last Wednesday every month (excluding July & August) for a three-course lunch followed by an interesting speaker and a prize raffle. On the second Wednesday we meet for coffee and a chat. In July and August, and at Christmas, our wives, partners and friends are invited to join us. They also accompany us to theatres, shows, musicals and trips to places of interest in East Anglia and beyond. Why not come and meet other gentlemen, all retired or semi-retired and from a wide range of careers, interests and backgrounds? Our objective is to provide fellowship for members and their families. Prospective new members are always welcome and there is no requirement to have belonged to any other organisation previously. If you wish to join us, as a guest initially, or require further details, please contact our secretary, Malcolm Kemp: 07711 689130 / secretary. ipswichprobus@gmail.com
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OUT & ABOUT ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY Our talks throughout the year cover a broad spectrum of art and are delivered within a relaxed and welcoming environment. Our guest speaker on April 3 was Simon Inglis, a sports and architectural historian. Simon gave an amusing talk on the heritage of some of our many pub games and their influence on the architecture of the building. It was no surprise that we continue to play darts and skittles, but a surprise to many that we continue to play more unusual sports such as ‘dwile flonking’. We next meet on Wednesday, May 1 when we look forward to welcoming Leslie Primo speaking to us about, what looks to be a fascinating subject, The Cult of the South Pacific from Cook to Gauguin. Leslie is an art history tutor and lecturer. His lectures, talks and guided tours include those he conducts at the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. We meet 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. Our next meeting is on May 21, when, in a change from the previously advertised programme, Mark Mitchels will be giving a talk on London’s Globe Theatre. He will be bringing the theatre to life, describing the atmosphere, and explaining what it was like to attend a performance. Why were all classes of London society, from the noblest to the poorest, able to enjoy and appreciate the genius of Shakespeare? It promises to be a fascinating journey back in time. This the last event before the summer break. We meet again on September 17 for a talk on Churchill and his part in the First World War. 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
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY A FREE FLOWER ARRANGING TASTER DAY? On Saturday, September 14 Ipswich Flower Club will be holding a free workshop with Adele Kent as the tutor at St Augustine’s Church Hall from 10am to 3pm. You will make two flower arrangements during the day with a break for a packed lunch. For details or to book a place, please phone Stella on 01473 711946. We would also like to invite you to our next meeting on May 13 when Alan Smith will present a demonstration entitled Floral Magic. The meeting starts at 2pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Bucklesham Road. This month’s meeting is free for visitors and will include tea and biscuits. You will be warmly welcomed if you just turn up, or for more information please contact Janet on 01473 415749. The club meets on the second Monday afternoon of the month. We also have six Friday afternoon workshops during the year which are suitable for all standards. The workshop on June 28 will be a tapestry/pave arrangement and will be tutored by Janet Philimore. For details please phone Stella on 01473 711946.
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AN AFTERNOON WITH ROY HUDD The Riverside Theatre, Woodbridge on Sunday, June 16 at 1.30pm Tickets are £10 from the box office or 01394 382174. All money from this event is going to the charity Prevent Breast Cancer. There will also be a fundraising raffle. Roy says: “This very different chat show is one that both me and the missus love doing. Debbie interviews me about my longish career (60 years) and our trifle shorter career together (39 years). She’s great at reminding me of the best stories and pretty snappy with the one liners herself. It’s a collection of verbal duelling, triumphs, disasters, name dropping, songs, monologues and jokes, nice and some naughty if she lets me!” Roy Hudd OBE has done everything in showbusiness, from variety, concert party, music hall, pantomime and farce to Shakespeare and Stoppard via Priestley and Cooney, Television credits include 60’s satire shows, numerous series of his own, Coronation Street, chat shows and dramas. For 26 years on BBC Radio 2 he headed the topical revue, The News Huddlines. His OBE was awarded for defending and promoting our musical heritage, its songs and history. Gilly Sillett has organised this event to raise money for Prevent Breast Cancer alongside training for a trek to Base Camp Everest in November 2019. “The traditional Everest Base Camp Trek is perhaps the most famous in the world and will be most certainly the hardest charity trekking journey I’m undertaking,” says Gilly. “Preparing for this trek to Nepal requires training to improve your cardiovascular endurance as it will help with altitude. At 5,554 metres above sea level, breathing becomes more difficult as you aren’t able to take in as much oxygen.” In addition to the fundraising event at The Riverside, Gilly has set up a fundraising page on Virgin Money Giving. Simply place her name in the search bar to find Gilly’s page and make a donation to Prevent Breast Cancer.
MEN’S GROUP With the East Suffolk Morris Men The Men’s Group will share an evening with the East Suffolk Morris Men on Monday, May 13, 6.30 for a 7pm start. First they will provide a demonstration dance, followed by a talk by Dr Mike Garland on the history of Morris dance, particularly in Suffolk. The group meets at the Moon and Mushroom in Swilland, with a two-course meal for £17 (menu on the night). Please note we need firm bookings by May 1 if this event is to go ahead. To book please contact Mark Cresswell: mark@cresswell.onl / 01473 738313
THE ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND The archaeology event on March 11 was very successful and much enjoyed, but unfortunately we had to turn many people away as the venue was full. We are very sorry for any disappointment this caused and by popular demand we present Amazing Archaeological Discoveries – A New View Down the River Deben Valley by archaeologist Andy Peachey again on Monday, June 24 at 7.30pm at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Andy 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. He will be talking about the amazing and unexpected finds discovered during this work. Admission, by ticket only, is £5. The venue is fully accessible with adjacent free parking. Tickets are available from the Burrows family at 17 Squires Lane, Martlesham Heath IP5 3UG. Please provide a stamped addressed envelope and any cheques payable to The Roger David Burrows Music Fund. www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
STONHAM ASPAL PRIMARY SCHOOL
Thursday, May 23: From Ipswich to East of England – A Growth Story by Percy Lomax. Percy will talk about how the East of England Co-op grew from Ipswich in the 19th century to become an independent member of the Co-op family today. The talk will include a description of the society as it is today and the scope of its charitable donations.
We are racing towards the end of the spring term which is hard to believe, but we have managed to fit in lots over the last few weeks as you will see below.
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
WITNESHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL This month there have been so many great examples of how our parents support the school. As always, the school embraced the biennial Comic Relief event. Red noses were sold throughout the school by the Year 6 pupils, and children were invited to wear something red to school for the day. There was a best dressed, dance themed bear competition, where children were invited to bring in a teddy dressed in dance clothes of their choice. These were judged during the afternoon and prizes were awarded. A danceathon was held in the playground in the afternoon, and then each year group took part in a dance-off where there were prizes for the best dance moves. The children, ably assisted by their adult supporters, managed to raise £180! We were delighted that mothers and other female family members were able to join us in school for an afternoon of fun for Mother’s Day. There were a number of craft activities and stories with tea and cake, and the adults and children had a lovely afternoon together. Our wonderful school association have been busy too. The children enjoyed a Wallace and Gromit film night, and there was a Bake Off competition. Entrants were asked to create six Easter themed cupcakes or a cake, and judging took place during a special assembly with Mr Benstock and the teaching staff. At the end of the school day there was a sale of the cakes, along with teas and coffees and other goodies to raise funds for those little extras for the school. After Easter, there will be two new clubs starting, both led by parents. The first is a new Movement and Dance Club for children in Reception and Years 1 and 2. This will be led by two parents, one a qualified teacher, with over 40 years of dance and performance experience between them.
Rugby Tournament – Wednesday, March 6 A team of Class 5 and 6 children went to the High Suffolk Tag Rugby tournament. They worked hard as a team, defending to stop tries and scoring lots of tries themselves. Overall they finished third and came back with bronze medals. A fabulous achievement – well done to the whole team. World Book Day – Thursday, March 7 On World Book Day we had lots of amazing characters attending school. Thank you very much for all the hard work that went to creating the array of book characters. Class Sharing Assemblies Over this term we have had sharing assemblies for Classes 1, 3 and 5. It has been a lovely opportunity for the children to share their learning with their parents and carers. So much learning is fitted in and so confidently shared with large audiences. Thank you to all involved. The other classes will follow next term. High 5 Netball – Tuesday, March 19 A team of Year 5 and 6 children went along to the High Suffolk High 5 netball tournament. They worked tirelessly as a team, often with quite a height differential as well. Although they didn’t win a game, they persevered and maintained a positive approach which is a credit to them. Well done to the team and thank you very much to Mrs Daynes for her help on the day and also for her help in running a netball club this term. Comic Relief – Friday, March 15 Overall we raised £418.58 which is an amazing total – thank you to everyone who made this possible. Headteacher Mrs Sharon Waldron
HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL We have been planting salad and vegetables ready to pick in the summer and the garden has been brightened up with colourful paint on our raised beds. We are going out and about on a nature and listening walk following on from our early phonics. The children will be given a list to follow and items to collect. DATE FOR YOUR CALENDAR: Saturday, June 8, 10am-noon Our annual summer fete. Please come along and support us. There will be fun and games for the whole family and cake, tea and coffee will be served.
We also see the return of the incredibly popular Gardening and Nature Club, which is run by parents and volunteers. This year, they will be growing in our brand new vegetable garden, complete with dual height potting benches that allow all ages to get planting! Our parents are such an important part of our community, and we are, as always, very grateful for all the work that they do to support our school. Thank you everyone.
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We are a small, rural and friendly setting based at Henley Community Centre. We pride ourselves on high levels of staff to children ratios and therefore providing the maximum care and learning for the children. Our staff are highly trained and continue with regular training to build their knowledge further. We provide an extensive range of resources and activities to suit all ages and abilities, ensuring all levels of development and play within the EYFS are explored. Parents play the most important role in children’s lives so we work closely together to ensure we work in partnership. We also hold stay and play sessions each term that are very well supported by parents/carers. Session places are currently available. We accept eligible 30-hour funded children plus two and three-year-old funded. We are open in term time only from 9am to 3pm. For further information please call 01473 833848 during session time (9am3pm) or email Bridget Wyatt at: enquiries@henleypreschool.com
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SCHOOLS / CHURCH NEWS THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY
WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH
The children have been trying out yoga on Tuesday mornings. We have used a programme called MOOVLEE which supports concentration and focus as the children experiment with shapes and forming animal poses. The monkey jumps over squares, crouches into a triangle and kicks a circle amongst other moves. The children benefit from balancing, realising that they need space and being aware of others around them. It’s proving very popular and we will continue through the summer term.
Morning Services begin at 11am (except when stated otherwise) Sunday, May 5: Morning Service, Pastor Andrew including Holy Communion Sunday, May 12: Morning Service, Pastor Andrew Sunday, May 19: Morning Service, Team Ministry Sunday, May 26: Morning Service, John Gillett
We had a visitor to nursery on our last week of term. Bridgett the lamb was a big hit with all the children. She was so good at being patted and went for a little walk around our playground with children in tow. Being only three weeks old she then needed feeding and the children were fascinated as she drank down a whole bottle of milk really quickly. It was a real WOW factor for the children to be able to feel her wool with one child saying “it feels like carpet”. She nuzzled the hands that were offered and made friends with all the children. Thank you to Pauline Cobley for bringing her along. The children are fascinated with the abundance of ladybirds inside and out at nursery so they have decided to build a bug hotel for the garden. Stuffing toilet rolls with hay and grass, putting in fire cones, broken pieces of garden pots to make mini caves and egg boxes to provide warmth. We then took this out and placed it in a corner of the nursery and one child put a cane up so the bugs could climb to the top! We have added to this bug mugs with bamboo canes in for bees and insects. These are hanging in the tree which will provide cover once the leaves return for the summer. A huge thank you to all our parents who have donated crates, bamboo and fir cones. Come and have a visit in our grassy garden as this becomes our main area of learning with the summer hopefully bringing warmer, dry weather. Call us on 01473 890950 or visit our Facebook page to see what we are up to: OSHN Helmingham
BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB We are excited to share the news that at our recent AGM, we agreed to maintain our fantastic low-cost introductory membership offers. This means that adult memberships start from as little as £25/year for new members with junior memberships starting at just £10. We strongly believe we offer the best membership rates in Suffolk so why not join us and give tennis a try in 2019? Nature Valley Big Tennis Weekend Come and join us for a day of free tennis activities on Saturday, May 18 from 11am to 2pm. Take part in fun on court activities, meet our coach, try some tennis cardio workouts or even take on our ball machine. We are a small friendly village club and some of our members will be available on the day to provide a warm welcome to prospective new adult, family and junior members. Our exclusive special introductory membership offers will also be available on the day along with sign up opportunities with our award winning coach. Road to Wimbledon 2019 We will be holding a Road to Wimbledon competition on Saturday, May 4 aimed at under-14 players. The winning boy and girl will have a chance to qualify to compete on the grass courts at Wimbledon so act quickly if you want to secure one of the few remaining slots by contacting Carl on 07553 966380 or by following the links below. www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub www.facebook.com/BramfordTennisClub Coaching enquiries: carl.douglas@talk21.com / 07553 966380
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Family Time Together: every Sunday from 9.30-10.15am. All families, parents with children, are welcome for a special time together with craft, singing and stories. Monday, May 6, 12.3pm: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club. Please contact Heather for details: 01473 785321 Tuesday, May 7, 2pm: Tuesday Craft Corner Tuesdays, 7.30pm: Open House Topical Discussion Group Every Wednesday: 3Cs Café from 9.30-11.30am Fridays, 9.15am: Mums and Toddlers Group Wednesday, May 8, 11.30am: Prayer Fellowship Wednesday, May 22, 11.30am: Bible Study In the church we have a collection box for FIND (Families in Need). Nonperishable food is very welcome. Outside the church there is a clothes bank on behalf of the Salvation Army. We have bags you can use (please ask) or you can use your own. Thank you. The post office is in our conservatory on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. Please use this service to help keep it in the village. Report for the Parish Council 2019 During the past year some activities/meetings at the church have remained the same while others have changed. Meetings that continue as before are the weekly Sunday services. From 9.30am we have our Family Time Together where families can undertake a craft activity together, then a time of storytelling relating to the craft and Jesus, a song and prayer before leaving. Our Worship Service is at 11am, a time when we celebrate Jesus as the Son of God and through thinking about a particular scripture hopefully all are encouraged to believe in and trust Jesus as Lord. All are welcome to come along whether you have a faith or not. Most Tuesday evening we have Open House where all are again welcome to discuss topical subjects and think about how we act from a Biblical/Christian perspective. Mums & Toddlers meet every Friday morning during term time from 9.15-11.15am. Last summer our free Tuesday afternoon café closed as it was obviously not serving any purpose, or indeed people! So, after a few months of thought and prayer we launched 3C@WBC in October. This is on every Wednesday morning between 9.30 and 11.30am and is advertised as a meeting place for those of all ages to have Coffee, Conversation & Cake for a suggested donation of £1. Around a dozen people gather to enjoy good filter coffee (other drinks available), cake, cheese scones or toasted fruity bread alongside conversation, dominoes or rummikub. In November we began a monthly Tuesday Craft Corner between 2 and 4pm on the first Tuesday when anyone crafty can come along to share craft ideas or be assisted by others. The Post Office continues to open on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings in our conservatory. Other folk from the village, such as the Barley Players and Village Voices, use our premises for their meetings or rehearsals and we also host TK Prayer Gatherings two or three times a year. As a Fellowship we again entered items into the village show and sponsored another puppet show telling the Christian message. We again held a Light Party to counterbalance the trick or treat of Halloween. We know the Light of the World (Jesus) has overcome all darkness so in trusting Jesus we do not revere the thoughts of ghosts and ghoulies or any activities of evil. We continue to attend Witnesham and Otley schools with Open the Book and are grateful to the new headteacher, Mr Blackstock, for allowing us to do so. During the year we have had one or two new folk coming along to our Sunday services, but one of our oldest members left us to go to heaven and be with her Lord just prior to Christmas. Her Thanksgiving Service was held in January. As always we welcome all to meet with us at any of the activities or just to come and chat about spiritual things. Pastor Andrew is usually at the church on Tuesday and Wednesday or is a phone call away.
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In Touch with WTW Are you ‘au fait’ with the cycle of Christian celebrations throughout the year? In May comes Ascension Day, forty days after Easter Day: the day when Jesus was resurrected from the dead. This year it falls on 30th May and there will be a service in St Mary Magdalene, Westerfield at 10am. Ascension Day commemorates Christ ascending back into Heaven and the account can be found in Mark 16:9-20; Luke 24: 5053: and Acts 1:1-11 History of Ascension Day In the accounts in the Gospel of Luke, and the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus appeared to many of his disciples during the 40 days following his resurrection. On the fortieth day, he returned to the Apostles, and led them to the Mount of Olives where he told them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit*. Then, as they were watching, Jesus ascended into clouds. As they continued to watch, two angels appeared and declared to them that, just as he had ascended, Jesus would return in glory.
According to Augustine of Hippo, one of the early church fathers, the Feast of Ascension originated with the Apostles. John Chrysostom and Gregory of Nyssa, contemporaries of Augustine, refer to it as being one of the oldest feasts practised by the Church, possibly going as far back as AD 68. There is no written evidence, however, of the Church honouring Ascension Day until Augustine’s time in the fourth century. Ascension Day Traditions Churches around the world observe many Ascension Day traditions, such as “the blessing of the first fruits,” in which grapes and beans are blessed. Some churches depict the Ascension of Christ by raising a statue of Jesus above the altar and lifting it through a special door in the roof. Other churches have outdoor processions with torches and banners.
Third Sunday of Easter 5th May
For many Christians, Ascension Day’s meaning provides a sense of hope that the glorious and triumphant return of Christ is yet to come. It is a reminder of the Kingdom of God within our hearts, and of the everpresent Spirit of God—the Holy Spirit— watching over and protecting us as we spread the word of Jesus’ truth throughout the world. *and what was the occasion of the fulfilment of the promise of the Holy Spirit? It was Pentecost, (or Whit Sunday), but that’s another story! [Carol]
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’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
Fifth Sunday of Easter 19th May
9.30am Family Communion
10am Morning Worship
11am Family Communion
Sixth Sunday of Easter 26th May
8am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Worship
10am Family Communion
11am Morning Worship
Fourth Sunday of Easter 12th May
Ascension Day Thursday 30th May Seventh Sunday of Easter 2nd June Pentecost 9th June
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In an old Ascension Day tradition from England, parishioners carried a banner bearing the symbol of a lion at the head of the procession, and a second banner bearing the symbol of a dragon at the rear. This represented the victory of Christ over the devil.
CHURCH SERVICES May-June Day / Date
The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
10am Ascension Day Service
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
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In Touch with WTW
The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
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Church Events—May
Who’s Who:
Mothers’ Union—Thursday 2nd May : Diocesan MU President Linda Ginn will address us followed by tea (visitors welcome—contact Branch Leader Revd Catherine Forsdike 252904).
MINISTRY TEAM:
Benefice Youth Group—meet on Wednesday 22nd May at 6.15pm (contact Julia 785497 for more details)
t: 01473 252904 e: Alan@wtandw.org.uk
Village Voices—meet on Thursdays 2nd, 16th and 30th May at 7.30pm in Witnesham Baptist Church (contact Christine Laughlin 01473 785138) Kingdom Kids—meet on Sunday 12th May 10am in Witnesham Church (contact Gill Thorley 890821)
Swap the Hike for a Bike We did it! We’ve cycled, walked, run, jogged and swum our way to Kagera in Tanzania Our Kagera Lent Challenge had a great boost with a Benefice Coffee Morning at the end of March when 50 more miles were added to our 4,178 mile journey to Kagera by some intrepid pedal-pushers. Lots of coffee drunk and cake consumed. Whilst all that was going on, we had an interesting talk about life in Kagera. The cake sale, additional sponsorship and a raffle added another £360 to our total raised. Thank you everyone who helped us have a successful and fun morning.
Why did we do it? Kagera (our link diocese) is a hilly country and transport links are difficult. The only means for pastors getting around is to walk – as much as five miles from one church to another, or to visit a parishioner.
NON-STIPENDIARY PRIEST-IN-CHARGE: REV’D ALAN FORSDIKE 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
Witnesham 01473 785673
Derek Austin Derek@wtandw.org.uk
KINGDOM KIDS—WITNESHAM Gill Thorley 01473 890821
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/
The money we have raised through sponsorship and donations will help to provide transport. At the time of going to press the total raised was not known but is several hundred pounds.
Songs & Scones : please note the date (it was incorrect in last month’s edition)
www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield
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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FROM SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING What is a Christian? Not long into my first job as a vicar a young woman asked me, “What is a Christian? What makes someone a Christian?”. I’d never been asked that question before, so I had to give it some thought. My reply was something like this; “First, and most important, it means having a personal relationship with Jesus. He is the Saviour and Lord of the world, but he is also my Saviour, and the Lord of my life. Being a Christian also includes believing certain things about Jesus: he was fully human, but also (to quote St Paul), ‘Jesus has in himself the full nature of God’. He was executed by crucifixion. Three days later God raised him to new bodily life, life that we too, through Jesus Christ, can look forward to. If we believed that Jesus was merely a good teacher, there would be no particular reason to commit our life to him. A Christian is also someone who tries (however imperfectly) to follows Jesus’ example and teaching.” This month we have Christian Aid week. The envelope will drop through our letterbox and we will no doubt put something in it. It often surprises people to discover that in the gospels Jesus had more to say about money, wealth and possessions, than he did about heaven. Jesus’ last parable story in Matthew’s Gospel is very surprising. It depicts Jesus as judge. Everyone who’s ever lived stands before him. They are asked not about what they believed, but what they have done (or not done) for the hungry, the homeless, the sick and those in prison. Jesus identifies himself with those in great need. (Matthew 25) In the New Testament there is quite a lot about giving to those in need, both on the lips of Jesus and in the letters of Paul and others. Some Christians take the Old Testament standard of a tithe (10 per cent of income before we do anything else with our money) as a guide. Interestingly, when Paul is writing about giving he doesn’t mention tithing. Perhaps for some it would have been too much, and for others too little! Paul writes, “I am not trying to relieve others by putting a burden on you. The aim is equality…” How would we answer the question, “What is a Christian?”. I’ve met so many, very different, people who are deeply grateful for their Christian faith and who know what it means to be a Christian: people for whom life seems to be pretty good; people facing a crisis in their health or a relationship; people who know that their life is coming to an end. And for all of them, however they expressed it, the crucial thing would be knowing Jesus. Rev’d Fred Woods CHRISTIAN AID WEEK: MAY 12-18 Please help us to support this valuable charity which does fantastic work helping to fight poverty and injustice around the world, offering hope to millions. Help is required for delivery of the envelopes. Please contact Clare on 01473 735183 if you can help. SERVICES Sunday, May 5 9.30am Family Parade and Christian Aid Service, Otley 11am Christian Aid Family Service, Grundisburgh Sunday, May 12 11am Christian Aid Family Service, Ashbocking Sunday, May 19 11am Christian Aid Family Service, Swilland WHAT’S ON ACROSS THE BENEFICE Wednesday 1, 7.30pm: Archdeacon’s Visitation at Wickham Market Thursday 2, noon: Woodbridge Deanery Chapter Eucharist, Grundisburgh Monday 6, 2pm: Hasketon Plant and Book Sale in the Victory Hall Wednesday 8, 9.30am: Midweek Communion, Grundisburgh Thursday 9, 9.30am: Midweek Communion followed by Otley Coffee Morning
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Saturday 11, 11am: Baptism of George, son of Kerry and Martin, Grundisburgh Saturday 18: Ashbocking Quiz. £10 per ticket with food included from 6pm, quiz starts at 7pm. Teams can be formed on the night. Bar, raffle, prizes plus lots of fun! Tickets in advance please from John or Linda Pollard: 01473 890836 Saturday 25, 3.30pm: Baptism of Annabelle, daughter of Bertie and Catharina Chamberlain, Otley Thursday 30, 7pm: Ascension Day Holy Communion, Grundisburgh
CARLFORD GROUPS COFFEE MORNINGS Ashbocking: First Friday of the month / 10.30am at the home of Janice Williamson of 10 Nelson Close, Ashbocking Burgh: Occasional throughout the year Clopton: Third Wednesday / 10am-noon at Clopton Village Hall Grundisburgh: First Saturday (10.30am) and first Wednesday (10am), at Grundisburgh Parish Room Otley: Second Thursday, following 9.30am Midweek Communion at South View, home of Ann and Geoff Robinson Swilland: First Saturday / 10am at the home of Ann Kent of Red Court HOBBIES Knit and Stitch: First and third Monday / 10am at the home of Linda and John Pollard of Hawthorns, The Green, Ashbocking Hobbies Group: First Wednesday / Clopton Village Hall, 10am-noon Gardening Club: First Monday (see p12) Bridge Club: Every Monday, Grundisburgh Parish Room, 7.30pm LUNCHES Hasketon Community Lunch: Fourth Thursday Otley Community Lunch: Fourth Thursday, Otley White Hart, 12.30pm / £6 Burgh Soup Lunch: Occasional throughout the year PRAYER AND STUDY GROUPS Ashbocking House Group: Second & fourth Wednesday 7.30pm at the home of Linda and John Pollard Going Deeper: First & third Wednesday 10am at Manor Farm, The Green, Ashbocking Monday House Group: Third Monday 7.30pm at the home of Malcolm and Sandra Green Otley House Group: Second & fourth Monday 1.45-3pm at the home of Penny Clark of Cherry Bank, Otley Beyond Belief: Spring and Autumn Groups Monday 13, 10.30am-noon at Grundisburgh Parish Room CHILDREN—ALL AGES Baby Café: First Tuesday / 9.30-10.30am Grundisburgh Parish Room Tiddlywinks: Second & fourth Thursday / Grundisburgh Upper Room, 2.30pm Sunday Club & Discovery Club: Second & third Sundays 10.45am at Grundisburgh Parish Room Messy Church: Sunday once a month Sunday, May 26, 3-4pm at Grundisburgh Village Hall QUARTERLY EVENTS Men’s Group: Occasional Mondays (see p15) BBC: Bible Book Group A small group interested in the historical context of Christian literature. We meet in Grundisburgh on just four Tuesday mornings each year. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, June 4 at 10.30am when we will discuss Traces of the Trinity – Sign of God in Creation and Human Experience by Peter J Leithart. Please let us know if you will be joining us: paulwiffen222@btinternet.com / 01473 738474
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