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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 8 • Issue No. 10 • SEPTEMBER 2018
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR This summer we celebrated my brother’s 50th birthday (the first opportunity we’ve had since he turned 50 last November). I was in charge of the playlist so my task was to compile music he has liked over the years into one handy iTunes list we could play on repeat for the afternoon and evening. The opening song had to be Neil Young’s Old Man with the line ‘Old man take a look at your life…’. John appreciated the sentiment! Bob Dylan also featured as well as The Cranberries, The Waterboys, The Stunning, The Bangles, The Pogues The Pretenders, The Undertones (who knew so many band names began with THE?), U2, Leonard Cohen, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash, Christy Moore and Hothouse Flowers. With a few additions (a whole lot more Leonard Cohen along with Regina Spektor, Snow Patrol and Nick Cave), I now have a playlist which brings me a lot of joy. I sing-along when I’m in the mood (and alone) and sometimes I find myself in tears (don’t ever play Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars when you’re feeling sad). I remember people and places from times gone by. I remember items of clothing (my Bananarama phase was a sight to behold!), bus journeys with my Walkman, cycling around Dublin to Lou Reed’s Perfect Day… Music is incredibly powerful and there are many studies into how it can improve brain health and function and make you smarter, happier and more productive at any age. It’s even used to help Alzheimer’s patients. Music therapy has been very successful at getting through to patients even when nothing else has. It seems that musical memories far outlast other kinds of memories and help alleviate depression, anxiety and agitation. Imelda May helped me though many long days when I was on maternity leave. Jack and I still dance like lunatics when Johnny Got a Boom Boom comes on the radio or TV. I hope you have access to the music you love, but if you know someone who doesn’t, perhaps an elderly friend or neighbour, wouldn’t it be lovely to make it possible. I’m currently working on a list for my parents. Ever heard of Ray Lynam?
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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.
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NEWS WESTERFIELD HORSE SHOW The show on June 30 was a success, even in the heat and with the burnt-up grassland. We had a lovely cool breeze, everyone enjoyed themselves, and we have been able to donate £2,395 to Macmillan Cancer Support to directly help the unit at Ipswich hospital. Pony entries were good and the fancy dress class was of a very high standard again this year. The ‘Fire Engine’ rider, handler and pony with the ‘ladder’ tied to his tail won the class. Show jumping entries sadly were very few. We presented our Long Service Award, which is a lovely bronze horse statue, to Janet Gooda for 50 years of volunteering in various roles. Thank you to all our sponsors, those who gave donations, tombola prizes and made cakes to sell. The tomobla made £235 and the cake stall an amazing £260! Finally, we would like to give our grateful thanks to our judges, stewards, lunch-ladies and all our helpers. Next year’s show will be on Saturday, June 29 at Westerfield Hall.
ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND On Wednesday, October 17, The Roger David Burrows Music Fund presents a talk by Russell Stowe entitled Woodbridge Violins – Nearly 30 Years at 7.30pm at St Michaels Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL.Admission £5 at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle. The venue is fully accessible and there is adjacent free parking Profit from the evening will be going to The Roger David Burrows Music Fund, which was set up in 2012 in memory of Roger David Burrows (1980-2012) by his family. With this music fund we are offering small grants to groups or individuals which we hope will inspire all abilities, adults and children, in music making. Information about The Roger David Burrows Music Fund will be available on the evening or you can visit: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk
WOMEN TOGETHER RECOVERY GROUP Women Together meetings are self-help recovery groups for all women regardless of their addiction or life problem. They are facilitated by women who are in recovery themselves and people who have supported others in their journey to freedom. We provide a safe environment where women can be with others who share a common desire to overcome addictive behaviour, a place where women can seek healing for one another. WT wants women to regain the self-confidence, self-belief and self-worth that addiction has stolen from them. For more information visit the Women Together Recovery Group Facebook page or contact: womentogether@talithakoum.org.uk / 07503 416576
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NEWS WITNESHAM AND SWILLAND VILLAGE SHOW 2018 This year’s show was a great success thanks to all those of you who entered, the many of you who visited and supported and the fantastic weather. We had more entries and competitors that ever, despite the dry weather. The flowers made a wonderful show and we even had fruit and vegetable entries, though understandably the numbers of these were quite down. The cookery, crafts, photography and the children’s entries were great too. We are very grateful for our sponsors, Gemma Dempsey-Gray for our certificates and Witnesham Baptist Church for the entertaining puppet show
by St Augustine Puppeteers. Thank you to all those who helped set up and clear up and helped on the day. Special thanks to our WI who were kept very busy serving tea and delicious cakes all afternoon. Finally, thanks to Terry and Erica Burrows who allowed the puppets to use their land. This is a lovely community event and we hope that you all enjoyed it and will support us again next year. The Village Show Committee
FREE MINDFULNESS COURSE FOR CARERS Mindfulness is a modern way to enhance life. It is being aware of your present moment thoughts, feelings and physical sensations without judgement and without trying to change it.
CAN YOU HELP? My name is Nigel Donkin, a resident of Great Blakenham and the new fundraising manager for the British Heart Foundation in Suffolk and I am looking for your help. I would be delighted to have the support of some local volunteers to help me raise essential funds that are required to carry out the 1,000 plus research projects into heart disease, diabetes, vascular dementia and strokes undertaken by the charity. Everyone in our community will know of someone affected by at least one of these horrible illnesses and with your help we can advance the knowledge, understanding and treatment for all. In the last 50 years the BHF has halved the death rate from 1:2 to 1:4 and the ambition is to halve that again in the next five years. To offer your support you can call me on 07387 261861, email me at donkinn@bhf.org.uk, or come along to our awareness evening to be held at The Chequers Pub, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham on Tuesday, September 18 from 7pm.
In practise, mindfulness means staying focussed on one thing at a time. It can make us calmer and more centred, and improve our physical wellbeing. It can also help increase compassion for self and others. People who practise mindfulness often feel more in control of their choices and behaviour. The mindful way to well-being is life-changing. I was a teacher in a secondary school when I was introduced to mindfulness. I was so impressed by its results for myself and my pupil that I trained to teach adults and children and now run Rightnow Works. My clients have found they are calmer, content, sleeping and being able to ‘control’ head chatter. If you are the carer of a family member, I am pleased to be able to offer you a free course on Tuesday afternoons in a beautiful barn in Otley. Carers who have previously been on a mindfulnesss course now meet with me monthly and enjoy the support of the group while practising. There is a taster session on Tuesday, September 11 at 1pm and the eight-week course starts the following week on Tuesday, September 18 at 1pm. If you would like to come on this free course or any of the other courses that I run please contact Annemarie at: amb@rightnowworks.co.uk
I will be joined by survivors of heart disease who are keen to share their experiences and demonstrate how the research undertaken by the BHF saves lives in every community, making it a very local charity. A CPR demonstration will also be provided but most importantly, I look forward to meeting you all in person.
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT HEMINGSTONE FLOWER AND HARVEST FESTIVAL This festival, marking the Armistice in November 1918, will be spread over the weekend of October 6 and 7 from 11am-4pm. It will touch all our hearts and have a special meaning for many as the theme of Remembrance commemorates those who lost their lives fighting for the freedom of our country during the Great War and in other conflicts since. The many flower displays in Hemingstone church will reflect all three services: Army, Navy and Air Force. A large poppy tribute consisting of more than 1,000 knitted, crochet and felt flowers – contributions from Ashbocking, Coddenham, Ipswich and, of course, Hemingstone – will hang in the church. A photographic display of local men – those who died, those who married and those who mercifully came home – will also be on view, as will the Roll of Honour. Finally, but very importantly for our village, a big ‘thank you’ to a Hemingstone family (who wish to remain anonymous) who have very generously purchased five ‘There But Not There’ Perspex silhouettes to represent the five Hemingstone men who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. These installations will be positioned on the pews and are part of a national project: “The significance of these installations lies in the fact that it embodies the human conflict of war. ‘There But Not There’ delivers a powerful punch – lest we forget the horrors of war and its cost to the individual, the family and the local community.” As always the catering team in the Hemingstone Hut, right opposite the church, will be serving delicious food and beverages throughout both days to make this weekend a very special occasion. Please spread the word, make sure this date goes in your diary and witness for yourselves the Perspex installations and all that Hemingstone’s Flower and Harvest Festival will have to offer.
WITNESHAM WAR MEMORIAL This list of the men mentioned on the Witnesham War Memorial who died in the First World War was compiled by Barbara Butler and Bob Farrow in May 2009. You will notice that one of the men named below died on 14 October 1918, particularly poignant as the war ended on November 11. Private Norton William Wolton 43133 of the 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment was the son of Jeremiah and Alice Wolton, landlord and landlady of the Barley Mow inn, Witnesham. Will was killed aged 22 years on 12 October 1916. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 1C and 2A. Sergeant George Bumstead S/8006 of the 13th Battalion Suffolk Regiment had lived in cottages near the bridge. He died on 12 September 1918 and is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Lance Corporal Donald George Cant 648133 lived on America Hill. After volunteering to fight for his country he served in the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Central Ontaio Regiment). He died on 31 August 1918 and is buried at Ligny-St-Flochel British Cemetary, Averdoingt. Private William Ernest Cant G/52953 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers was born in Witnesham but before the war resided in Westerfield. He died on 15 December 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Private Arthur Farnish 35386 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers was born and lived in Witnesham before the war. He died on 10 March 1918. He is buried at the Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetary, Manancourt. Private George Pyett G/10330 4th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) was born and had lived in Witnesham. He died on 3 May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Gunner Arthur Henry Ramsey 18947 Royal Field Artillery, C Battery 64th Brigade, son of Alfred Henry Ramsey of 1 America Hill, Witnesham died on 20 July 1917. He is remembered with Honour on the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, grave reference XV1. D. 21. Lance Corporal Albert Richard Ramsey 26748 serving in the Suffolk Regiment 7th Battalion died aged 31 on 12 October 1916. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 1C and 2A. On 1 July thirteen divisions of the Commonwealth forces launched an offensive from Gommecourt to Maricourt. Losses were catastrophic. Huge resources of manpower and equipment during the following weeks met with little success. The village of Thiepval was finally captured at the end of September. The Battle of the Somme continued despite increasingly difficult weather conditions until 18 November. Lance Corporal Ramsey’s widow re-married and was named as Henrietta Diamond Croft of 4 Packard Avenue, Nacton Estate, Ipswich. Seargent Owen Sadler 351 51st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, was the son of Thomas and Rosanna Sadler of Upper Street, Witnesham. He died on 11 February, 1920, aged 39. He is buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery. We can only guess that he had been seriously injured and hospitalised in Cologne. Private Ernest William Ward 28347 11th Battalion Essex Regiment died 22 March 1918. Buried at Beaumetz-Les-Cambrai Military Cemetary No 1. Private Christopher Webb 739859 1st Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Western Ontario Regiment, son of Frederick William Webb of Witnesham, died on 3 May 1917 and is remembered with honour at the War Grave Memorial at Vimy. Private Christmas Dick Webb 15652 7th Battalion Suffolk Regiment was the son of John and Janet Thorpe of Wood Farm Cottage, Witnesham. He died on 22 April 1916 and is buried at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen. Private Horace William Woodward 35338 7th Battalion Middsex Regiment was the son of William and Eliza Woodward of Hall Lane, Witnesham. He died on 14 October 1918 aged 21 and is buried at Bucqoy Road Cemetary, Ficheux. His father, William, was injured during the war but returned home and later ran a removal business.
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NEWS SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM GROUPED PARISH COUNCIL Clerk: Mr Steven Barron, 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com Parish Council Meeting, Wednesday, July 18 MINUTES Present: Mr Lightfoot, Mr Rush (Chair), Mrs Bailey, Mr Templeman, Mr Everett, Mrs Shaw, Mr Johnson, Dr Nicol and Mr Wilks. In attendance: Suffolk District Councillor Robert Whiting and Suffolk County Councillor Robin Vickery. Suffolk County Councillor Report Mr Vickery reported that there had been a few face changes at SCC with a new CEO, Nicola Beach, a new leader, Matthew Hicks and a new deputy leader, Mary Evans, Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs. Mary Evans has requested a review of Highways maintenance which includes ways that parish councils can work with SCC Highways. Mr Vickery will highlight the hot spots to Mary Evans and arrange onsite visits. Mr Vickery had budgeted £3,000 to SAVID for a SID (agenda item 11).
Playing Field Management Committee Mr Rush advised that there had been a request to alter the weekday of future meetings to a Monday. This had been agreed in principle and clerk would follow this up and seek a date for the next meeting due in October. A no-cost paper bank relocation from the school property to the car park had been done. Recreation Ground Mr Rush advised that quotes for the proposed Recreation Ground improvements were approximately £15-20k in total (including the play area by the school). These would be presented to the Finance Committee on July 30. Mr Vickery suggested that an Exemplar bid be considered for funding when more detail was available. VHMC • Mr Johnson reported on a VHMC meeting held on June 8. • Two new members have joined VHMC – Rose and Matt Johnson
Mr Vickery’s Local Highways Budget for the year is £6,600 across all parishes.
• Mr Johnson was nominated for and was elected as chair
Dr Nicol questioned SCC Highways process for repairs as recently, pot holes were not repaired until after re-surfacing work had been done in Hall Lane Witnesham.
• There were two new trustees
SCDC Councillor Report Mr Whiting reported on items which included the SCDC Local Plan Consultation, the East Suffolk Council Electoral Review, the opening of Deben Leisure Centre in Woodbridge after a £3.5m renovation, and the Garden Waste Scheme. The full report can be viewed on the parish council website.
• VHMC are keen to encourage greater utilisation of the hall by members of the village
Footpaths Mr Rush informed the meeting that, thanks to the diligence of local residents, a recurring dog fouling issue in Coopers Close had resulted in a court summons and two fixed penalty notices of £80 each. Planning Homelands House: The committee meeting at SCDC in June did not conclude. The next meeting was due on July 25. Mr Wilks commented that it is an absolute farce the way this has been handled and totally unfair. District Councillor Whiting confirmed his alignment with the objections of the parish council and asked that he should continue to be included in any further documentation submissions from the parish council. Mr Wilks added that the SCDC Local Plan had not been issued yet, but it would be on the next planning committee agenda in August. Police Report Mr Rush asked the meeting to comment on the proposal to seek funding from parish councils for a PCSO estimated at £38k per year including a vehicle. This had been received on July 2 from the deputy chief constable and circulated prior to the meeting. Various comments were made and the general view was little support for the idea. Speed Initiatives Working Group Update Mr Johnson gave an overview of the response from SCC case No 185895. The parish council is awaiting an estimate of the cost of professional services from SCC Highways so that the PC may authorise the initial costing phase to go ahead. The purpose of this is to provide a costed scheme to introduce roundels and SID locations. County Councillor Vickery agreed to pursue this. Other Highways Matters Chair reported that the Gibraltar Crossroads issue seemed to have been locked by SCC Highways. Temporary speed sensors had been deployed at the Gibraltar Crossroads recently. The results showed that of 43,000 vehicles registered, 10,000 were clocked between 50 and 60 mph. Mr Rush would forward the results on to Mr Vickery. Mr Everett reported that a new planning application included a proposal for a new junction on the B1078, approximately 250m west of the Gibraltar Crossroads. Mr Wilks asked for this to be on the next Planning Committee agenda.
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• Checklist/log of regular maintenance/compliance issues being compiled to help manage going forwards
• Policies to be reviewed, in particular in relation to fee structure (to ensure encourages maximum use of the hall) • Will explore whether new groups/uses for the village hall could be encouraged – we will be arranging a survey of what people in the village would like to see the hall used for. Request for sponsorship for second historical book about Witnesham Since the last meeting, a successful request to District Councillor Whiting’s ECB to the value of £750 had been obtained. The grant has been formally accepted and should be paid into the PC bank account soon. Council agreed to modify the agreed expenditure to £750, which gave a combined funding of £1,500. Acceptance was proposed by Dr Nicol, sec Mr Templeman: carried. Churchyard costs at Swilland Church A formal request for funding assistance to cover grass cutting in Swilland churchyard had been received from the PCC. The total estimated cost was £900. Clerk was to clarify with the PCC whether they require funding this year as well. Also a quote from another supplier had been requested by the clerk after a Mr Stanley asked for this and was pending. Council agreed that the Finance Committee should deal with this at their meeting on July30. Allotments A plot holder had formally asked for permission to keep bees on their plot in Coopers Close. Council discussed and agreed that Mr Rush would consult with a local beekeeper at this initial stage. Another plot in Coopers Close, which had been let this year to a new tenant, had been reported as unkempt and likely unused. Mrs Bailey would speak with the tenant and feedback to the clerk. EU Directive: GDPR Update Clerk reported that a draft Information Asset Register (IAR) was work in progress and would be circulated once completed. The PC email contact list ‘opt in’ results were completed. All files containing personal data had been password protected on the parish council laptop. A supplied ‘to do list’ was being referenced to proceed with compliance. Matters to be brought to the attention of the parish council Dr Nicol said that the village show had been very successful according to reports. Mr Rush asked to officially record thanks to Les at the Barley Mow for his efforts over eight years, including highlights such as the Olympic Torch event and the Giles recreation. A formal welcome was expressed to Michael and Neil, who are the new landlords. Mr Rush also asked to record thanks to Peter and Jan Elmy for their VHMC contributions over many years.
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OUT & ABOUT DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING
SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE WELCOMES SARAH PERRY
Events take place in the village hall unless indicated otherwise
Sarah Perry is the author of two novels – After Me Comes the Flood which was published in 2014 and The Essex Serpent which was nominated at the 2016 Costa Book Awards and named Waterstones Book of the Year 2016. It was also placed on the 2017 Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction. Told with exquisite grace and intelligence, the novel is a celebration of love and the different guises it can take.
Booking Clerk: Mrs Anne Debenham, 01473 785798 It is always advisable to check with Anne to see if the village hall is available. She will also put up notices for your organisation on the local noticeboards. Parish Clerk: Mr Steve Barron 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com WEEKLY EVENTS Tuesdays Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm Drop-in Café at Witnesham Baptist church, 2-4pm Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm. Contact Mr Peter Elmy: 785754 Thursdays Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9am-12.30pm Tai Chi Classes from 5.45pm. A new beginner’s class started in April. Other established ones follow afterwards. Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays Mums and Toddlers Group in Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.15-11.15am. Resuming on September 7. Please note, in future the group will only meet in term time. Contact Mrs Jean Pearson: 01473 785478 Pilates Class 10-11am. Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Carpet Bowls from 2pm SEPTEMBER Saturday 1: Ashbocking Produce, Arts and Crafts Show Thursday 6: Mobile Library visits Weyland Road, Witnesham (9.50-10.20am), the Moon & Mushroom in Swilland (10.25-10.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.55am) Thursday 6: Village Voices resume in the Baptist Church Room at 7.30pm. Please contact Christine Laughlin: 785138 / christinelaughlin4@gmail.com Wednesday 12: WI meets for a talk on A Short History of Shopping, 7.30pm Monday 17: Ashbocking Parish Council meets at SWT HQ, 7.30pm Wednesday 19: Swilland & Witnesham Parish Council Meeting, 7.30pm Thursday 27: Mobile Library visits The Green, Ashbocking, 12.15-12.35pm Thursday 27: Village Voices, Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm FUTURE DATES Saturday October 6: Messy Church for children and their family and friends at Witnesham Village Hall and St Mary’s Church. This is run by members of St Mary’s Church and friends from Winesham Baptist Church. The various activities are followed by a free tea. Look out for future fliers with more details. DEGREE CONGRATULATIONS We congratulate the following students who have recently graduated and we wish them every success in the future. Hannah Lockwood (formerly of Witnesham where her family still live). Hannah graduated from Christ Church University, Canterbury with a BA (1st Class Hons) in Music with Theology. She has started training as a secondary music teacher through U.L.C. Teach First and will be working at St Paul’s Academy, Abbeywood from September. Jess Naysmith-Miller (from Witnesham) graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology at Lincoln University and is now working as a team leader as an applied behaviour analysis therapist. Lydia Thorley (from Ashbocking) graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Physical Geography. She has taken a temporary job with Suffolk County Council while she decides her next step. Alan Rowe (formerly from Witnesham) gained a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Queen Mary’s College, London and is now training in sound engineering.
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Sarah is appearing at Ipswich Institute Reading Room, 15 Tavern Street on Monday, September 10. Doors open at 7pm and the event will start at 7.30pm. The cost for Suffolk Book League members is £4 and £8 for nonmembers. Students get in free with ID. To avoid disappointment on the door, seats can be reserved by emailing: tickets@sbl.org.uk Tickets for reserved seats must be collected by 7.15pm. Cash payment required on arrival. Pop-up bookshop courtesy of Woodbridge Emporium.
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 Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The start time is 7.15pm. We are now back from our summer break and our next meeting is on September 18 when Andrew Wiltshire tells the story of how Leslie Linder broke the coded alphabet of Beatrix Potter. During her lifetime Beatrix had invented her own coded alphabet to record over 200,000 words of private thoughts and observations. This is the story of Leslie’s 13-year quest to unravel that code. On October 16 Ben Cowell, Director General of the Historic Houses Association, will be talking on some of the fine country houses in Essex. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3 each. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 – or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
ORWELL FLOWER CLUB We closed our summer programme with a return visit from Ann Bell from Dunmow with a delightful demonstration entitled From Me To You. Her flowers were excellent and there were plenty of them. We start our autumn programme with a return visit from Jacque Aldous from Norwich on September 27 with her demonstration entitled That’s Entertainment Act 111. Orwell Flower Club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month, except in August and December, at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU. Demonstrations start at 7.15pm, but the doors open by 6.45pm to allow time to browse at our sales tables and to buy raffle tickets for the displays created in the demonstrations. The annual subscription is £40 which is due on March 31. Visitors are always welcome at £5 per meeting. For further details please contact Delcie Corbett: gil.corbett@btinternet.com / 01473 623371
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OUT & ABOUT WESTERFIELD CLUBS AND ORGANISATIONS
ENPOINTE SCHOOL OF DANCING The school has had another great year. We have truly settled into our new home at Henley Community Centre, which provides us with great facilities and looks after us very well. Lessons are currently being held on Mondays and Tuesdays, however we are now looking to expand to a Wednesday afternoon/evening very soon.
Art Class Weekly class for newcomers and improvers at Westerfield Village Hall. To book a place or for more information contact Lisa Ann Puhlhofer: 01473 878734 / 07834 280287 Westerfield Bowls Club Fifty members enjoy playing outdoors from April through to the end of September. Our teams compete in local leagues as well as playing friendly games against other clubs. For further information contact Tony Baker: 01473 411347
Just recently more than 30 pupils took part in an exam day which resulted in them all successfully passing their ballet exams in various levels.
Village Coffee Mornings Held in the village hall every Wednesday at 10am. Everyone is welcome.
The girls who took their exams have been working incredibly hard over the last few months and all their hard work truly paid off as they received some fantastic results. Congratulations to all; I’m very proud of everyone.
Westerfield & District Gardening Club Westerfield Village Hall on the first Wednesday of the month, 7.15pm September 5: David Coop, Epsom’s (formerly of Westland Horticulture) October 3: Allotments and Vegetable Growing, Martin Davey from Easton & Otley College Everyone is welcome. For further details contact Barbara Bell (01473 231411), Michele Doick (01473 252330) or 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. September 13: Rumour – A Suffolk Scandal with Angela Lawrence Members are asked to bring any First World War Memorabilia. Competition: Corn Dolly October 11: Suffolk Punches with Susan Vsan der Muelen New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Janet Phillimore: 01473 415749
The pictures show two of our groups getting ready to enter the exam room where they had to perform all the syllabus work in front of an external examiner without a teacher present. Unfortunately the hard work doesn’t stop there as we are currently writing and planning our forthcoming show which will be performed in May 2019. So exciting times lie ahead as show work is always good fun for all. For more information about classes please contact Kelly Fear on 07799 130967. Classes resume on Monday, September 10.
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Pilates Westerfield Village Hall on Mondays from 10.30-11.45am. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Chi Kung Westerfield Village Hall on Tuesdays from 2.15-4pm and Thursdays from 7.15-9pm. Suitable for all ages; £12 per class. Contact Sally Askew: 01394 384013 / sally_askew@hotmail.com Yoga Westerfield Village Hall on 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 / 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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Saturday 15th September 2018 An 8 mile circular walk (also 6 mile option)
Starting from The Railway, Westerfield > The Barley Mow, Witnesham > The Tuddenham Fountain > The Swan, Westerfield then back to The Railway Westerfield to finish. Registration via our website: www.wolseypubwalk.org.uk Email: wolseyrotary@btinternet.com For more information tel: 07545 854801 (Terry)
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OUT & ABOUT ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY We hope you will join us when our new season starts on Wednesday, September 5, when Rosalind Whyte will be giving a talk entitled 250 Years of the Royal Academy. In 2018, The Royal Academy of Arts celebrates its 250th anniversary. We will look at the position of artists in London before and after the formation of the academy in 1768 and some of the characters involved, including the first president, Sir Joshua Reynolds.
WESTERFIELD & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB After a very successful first half of the year, with great attendance at our meetings, more than 50 of us enjoyed our annual summer barbecue on a beautiful July evening on the paddock in Westerfield. We also had our first outing, to Sandringham Flower Show, with another planned to The Bishop’s House Garden in Norwich and Bressingham Gardens. Our first autumn meeting on September 5 is a return visit by David Coop of Elsoms on the subject of Bees and Flowers – A Perfect Partnership. On October 3 Martin Daley of Easton and Otley College presents Allotments and Vegetable Growing.
Like any important institution, the academy has been embroiled in intrigue and controversy over the course of its history and no scandal or outrage will remain unexposed! We shall be holding our second informal study day at Rushmere Village Hall on Friday, September 7, when the subject will be Feisty Ladies – Women Travellers from Victorian Britain. Roger Mitchell, the speaker who made last year’s study day so memorable, will once again be entertaining us with a fascinating look at those intrepid women from days gone by.
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month, SeptemberDecember and February-June in Westerfield Village Hall at 7.30pm, with social events and outings during the year. Visitors are welcome for £4, which includes refreshments and a draw ticket.
We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm.
OTLEY & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB
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 in advance on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space.
We meet at 7.30pm on the first Monday of the month at Otley Village Hall, Otley.
Patron: Matthew Tanton-Brown
Monday, October 1: Autumn Bulbs for Spring Colour with Matthew Long
For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk
Compare gardening notes over tea/coffee and biscuits. All welcome. Admission is £1.50 for members and £4 for non-members.
GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB
To find out more, contact Alan Trevelyan (01473 890563) or Isabel Lincoln (01473 890826).
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. Meetings recommence on September 12 when the cost per meeting increases to £2. This includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. The building is fully accessible. FORTHCOMING PROGRAMME September 12: AGM and Social Afternoon September 24: Room 101 afternoon with Brenda New members are always welcome; if you would like to come along to see what goes on we will be pleased to see you. Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690
IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY Our new season starts on September 19 with a visit by Len Stanway who will talk and show material depicting Aspects of Malaya. Then on October 3 we have Mick Carter showing British Occupation of Former Italian Colonies. Both of these events should be very interesting as there is a great deal of history involved in these topics. Looking forward we have some afternoon meetings in December and January when there will be talks from dealers and an opportunity to purchase. We have also arranged a trip to Stampex and our auction and stamp fair in April, but more about these nearer the time. Meetings are held at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave at 7.30pm and visitors are welcome. For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904 / michaelsmith1949@gmail.com
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IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, September 26 The Ipswich Transport Museum, an illustrated talk by Chris Turland We meet at 7pm for a 7.30pm start at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. Entrance via the rear car park. Visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments. Details from: 01473 422145 / 01394 420490 www.idhts.co.uk
SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, September 27, 7.15pm: Researching House and Property History by Sue Adams Sue, an East Anglian based member of the Association of Registered Genealogists, has trawled through records at Records Offices and Archives across the UK. She is ideally placed to pass on tips and hints on this topic. Go further with your researches of where you live – or even where your ancestors or other family members lived. 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
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SCHOOLS HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL
SIR ROBERT HITCHAM CEVAP SCHOOL
Welcome back to the start of autumn term. Thanks to everyone who helped, donated items and attended our summer fete to help support the pre-school, we have purchased a storage shed for the garden which allows the children to park their bikes and cars after use. We also purchased some more Kindles.
At the end of term our Year 6 pupils participated in a residential trip to Whitwell Hall in Norfolk. For several years, pupils from Creeting St Mary Primary School have joined the trip, providing opportunities to develop new friendships in preparation for high school.
Our community project was a big success over the year and will continue to grow, allowing the children to experience new things and develop their knowledge and understanding of the world. We especially enjoyed the last visit to St Peter’s Church when the children joined in with Henley Primary School singing and looking at the village displays.
Over the course of the week the pupils took part in a range of learning and team work opportunities to develop resilience, take risks, learn new skills and problem solve. It was very rewarding to see pupils’ satisfaction as they overcame challenges and applied their learning.
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. All 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 for September 2018. We accept eligible 30-hour funded children plus two and three-year-old funded. We are open term time only. For further information please call 01473 833848 during session time (9am3pm) or email Bridget Wyatt at: enquiries@henleypreschool.com
OTLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL Change is in the air at Otley Primary School. Mrs Hubbard-Whitehead is starting her well-earned retirement from her role as our headteacher, and Mrs Tomany is retiring as our deputy head and Class 1 teacher, although we are delighted that she will be staying with us in a part time non-teaching role.
Working in a team, pupils learnt how to construct a crane to retrieve useful items for use in an emergency and how to light a fire safely. During their den building challenge, teams created a water proof shelter that was large enough for their whole team and built a ‘bear trap’. Personal challenges included rowing, archery, boat building or simply sleeping away from home for the first time. Although much of the trip was filled with excitement and laughter, quieter moments were shared around the camp fire, during a bat walk or when identifying creatures found during river dipping. As the aim of the trip is to help pupils develop a range of personal and teamwork skills, the school has long sought to move the residential trip to the autumn term. As this is a popular slot, it has been difficult to arrange but will take place in September this year for the first time. The 2018-19 Year 6 and their teacher will benefit from this change as the pupils apply their new skills in their learning back at school.
We therefore warmly welcome Mr Benstock and Mr Williams as they join our community. Mr Benstock will be our new executive headteacher, and Mr Williams will be job-sharing the role of Class 2 teacher. We are also pleased that Mrs Baker-Daniels, who started her teaching career with us, has been appointed as the new head of school. They are all part of a skilled team with the passion and determination to deliver the very best for our children. Evidence of this determination can be seen in the development of our new school hall. Having a hall of our own where the children can undertake indoor physical education, perform in plays and take part in whole school assemblies with their parents looking on, without the need for the school to book a venue, has been our dream for more than a decade. It seemed an impossible dream for our small school, but our high aspirations and persistence have paid off, and we eagerly await the completion of our new school hall in the next few weeks. Plans for an opening celebration at the end of the month are already well underway, but never ones to rest on our laurels, we are already looking at how we can further enhance the facilities for our children.
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SCHOOLS / SPORT WITNESHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL It’s the start of a new school year and we hope that the wonderful children who left us in July at the end of Year 6 will settle well into their new high schools and make lots of new friends. They leave us secure in the values that we embrace in our school and we wish them every success for the future. At Witnesham Primary School we say a fond farewell to Mrs ‘Di’ Baker who leaves our school office to take up a learning support assistant role, and extend a warm welcome to our new executive head teacher Mr Benstock, our new teacher of Years 5 and 6 Miss Debenham, and our new office administrator Mrs Picchi. Most importantly, we also welcome all of the new pupils who are joining us this year. Our youngest new pupils will be taught by Mrs Skeet, who has been with the school for 14 years and is loved by children and parents alike. We were therefore delighted that her expertise and skill were recognised recently by Suffolk Learning when they awarded her Early Years Key Practitioner status. Mrs Skeet becomes one of only 15 teachers of Reception children in Suffolk who are approved to share their best practice teaching with others, and we are very proud of her. If your child is starting school this month, please take time to have a look around our school website. You can find information about how you can help your child prepare for school at: www.witneshamprimaryschool.co.uk Please don’t worry if you haven’t managed to obtain school badged uniform items before the start of term. Just give our friendly office staff a call on 01473 785252 or pop into reception when you get the chance – Mrs Picchi and Mrs Farmer are always happy to help. Julie Catchpole, Vice Chair of Governors
WITNESHAM PRE-SCHOOL REFURBISHMENT Our newly refurbished classroom and garden won’t be quite ready for us to move in to at the beginning of term so we are moving our sessions to a local childminder’s for the first week or two. So please contact us by email at witneshamarea@preschool1974.plus.com or through our Facebook page as our telephone is offline. We are very excited about the building works and believe that the results will be well worth the wait. We look forward to sharing some photos of the finished product in the next issue. We still have some spaces available. If you are interested please don’t hesitate to contact us using the email address above.
BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB Eat, Sleep, Tennis, Repeat! Novak Djokovic and Angelique Kerber went on to win the Wimbledon singles titles and another fabulous Wimbledon came to an end. However, the tennis season continues as we now move on to the hardcourt swing culminating in the US Open at the end of August. If you want to improve your chances of getting tickets for next year’s Wimbledon, remember that adult members of a registered venue like Bramford can opt-in to the club ballot where you may win the chance to purchase high quality tickets for next year’s championship. Join up today; it would be great to see you on court!
THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY, HELMINGHAM The children rounded off the end of term with a sports day followed by a graduation ceremony for all the children moving on to big school. It was also an ideal time to say a huge thank you to one of our deputy managers, Dawn Edwards, who leaves us after 20 years of service. The parents and committee gave Dawn a beautiful apple tree which she can see grow and blossom just like the children at nursery. She will be sadly missed. The summer has given us a chance to offer four play days in the holidays with a paddling pool, squirting turtle and first use of the new playhouse which now stands in the garden. We have cooked apple and blackberry crumble, made really blue blueberry muffins, pizza faces and chocolate courgette cake. Lots of painting and all the usual nursery toys have kept the children having fun all day long. The autumn term finds us looking at people who help us and we will be trying out some activities using themed role play and hopefully having some visitors to nursery. We are going to be doctors, nurses, police, fire-fighters, dentists and teachers. Alongside this will be harvest and our local farmers as we watch the fields around us change from the golden corn to the earth being ploughed and drilled. As we walk on our woodland trail we can see the changes the seasons bring and use this to enhance our craft and art work back at the nursery.
Ladies Tennis: This Girl Can! The aim of our This Girl Can group is to encourage more female players to engage with the sport of tennis through a friendly non-competitive and supportive coaching environment. Sessions take place on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm and cost just £4 for members, £5 for non-members and are suitable for all levels of ability. Each week we concentrate on a stroke or tactical aspect of the game using a mixture of shot progressions, drills and fun tennis related games. Racquets and balls are provided; all you need are trainers, comfortable clothing and a willingness to have some fun! Tennis for Kids at Bramford Primary School Following the success of our Tennis for Kids programme, our coach, Carl Douglas, has agreed with the local primary school to run an in-school version of the programme for kids in Key Stage 2. For just £25 kids receive six coaching sessions, a racket, a personalised t-shirt and a set of balls. They will also have access to special offers to encourage them to continue to play once the course finishes. One course is planned to run each half term between now and Christmas. Places are very limited so if you want your child to take part please follow the links below or call Carl on 07553 966380 and sign up today!
Visit our website where our recent newsletter can be downloaded or ring us on 01473 890950 to book a visit.
To find out more at about any of the items mentioned above please visit: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub https://www.facebook.com/BramfordTennisClub https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/CarlDouglasCoaching/TENNISFORKIDS
www.theoldschoolhousenursery.com
Call or text our coach, Carl Douglas: 07553 966380
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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FROM SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING New Year, New Start September is often seen as the start of new things, a new school year, maybe a new school, off to college or university or the start of a new job. But sometimes new things can be really exciting and something we want to happen, other times it can be really scary, wondering about what will happen, the unknown. Will we make friends, what happens if the new job doesn’t work out? Why is September the month we start something new? Well, as we live in Suffolk and so are surrounded by farms and farming families, we should all know that after September things quieten down after the business of harvesting. So historically schooling would start after the autumn harvest where all hands would have been needed on deck. Prior to 1752 the British calendar started in March. Our financial year starts in April. In Australia the school year starts after their summer holidays in January. The Chinese New Year starts in February. As the Islamic year is not linked to the Gregorian calendar, it doesn’t come on the same day each year – in 2018 it is on September 12. The Christian faith teaches us that a new start is always possible. Christians believe that they have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. He offers the opportunity to make that new start. What is reassuring is that when we are having a difficult time, when we may be in one of those storms of life, Jesus is with us on the boat, and he can calm our storm. As it says in that famous footprints poem: “Lord, you said, that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why, when I needed you most you would leave me. The Lord replied: “My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.” For people leaving home and going to college or university it can be a make or break time for Christian faith. Some people give up their faith, others find faith, often encouraged by people of their own age who have a faith. When we are new to the Christian faith we need to learn what it is all about and how it will affect us in our day-to-day life. So that could involve going to a house group where people read and study the Bible. We all could try one of the groups in our villages like students try new activities during fresher’s week. When we become a Christian, we start to live in a new reality. “Christianity,” wrote Bishop Tom Wright, “isn’t about cosy little lessons to make us feel better. It’s about what God’s doing in the world – what he’s already done in Jesus and what he wants to do through us today.” So, whatever this September 2018 brings to you, maybe a new start, maybe continuing to do the same thing, remember that Jesus is with us, by our side, on our boat, ready to help if needed. It could be the time to start something new, join a group and find out more about the Bible and how we can apply it to our lives. Jane Woods SERVICES THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER Sunday, September 9: Ashbocking, Holy Communion, 11am Sunday, September 16: Swilland Harvest Festival, 11am Sunday, September 30: Ashbocking Benefice Service, 11am
WHAT’S ON IN SEPTEMBER Saturday 1 • Ashbocking Produce, Arts and Crafts Show Saturday 1-Monday 3 • Grundisburgh Flower Festival: Nursery Rhymes and their History Tuesday 4 • Baby Café, Grundisburgh Parish Room, 9-10.30am • BBC, Grundisburgh, 10.30am (see below) Wednesday 5 • Hobbies Group, Clopton Village Hall, 10am-noon
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• Going Deeper Homegroup, Manor Farm, The Green, Ashbocking, 10am • Midweek Communion at 9.30am followed by coffee at SWAPSHOP, 10.15-11.30am, Grundisburgh Parish Room Saturday 8 • Suffolk Historic Churches Bike Ride, 9am-5pm • Grundisburgh Sunday Club, Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10.45am Monday 10 • Otley House Group at the home of Penny Clark of Cherry Bank, Otley, 1.45-3pm • PILGRIM: 54 Gurdon Road, Grundisburgh, 2pm / Grundisburgh Upper Room, 7pm Tuesday 11 • Carlford Carers Support Group at the home of Sue and John Goode, Grundisburgh, 10am • Boulge PCC at 54 Gurdon Road, Grundisburgh, 2pm • Grundisburgh and Hasketon PCC at Grundisburgh School, 7.30pm Wednesday 12 • PILGRIM at the home of Linda and John Pollard of Hawthorns, The Green, Ashbocking, 7.30pm • Thursday 13 • Midweek Communion at 9.30am followed by Otley Coffee Morning • Grundisburgh Church Tiddlywinks Group, 2.30pm Saturday 15 • Otley Wedding of James Holmes and Melanie Soames, 2pm • Burgh Harvest Supper, Burgh House Barn, Burgh, 6 for 6.30pm Sunday 16 • Messy Church, Otley, 3pm Monday 17 • FOBS AGM, Burgh School Room, 2.30pm • PILGRIM, Grundisburgh Upper Room, 7pm • Monday House Group at the home of Malcolm and Sandra Green, 7.30pm Tuesday 18 Ministry Team meet in the Upper Room, 6pm Wednesday 19 Going Deeper Homegroup, Manor Farm, The Green, Ashbocking, 10am Saturday 22 • Grundisburgh Sunday Club, Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10.45am • Ashbocking Wedding of Kevin Balaam and Adine Schrankel, 5pm Monday 24 • Beyond Belief, Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10.30am-noon • Otley House Group at the home of Penny Clark of Cherry Bank, Otley, 1.45-3pm • PILGRIM: 54 Gurdon Road, Grundisburgh, 2pm / Grundisburgh Upper Room, 7pm Wednesday 26 • PILGRIM at the home of Linda and John Pollard of Hawthorns, The Green, Ashbocking, 7.30pm • Cribfest Community Art Project, Grundisburgh Parish Room, 3pm Thursday 27 • Midweek Communion at 11.30am followed by the Hasketon Community Lunch at noon • Grundisburgh Church Tiddlywinks, 2.30pm • COSA PCCs, Clopton Village Hall, 7.30pm HARVEST FESTIVALS ACROSS THE BENEFICE Sunday 9: 9.30am Hasketon / 6.30pm Boulge Sunday 16: 9.30am Burgh / 11am Swilland Sunday 23: 9.30am Clopton HARVEST SUPPER Saturday, September 15 at Burgh House Barn, 6 for 6.30pm, £7.50 for twocourse meal and a drink, welcome to bring your own drink. Tickets in advance from Norma: 01473 738477
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CHURCH NEWS BIBLE BOOK CLUB (BBC) 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 September 4 at 10.30am when we will be discussing How To Read The Bible & Still Be A Christian – Is God Violent? An Exploration from Genesis to Revelation by John Dominic Crossan. Why not get a copy and start reading now; we would be very pleased to have you come along. Please let us know if you will be joining us: paulwiffen222@btinternet.com / 01473 738474 BEYOND BELIEF We are a small group which gives us the opportunity to discuss areas of Christian faith at six meetings held at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10.30amnoon. Sessions are fortnightly on Mondays, September 24, October 8 and 22, November 5 and 19 and December 3. People of faith, agnostics, and atheists are all very welcome. Tea or coffee and a piece of cake will be available and a warm welcome to all. A small charge of £1 per session covers costs. Why not come and try our group? Enquiries to: 01473 738474 / paulwiffen222@btinternet.com PILGRIM PILGRIM is a place where people can explore the Christian faith together and see how it can be lived out each day. It approaches issues of faith not through persuasion, but participation in a pattern of contemplation and discussion with a group of fellow travellers. For more information visit: www.pilgrimcourse.org / Twitter @pilgrimcourse VISITORS TO OUR CHURCHES Over the next few months, we will be welcoming visitors to our services, who are exploring the call to ordained ministry – much as Bill and Mark have done. One of our visitors is Alison.
“I left teaching last summer after 32 years in the profession, mainly working with young people with special needs in London and Lowestoft. I am a member of the Blythburgh Valley Team in north east Suffolk, and worship at St Peter’s Wenhaston. I am currently exploring my calling to priesthood as well as volunteering at a local pupil referral unit.” Alison will be joined by others – more details to follow. They will want to talk to you and ask you about the life of our church, its joys and its challenges! Please make them feel welcome. The Rev Clare Sanders RIDE AND STRIDE FOR CHURCHES September 8, 9am-5pm Can you ride for your church or be part of a welcome team? Sponsor forms can be downloaded from the Suffolk Historic Churches Trust website. A list of churches and chapels open is also on the website. Welcome team members can sign up on the lists in our churches. All the Carlford churches are open! After the ride please send the money by cheque, payable to SHCT, together with a paying in slip giving the name of the parish you wish to benefit. It should go to David Gould at 7 Karen Close, Ipswich IPI 4LP. FANCY A COFFEE? Swilland: Saturday 1 at the home of Ann Kent of Red Court, Swilland from 10am Grundisburgh: Wednesday 5 at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10-11am Ashbocking: Friday 7 at Chez Onze, The Green, Ashbocking, hosted by Nel and Rex Peries, 10.30am-noon Otley: Thursday 13 at the home of Ruth Farnhill, 9 Spring Park, Otley, 10am Clopton: Wednesday 19 at the village hall, 10am-noon
WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH After about eight weeks of dry, sunny, hot, even scorching weather there came a few odd days of heavy rain at the end of July and in the second week of August. I noticed that many of the farmers had harvested the grain before the rain came, but a few had waited. I wonder if that helped swell the grain or if the heaviness of the deluge damaged it?
We welcome you to worship at 11am each Sunday.
Either way, a harvest was completed. In our garden we have had a good crop of tomatoes and the peaches have been large and juicy. We are very blessed to have a good harvest year on year and so we at WBC are having our annual Harvest Festival on Sunday, September 16 at 11am, followed by a bring & share harvest lunch. All are welcome to come along and give thanks for the harvest. Any food gifts brought along will be later shared with FIND food bank (tins/packets) and The TK Hope Centre (fresh produce).
Sunday, September 16: Harvest Festival
For many families, this month can be a bit emotional as those barely four year olds start school and the older children move up into high school. Mums more than children feel tearful leaving their offspring at the school gate, while the youngster runs off excitedly. The older child perhaps has mixed feelings of excitement and fear as they catch the bus to their new ‘big’ school and enter a classroom where they perhaps know no-one. For the children and families we know through Open the Book or Mums & Toddlers, we are praying for you. Mentioning Mums & Toddlers, we re-open after the summer break on Friday, September 7, 9.15-11.15am, and then every Friday in term time. If you have an under-five-year-old please feel welcome to come and meet with other mums/carers and let the youngster enjoy playing with toys and other children. Also restarting this month is our Family Time Together on Sunday, September 9 at 9.30am for about three quarters of an hour. This is a time when families can enjoy an activity, a Bible story and a song in a relaxed way to set you up for the day. It would be great to see new people coming along and joining in the fun. Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Pastor Andrew
www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield
Sunday, September 2: Morning Service, including Holy Communion – Pastor Andrew Sunday, September 9: Morning Service – Pastor Andrew Sunday, September 23: Morning Service – Mr Ted Jack Sunday, September 30: United Service at St Mary’s Witnesham EVENTS Tuesdays We are revamping our café over the summer, but you are still welcome to stop for a cup of tea and a chat when you like. Andrew will always have the kettle on. Varied Church Open House – topical discussion group, 7.30pm Fridays: Babies and Toddlers Group every week 9.15-11.15am, resuming on September 7. Contact Jean: 01473 785478 Monday, September 3: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club, 12.30-2pm. Light lunch and good company; contact Karen: 01473 251787 Wednesday, September 12: Prayer Fellowship at 2pm Wednesday, September 26: Bible Study, 2pm The church is open for prayer and listening every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am to 5pm; at other times please contact Pastor Andrew. The post office is open in the conservatory on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. In the church we have a collection box for FIND and welcome any donations of non-perishable food to help families in need locally. Pastor: Andrew Croft, 07851 060482 Secretary: Anne Camp, 3 Acre Close, Witnesham / 01473 785448 www.witneshambaptist.org.uk
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In Touch with WTW Come Ye Thankful People Come Soon it will be our Harvest Festivals, and we will gather together to thank God for all that we have. On that day, as much as any other day, it is good to focus on what we need and what makes us happy. I say this because obviously we live in a society where instead of being thankful, we are becoming more and more demanding. Isn't it a sad indictment of our society that one of our biggest problems is that we have run out of ways to get rid of the stuff that we throw away?! The more we have does not mean the happier we are. Often, the more we have, the more we seem to need. We all need a certain amount to get by, but not that much, Jesus knew
that. Rich people are not happier because they are rich. Indeed sometimes the worry of their wealth and what to do with it makes them very unhappy. One of the problems is that as we live in an affluent society we become spoiled. Luxuries, which we once deeply appreciated, we get to take for granted. We need to remind ourselves of how fortunate we are, and become more contented with less. He is rich not who has much, but he who has learned to be satisfied with less. At Harvest Festival, we celebrate the goodness of our God in providing to us the bounty of earth, sea, and sky - the goodness of God who grants to us both seed-time and harvest, the goodness of God who shares with us the love that is in his heart and calls us to likewise share. We are rich beyond belief.
CHURCH SERVICES September—October Day / Date Sun 2nd September Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
St Martin’s Tuddenham St Martin
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If we have food we are so lucky. Around 5 million (5,000,000) people starve each year: that's about 30,273 every day! If we have clean water we are so lucky; one in every seven people have no access to clean water/ We all have so much more than we need. We have not just daily bread but freezers full. So we must learn gratitude and sharing. No matter how poor we may seem, we all have some gift or contribution we can make for the betterment of all. Carol Our Annual Harvest Thanksgiving Services are on Sundays 23rd September and 7th October—details below and overleaf. We are going to be supporting West Villa and FIND again this year so any contributions of produce and tinned/packeted food are most welcome to be presented at the services. 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 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
Sun 9th September Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
9.30am All-Age Worship
10am Family Communion
8am Holy Communion 11am All-Age Worship
Sun 16th September Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
9.30am Family Communion
10am Morning Worship
11am Family Communion
10am Family Communion
11am Harvest Festival
Sun 23rd September Sevent’nth Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion 9.30am Harvest Festival
Sun 30th September [11am Service with Witnesham Baptist Church at Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity Witnesham St Mary’s]
11am Joint Family Communion Service (with Witnesham Baptist Church)
[11am Service with Witnesham Baptist Church at Witnesham St Mary’s]
Sun 7th October Ninet’nth Sunday after Trinity
9.30am Family Communion
11am Harvest Festival
11am Family Communion
Sun 14th October Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
9.30am All-Age Worship
10am Family Communion
8am Holy Communion 11am All-Age Worship
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In Touch online:
In Touch with WTW
The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham
Church Diary—September
Who’s Who:
Mothers’ Union— restart on 6th September with a Holy Communion Service (followed by tea and a Bring & Buy) (contact Branch Leader Revd Catherine Forsdike 252904).
MINISTRY TEAM:
Benefice Youth Group—restart on Wednesdays 6th and 26th September at 6pm (contact Julia 785497) Village Voices—rehearse on 6th and 27th September 10am in Witnesham Baptist Church (contact Christine Laughlin 01473 785138) Kingdom Kids—meet on Sunday 9th September at 10am in the church at Witnesham (contact Gill Thorley 890821) Wednesday Prayers—said Morning Prayer in Westerfield Church Room each week at 9.30am (Holy Communion is said on the first week of each month—except Aug)
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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
Harvest Thanksgiving Services and lunches 2018
Julia Farmer
01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk
CHURCHWARDENS:
Sunday 23rd September 9.30am at Tuddenham and 11am at Westerfield followed by lunch at Tuddenham Village Hall
Tuddenham 01473 785296
Jim Punton Jim@wtandw.org.uk
Tuddenham 01473 784545
Monica Pipe Monica@wtandw.org.uk
Sunday 7th October: 11am at Witnesham followed by a bring and share lunch in the church.
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
You are invited... ...to the Hope Centre (home of Talitha Koum) in Witnesham for a series of six meetings on Monday afternoons, starting 10 September, between 2.00 and 4.00, with a view to equip you to be able to reach out to people you know who are not yet members of any church. At the Hope Centre there will be an emphasis on creating a space where residents may eventually wish to come along, but you will learn from the series how you can consider starting a group of your own. The series is offered by the Suffolk Fresh Expressions Community, and will be run by Canon Sally Gaze. Each session will consist of 75minutes modelling a missional small group meeting, followed by time for discussion. Sessions will focus on a different areas Ͳ values, vision, leadership, healthy small groups, involving people, and growing together. After the six weeks participants will have experienced small missional groups both as participant and leader. Please talk with Revd Alan or Paul, who have experienced the series, and we will book you in if you wish. Rev Sally Gaze's contact details: sally.gaze@cofesuffolk.org tel. 01473 635113 Thank you for all the contributions to Westerfield Church Gift Day Envelopes are still coming in and the total currently stands at £3,845 which is very welcome considering the large bill faced for tower repairs.
www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield
Gill@wtandw.org.uk
BENEFICE YOUTH GROUP Julia Farmer
01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk
Website: www.wtandw.org.uk
Church Floodlighting Sponsorship Could you sponsor the church floodlights to commemorate a birthday, anniversary or special event or to remember a loved one? At Westerfield sponsorship is just £7.50 for a week. Ring Judy on 230188 or email Judy@wtandw.org.uk Sponsorship at Tuddenham is £5 for a weekend Ring Jim on 785296 or email Jim@wtandw.org.uk
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