In Touch News with Woodbridge April 2019 by steve@intouchnews.co.uk

In Touch

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with Melton, Rendlesham & Woodbridge Volume 8 • Issue No. 12 • APRIL 2019

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I often write about how fortunate we are to live in a part of the world where ‘community’ is valued and where there are endless opportunities to engage with those who share our little part of the planet. Finding that special place to lay your roots and raise your children, where you know you will be greeted with a smile when you pop into the local (shop or pub) and share your day-today existence with neighbours you can call on in an emergency is something to treasure. If you’re lucky you may even have family close by. A recent trip home to Ireland to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday has reminded me how distant I have become from my extended family, inevitable when you move away. Events like weddings and significant birthdays have become treasured opportunities to catch-up, to meet new family members and to get to know others a little better. And so it was on this occasion. For possibly the first time ever, I had an opportunity to have a proper girly chat with my dad’s three sisters, a chat which started when they admired my dress. Well in no time at all they were telling me about the way they dressed going to dances and balls when they were young. They howled with laughter as they told me about cycling six miles to dances at the Emerald Ballroom and back home again at 1am. They talked about the music, the dancing (proper dancing!), the way all the men lined up on one side and the women on the other… and the dresses. They’d all learned to make their own dresses but occasionally paid a local dressmaker to create something for a special occasion. The planning and effort they put into these events was extraordinary. Everyone had to get their hair properly done and in those days hair-dos were an architectural phenomenon. Hair pieces are not a new invention! They laughed in horror when they remembered having to sleep on their faces because their hair had so much lacquer in it! I know it wasn’t all dressing up and dancing, but boy did they know how to party, and alcohol wasn’t mentioned once (which is probably why they remember every tiny detail). If you do have older family members in your life, or neighbours who would like nothing better than an opportunity to reminisce, don’t wait for an occasion. Put the kettle on and get to know someone a little bit better while you’re fortunate to have the opportunity.

Melton InTouch with & Woodbridge Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

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NEWS

WOODBRIDGE TIDE MILL RE-OPENS AFTER A BUSY WINTER Woodbridge Tide Mill Living Museum officially re-opens on the weekend of March 29-31. For these three days visitors will only be charged £1 entry and children go free. For the first time this winter the mill opened occasionally for milling demonstrations which have proved very popular. New head miller Dan Tarrant-Willis came up with the idea of these demonstrations as he was milling to satisfy the mill’s flour customers and thought ‘why not let people watch’. On 27 occasions he opened the mill to let visitors see it in action. A mild winter helped attract numerous new visitors during this normally quiet time. As well as continuing with a full schedule of wheel turnings and milling demos, the mill is planning a number of other new developments to raise its profile and generate more visitors. These include working closely with the Long Shed and Woodbridge Museum to attract footfall, holding more events at the mill, continuing to support local events like the regatta, Beowulf and the Shuck Festival, as well as offering the mill for event hire. The team is also keen to encourage people to support the mill by becoming Friends of The Tide Mill and encourages those with an interest to keep an eye on the website and follow its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to keep up to date with activities. Chairman of Trustees John Carrington commented: “Dan’s initiative has highlighted the popularity of seeing the mill in action and the opportunity we have to review our traditional closed season. Visitors provide the majority of our funding and we can really use the extra income that this provides. The mill costs around £5,000 per month to run and this doesn’t cover the funds we have to put aside for significant periodic maintenance. So we need to give visitors what they want.” Images by Simon Ballard

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NEWS

TRANSITION WOODBRIDGE

The Great British Spring Clean is happening again this year. Sadly, litter continues to spoil our country. All litter is unsightly and is often harmful to wildlife – think of small mammals trapped in bottles and cans, river and sealife choked by plastic or birds feeding small pieces of litter to their chicks. For the fourth year, Woodbridge will be joining this nationwide clean-up campaign with litter picking events. For families with children who want to help there will be special Pick and Play events in the town’s parks (listed below). Litter picking is a good and satisfying way to help your community and an excellent way to meet people and get some gentle outdoor exercise. If you would like to join in please email Carol at springcleanwoodbridge@ gmail.com to register for an event or get more information. Litter picking equipment will be provided. Trees Planted

Nine new fruit trees kindly donated by Deben Rotary were planted at Balliol Close, Queens Avenue and Oxford Drive. Thank you to all those who turned out in the rain and sun to plant the trees, including Maya, Simon and Ottilie from Kyson School. The trees will be watered and cared for by Transition Woodbridge for the next three to four years. If you would like to help please do contact us at: ttwoodbridge@gmail.com

This takes the total number of fruit trees we have planted over the last five years to 53! We are incredibly proud of this effort and hope the fruit will bring lots of pleasure to local communities for many years to come. News just in! Woodbridge Library is now collecting pens for Transition Woodbridge to recycle. These will be sent to Terracycle via Gusford Primary School as part of their Turn Trash into Cash campaign. See pages three and four of their newsletter at: www.gusfordprimary.net/newsletters It’s fantastic that Gusford have taken this initiative and can earn money at the same time for their school, but we would love a local Woodbridge or Melton school, church or business to take part so we can help them raise money locally. Woodbridge Library can accept any old pens, with or without lids, or lids without pens, including biros, highlighters, markers and felt tips. They will also accept old Tippex pots. Get collecting! Pick and Play Dates Sunday, April 7: Fen Meadow, 10.30am-noon Saturday, April 13: Kingston Fields, 10.30am-noon Sunday, April 14: Elmhurst Park, 10.30am-noon

MELTON RECREATION GROUND In 2018 contractors created a ditch alongside the boggy area of Melton Recreation Ground as part of Melton Parish Council’s plan to improve drainage and restore the field. During February and March volunteers who had responded to an appeal in the parish magazine dug and weeded a series of patches on the rather inaccessible western side of the ditch (the picture shows some of them at work) and planted over 100 small saplings. The saplings were provided free of charge by the Woodland Trust and planted in a series of clumps, all containing at least one of each of elder, blackthorn, dog rose, hazel, rowan and crab apple. The hope is that thickets will develop, providing food and sanctuary for small birds. Burkes Wood popular and undergrowth thought will more of it.

itself contains many fine mature trees, but is understandably heavily walked. It is therefore somewhat lacking in the which small creatures often prefer, so during 2019 further be given to protecting surviving patches and introducing

Melton Parish Tree Warden Lindsay Dann: 01394 382459

THE TIDE JETTY BY EASTERN ANGLES Eastern Angles have kicked off their new spring tour show The Tide Jetty at Stowmarket’s John Peel Centre and is now embarking on a 55 date tour across East Anglia. The play by Tony Ramsay (whose previous hit shows with Eastern Angles include The Long Life & Great Good Fortune of John Clare and Bentwater Roads) features beautiful music and movement to transport audiences to the Norfolk Broads where the play is set. Director Scott Hurran talked to us about the challenges of directing the vast landscape of the Broads on stage. “From the beginning of rehearsals, our process has been about setting up the rules of how we represent the landscape and the water. Working with movement director Simon Carroll-Jones has been a real highlight. He has been able to develop a visual vocabulary for the performance, that the actors can tap into when walking across different terrains, and when floating in water. Sound design has been incredibly helpful in transporting us to the landscape of the Broads as well. Chris Warner recorded live sounds of water and nature from the Broads – so it’s a real luxury as it’s the closest we can get to putting the Broads on stage.” The show tours from March 20 to June 1 and will be at Woodbridge Community Hall on Saturday 18 (3.30 & 7.30pm) and Sunday, May 19 (2.30pm). Tickets from £10.

If you would like more information on any of these stories, please contact us at: ttwoodbridge@gmail.com

For the full list of tour dates and to book, visit the Eastern Angles website or call the Box Office on 01473 211498 (Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm).

www.transitionwoodbridge.onesuffolk.net

www.easternangles.co.uk Benjamin Teare is pictured in rehearsal (photo by Mike Kwasniak).

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NEWS NEW PUBLIC ACCESS DEFIBRILLATOR

THE JOURNEY OF BEOWULF

Woodbridge now has a new defibrillator available for public access 24 hours a day at the north end of the town.

We have been looking forward to bringing this event to the community for around a year now, but sadly, the journey will take longer than expected. Due to an unforeseen lack of funding, we have reluctantly decided to postpone the festival until 2020. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Thanks go to the members of Woodbridge Methodist Church for their fundraising efforts, including a concert by Woodbridge Orchestral Society, and also to the Woodbridge Town Pastors for their generous donation. The Methodist Church, situated in St John’s Street, has placed it on the wall of their car-park, easily accessible from the end of the Thoroughfare and the houses around the church. It has been registered with the East of England Ambulance Service and joins the other seven defibrillators around the town, including one at the Riverside Theatre, two at Co-Op stores, one at Woodbridge School, one at the Evangelical Church, one at St Mary’s Church Centre and one at Woodbridge Cruising Club. Woodbridge Town Councillor Sheena Rawlings welcomed the new defibrillator as it now serves an area previously without one. Rev Martin Dawes (pictured), minister of the church and also one of the town pastors explained: “Defibrillators are an important part of the arrangements for certain types of critical heart emergencies. This defibrillator will enable our church first-aiders, the Town Pastors and members of the public to offer one more important capability to their response.”

WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM RE-OPENS Woodbridge Museum will open its doors for the 2019 season on April 6. Situated at the Community Heritage Building on Tide Mill Way, it will reopen as Woodbridge Haven and Visitor Centre. We are proud that all the money required to fit out the building has been raised by supporters of the museum. All money from the entry charge of £1 (30p for children) will now go towards the running costs. The visitor centre will have books and leaflets providing information on the heritage and attractions in the town, as well as general information about the town’s amenities. There will also be leaflets for the self-guided walks around town. The ground floor will have displays charting the history of the town. The activity centre upstairs will augment the displays. There will be a virtual museum providing detailed information on most aspects of the town and its inhabitants. There will be descriptions and photographs of objects in the museum’s reserve collection and a comprehensive set of paintings by Thomas Churchyard. The activity centre can also be used for meetings, talks and workshops. The last talk of the season on May 17 will be about the history of the RAF at Martlesham Heath. For further information on any of the above please contact: 01394 385572

We will, however, begin a series of fundraising events, starting with the Mothering Sunday Persian Tea at the Shire Hall on March 31. Dr Sam Newton will be giving a presentation on The Origins of Beowulf and the Kingdom of East Anglia on May 3, again at the Shire Hall. Near the Tide Mill on May 4 we will have performances from the Beowulf Journeys song-writing competitors, among other artists. With the support of these and more fundraising events, we are confident that we can bring the festival to its full potential in 2020. If you would like to keep up to date with the events or are interested in getting involved, please visit: www.beowulffestival.co.uk Facebook: @beowulffestival

COUNCILLOR CAROLINE’S COLUMN Last Saturday I found myself helping to make breakfasts at Woodbridge Farmers’ Market, a job usually undertaken by my daughter and her long-term carer, but he’s in Ipswich Hospital in need of care himself. So, until things are a bit better sorted, you’ll find me clattering amongst the coffee cups as a wellintentioned stand-in. (We serve a mean bacon butty and our cakes are out of this world. Come and see for yourself. All proceeds go to Jetty Lane.) Anyway, afterwards I posted a picture of the three of us – the Breakfast Butty Beauties – online, tagged with a ‘Woodbridge Farmers Market’ address. Shortly after, I got this delightful message: “Hi there! Thank you so much for supporting your local farmers’ market. Yaay. I just thought I’d let you know you’d tagged the wrong market. We are in Ontario, Canada. We appreciate the tag, but maybe your farmers may appreciate it more.” I was enthralled. Another Woodbridge Farmers’ Market? They added: “You’d be surprised at how many Woodbridge Farmers Markets there are out there.” I went looking, and my goodness, they’re right. There are many Woodbridges in the world. There’s one in Western Australia, one in Tasmania, one in Ontario, two in California, one in Connecticut, two in New Jersey, one in Virginia, one in Dallas, and one in Detroit. That’s eleven clear imitations, even if we discount the other teeny, tiny Woodbridge village in Devon. You can imagine Suffolk immigrants turning up on distant shores and thinking lovingly of home. Looking at prairieland and thinking of the Shire Hall. Looking at the treed hills in Virginia and remembering St Mary’s Church. Looking at the mountains and the sea channel from Hobart, Tasmania and being reminded of the Deben estuary and Sutton Hoo. People far from home thinking: “perhaps we could call our little group of houses after home, and it too will become our home.” And it did. Unsurprising if we think of all the people who have settled in our Woodbridge and called it home too. Archaeologists think the first modern humans in Britain moved inland along the estuaries, after first crossing the landbridge from mainland Europe eleven thousand years ago. Signs of local settlement in Woodbridge go back to the Stone Age. Since then we have had repeated influxes of incomers including Celts, Romans, Angles, Saxons, Danes, Normans, Dutch, Irish, Americans, Londoners – even Robert de Niro. The ancient poem Beowulf is a Viking story written in Old English. Seemingly, the Scandinavian settlers continued to remember their old home in their adopted land. And these days, Beowulf is part of our British heritage, just as Woodbridge’s name is now part of Viginia’s, Tasmania’s and Ontario’s heritage. Home may be where you were born, or it may be half a world away. Home is not only where you lay your head – it’s where you give your heart to. Caroline Page

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OUT & ABOUT WILL IT SNOW AT DANCE FOLKUS ON APRIL 5? There was a lot of disappointment when we had to cancel one of our dances in March 2018 because of the snow. We have booked the same people for our Dance Folkus evening on Friday, April 5 (7.30-10.30pm) so let’s hope the weather is kinder this year.

JUST42 EASTER FUN HOLIDAY CLUB We wanted to let you know about our very exciting Easter Fun Holiday Club running from Tuesday 9 to Thursday, April 11. The club is being run by Just42 and held at Kyson Primary School from 10am to 2pm each day. This is for all Reception to Year 6 children. Booking forms can be downloaded from the ‘What’s On’ section at: www.just42.org.uk

WOODBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET 9am-12.30pm on Saturdays, April 13 & 27 at Woodbridge Community Hall All our stallholders are based in Suffolk. They produce the food they sell themselves (or are closely related to someone who does), in small batches with care and attention. This means higher quality, fewer food miles, less packaging and less waste. It also means that the cash you spend at the market circulates in the area for longer, boosting the local economy. We’re very lucky to have a cafe at the market selling tea, coffee, bacon and egg sarnies and home-made cake. All proceeds from the cafe are donated to Jetty Lane to help build our new community, arts and youth centre. woodbridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com

Our caller, Will Hall, is a well-known festival caller from Oxfordshire. He has worked with many famous bands such as Peeping Tom, Geckoes and Cock & Bull Band. He has built himself a great reputation. From the age of seven he lived in Suffolk and many local people may recognise his name. His first Suffolk booking was in 1981 at the Black Hut in Bawdsey with Syzewell Gap. We look forward to some great dances. To make it a family affair the song spot for the evening is a duo featuring Will’s sister Mary Dickinson along with her husband Steve. They are the organisers of Everyman Folk Club which meets on the fourth Friday each month at the Riverside Centre in Stratford St Andrews. Mary has a great voice and Steve is an excellent guitar player. They re-launched the popular Everyman Folk Club in 1996 and book guests from all over the country. Steve is also a concertina and aeola maker using the original Wheatstone designs. The dance band will be led by local ceilidh band Harbour Lights with additional musicians making up the Dance Folkus Come All Ye Band. New dancers wanting to attend can book a discounted place (no payment in advance) by emailing Dancefolkus@aol.com or you can simply come along on the night (entry £7). Students or children are £3 at the door. For further information if needed, give Rob a call on 01473 610951. Visitors to Woodbridge and new first-time dancers are always very welcome to attend our dances at Woodbridge Community Hall in Station Road IP12 4AU.

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUSt ASSOCIATION

HIGHLANDS QUIZ EVENING Friday, April 5 at 7pm Tables of four, £5 per person Refreshments and Raffle Bring your own wine or beer Contact Ruth: 01394 382125

ALL OUT FOR LOVE A five-week course designed to allow you to take time out from your wedding planning to give you the time and space to think of the bigger picture and to consider what’s important for your future life together. The course covers topics such as keeping love alive, building and maintaining good communication and how to resolve conflict. The aim is to help engaged couples develop strong foundations for a lasting marriage. The course is held in Woodbridge and the evening starts with a meal, followed by a series of short talks interspersed with exercises and questions for you to discuss together as a couple. At no time during the sessions will you be requested to share anything with anyone other than your partner. There is no charge for the course and all couples are welcome. The next course begins on April 23. For more details contact Amanda Clayton: 01394 383162 / marriage@stjohnswoodbridge.org.uk www.alloutforlove.org.uk

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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 April 16 when an ambassador from Trinity House will talk about the lighthouses that are located around the coastline. He will explain their origins, maintenance and everything to do with lighthouses. Trinity House is a 500-year-old organisation based in London and Harwich. It is the general lighthouse authority for England, Wales and he Channel Islands, making the seas around us safer for mariners carrying out their business. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; the entrance fee is £3. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events. For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary at: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

DISABILITY ADVICE SERVICE (EAST SUFFOLK) We have two vacancies for voluntary trustees to join the management committee based in Martlesham Heath. 1. Chair of Trustees 2. Secretary to the Committee Further details from Robin Stroud: robin195860@yahoo.co.uk / 01473 723573

OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY Woodbridge library will be closed on Bank Holidays Friday 19, Sunday 21 & Monday 22 April. April 1-30: ArtLib Exhibition – Abstracts by Andrew Cowell Book Group: On Thursday, April 4 we will be discussing By Its Cover by Donna Leon. Please come along if you have read this book and would like to join in the discussion. Friday, April 5, 8pm: Browsers Bookshop presents Joanne Harris in conversation with Catherine Larner. Tickets (£20) include a copy of Joanne’s new novel, The Strawberry Thief, the long-awaited sequel to Chocolat. Book in advance by calling Browsers Bookshop: 01394 388890 Fridays, April 5 & 26, 10.30am-12.30pm: Active Lives Singing Group. For more information call 01473 345350 or visit: wwwactivlives.org.uk Saturday, April 6: Sale of Withdrawn Fiction for Adults Tuesday, April 9. 10am-noon: Realise Futures Walk-In Advice & Guidance Session for People with a Learning Disability and/or Autism: 07753 447607 / www.realisefutures.org Wednesday, April 10, 10am-noon: Veterans’ Coffee Morning. Open to veterans, serving personnel and families. Organised by The Matthew Project – Outside the Wire. For more details contact: 01603 626123 / otw@matthewproject.org Saturday. April 13, 10.15-11.45am: Talk by Well-being Coach & Three Principles Practitioner Mia Philips. For more information visit: www.facebook.com/SC3PC Tuesday, April 16, 12.45-1.30pm: Lunchtime concert by Jetsam, Woodbridge Cruising Club’s ukulele band. Saturday, April 20, 9-11am: County Councillor Caroline Page will be holding her surgery at the library. Saturday, April 27, 7.30pm: Iestyn Edwards’ innovative talk on his recent book My Tutu Went AWOL will consist of theatre, music, ballet and strong cultural interest. Please join us for an hilarious evening with a glass of wine and lots of laughs. Tickets are £8 from Woodbridge Emporium 01394 382382 or via: www.woodbridgeemporium.co.uk Free IT help and advice: Available on Monday and Thursday mornings. Book your session at the desk or call: 01394 446510 Friends of Woodbridge Library: If you’re enthusiastic about libraries, would enjoy helping to organise library events and are willing to help with our fundraising activities, please ask a member of staff for more details. Friends of Woodbridge Library Goodies: Show your support for your local library by carrying a cotton shopping bag bearing the Friends logo. It’s only £3. There is also a magnetic bookmark for £1. Woodbridge Novelists: Meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 10am-noon. This is a reciprocal critiquing group for novelwriters who are working towards publication. For more information email: jane@bakwon.com

Meeting room and display boards available for hire • Community, charity, private groups: £10 per hour • Commercial, statutory groups: £15 per hour • Display boards: £10 per week • Staffed table display in the main library: £10 per half day Citizens Advice Bureau: Someone from the CAB is available for help and advice every Monday from 10am-noon. Writers’ Workshop: Meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 5.307.30pm. If you like to write for pleasure, love words and have imagination, have you thought of joining Writers’ Workshop at Woodbridge Library? The group does homework on one fortnight and structure (plot, characterisation, etc) on the other. You can attend one or both sessions, but it is not a course – you are not taught to write. The workshop is free. Interested? To open doors to creative writing please email: jeannie@butterwicks.com Creative Writing for All: Meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 2-4pm. For more details contact: jeannie@butterwicks.com Knitting Club: Every Friday at 2pm. For all types of knitters, expert to beginner, come and share your knowledge or pick up some tips. Arts and Crafts Group: Meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 10am. Enables older people and their carers to take part in activities such as collage, card making, printing and modelling. Play Reading: Meets on the third Thursday of the month at 2pm. Come to listen or join in for an afternoon of light-hearted drama, comedy or mystery. All welcome. Games Club: Meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2pm. Now includes dominoes. Improve your vocabulary and exercise your mind muscles with Scrabble or practise strategy or balance with dominoes. Woodbridge Area Gamers: Meets on the second Saturday of each month from 1-5pm. For more information contact nigel@foden.me.uk / 07740 173091 or visit: www.boardgamegeek.com/guild/1150 NAS Ipswich Lego Group: Meets every fourth Saturday from 1-3pm ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN BOOKSTART Baby Bounce: Wednesday, 10.30-10.50am Tot Rock Rhyme and Rhythm: Wednesday 11.15-11.45am Story and Rhyme Time: Friday 10.30-11am Kid’s Club Craft Activities Every Sunday from 10.30am-noon Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult NAS Ipswich Lego Group Every second Saturday from 1-3pm All children must be supervised by an adult www.IpswichLego@nas.org.uk

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HOW LONG IS A PIECE OF STRING? When meeting new clients and taking on claims for personal injury, one of the first questions that we are often asked as personal injury practitioners is “how long will my case take to settle?” Unfortunately, this is a difficult question to answer. It tends to be case specific and is dependent upon a number of factors: • What further evidence is required before we can submit a claim for personal injury and loss on your behalf to the person who we deem to be at fault. • Whether responsibility for your accident or illness is accepted at an early stage by the person at fault or whether further evidence is required before a decision can be made as to whether the claim can be pursued. • What the extent of your injuries are. • Whether you require further treatment to assist in your recovery. If this is the case then it depends on when we are able to obtain a final medical report detailing the extent of your injuries and loss. • What further evidence we will then need to calculate the financial losses that flow from the injuries or illness that you have suffered, and when we can obtain the information required. Once the above information has been gathered, then your case can either proceed to a settlement, normally by way of negotiation with the person at fault (or more likely their insurer.) Or if fault has not been admitted and we are still of the view that the case should be brought against the person who we deem to be at fault, then at a court hearing. Fortunately, the vast majority of cases are settled without proceeding to court, but the process can take a matter of months or longer depending on the circumstances of the specific case. It is worth remembering that as personal injury practitioners, we are here to guide you through the personal injury claims process, and to assist you through to the conclusion of your claim as quickly as possible. This includes obtaining appropriate treatment for you where necessary to aid your recovery. If you would like any advice or assistance arising out of an accident or incident and would like to pursue a personal injury claim, please contact our Louise Plant: 01473 232121 / lplant@prettys.co.uk

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Monday 29th April - Saturday 4th May Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich, IP1 2LQ Tickets from £10 Box Office 01473 211498 | easternangles.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT WHAT’S COOKING AT DEBEN ROTARY? The Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben is hosting a butchery and cookery demonstration at St Michael’s Church Hall, Martlesham Heath on Thursday, April 25. The evening, featuring master butcher Rotarian Duncan Foulger and master chef Rotarian Peter Senior, begins at 6.30pm and ends with a two-course meal. Tickets are £12 to include the meal and all profits will go to Rotary supported charities. They are available from Rotarian Martin Kenyon on 01394 386933, or from Duncan’s Butchery & Bakery on Martlesham Heath. The club is pleased to announce that we will be participating in several community events over the course of spring and summer. We will be at Woodbridge On Show, and at Kesgrave Fun Day, Marlesham Village Day, Woodbridge Regatta and Melton Fete with our information gazebo and games. Please come and see us at these events to try your luck on one of our games or just to find out what we do in Deben Rotary. Watch out for further announcements about these events in due course. Our Annual Charity Golf Day takes place on July 18 at St Audrys Golf Club. This year half the profits will go to support the East Suffolk Prostate Cancer Support Group. Details and an entry form are available from Rotarian Simon Smith on 01473 612410 or can be downloaded from: www.debenrotary.org.uk

WOODBRIDGE CAMERA CLUB Judge George Buxton was served a smorgasbord of entries for the February Food & Drink print competition. The 31 images were digested and critiqued down to a final 10. After several minutes of deliberation, the winer was announced as Graham Wood with Cheese and Wine by Candlelight. The runner-up was Robin Garrod with Mussels on the Menu, with five entries getting top marks. The standard was exceptionally high and members look forward to the next challenge, Monochrome, in May. Our next meeting on Tuesday, April 23 at 7.30pm is a practical workshop evening focusing on still life and close-up photography. Bring your camera, tripod and props to photograph. Get hands on with lights, reflectors and backgrounds.

WOODBRIDGE WI Woodbridge WI rounded off 2018 with a splendid party including WI speed dating, fiendish quizzes and, of course, great food. Now we look forward to another year of interesting speakers, visits to various places of interest and outings to the theatre and cinema. We began in Janaury with a representative from Great Blakenham Recycling Plant who updated us on the correct way to recycle our household and garden rubbish. It was our 40th anniversary in February and Mark Mitchell was our speaker. His subject was A Brief History of the Suffolk Landscape and he explained how Suffolk has evolved since the 1300s. Erik Punaks presented The Craft of Comic Verse in March and in April we will be hearing about the food, culture and ;anguage of Japan. A walk for the Associated Country Women of the World is also happening in April and we will be joining in the local litter pick. We, along with other organisations in the town, will be at the community hall on April 6 for Woodbridge On Show so if you would like more information come and visit us there. We meet on the second Wednesday of every month at the Methodist Hall in St John’s Street and would give you a warm welcome. You can also phone our president, Margaret Lury, for further details: 01394 610596

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WOODBRIDGE ART CLUB The latest taster course for people interested in trying out different types of art had 14 enthusiastic participants who turned out some really good work. There will be further courses, the first around Eastertime. Details will appear on our Facebook page. Anyone interested in joining the club can also use Facebook to ask for an application form and further details. Technophobes can use snail mail or call into the club during exhibition opening times to pick up a form. Our committee are currently working on the programme of events for the coming year, which will include more evening and weekend activities for those who are not free during the day. Our 51st summer exhibition opens in the club gallery in Tide Mill Way on Good Friday, April 19 and will be open all over the bank holiday weekend from 10am-5pm. Thereafter it will be open at these times every weekend and Bank Holiday Monday till the end of September. As well as the usual selection of paintings, pottery and cards, the book relating the club’s first 50 years, with many interesting photos, will be on sale. The remaining copies of our 2019 calendar will be available for a small donation of your choice. We look forward to welcoming both old friends and newcomers.

WOODBRIDGE PROBUS Steve Chalkley from Ipswich Makerspace presented a fascinating picture of a collaborative workspace with all the tools you could wish for whatever you want to make. The community is a supportive group with a huge diversity of skills you can tap into to learn new things or solve problems. Members’ interests encompass the usual pursuits of programming, robotics and electronics, but also range through classic woodworking, costumes and props, models and sculpture, chainmail, leatherwork, sewing, papercraft and even jewellery. Interested? Go down to 11 Dove Street, Ipswich on Tuesday and Thursday from 7pm and Saturday from 11am (parking in Suffolk College) and they will be happy to show you around. Find out more at: www.ipswichmakerspace.com On Monday, April 1, Sarah Magittai will give us the first of two talks on The History of Shingle Street. Very few seaside hamlets have attracted as much myth and fantasy as Shingle Street, but truth really can be stranger than fiction. In reality, Shingle Street resembled a series of small socio-economic miracles. Here is the true story of a working community founded as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. Our photograph is an early one of Shingle Street Pilot House with an upturned boat as a roof. A fascinating tale, do come along and hear it. Woodbridge Probus is a club for retired business and professional men. We meet at Woodbridge Golf Club on the first Monday of each month when a social drink is followed by a delicious lunch and a fascinating talk. We stage a ladies summer and Christmas lunch and run interesting outings. For more information contact Ray Hooper at 07512 792454 or email: enquiries@woodbridgeprobus.org.uk

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. On March 6 Chris Garibaldi’s talk on The Fine and Decorative Arts of Horse Racing opened our eyes to the history of art relating to the Sport of Kings and was entertaining from the start through to the finishing post. We next meet on Wednesday, April 3 when the guest speaker will be Simon Inglis. Simon is a writer and historian, a regular contributor to radio and television who specialises in the architecture and heritage of sport and recreation. His talk has the interesting title Beer and Skittles.

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Monday, April 8: Sutton Hoo by Sally Sibley Sarah is a volunteer at Sutton Hoo. Using a combination of slides, commentary and replica objects she will cover information about the site, some of the more influential characters in its history, its links with neighbouring sites and the specifics of the excavations carried out during the 20th century, revealing previously unknown details about the Anglo-Saxon period. There will also be an opportunity to hear about the project to develop the site during the winter of 2018-19 to further visitors’ knowledge and understanding of this extraordinary necropolis.

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.

Meetings are held in Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

SPEAK EASY AT MARTLESHAM

WHO LET THE DADS OUT?

Toastmasters International (TI) is a world-wide organisation of affiliated speakers’ clubs. Established in 1924, TI has spent nearly 100 years devising and refining the best ways for all of us to develop our public speaking and to boost our confidence to help become better leaders. Pathways, TI’s new educational framework, is full of speaking and leadership projects. There are online and downloadable learning materials to guide and challenge you, putting you in control of how far and how fast you progress. You can find out more at: www.toastmasters.org

Who Let The Dads Out? (WLTDO) is a new outreach event which started at St John’s church, Woodbridge in March. It will be a safe space for dads, father figures, carers and their children to enjoy time together and be encouraged to take part in activities together. All dads, father figures, carers and their children are welcome. The sessions will be on the first Saturday of each month between 10am and noon. We hope you can join us on April 6. For more information visit: www.wholetthedadsout.org.uk/directory/wltdo-st-john-woodbridge

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Do you need a bit of decluttering? If so, and if you are into sewing, we could help you out. Is your work space filling up with bits of material left over from previous projects? You have probably kept them in case they might ‘come in useful’. Well, we have a use for them! We are making bags for syringe drivers, small pumps which some patients have to carry around with them, in particular if they need constant medication to relieve pain. The bags are like mini totes with a cross body strap.

Speak Easy at Martlesham is your friendly neighbourhood Toastmasters International speakers’ club. We meet every other Thursday evening at the Richards Room in Martlesham (alongside Felixstowe Road, behind the Tesco). Our meetings include impromptu speaking, formal speaking and evaluation. Evaluation is a vital part of how TI clubs operate. When you evaluate someone else speaking you not only help them, you also – through empathy and understanding – help develop your own speaking. For further details please call 07968 372563 or get in touch via: www.speak-easy.org.uk

MELTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Wednesday, April 10: Foxborough Hall to Shingle Street

At the moment we are making them for patients of the hospice, a complete cross-section of men, women and ages. It’s going to be fun to expand soon into making bags for children cared for by EACH. We would be really grateful if you would like be part of this project by passing on to us any pieces of material which you think would be suitable for the bags or their linings. Obviously large pieces would be helpful, but an attractive remnant about 60cm x 25cm would be fine for making the outside of one bag. If you have any designs for children they would be especially welcome. Please contact Jenny on 01473 714252 or Joyce on 01394 615659 if you have materials to offer, and thank you. What else are we doing? Throughout 2018 we came across all sorts of interesting women’s groups about whom we would like to know more. These include Kim Trotter from Future Female Society, one of the many organisations involved in the Women’s Voices, Women’s Votes festival back in October, who is our guest speaker in March.

We are fortunate to have local author Tim Miller giving an illustrated presentation of his time living at Foxborough Hall in Melton and his family connections with the Quilters. Tim will also share his interest in the history of Shingle Street, including the story of the pilots and coastguards who formed the community there prior to the Second World War. We meet at Burness Parish Rooms, 38 The Street, Melton IP12 1PW where the doors open at 7.45pm for an 8pm start. All welcome; members free, visitors £3. For further information email mlhs.sec@aol.com or visit: www.mlhs.btck.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT QUAY TIME AT QUAY CHURCH HALL

1st RENDLESHAM SCOUTS

Quay Time, a monthly meeting for people experiencing or at risk of isolation and loneliness, met in the church hall on Wednesday, February 20. Peter Senior gave a cookery demonstration comprising the preparation and cooking of two dishes designed to inspire his audience to cook common dishes in a novel, tasty way using basic ingredients. Peter is a classically trained chef who has worked in the catering industry for more than 50 years and he entertained his audience by providing advice and tricks of the trade on how even mundane dishes could be prepared and cooked quickly in an uncomplicated way. A sausage hotpot with juniper berries added was one example. The proof of the pudding was in the eating and Peter’s audience were pleased to sample his exciting dishes. Quay Time is a joint Woodbridge and District Lions Club and Quay Church project and the next meeting is on Wednesday, April 17 at 2pm. For further information call Keith or Wendy Palmer on 01394 384414 or Stella Benton on 01728 561379. For details of our future programme, call Peter Button on 01394 386023.

Cold Camp 2019 Back in February, 1st Rendlesham Scouts joined those from 1st Woodbridge Scouts and 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts for a weekend of camping and fun at Hallowtree campsite in Ipswich. This was great opportunity for the Scouts to get to know and work with young people not only from their own group but others in the local area.

U3A SPEAKER PROGRAMME IS ALL ABOUT ACTIVE MINDS Over the coming months there are speakers at U3A events across East Suffolk on numerous topics, covering history, science, the natural world and exciting and, sometimes, controversial lives! The speaker programme is just a part of what U3A offers its 2,400 members. They can participate in a wide range of activities, from studying Shakespeare or learning to read music to country dance and walking, with the emphasis on keeping mind and body active. Please note a future date for the diary. The U3A East Suffolk AGM is on Monday, June 10 at 2pm at Kesgrave Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Bell Lane, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. Thursday, April 4, 10.30am at Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall The Shipping Forecast by Tony Diamond Thursday, April 11, 2pm at Market Hall, 29 High Street, Saxmundham Being a Woman Racing Driver and Racing at Le Mans by Celia Stevens Monday, April 29, 2pm at Kesgrave Community Centre Burston – A Striking Village by Anne May U3A promises a warm welcome to existing and potential members. All details of membership are available on the website. Alternatively call the membership secretary on 0300 123 3913. Occasionally U3A may have to make last minute changes so please see the website for the most up to date information. www.a3aeastsuffolk.org.uk

IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY We are holding a Stamp Fair on April 27 at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre. All are welcome. There will be dealers from across the region and the AEPS (Association of Essex Philatelic Societies) will be displaying and judging their spring competition entries. This does give you the opportunity to see what stamp collecting is all about and the many different ways that you can collect. The fair is open from 10am until 4pm. Entry is free and refreshments are available so come and have a look. For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904 / michaelsmith1949@gmail.com www.ipswichphilatelic.uk

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Having been mixed up and split into four patrols, their first job was to choose patrol and assistant patrol leaders and a name for the weekend competition meaning that the Headless Chickens, Pink Fluffy Unicorns, Very Tall Midgets and Keith would compete for the prize of best patrol. Activities the Scouts tried their hand at included pioneering, tracking and trailing, team puzzles, axe, knife and saw work, fire lighting, cooking, air rifle shooting and a host of other games and challenges. All of the leaders and Scouts would like to thank Brad from 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts for organising such a fantastic weekend! Membership Swarm ESU currently has spaces for young people (both boys and girls) aged 14-18 to join the section. For details please contact Explorer Scout Leader Clare Barstow: 07790 036553 / explorers@rendleshamscouts.org.uk We are always happy to hear from any young person wishing to join Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorers, or any adult willing to volunteer to help in any way. Please contact Acting GSL Keith Gleen for more information: info@rendleshamscouts.org.uk

LEISTON & DISTRICT PHILATELIC SOCIETY The society will meet at the United Church, High Street, Leiston on Wednesday, April 24 from 7.15pm. Car parking is available in the adjacent Solar car park, but only after 7pm when the two-hour restriction doesn’t apply, or in the council car park in Sizewell Road, which is free from 6pm. The meeting will comprise a presentation of Seahorse on Cover & Parcel Labels by Mike Kentzer, and The Engravings of Czeslaw Slania by MAF president Terry Wagg. Refreshments are available and we welcome new members. Annual membership is £5 (50p for students up to 18 years) payable in September. If you collect stamps why not join us?

OUT & ABOUT / SPORT

INTERESTED IN FLOWER ARRANGING? WOODBRIDGE WILDLIFE GROUP Tree-mendous Coppicing There’s a chance to learn more about traditional woodland management when Giles Cawston, Woodlands Warden at Suffolk Wildlife Trust, gives a talk entitled Treemendous Coppicing at Woodbridge Community Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday, April 18. The talk has been organised by Woodbridge Wildlife Group and chairman Phil Smith said: “As well as creating firewood and hazel products, coppicing helps to maintain woodland habitat for birds, butterflies and mammals. I feel sure this will be a very interesting evening.” Admission is £3 for adults with children under 16 free. There will be a raffle and light refreshments served during the evening. Booking is not required. For further information: 01473 625630 / swtwoodbridge@outlook.com EVENTS AT FOXBURROW FARM

Ipswich Flower Club would like to invite you to its meeting on April 8 when Vicki Hease will present a demonstration entitled Treasured Moments Part 1. The meeting starts at 2pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Bucklesham Road. The cost for visitors is £5 which includes tea and biscuits. You will be warmly welcomed if you just turn up, or for more information please contact Janet on 01473 415749. On Monday May 13 Alan Smith will present a demonstration entitled Floral Magic. Ipswich Flower 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. The workshop on May 3 will be a modern contemporary arrangement and will be tutored by Janet Greengrass. If you are interested in the workshop, which will cost £5, please phone Stella for more details and to book a place: 01473 711946

Tuesday, April 9, 10.30am-12.30pm: The Gruffalo Can you find the Gruffalo in the deep dark wood? Family event; children £4, adults £2. Wednesday, April 10, 11am-1pm: Robin Hood Adventure at Rendlesham Forest Make a bow and arrow and more! Family event; children £4, adults £2. Friday, April 12, 10am-2pm: Wind in the Willows Pond dipping, model rafts and amphibians. Activity day for unaccompanied children aged 6-11, £7 each. Tuesday, April 16, 10.30am-12.30pm: Easter Eggstravaganza Egg hunt, spring crafts and trail. Family event; children (18 months+) £4, adults £2. Thursday, April 18, 10am-noon: Easter Eggstravaganza Egg hunt, spring crafts and trail. Family event; children (18 months+) £4, adults £2. Tuesday, April 23, 10am-2pm: Go Wild in the Week Unaccompanied home-educated children aged 6-11, £7 each. Wednesdays, April 24 to May 22, 10.30am-noon: Weekly Wild Tots Forest School activities and wild play for ages one to four and their carers led by experienced practitioners. £5 per session if booking week-by-week or £4 for a block booking. Booking is essential for all events: 01473 890089 / www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/events Foxburrow Farm, near Woodbridge IP12 1NA

DEBEN FLOWER CLUB The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9 at 7.30pm in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton when Sandra Price will present a demonstration entitled Pot Luck. Visitors are always assured of a warm welcome, so why not join us for a relaxing and fun evening enjoying the beauty of Sandra’s flowers, which will be raffled at the end of the evening? If you would like directions or further information please contact us at: 01394 411422 / wa@sandlings.co.uk

DEBEN YACHT CLUB Nationally the number of young people taking up sailing has been dropping, but Deben Yacht Club is keen to buck the trend. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful river where young people can explore, make friends and learn new skills. The club owns over 25 dinghies which members can use and, as an accredited RYA training centre, a team of excellent volunteer instructors. The new sailing season is just beginning and there are a number of opportunities for youngsters and adults to get involved in sailing: The annual Push The Boat Out day, when anyone can get out on the water in a Wayfarer with an experienced club volunteer, is on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6 from 11.30am. This is a very popular event so come in good time. No special equipment is required and life jackets will be provided. You will get a friendly welcome from club members and refreshments. For those who want to gain sailing skills, courses for beginners and improvers start in April. For information about these please email Chief Instructor Steve Scholey: ryadinghytc@debenyachtclub.co.uk The club is determined to make it easier for young people and adults to take up sailing and are delighted to have been given approval to become an RYA OnBoard Centre. The OnBoard Programme is a hugely successful grassroots programme which seeks to make sailing easier to access for 8-18 year olds. OnBoard Operations Officer Hannah Cockle said: “It’s great to welcome Deben Yacht Club to the OnBoard programme. Getting out on the water has a huge amount of benefits, no matter what your age, background or ability. We look forward to working with them and the local community to get as many people as possible enjoying our great sport.” For more information about sailing opportunities under this programme, email John Prevett: ryatcprincipal@debenyachtclub.co.uk Finally, the first social event will be a Quiz and Fish and Chip Supper in aid of the RNLI on Saturday, April 6 at 7.30pm. For tickets contact Tony Wilman: 01394 387173

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SPORT / SCHOOLS WOODBRIDGE BOWLS CLUB The new season starts with our opening drive on Sunday, April 21 at 2.30pm. It will be good to be out and about in the fresh air again after a winter of indoor bowls. Before this WBC will be participating in Woodbridge On Show at the community centre on April 6. The club will also open its doors to the public on their annual open morning on Saturday, May 4 from 10am to 1pm.

All will be welcome to come and try their hand at the sport. Why not come along and meet new friends, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and have a go? Further details can be found on our Facebook page or by visiting: www.woodbridgebowlsclub.co.uk We can also be contacted on email at: woodbridgebc@gmail.com Whichever way you choose, you can be sure of a warm welcome. www.woodbridgebowlsclub.co.uk

WOODBRIDGE CRUISING CLUB

FARLINGAYE HIGH SCHOOL

Most club sailors have heard of Lloyds Shipping Register and many will have their boats listed on it, but few, I imagine, were aware of the full extent of its activities until a recent Sunday morning talk given by Barbara Jones of Lloyds Register Heritage and Education Trust.

Farlingaye High School has been working with Skills Builder Partnership since 2018 to develop the eight essential skills. These are the skills that underpin success at every stage of life: they unlock learning while at school, ensure young people are fully prepared for the independence of university and college, and empower people to land their dream job.

Barbara proved libraries and archives need not be dull and dusty as she enthralled a large audience with her well-illustrated talk explaining that it was basically a safety organisation inspecting ships and preparing reports for the benefit of owners, charterers and insurers. But it was not only ships. A wide variety of structures including storage tanks, power stations and, until 1942, aeroplanes also came within their remit so from its relatively humble beginnings in 1760 it has grown to be the respected institution we know today. Although having a similar name, it is not related to Lloyds Insurance except that the founders of both all drank in Mr Lloyds coffee house, along with some banking geysers one suspects! Barbara went on to describe her role in charge of Project Undaunted which aims to digitise more than 1.25 million ship records, consisting of reports, drawings and plans of craft surveyed by Lloyds since its founding in 1760. These records will all be available to the public so if you’ve already built a lugsail dinghy in the garage and are looking for a bigger project, get yourself off to Fenchurch Street, flick through the 96,000 plans in the system until you find something you fancy, copy down the details and ‘B&Q’ it. Of course, if your heart is set upon something like the Mary Rose you’ll be disappointed as she was built well before Lloyds started. You can console yourself with the money you’ll save on marina fees, not to mention the time spent anti-fouling. Even if they don’t actually own a copy most local sailors will also know of East Coast Rivers Cruising Companion written originally in 1956 by Jack Coote and continued, following his death in 1993, by his daughter, Janet Harber and her sister Judith Jones. The sisters gave a talk to the club which brought the book to life with a beautifully illustrated account of their sailing days visiting all the remote corners of the Thames estuary so that their father could write and update each edition. These were the days before marinas so they had to row ashore to find the nearest water point, bus stop, phone box (how did we manage before mobiles?) and all the other information needed for the book. Now, of course, there are electronic aids to navigation and marinas for overnight stops so the Cruising Companion is becoming more of a travel guide with information on good pubs and local walks, but it is nonetheless important for that and the superb photographs add colour to the text and the aerial photos of difficult river entrances are a real boon not available in the early days. The sailing season is quickly approaching so social functions are coming to an end and dates are fixed for cruise briefings and for our VHF radio refresher. John Warwick

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Students and teachers have been developing the eight essential skills by using the Skills Builder resources in their careers lessons. Year 8 students were given the opportunity to apply their skills practice and take on the Operation Moonbase mission on their exciting Challenge Day. Tasked to find a way to help solve the problem of a booming population, students worked in teams to establish a new society on a distant moon. They explored their leadership skills by becoming managers, selecting a crew to support them on their mission, as well as taking responsibility for designing a constitution of laws as politicians. Applying their problem solving and teamwork skills at the highest standard, they created their dream cities within tight budgets and even tighter deadlines. Teams were challenged to use their creativity skills when taking on the role of architects and builders to make their ideal moonbase come to life in model form. The day culminated in a test of the learners’ presenting skills as they put together a persuasive pitch to advertise their new society. In what was a very tight timescale, the students rose to the occasion and should be extremely proud of their efforts. The students gained a lot from the experience and commented: “The two skills we feel we have developed the most today are leadership and teamwork. We worked best when one person took the lead to guide our team so we all knew what we needed to do.” “Today was entertaining as well as challenging!” Mrs Laird, assistant headteacher and careers lead, said: “It’s been lovely to see how students worked as teams. They recognised their strengths and contributed them to support their teammates and complete the tasks.” Fundraising by Reading

The school had its annual Readathon on World Book Day when 189 students, some of whom were dressed as characters from books, spent the day snuggled up in sleeping bags in the school library. They read quietly from 8am to 6am, to be interrupted only by members of staff who came in to read aloud excerpts from their favourite books. Students are collecting sponsorship for this event and all funds raised will be split between the school library, the school’s reading club and the school’s St Elizabeth Hospice Elmer Fund.

ON THE GRAPEVINE BRAND NEW OBSTACLE COURSE AND MUD RUN FOR SUFFOLK FAMILIES A brand new event is coming to Suffolk this June as the makers of the Whole Hog and Boss Hog launch The Piglet, Junior Hog. The Piglet, Junior Hog will be an entry-level version of the popular obstacle courses and mud runs that have been part of the Suffolk calendar for over 10 years. It will be aimed at those who want to take part with their children or who would like to run a shorter route and benefit East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). Sponsored by Taylor Wimpey, the event will take place on Sunday, June 9 on the lands of Wantisden Hall near Woodbridge, with two courses for runners. One will be over two kilometres and feature at least 10 obstacles. Children aged eight to 11 can take part, provided each is accompanied by a participating adult. The other will be over four kilometres and feature at least 20 obstacles. It will be open to anyone aged 12 and over. Louisa Smart, EACH Suffolk Community Fundraiser, said: “Having been a charity partner of the Whole Hog for the last two years, we’re delighted the organisers’ support is going a step further this year. Families who come along are guaranteed a muddy, fun-filled day out, with obstacles such as cargo nets, tunnels, rivers and monkey bars likely to feature.” Runners will set off in waves at 9.30am, 10am, 10.30am, 11am and 11.30am. Tickets range in price from £12.50 to £17.50. Everyone will receive a medal at the end. Food and refreshments will be available. For more information and to book tickets, go to: www.each.org.uk/piglet

CANINE CRECHE GROUP OPENS NEW PUPPY SOCIAL CLUB Research has shown that the top reason for rehoming a dog is due to behaviour problems. The Dogs Trust has recorded that 49 per cent of owners state their dog shows behavioural signs of fear when they hear loud noises and our Canine Creche facilities have all reported that anxious puppies and dogs are on the increase. The UK pet dog population has hit a new record at 9m dogs, says the Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association. The growth in dogs marks an increase of 400,000 pets over last year and shows that 26 per cent of households now own a dog, representing an increase of around 300,000 households. To address this escalating problem Candace Rose MD and Founder, Canine Creche Group has spent months developing a new Puppy Social Club ©CCG2019 which will be hosted in all facilities. Rose commented: “Socialisation is the process of teaching a puppy or young dog how to cope and behave well in a human modern world. To a puppy, everything in the world in brand new and they have never seen any of this before. We encourage our members to try to remember this perspective as they teach what is expected of their puppy.” This six-week club will aid and boost the puppy’s confidence, promote good manners and increase the human to dog bond. This is all achieved through counter conditioning and desensitisation delivered with a big dose of fun! Anxious or timid puppies will grow in confidence whilst bolshie puppies will learn good manners all in real world situations. Many of our clients have reported the difficulty they have to safely socialising puppies in a caring environment, this club will now deliver this. Commencing in all creches during March and April, call 01473 636151 to locate the best time and location for you and your puppy.

SUFFOLK REMEMBERS RETURNS TO FELIXSTOWE in 100 days St Elizabeth Hospice is asking the people of Suffolk to help them remember loved ones as part of the charity’s annual Suffolk Remembers event. Sixteen large wooden letters, 5,000 candles and hundreds of loved ones will gather in Felixstowe Spa Gardens on June 21 to celebrate and remember friends and family in this unique outdoors celebration. Tuesday, March 12 marked the 100-day countdown to the event, which takes place on Suffolk Day. Pauline Donkin, individual giving manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Suffolk Remembers is fast becoming one of my favourite hospice events. There’s this incredible sense of community on the night as everyone comes together for the lighting of the candles and joins together to remember their loved ones as the sun sets on the longest day of the year. It’s so, so special and is open to anyone, not just people who have had an experience with the hospice or our nurses. “We want to light up Felixstowe with 5,000 personal memories and people can remember pets as well, as they are very much part of a family and they too are sadly missed. Every candle will bear the name of a loved one. “Being able to remember and share memories or your loved ones is such an important thing, but quite often it is something we think we can only do in private or by a grave. “Suffolk Remembers is all about giving people an open and public way of remembering their loved ones and helping people to connect with other people in a similar situation. We also have live music on the night and it’s a really wonderful experience. “Each dedication is also replicated on our website and you can go online and make your dedication today and add a photograph and special message. By supporting this event you are also helping the hospice to care for people, and their families, in east Suffolk, to ease pain and restore hope. We’re also delighted to have on board the East of England Co Op Funeral Services as our event sponsors this year.” Michael Davies, of East of England Co-Op Funeral Services, said: “St Elizabeth Hospice plays such an important part in people’s lives. For us, sponsoring this amazing event is our way of saying thank you to the hospice for all the work they are doing caring for the people in our community.” Candle dedications can be made online; £5 minimum donation recommended. www.suffolkremembers.stelizabethhospice.org.uk

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ON THE GRAPEVINE QUESTIONS ON CASH With Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb Ian from Stowmarket asks: “I recently read an article about being under-insured. It has been a while since my wife and I took out life insurance and it made me realise that the value of our existing policies could probably do with being ‘topped up’. So, I went onto a comparison website to get some insurance quotes. I was amazed to find that five years after taking out life insurance policies with our bank, we can now get the same amount of cover elsewhere for much less money each month. How can this be? Surely the cost of life insurance should get more expensive as you get older?”

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Many people are under-insured, usually because their financial situation has not been regularly reviewed. For most couples, life insurance is purchased to protect the spouse and children in the event of the death of the main income provider. To calculate the sum assured, most financial advisers will work on a multiple of net salary for a term that would enable the surviving spouse and children to maintain their standard of living. For example, if the net (after tax) income to be replaced on death is £12,000 per annum, and the children would need financial support for the next 10 years, the sum assured would be 10 x £12,000 = £120,000. However, since they took out their original policies, most people’s salaries will have increased. That means the sum assured within their existing policy may not now provide enough cover. It is therefore important to review this on a regular basis. The good news is, as Ian has discovered, it is often possible to re-broke existing life insurance for a new policy for a lower price. In some cases, it is even possible to find more cover for less money than you are already paying. Although this would seem strange, there are good reasons for it. Firstly, banks have traditionally sold their own life insurance policies to their customers. Unfortunately, if you shopped around, you would find that these are generally not the lowest cost policies available and the premiums can in fact be quite expensive. Secondly, the life insurance business has become very cut-throat in recent years, with many new providers such as supermarkets, and internet-based companies entering the marketplace. This has driven down the cost of premiums, which is why it is not unusual to find that you can now get the same cover at a lower price. This means that if you took out life insurance a few years ago, your existing life insurance policy may not now offer you the best value, and as Ian has found, by shopping around and changing your policy, you could save yourself some money. However, although price comparison websites will give you a good idea of costs, not all insurers are listed on these sites. If you contact an Independent Financial Adviser and ask him or her to conduct a free search of the entire marketplace for you, you can be sure that you will get the best possible life insurance at the best price. Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services. Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham IP6 8JP, or email nick at nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone him on 01473 830301. Nick’s answers to reader’s questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary and without obligation initial consultation to discuss their own position and requirements. Plumb Financial Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.