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with Melton, Rendlesham & Woodbridge Volume 9 • Issue No. 9 • JANUARY 2020
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I am utterly addicted to and obsessed by Leonard Cohen, so you can imagine how excited I was to discover a new album was to be released three years after his death. Thanks for the Dance has been arranged by Leonard’s son Adam and features various collaborators and previously unheard material. Every line is a masterpiece, all the more poignant because it was written and recorded when he was “Waiting for the miracle to come”. Death and dying have always been key themes of his work, but is it fair to refer to the man who said “The older I get, the surer I am that I’m not running the show” as ‘the grandfather of gloom’?
NEWS SEA SCOUTS PLEDGE TO HELP SAXON SHIP SET SAIL
I go to one or other of his albums for inspiration, comfort, reassurance, hope and even humour. Tonight Will Be Fine always makes me smile: Sometimes I find I get to thinking of the past. We swore to each other then that our love would surely last. You kept right on loving, I went on a fast, Now I am too thin and your love is too vast. And the ultimate love song must surely be If I Didn’t Have Your Love: If the sun would lose its light And we lived an endless night And there was nothing left That you could feel That’s how it would be My life would seem to me If I didn’t have your love To make it real I can’t imagine a world without music (it doesn’t have to be Leonard Cohen all the time), but for others it might be art or theatre, movies or even long walks in the countryside which provide the indefinable something which makes life better. Whatever it may be, I hope you find time and space to indulge in it this year. Maybe we can help you find it if you haven’t already! And when you’re having a bad day… “Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.” Leonard Cohen
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A group of sea scouts have pledged to help a Saxon ship project set sail. The 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts were treated to a private tour of the Longshed, Woodbridge, where a 90ft reconstruction of the seventh century Sutton Hoo ship is being built. The group, who range in age from 10-14, were invited after sponsoring one of 3,500 rivets on the vessel as part of a £1million crowdfunder to pay for the build. After being treated to a live demonstration of wood splitting and a Q&A, they asked whether they would be old enough to row it once it was complete. Group Scout Leader Barrie Hayter said: “The children were really captivated by the story behind the project and plans for its future. To reconstruct a ship which was buried for 13 centuries is quite an endeavour in itself – but to involve traditional building methods takes it to another level. “Our scouts love a project which is hands on and incorporates lots of different skills so they would love to volunteer on the work as the ship progresses – or indeed get a chance to row it once it’s on water.” Mr Hayter said one of the favourite elements of the trip was finding out where their rivet – number five – would be placed. “It’s amazing that everyone who sponsors a rivet will be able to map exactly where their piece of the ship is placed,” he said. “The scout group loved this idea – the idea that they owed a teeny tiny part of such a magnificent vessel. I think they felt like they were a part of history and a part of the future.” The scouts were shown plans for the ship-build developed by Pat Tanner and Julian Whitewright which feature the scientific details behind the reconstruction and are based on original data gathered at the archaeological site in 1939. They were also shown a life-size plan of the ship by Paul Constantine, who has been researching the reconstruction. Philip Leech, chairman and director of the Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company, said: “We were delighted to welcome the 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts to the Longshed and although most of our volunteers will be 18 or over, I’m sure we can involve them at some point during its build. As for rowing it, they seemed to be very keen on this idea but I’m not sure they realise just how much of a challenge that will be! “A major part of our project is to do with education and we were thrilled to see some young people engaging with it and feeling excited by it. It really demonstrated that what we were doing was going to be really worthwhile. We were also delighted that they sponsored a rivet and hope lots of people will follow in their footsteps and think about purchasing one for a Christmas gift.” Rivets can be sponsored via the website for £20 and you will receive a certificate and pin badge. For more information visit: www.makeshiphappen.co.uk Pictured left to right: Jamie, Ollie, Aiden, Zach, Oscar, Tabitha and Nina / Credit to Sutton Hoo Ship’s Company For more about 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts visit: https://scouts.org.uk/groups/5th
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NEWS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS CHARITY SET FOR NEW YEAR’S RELAUNCH
Arthur C Clarke once said: “How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is clearly Ocean.” He had a point as 71 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered with water. This may help explain our fascination with the sea and all things maritime. On the east coast we are acutely aware of this. The marine industry accounts directly for over £1bn worth of business with more than 7,000 direct jobs and this is before we take into account the thousands of people who enjoy the water for recreation. To celebrate this maritime heritage the Woolverstone Project and Woodbridge Riverside Trust have organised a unique event, a Maritime Film Festival. The festival takes place between January 17 and 19 and is a celebration of the best of yachting and maritime films from all eras – from Hollywood blockbusters like Adrift, through to classics like Riddle of the Sands (pictured). The festival will take place in the Long Shed, next door to Woodbridge Tide Mill where a replica of the Sutton Hoo Burial Ship is being built. Full details and tickets are available from www.maritimefilmfestival.co.uk or you can ring the booking line on 01394 610983 and leave a message. The event will also be associated with a film competition. This is open to all – amateur and professional – and will have a wide range of categories. The entries will be judged by a panel of local experts and the winning films will be announced and shown in the final session of the festival. As well as the films, there will be talks, entertainment and refreshments. Any surplus from the event will help the two organising charities – the Woolverstone Project and Woodbridge Riverside Trust.
Suffolk Oxygen Therapy Centre was formed over 35 years ago as the Suffolk Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre to provide oxygen therapy and support to those living with the disease. Since then, the charity has grown to support people living with many other conditions and now undertakes more than 3,000 therapy sessions per year. In the last year, the charity has made a number of alterations to its existing building which has allowed it to start developing a complementary therapy service and provided us with the room for power-assisted exercise chairs. In February 2020, the centre is launching these new services and invites health professionals and the public to visit the centre during the open week: Monday 3 (10.30am-2pm & 3-6pm) to Thursday 6 (Tue-Thu 10.30am-2.30pm) February. Centre Manager Victoria Barber says: “This is a good chance for people to come along and enjoy a cuppa and have a chat, meet some of our members, volunteers, staff and trustees and learn about oxygen therapy. It will also be an opportunity to try our power assisted exercise chairs and learn more about the other therapies on offer.” For more information in advance contact Victoria at: 01473 830359 / victoria@suffolkoxygentherapy.co.uk Suffolk Oxygen Therapy Centre (SOTC) receives no state funding and relies entirely on donations, legacies and fundraisers to function, with any fundraising put towards service development and improvement. The charity’s longer term goal is to fundraise for a new centre including the purchase of its own oxygen generation facilities, which will bring long term cost efficiencies by reducing both ongoing costs of oxygen delivery and the carbon footprint, thus protecting its future as a sustainable charity. The charity is in the early stages with its appointed architect, but early indication is that it will take approximately 10 years from now to fund this in its entirety. For more about the centre, visit: www.suffolkoxygentherapy.co.uk
WOODBRIDGE SCHOOL APPOINTS SHONA NORMAN AS HEAD Woodbridge School has appointed Ms Shona Norman as head. Ms Norman’s appointment comes at the end of a comprehensive and thorough selection process that saw nearly 30 candidates apply for the role. The selection panel, which concluded its findings on Friday 15 November, came to a unanimous decision to invite Shona to become the next head. Roger Finbow, the chair of Seckford Foundation, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of this extensive selection process and our decision to invite Shona to lead our school. Experience, style, competency and cultural fit were critical aspects of our decision and Shona stood out as a clear leader with the right vision and values. Today, Woodbridge offers a rich and vibrant learning environment for students of four to 18 and we are excited to give Shona the opportunity to build on the great work she has done for the school over the last 17 years and lead the school on to an even brighter future.” Shona has been Woodbridge School’s Acting Head for the last six months and will officially assume her new position on January 1. Ms Norman commented: “I am truly honoured to be given the opportunity to help our community write the next chapter for this fabulous and unique school. At Woodbridge School, we have one of the best learning cultures of any education establishment, an expert and
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committed teaching staff, and over 750 vibrant and engaging pupils. I’m very grateful to the board and governors of the Seckford Foundation for the trust they have put in me to lead our school, and realise the many opportunities that lie ahead.” After completing her A Levels at Wisbech Grammar School in Cambridgeshire, Shona studied for a degree in English Literature at London University. Upon completion of this, she obtained her PGCE from Cambridge University before being appointed as a Teacher of English at Woodbridge School in September 2002. During her time at Woodbridge, Shona has been promoted to the positions of housemistress, extended project qualification co-ordinator, deputy head (pastoral) and senior deputy before stepping into the role of acting head in May 2019. While deputy, Shona chose to return to Cambridge University to complete her Masters in Educational Leadership and School Improvement; she remains part of their Leadership for Learning initiative. Regarded by her staff and students as an inspirational leader and an outstanding teacher, Shona is passionate about student welfare inside and outside of the classroom and in ensuring that every child is recognised as an individual, preparing them to excel in the future world. Shona is married to Michael who serves in the Royal Marines. For more information about Woodbridge School, visit: www.woodbridgeschool.org.uk Photo credit and copyright: Woodbridge School
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OUT & ABOUT FESTIVE FUN AT CHRISTMAS CONCERT
DRAMA FOR A MIDWINTER EVENING In January Robert Lloyd Parry brings a seasonal shiver to Woodbridge with his retelling of two of the greatest tales by MR James, the master of the English ghost story.
The Woodbridge Combined Care Homes Choir Christmas Concert welcomed a packed audience at Woodbridge Methodist Church for their performance on Wednesday 4 December led by choir director Megan Peel. The choir were joined by students from Barnabas Pre-school, St Mary’s Primary School, Woodbridge Prep School and SET Saxmundham School. A number of festive classics – old and new – were performed including Once in Royal David’s City, Little Donkey and Believe from Polar Express. Sarah Kopferschmitt, Head of Care at Seckford Care, said: “We are proud to collaborate with school groups to present this intergenerational concert featuring performers aged from three to 99. The opportunity to sing alongside other choirs has been a wonderful way to start the festive period.” The large audience were invited to join in with Christmas favourites and congregated after the concert with refreshments including mince pies made by Seckford Care residents. The Woodbridge Combined Care Homes Choir was launched in February 2017 and comprises residents, their families and staff from Seckford Almshouses, Jubilee House and Grove Court. The choir is funded by Comic Relief. A retiring collection was made for St Elizabeth Hospice. Photo by Charlotte Flight / Copyright: Seckford Foundation
Described by The Stage as ‘story-telling at its finest’ and by the Daily Mail as ‘wonderful, magical’, Lloyd Parry of Nunkie Theatre Company has spearheaded The MR James Project, an initiative to bring back to life the most entertaining of James’s enduringly brilliant tales. On Monday 27 January he will perform Oh Whistle and I’ll Come to You My Lad and The Ash Tree. One review described his performance as ‘utterly hypnotic’. MR James was an author, medieval scholar and Fellow of King’s College Cambridge. Many of his stories were written to be performed by candlelight to his friends in his college rooms on Christmas Eve. His Ghost Stories of an Antiquary remain the most admired supernatural tales in the English language. Oh Whistle... is a tale of nocturnal horror on the Suffolk coast and is considered by many to be James’s masterpiece. The Ash Tree is a story of witchcraft and vengeance down the generations. The performance begins at 7.30pm in Woodbridge Library. Tickets (£10, students £5 including an interval drink) are available from the library or by phoning 01394 330855
WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM Following on from its successful first season in its new home by the river, Woodbridge Museum will be open at weekends throughout the winter months. It will open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am until 3pm. The November talk for the Friends of Woodbridge Museum was a reminder of the origins and work of the Royal British Legion. As always when hearing a talk on a familiar subject, there’s something new to learn and this talk proved no exception. The first talk of 2020 will be on January 17, the subject being The Earthquake in Nepal, April 1915 by Roger Bailey and Erik Punaks. Further talks are: February 21: Woodbridge Myths and Misconceptions by Bob Merrett March 20: Fate and Arthur Ransome’s Boat, Nancy Blackett by Mike Rines April 12: Woodbridge Tide Mill Past and Present by Nigel Barrett May 15: Keep taking ye Tablets by Liz Wood We are already taking bookings for the next day school on March 7. The subject this time will be The Long Armistice: Britain 1919-39 with the lectures given again by Dr Andrew Lacey. For further information about Friday talks and the next day school contact: 01394 585572
DEBEN ROTARY CELEBRATES 30 YEARS SERVICE On Saturday 16 November the Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben marked 30 years of service to the community with a Charter Night dinner at Ufford Park Hotel. President Chris Walker welcomed 86 Rotarians and guests, including representatives of several local Rotary clubs and former members of Deben Rotary. The toast to the club was proposed by Assistant District Governor Lindsay Pearson, and the principal speaker was Bob Loughlin. Bob is the Yeoman Gaoler of the Tower of London and was recogniSable to many from his appearances in Channel 5’s Inside the Tower of London. By the time this article appears we will have completed our rounds on Santa’s sleigh and held our annual Candlelit Carol Concert, and once again we thank the people of Woodbridge and district for their support of these events. Money raised is used by the club to support a wide variety of local, national and international charities. A reminder to our many visitors and carers that the next Memory Café is on Wednesday 29 January.
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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY Please note that Woodbridge Library will close at 5pm on Tuesday 31 December and is closed all day on Wednesday 1 January.
COLD HANDS, WARM HEARTS A winter warmer fundraising concert at Woodbridge Community Hall on Saturday 18 January at 7.30pm Come and join Families in Need (FIND) and Suffolk Singers for a spectacular charity concert raising funds for FIND, a truly inspirational charity offering a lifeline to people in Suffolk who are experiencing poverty and despair. FIND provides free food parcels and personal care items to help people get through a crisis, as well as furniture, bedding and other household items where the person or family has none. The award winning Suffolk Singers make a swift return to Woodbridge, having performed at St Mary’s Church in October to much acclaim. However, this will be a concert that contrasts in style with October, comprising mainly of light music, reflecting the relaxed atmosphere created for the occasion. As always, the choir will be led by their much-cherished musical director Claire Weston, accompanied on the keyboard by former Woodbridge School pupil Harrison Cole. Also performing will be Claire’s Young Singers, a talented group of singers from Woodbridge School. Tickets are £15 including a light finger buffet and are available from: 01394 279907 / rjrcolneis@aol.com / www.WeGotTickets.com
Thursday 2 to Friday 31 January ArtLib Exhibition of Photo Canvasses by Richard Mitchell Every Thursday from 9 January to 13 February, 9.30-1.30pm Suffolk Babies – Story Adventurers, Moving Upwards, Moving Onwards, Sensory Baby Yoga and Munchkins Baby Massage. Book online at: www.suffolkbabies.co.uk Saturday 11 January, 10.15-11.45am Talk by Well-being Coach & Three Principles Practitioner Mia Philips. Suggested donation of £7 or pay what you can afford. For more information please visit: www.facebook.com/ccEHWB . Saturday 18 January, 7.30-9pm Michelle Thomas, author of My S*hit Therapist & Other Mental Health Stories. My Shit Therapist is an honest account of living with mental illness, which mimics the frank, honest and – dare we say – funny interactions Michelle has had with her friends and followers about madness, medication and making the most of a misbehaving brain. Thirty-five early bird tickets will be available online from December 1 at £5 on Eventbrite (offer ends Monday 6 January). Thereafter tickets will be £7 in advance at the library or online. Doors open at 7pm for refreshments and arrivals. Monday 27 January, 7.30pm: Drama for a Midwinter Evening (see page 6)
DANCE FOLKUS START 2020 WITH SIBBY & ALAN HINES Our first dance of 2020 is on Friday 3 January from 7.30pm. After all that Christmas food, get some heart-pumping exercise by joining our friendly crowd in a ceilidh or barn dance. The nationally known festival caller, Sibby, will be in charge. He is an excellent, experienced, Essexbased caller with an extensive range of dances. His repertoire is an eclectic mix ranging from simple barn dance through ceilidh style and often includes Playford, Contra and Scottish, plus his own original dances. He publishes his own dance books and his 33rd was released in 2019. The band will be our resident Dance Folkus ‘Come All Ye’ Big Band led by Harbour Lights. Local traditional musician, Alan Hines from Needham Market, will be singing for us during the mid-evening interval. Alan plays the piano accordion and has been entertaining in pubs for many years with an array of amusing sing-along songs. In the past he has also played the Wurlitzer organ for many years at the Cotton Mechanical Music Museum and the Strumpshaw Hall Steam Museum. Now his main interest is traction engines and he can be found at many local steam engine rallies showing his marvellous fairground steam engine.
With enough entries to start a bookshop, our Book Titles competition was very popular with 73 entries. Local judge Mike Cowling ARPS worked quickly and confidently through the images, selecting six with a top score of 20/20. He was torn between two images, both by Sue Garrod, finally deciding on Arachnophobia (below left) as first place and Alice through the Looking Glass (below centre) as a runner-up. Her husband Robin left once again as another runner-up with Great Expectations, along with Gathering Prey by Ann Stammers, The House on the Loch (below right) by Julie Caton and The Shape of Water by Richard Brown. Our next meeting at the Quay Church in Woodbridge is at 7.30pm on January 21 and will feature an illustrated talk, Give a Child a Camera, by Norfolk photographer Julian Claxton. Members will be donating cameras to help with the charity’s work in Africa.
New dancers wanting to attend can book a discounted place by emailing Dancefolkus@aol.com or you can simply come along on the night (entry £7). Students or children are £3 at the door. If you need further information telephone Rob on 01473 610951. Visitors to Woodbridge and first-time dancers are always very welcome to attend our dances at Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road IP12 4AU. Tickets can also be booked online at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/woodbridge-dance-folkus
WOODBRIDGE PROBUS
Monday 10 February: The Treasure of Ipswich by John Field
Our ladies Christmas lunch was on Monday 2 December, complete with prizes, music, lots of laughter and delicious food for which our thanks go to the staff at Woodbridge Golf Club.
Did you know that Ipswich is full of architectural treasures of historical importance? If not, come along and find out about the town’s mediaeval churches, mansions and halls, its important legacy of Victorian buildings, nationally and locally listed buildings and the many features and artefacts of local, national (and even some of international) importance.
Our next meeting is on Monday 6 January when we shall have our AGM, sometimes considered as grim affairs. Ours is certainly not! We shall be welcoming our new president, Erik Crichton, who will tell us how he intends to run the ship for the next year. We shall also put forward a programme of fascinating talks and welcome suggestions for outings for the next year.
Meetings are held in Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.
If you would like to learn more about us have a look at our website or call our secretary, Ray Hooper: 01751 122454 / www.woodbridgeprobus.org.uk
MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY
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OUT & ABOUT INNER WHEEL CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE
LEISTON & DISTRICT PHILATELIC SOCIETY
The Memory Café goes from strength to strength. Our club provides the refreshments for this monthly event, run jointly by the two Rotary clubs in Woodbridge. The October meeting was the busiest yet with 60 people attending. They were entertained by Peter from Woodbridge Museum who brought along some memorabilia. In November we were entertained by a ukulele band. There was singing and even some dancing. It’s wonderful to see everyone having a good time.
The society will meet in the hall of the United Church, High Street, Leiston from 7.15pm on Wednesday 22 January for a members’ display evening. This is the start of the club’s 50th year, during which there will be many special events and a display illustrating the club and the hobby of stamp collecting will be circulating in many of the libraries and museums in our region, which stretches from Reydon in the north to Felixstowe in the south, throughout the year.
If you are interested in the Memory Café for people with all forms of dementia (and their carers), we meet at Woodbridge Town Football Club on the last Wednesday of every month. For more information, please contact Martin on 01394 386933.
New members are always welcome. Membership is £5 per annum (50p for students 18 years and under) payable in September. Refreshments are available. We are a friendly group so if you have an interest in philately, why not join us?
Of course (at the time of writing) Christmas is almost upon us and it’s time to enjoy all that Christmas brings. Members of the club and friends will be enjoying a Christmas lunch together, and trying not to worry too much about those extra calories. That can be taken care of by our New Year’s resolutions! We are also planning a visit to Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival. The next big thing on the horizon is our annual charity quiz on Friday 28 February in Woodbridge Community Hall. Proceeds will go to The Eve Appeal and Over the Rainbow. We will welcome teams of four to six at £6 per person. This will be our eighteenth quiz and to date it has raised in excess of £15,000 for local charities. To reserve your table, please contact Deirdre on 07711 103610.
U3A’S JANUARY PROGRAMME There’s something to suit all tastes – history, hauntings, sports and science – in U3A East Suffolk’s programme for the New Year. U3A is aimed at older people who want to get as much as possible out of life. There are no entry qualifications, no barriers to joining and lots of activities to get involved in and to contribute to. If you are interested, please come along and find out what U3A can offer.
WOODBRIDGE WILDLIFE GROUP
Thursday 2 January 10.30am-12.30pm at Felixstowe Salvation Army Hall Televising the Olympics by David Burrowes; how the Olympic organisation gets live TV and radio to 200 countries for three weeks continuously.
Wildflowers and the Suffolk Coast and Heaths The work of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB takes centre stage when Neil Lister from the AONB gives a talk at Woodbridge Community Hall on Thursday 16 January at 7.30pm.
Thursday 9 January, 2-4pm at Saxmundham Market Hall A Royal Progress by Hexachordia; an account of Elizabeth I’s 11week visit to East Anglia in 1578 using a range of contemporary and secondary sources.
The talk has been organised by Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Woodbridge Wildlife Group and Phil Smith from the group said: “The AONB is a mix of shingle beaches, heathland, forest, estuaries and iconic coastal towns. It’s going to be interesting to learn more about this very special Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the wildflowers that are found in it.”
Monday 20 January, 10.30am-12.30pm at Woodbridge Football Club Forensic Science and Firearms – In Search of the Smoking Gun by Brian Heard
The talk is open to all, with admission £3 for adults and free entry for under16s. During the evening there will be a raffle and light refreshments will be served. For further information please contact: 01473 625630 / swtwoodbridge@outlook.com
Monday 27 January, 2-4pm at Kesgrave Community Centre Suffolk Ghosts and Hauntings by Robert Halliday; a stimulating selection of ghost stories, haunted houses and frightening apparitions. U3A promises a warm welcome to existing and potential members. For membership details visit: www.a3aeastsuffolk.org.uk Occasionally U3A may have to make last minute changes so please see the website for up to date information.
IPSWICH & DISTRICT PHILATELIC SOCIETY Our last meeting of 2019 was held on Wednesday 4 December. The meeting featured a local dealer, Sarah Brooks, who brought along a vast amount of her stock for us to peruse and purchase. Our January meeting will be held at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre on 15 January from 1-5pm. Society member and local dealer Roger Swindells will be available with his stock for you to add to your collections and a static display from one of his own collections. Refreshments will be available, so why not come and join us? Information can be found online or by contacting our secretary, Mike Smith: 01473 403904 / michaelsmith1949@gmail.com www.ipswichphilatelic.uk
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OUT & ABOUT 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. Our next meeting is on January 21 when Chris Parfitt will be giving an illustrated talk on Hidden Bhutan, focusing on the eastern area and the less visited valleys. Chris has travelled extensively around the world and has built up a collection of interesting and informative talks. This promises to be no exception, especially as this area is one of his favourites. On February 18 Brian Dyes, a founder member and past chairman of Ipswich Transport Museum, will be giving a talk about the museum.
WOODBRIDGE CRUISING CLUB
We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre IP5 1JF at 7.15pm. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; the entrance fee is £3. National Trust members and 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.
The break in the rain on Sunday 16 November encouraged members to venture outside their front doors and a good number turned up at the clubhouse for the Annual General Meeting. In a change from previous custom, the meeting was held on a Saturday morning and encouraged by a good turnout, this is likely to be repeated this year.
For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761
The formal part of the agenda passed like an express train and before he could protest Phil Wadley found he had become the new commodore. After a ‘state of the nation’ address by the retiring commodore, Phil pledged his best for the club, but reminded members that the more they put in the more they would get out of the club.
www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk
SPRING TERM AT BRIGHT STARS Fun activity sessions for pre-school aged children with parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers on the second and fourth Monday of each month during term times from 10.30am-noon at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Sessions are free and usually based on a theme. They normally include singing, games, crafts and Bible stories. After each session we have refreshments, when the adults can chat and the children can play until approximately noon. The spring season dates are 13 and 27 January, 10 and 24 February, 9 and 23 March. Just turn up, there’s no need to let us know in advance. For further information please contact Sonya and Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196
DEBEN YACHT CLUB
The next day David Kemp of the Environment Agency walked the plank with his talk entitled 48 Hours in the Operations Room. The room is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, gathering information on the changing state of wind, rain and tide. All is a breeze until the graphs start to merge; then the pace quickens and the various teams swing into operational mode. David gave members a real insight into the effort that goes into predicting, managing and planning for flooding and environmental disaster. The club was pleased to welcome Eric Reynolds, the new owner of Eversons Boatyard, on the first Sunday in December. Eric is a very accomplished businessman who also has a real passion for boats and it was the boating side of his life that he revealed in his talk. He launched his boating career with the formation of Evolution Yachts in 1976, in what is now Camden Market. It wasn’t all plain sailing and he soon learned that forklifts don’t float and if you store boats in a chicken shed you get the smell but no eggs! However, the business grew and he moved on to motor and steam power until discovering the joys and challenges of restoring forgotten and neglected vintage boats. This brought him to Woodbridge where The Woodbridge Boatyard afforded the opportunity to store and work on his boats including the local ‘Cherub’ class which is seeing a revival. Finally, if Santa has delivered you a boat on the back of his sleigh, the RYA courses starting in the new year might be of interest. For information about the club and its activities visit: www.woodbridgecruisingclub.org
After a fantastic laying-up supper, prize giving and ceilidh in November, the club had a lovely mince pie and mulled wine evening in December. The ex-commodore played the piano and there was some good carol singing. On the first day of the year we’re hoping to have enough wind to sail upriver before a bring-and-share supper. In the first three months of the year we have some walks in different places with a pub lunch for those who wish to eat. We also have a talk every month, normally something boat related, but occasionally something different. The working party has been very busy as always in the winter. A new pontoon is being made and there are lots of club boats to look after and other jobs on the club house to keep everything working. The sailing courses will be running again in the spring so keep an eye on our website if that is something you’d like to do this year.
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ON THE GRAPEVINE COULD YOU BOOST A YOUNG PERSON’S CHANCES? Emma’s story (fictional name, real story) Emma loved school. However, her studies were not going well and she struggled deeply with anxiety. This prevented her even considering the next step in continuing her learning. Emma was offered one-to-one time with a Seckford Springboard mentor. Too scared to attend her first meeting at all, and attending the second with a friend to speak on her behalf, she clearly had a lot to work through. But she was chatting away by the end of that second meeting and thereafter, all it took was a listening ear and an hour a week for about eight weeks to grow her confidence through conversation, building trust and being there. Emma is now employed and confidently maturing as an apprentice chef, all thanks to someone simply volunteering for a few hours to give a young person someone to talk to. Could you do that for a young person? Seckford Foundation’s mentoring programmes support young people in rural Suffolk with well-being and careers. By focussing on positives and skills, it boosts the young person’s confidence when seeking employment and resilience when dealing with personal challenges.
GANGES TRAINEES RETURN TO SHOTLEY GATE This is nothing unusual, but the HMS Ganges Association Museum was delighted to welcome a special group of ‘old boys’ back to the fold on Saturday 26 October. This group of former Ganges’ trainees had formed a branch in Beeston, Nottingham, but recently took the difficult decision to close the doors on their regular meetings, sadly due to dwindling numbers. The lads vowed to lay down their standard and donate it to the popular museum along with a generous cheque representing outstanding funds, for which the museum is very grateful. Their act is a poignant one since the flag represents everything they hold dear. This includes shared memories of hard but happy times as the lads, who were 15 or 16 years old when they met, trained and made lifelong friendships, proudly serving in their careers with the Royal Navy on ships all over the world. Trustees at the museum arranged a special handover to receive the cheque and the standard from Division Chairman Gerry Taylor and treasurer Terry Abrams. A commemorative tot of renowned Pusser’s Rum and a small buffet were shared to mark the occasion.
These programmes follow a tried and tested structure which includes plenty of resources and support for mentors, together with a clear start and finish point for mentees. Are you a good listener? Due to the success of the mentoring programmes, Seckford Foundation is now recruiting volunteer mentors to join the team. It is a mutually rewarding programme for both mentor and mentee, often with tangible results being quickly achieved. No previous mentoring experience is needed as training and development is ongoing. All that’s needed is some life experience, a non-judgemental attitude, a good listening ear and a desire to make a positive difference to someone’s life. Both mentoring programmes are funded jointly by the Seckford Foundation, Prince’s Countryside Fund and the Salvation Army, and they are available to young people aged 25 and under to access for free. Could you be the difference a young person needs? To find out more, call 01394 615199 / 0783 1120873, email: enquiries@seckford-foundation.org.uk or visit: www.seckfordspringboard.org.uk/can-we-help-you/mentoring The Seckford Foundation is a charity that promotes and supports the education and care of the young and the elderly. For more information visit: www.seckford-foundation.org.uk
Trustee Barrie Scott-Webb, who received the standard, is pictured with John Arbon, Roger Jones, Terry Abrams and Roger Taylor (photo by June Lawford-Randall). Visitors to the museum, now numbering 4-5,000 each year will be able to view this and other standards. The £1,165.31 donation will enable the museum to purchase three bookcases which will enhance the library, helping provide information for ‘old boys’ and their relatives to understand what life was really like on the naval base in Shotley. Chairman Roger Jones said: “We are very pleased and proud to accept the Beeston Division Standard into our collection along with the huge cheque and we look forward to welcoming visitors to view our growing library which is representative of life at the land-based Ganges Training School, attended by 160,000 trainees between 1905 and 1976.” The HMS Ganges Museum is open at weekends and on bank holidays from 11am to 5pm from Easter to October. To find out more, or to volunteer with us, please visit our website or follow our Facebook page, The HMS Ganges Museum. www.hmsgangesmuseum.com
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ON THE GRAPEVINE SUFFOLK LIBRARIES REWARDS VOLUNTEER CHAMPIONS
QUESTIONS ON CASH With Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb
Suffolk Libraries recently held its first ever People’s Champions Awards to acknowledge the efforts of volunteers for their vital contribution to the county’s library service. Thousands of people make a contribution to Suffolk Libraries in their own time, supporting staff in various different ways ranging from the many community or friends groups, running the home library service and helping with the summer reading challenge. Seven categories of award were presented as follows: • Young Volunteer of Year: Emma Fakes at Thurston Library • Dedicated Volunteer: Monica Ford, retired volunteer at Broomhill Library • The People’s Choice Award (for staff who support volunteers): Mandy Grimwood, Manager of Gainsborough Library • Volunteer Team Award: Kesgrave Library Community Group • Innovation Award: Gemma Southwood at Kesgrave Library • Exceptional Contribution Award: Charlotte Evans at Broomhill Library • Inspirational Volunteer Award: Chloe Peck, Capel St Mary Library An independent panel shortlisted several people for each award and selected the winners, with Suffolk Libraries receiving 68 nominations overall from staff and other volunteers. Bruce Leeke, CEO of Suffolk Libraries, said: “We’re incredibly lucky to have an army of volunteers across the county covering a wide range of roles to support and enhance the library service. They support our staff, help us to raise money and organise events and are genuinely one of the chief reasons Suffolk Libraries has been so successful over the past few years. Although there are seven winners, I’d like to pay tribute to all those nominated and every single one of our volunteers across the county and their contribution to their communities.” The event was attended by around 220 people and compered by BBC Suffolk presenter Lesley Dolphin, herself a member of Felixstowe Library Friends group. The awards were presented by Freddie Gathorne-Hardy, CEO of Christie’s Care; County Councillor Paul West; David Sheepshanks CBE, former chairman of Ipswich Town Football Club; Sylvia Knights, Suffolk Libraries Board Member and member of Bungay Library Friends Group; Bruce Leeke, CEO Suffolk Libraries; Jenni Carberry, Enterprise and Business Development Manager at the University of Suffolk and Corrina Hanley, Volunteer Manager at Suffolk Mind. Suffolk Libraries has 1,170 volunteers including friends group members and offered 4,771 days of volunteering or work experience last year. Winner of the Dedicated Volunteer Award, Monica Ford, recently retired after an amazing 32 years of being a Home Library Service Volunteer at Broomhill Library. Speaking of her time volunteering she said: “I learned to be a bit more tolerant and understanding of people. It’s been enjoyable and I would recommend it, it’s just a nice thing to do.” Volunteer awards have formed part of Suffolk Libraries’ AGM for the past few years, but this is the first year a special celebration event has taken place.
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Tom from Hadleigh asks: “My daughter gave birth to our first grandchild last June, and as his first birthday approaches, we thought that a good gift would be to open a Junior ISA for him. However, when we called into our local building society branch, they said we could not do that as only the parent can open a Junior ISA. What other options do we have to put a lump sum away for our grandchild?” This is something that regularly comes up when grandparents try to open a Junior ISA for a grandchild. Very few people realise that they are not able to open a Junior ISA for their grandchildren. Only a parent of the child can open a Junior ISA. However, once a Junior ISA has been set up by the child’s parents, grandparents can then make contributions into that ISA up to the annual limit, which is £4,260 per annum for the current tax year. Like the adult version, a Junior ISA can be a cash ISA or it can be a stocks and shares ISA. Like most financial advisers, I would suggest that you should opt for the stocks and shares ISA for young children as they have plenty of time before they can take over the fund at age 18 and stocks and shares will invariably do better than cash over the longer-term, particularly with the current all-time low interest rates paid on cash accounts. If the parents have not already set up a Junior ISA, a grandparent can open a bank or building society cash savings account for their grandchild as long as they have documentation, such as the child’s birth certificate. For grandparents, the big benefit of doing this is that no amount of interest earned on the money they contribute will be subject to tax. As long as the child has earnings of less than the personal allowance, a grandparent can fill out an R85 form to ensure that any interest is paid gross without tax being deducted. Effectively, this has the same effect as the cash being held in a Junior Cash ISA. However, you will still be at the mercy of those low interest rates on cash. Another alternative is a pension. It might seem strange to be thinking about pensions for a child who cannot even speak yet, but there are huge longerterm benefits for the child and tax advantages. Grandparents can invest into a personal pension for a child, up to a maximum of £3,600 gross per annum, and the child doesn’t need to have any income to justify that level of pension contributions. To achieve a contribution of £3,600 the grandparent would actually only need to pay in £2,880, as the extra money is added in the form of tax relief reclaimed from HMRC. By the time the child reaches age 55 (the earliest you can currently access a pension fund) there could be a significant sum sitting in their pension. 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, Suffolk IP6 8JP, email nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301. Nick’s comments and 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 on their own situation should contact Nick to arrange a no-obligation complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position. Plumb Financial Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
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ON THE GRAPEVINE
SHLOMO’S BEATBOX ADVENTURE FOR KIDS Following a blistering 2019 that included a 5-star run at the Edinburgh Festival, a breathtaking live performance on BBC’s Blue Peter and performing on the Other Stage at Glastonbury Festival, the record breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo returns to UK theatres with his sell-out family show, Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure For Kids. “Mesmerising!” ★★★★★ Primary Times “Staggering.” ★★★★★ Families Edinburgh Shlomo’s groundbreaking vocal skills gained him international recognition as a pioneering beatboxer, plus a Guinness World Record and the chance to work with famous musicians like Bjork, Ed Sheeran, Rudimental and Lily Allen. “Beatboxers can create the sound of an entire orchestra or rich electronic music – the drums, the instruments,the basslines and sound FX, all performed with just the voice,” says Shlomo. “In my kid’s show, I teach everyone how to become a superstar beatboxer.” “It’s an amazingly empowering way for people from all walks of life to express themselves,” he explains. “I love teaching people how simple it is to make vocal rhythms. I love to share my passion for music with the next generation of music makers and also to encourage people of all ages to find their voice and believe in themselves. The kids always get excited but the parents have just as much fun!”
Join this sonic superhero at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich on Sunday 16 February and become one of his sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music, whether you’re aged one or 101! Book now at: www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
A celebration of yachting and maritime films. Three days of great films – shorts, Hollywood blockbusters and classics.
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LONG SHED – WOODBRIDGE In aid of and organised by The Woolverstone Project (sailing for people with disabilities) and the Woodbridge Riverside Trust Sponsored by
The Woolverstone Project Sailing for people with disabilities
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