Slimming World
MONDAY
5.30pm & 7pm, Westgate C.P School
Call Kelly 07792 603204
TUESDAY
5.30pm & 7pm, New Bury Community Centre
Call Shani 01842 820001
WEDNESDAY
9.30am
Westbury Community Centre
Recruiting now for this group. Please visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk for details.
3.30pm, 5pm & 6.30pm
New Green Centre - Thurston
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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
THURSDAY
New EARLY BIRD session – 8am
9.30am, 5.30pm & 7pm
Moreton Hall Community Centre
Call Kelly 07792 603204
FRIDAY 7.30am, 9.30am & 11am
Southgate Community Centre
Call Helen 07355 810381
SATURDAY
7am, 8.30am & 10am
Southgate Community Centre
Call Kelly 07792 603204
Join our amazing team and help change the lives of others.
Call Kelly on 07792 603204 for details or visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk/become-a-consultant
Welcome to the January issue
Happy New Year! We hope you had a fabulous Christmas, it’s certainly gone by in a flash, but here we are in 2025!
January is a good time for new starts, maybe it’s time to take up a new hobby? There’s so many groups and associations throughout the magazine, there really is something for everyone. Or maybe it’s time to get more involved in your local community via the community centres or churches?
Over-indulged over Christmas? Haven’t we all? We have some healthy resolutions on page 8. Just some small switch-ups in your diet can make a big difference. And if you’re looking to eat clean(ish) for January after all the rich food over the festive season, we have a delicious recipe for a Lemony Prawn & Chorizo Rice Pot on page 42.
Want to improve your wellbeing? Wellbeing Suffolk provide a whole range of support for people with common mental health and emotional issues. They run free online workshops, the one featured this month is ‘Improving your Sleep’ you can find out more about this on page 9.
We hope that 2025 brings you health and happiness, and we look forward to bringing you more local news, events and more throughout the year. Enjoy reading this issue, see you in February!
Gemma
www.amplifydesign.co.uk Bury St Edmunds Directories, Field Close, Beyton, Suffolk IP30 9AW
Jeremy Editor
jeremy@burystedmundsdirectories.co.uk
Dementia café
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Join us for our dementia café, Aimed at those living with dementia and their loved ones, you’ll have the opportunity to share experiences, take part in reminiscence activities and get advice and support. We will be serving complimentary freshly baked cakes prepared by our chef.
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Healthy Resolutions for the New Year!
1. Prep Healthy Lunches and Dinners at Home Sunday through to Thursday
When you cook at home (or pack up a lunch), it’s easier to eat better because you have full control over what’s served and how it’s made. This particular goal leaves you some flexibility to eat out at the weekends. Make sure you’re including a lean protein and plenty of vegetables at each meal.
2. Replace Snacks With Whole foods
The word snack tends to be synonymous with packaged foods, which are typically higher in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fat than unprocessed or minimally processed foods. Rather than nibbling on biscuits, crackers, crisps, and nutritional bars (even the healthier brands), reach for whole food alternatives like a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, yoghurt, or cut
veggies with or without a healthy dip. These snacks are more nutritious and more filling than most packaged snacks.
3. Make Vegetables a Top Priority in 2025
If you struggle with eating enough produce, this is the ideal issue to target in the new year. A simple starter goal is to add at least 1 portion of veggies to lunch and 2 portions to dinner. At lunch, supplement your usual sandwich or soup with a cup of baby carrots or pepper strips or a side salad. At dinner, pile on the roasted, sautéed, or steamed veggies. Some of our favorites are sautéed spinach, roasted cauliflower or parsnips, baked sweet potatoes, and steamed broccoli or green beans.
4. Create a Healthier Default for Your Least Healthy Habit
Zero in on the one eating pattern that tends to do the most damage to your diet (and has the most excess calories). Is it late-night eating, alcohol, your coffee shop visits, huge portions at dinner, lavish restaurant meals, or a stubborn sweet tooth? Now, create a plan to solve that particular issue. If you love dessert, maybe your plan is to have fresh fruit with whipped cream six days a week, and a special treat on the seventh day. If pastries and coffee drinks are costing you hundreds of calories a day, change your daily order to a skim latte and a banana. Consider this nutrition triage – by targeting your worst food habit, you’ll have a significant impact on your overall diet, while causing minimal disruption to your routine.
Improving your Sleep FREE Online workshop
During periods of stress, it’s natural to be having difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep and/or getting the quality of sleep we need. Why not join us for this one-off evidence based workshop that can help you to understand and manage your sleep better.
0300 123 1503
T: 07548446094
E: suffolkcryo@outlook.com
W: www.suffolkcryotherapy.co.uk
Suffolk Cryotherapy offers the safe and effective removal of unwanted skin lesions using cryotherapy. Treatments are performed by a trained, experienced and insured Health Care Professional. Treatment is quick and minimally invasive without damage to the surrounding areas.
We offer clinic appointments at the Self Centre on Moreton Hall in Bury St Edmunds and home visits within the West Suffolk area.
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Happy New Year to all! First of all, a big thank you to all of our customers for supporting us in 2024.
Our Christmas and New Year events were especially well attended. If you’ve still not discovered us after our busy festive season – why not shake off the January blues and call in for a drink and a game of pool or darts?
All the big Premier League matches are back on the big screen and our bar staff will be delighted to see you. Better yet, join as a member and start enjoying discounted drinks prices and earning loyalty points on your bar spend.
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We also offer a Conference Room with big screen smart TV for presentations, our Lounge Bar for smaller meetings and also our Club Room for larger training
sessions, courses and wakes. Check out our website for more information or get in touch for availability and hire costs.
The St Edmund’s Day Dinner raises £8,000
On the evening of November 21st, The Athenaeum was the backdrop for Bury Abbey Rotary’s much-anticipated St Edmund’s Day Dinner. Dressed to impress in black tie attire, guests gathered for a night of celebration, camaraderie, and benevolence. The evening started with welcome drinks graciously provided by Treatt.
Thanks to the generous support of Allica Bank, the evening turned into a remarkable success. Collectively, attendees contributed to raising an impressive total of around £8,000 earmarked for the key beneficiaries of the night: Gatehouse - Caring in East Anglia, and the Restore- Bury St Edmunds Women’s Aid. Bury Abbey Rotary have a deep commitment to uplifting the local community and
ensuring accessible support for those who require it most.
Mike Brace CBE was the speaker for the dinner, his story is a true testament to resilience and achievement. As an accomplished Paralympian and pioneer for the disabled sports community, Mike’s journey took a poignant turn at just ten years old when a firework accident robbed him of his sight. But instead of letting adversity define him, he forged a path illuminated by his passion for sport.
As Mike took the stage, the room fell silent in anticipation. His story, laced with humour and deep vulnerability, captivated the audience. By the time he concluded his powerful talk, applause erupted,
culminating in a standing ovation, a true reflection of the impact he had made on everyone present.
The evening didn’t stop there. Attendees eagerly participated in a lively auction led by the charismatic Ed Crichton from Lacy Scott & Knight, with exciting items up for bid, fuelling friendly competition and generosity. Laughter filled the air during the session of stand-up bingo, blending traditional fun with a twist.
Bury Abbey Rotary extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the evening’s sponsors, whose generosity and support helped create this wonderful evening of storytelling, laughter, and togetherness.
The St Edmund’s Day Dinner has truly carved its place as a major event on the town’s calendar, promising even more connections and philanthropy in the years to come.
A GREAT CHRISTMAS AND A NEW YEAR TO LOOK FORWARD TO
We had a great time over the festive season and now look forward to the New Year with a sense of optimism.
With the help of Southgate Church, Hardwick Primary School, local businesses and donations from you, we put together food hampers for local families in need. Our picture shows the guys from Eric’s Prime Cuts who provided meat vouchers at a discount, funded by the Church and the Community Partnership.
Darren Ward from Morrison’s Daily also donated a splendid selection of groceries.
Southgate Church carol singers assembled outside the Centre to perform with added live music as part of the town and nationwide Shine Your Light initiative.
Free mince pies were given to all passers by!
Our ever-popular monthly Bingo sessions on a Friday evening continue.
Dancing to the
Bring your own Snacks, Nibbles & Drinks
Friday 14th February
8pm - 11.30pm at the
On Valentine’s Day, Friday 14 February, the outstanding Marrakesh Band - will be presenting a glittering dance to celebrate all things love at the very affordable price of £10.
SOUTHGATE’S GOT CHRISTMAS
The Centre was packed on a Saturday afternoon in early December for this ever-popular Christmas favourite presented by Southgate Church. Activities included crafts, games, puppet shows - accompanied by some fabulous refreshments. Pupils from Hardwick Primary School, under the inspired direction of Miss Weller-Pooley, presented a great repertoire of Christmas music, and the Salvation Army Band provided a programme of traditional carols creating a wonderful seasonal atmosphere. Santa put in an appearance in song before seeing a lot of excited children patiently queueing. A cast of characters from the nativity story engaged children with the true spirit of Christmas, with added stickers to collect. A good time was had by all, thanks are due to the many volunteers from the Church who made the event possible.
Saleitems
JANUARY
List items FOR SALE free of charge to Moreton Hall and Southgate Residents, email: studio@burystedmundsdirectories.co.uk
TWO SEATER LEATHER SOFA, ARM CHAIR AND POUFFE
Originally from HAGA
Good condition £300
Contact: 07776 207496
Do you have any nearly new or unused items that are of no use to you, other than creating unnecessary clutter? Why not try to recycle them and gather a few extra pounds in the process? Please include: Brief description of the item, the price and your telephone number.
PLEASE NOTE:
The publisher can take no responsibility for the claims made by sellers regarding the goods for sale, nor are they liable for any claim with regards to the item or any payment transactions between buyer & seller.
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Happy New Year from My WiSH Charity!
As we start a new year, we want to take a moment to remind you of who we are and the work we do. We are your local NHS charity, supporting the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and we are here for everyone—providing vital care across all ages, from before birth to end-of-life care.
We support patients and staff at the West Suffolk Hospital, Newmarket Community Hospital and in healthcare settings and patient’s homes across Suffolk.
You may be familiar with our
work if you’ve supported campaigns like our WiSH Upon A Star Children’s Appeal, which might lead you to think we are a children’s charity. Or you may have contributed to the Macmillan
unit at West Suffolk Hospital and you associate us with cancer care. You might have supported the cardiac ward following a loved one’s stay, thinking our focus is heart care. But we are all of these and more.
Elsie Smiths family donated to the neonatal unit
2025 is going to be a special year for us as we celebrate our 30th birthday. We officially launched in 1995, although the tradition
of donating to support healthcare goes back much further in Bury St Edmunds, with some of the first records dating all the way back to the 1100s.
We are working on some exciting plans which we will share over the coming months but if you have a great fundraising idea, please do get in touch.
Butterfly Room for patients needing palliative care
Guest bed for the cancer unit, purchased thanks to donations
Paediatric cardiac diagnostic room
Sensory unit donated by the Infusions Group to the emergency department
What’s been happening at… HARDWICK Primary School
By Zara Cowling, Head of School & Andy Abbott, Governor
Well it’s a New Year and we hope it brings wonderful happenings for our Hardwick family as we start what we know is going to be an incredibly busy but rewarding 2025. We hope your Christmas celebrations were special family moments and our montage looks back on some truly amazing festive school productions that delighted audiences, we thank our staff for creating such wonderful performances.
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Latest news from
Happy New Year!
LSS welcomes anyone living with lymphoedema and/or lipoedema to the safe and supportive environment of our meetings.
Many have said how our group has helped them to feel less isolated and more able to cope with their
condition, as it can be very useful to talk to people who have the same condition. It can also be reassuring and helpful as people can air their concerns and tend to feel a bit better when someone says “oh yes, that happens to me as well” – it means they are not alone.
Experiences, good and not so good, are shared if wanted and, as humour can play an important part of coping, laughter is shared too, along with tips, hints, a cuppa and the all important slice of cake.
PLEASE NOTE NEW MEETING DATES IN 2025
Our 27th January meeting will not be a presentation by Erica Dyson as previously advertised. Instead it will be a cuppa and chat evening with a member of the West Suffolk Lymphoedema Service joining us. The main topics will be skin care as well as information about ordering, wearing and look after your compression garments.
2025 LSS MEETINGS
27TH JANUARY, 24TH MARCH, 2ND JUNE, 4TH AUGUST, 6TH OCTOBER AND 1ST DECEMBER
7pm – 9pm in Room 2 at Moreton Hall Community Centre. There is no joining fee or referral needed. Do come along and find out more about living with, and managing, Lymphoedema and Lipoedema in a relaxed and friendly setting, along with enjoying a cuppa and slice of cake.
For further details on LSS and the West Suffolk Lymphoedema Service: LSS email: lssuffolk@gmail.com Facebook: LSS@lymphoedema West Suffolk Lymphoedema Service: wslymphservice@wsh.nhs.uk T: 01284 712732
For further details on Lymphoedema and Lipoedema: British Lymphology Society website: www.thebls.com Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN) website: www.lymphoedema.org Macmillan website: www.macmillan.org.uk
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL. A YEAR TO BE INSPIRED AND EMPOWERED.
Pain isn’t something you choose, it just comes and pushes you into someone you do not recognise. You change not because you want to. You learn to carry on and keep going despite everything. It can be a solitary journey. Chronic pain is so debilitating and affects many aspects of life. Chronic pain unleashes emotions and mental health issues. Constant pain has the ability to rule your life and you feel you are forever fighting it. How can something so powerful be so controlling that it defeats you and you have to surrender to it. You are so desperate for a break from it all.
You have to find a way not to fight against it and be kind to yourself. Give your body some respect and do what’s best for you. When pain shouts you listen. A smile can hide so much and being disabled doesn’t have a
specific look. Nobody knows what a person is dealing with and it is so easy to feel judged. Try to keep smiling, you should never feel ashamed or demoralised. Help and support not judgment is much needed. Focus solely on you and know that you are not alone.
A support group is a valued addition and one part of your wellness. It may not meet all your needs but can certainly enhance part of them. Bringing people together in pain is the purpose of this group. Coming together on a regular basis helps people to focus on the positives, stay in touch, feel better in themselves helping to prevent isolation and loneliness. We are here waiting for you, why not come and say hello and be with people who understand exactly what you are going through.
DIARY DATES
Positively Crafty — no session in January Join us on 6th February
Coffee Morning — Monday 6th January from 10.30am at The Dragonfly Hotel
No
POSITIVELY CRAFTY
working together and helping each other is what crafty is all about.
Creativity is one area that can bring many benefits to your health , your mood and social life. Indulging in your creative side, no matter what skills you have, has the ability to bring profound happiness and joy in abundance. Enhance your wellbeing and put a smile on your face by coming to join us and going home with a sense of achievement.
CPSG Speaker Meeting — Thursday 16th January from 2pm-4pm (AGM & Subs) Both meetings are held at Southgate Community Centre
Zoom—Art on Wednesday and Virtual Coffee Mornings on Saturday from 10am
LATEST NEWS
Happy New Year, Best Wishes for 2025
Moreton Hall Residents Association have 2025 meeting dates booked please feel free to come along and find out what is going on, express your views and ensure the estate remains a happy, healthy place to live. Further details at www.moretonhallresidents.wordpress.com
Meetings start time is approx 7.30pm-8.30pm.
PARKING
Concerns have been raised about recent parking of vehicles on Skyliner Way, Primack and Mead Road due to the Royal Mail now having no employees parking on site. For this or any other parking that you find a nuisance or not safe please report online. www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/bins/street-cleaning/ nuisance-vehicles.cfm. The councillors also agreed to link in with Abbots Green Primary School to try and find a way to tackle the issues at pick-up and drop-off on Airfield Road.
Cycling/walking proposals
We met with the Active Travel team from Suffolk County Council to discuss the next steps following the cancellation of their proposals to make Barton Road one-way. We shared a summary of the feedback from our survey and talked a lot about the issues of infrastructure and public transport. We raised the idea of having a session in Spring 2025 to look at what the future for transport infrastructure looks like for Moreton Hall. In relation to the consultation, they will be reviewing all of the feedback received, including from our survey, to improve
GET IN TOUCH
plans for their wider aim of making it easier for people to walk/cycle/use public transport in Bury St Edmunds.
Flying Fortress Park
Contact was made WSC about unsafe equipment and the missing rope swing at the Flying Fortress Park. Temporary repairs have been carried out to the decking and further longer-term works are planned in the new year
Residents Survey
There will be a short survey going out to Moreton Hall Residents in 2025, please take your time to complete this and return, we want to know more about the residents and how the MHRA can move forward and help improve certain projects on the estate. The estate is growing rapidly and with this comes more issues.
As chairman, I am happy to raise any points from residents raised at the meetings and with local councilllors. But you can also direct any questions you may have to your local councillors:
Councillor Birgitte Mager
email birgitte.mager@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Councillor Rowena Lindberg
email rowena.lindberg@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Councillor Peter Armitage
email peter.armitage@westsuffolk.gov.uk
Councillor Peter Thompson
email peter.thompson@suffolk.gov.uk
Moreton Hall Residents Association, Chairman: Melanie Soanes
Email mhraquestions@gmail.com Vice Chair email: mhravicechair@gmail.com
Lemony Prawn & Chorizo Rice Pot
Spanish classic paella is given a healthy makeover and a good kick of heat, diet-friendly and fresh.
Sponsored by
Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, sliced
2 small red peppers, deseeded and sliced
50g chorizo, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 red chilli (deseeded if you don’t like it too hot)
½ tsp turmeric
250g long grain rice
200g raw peeled prawn, defrosted if frozen 100g frozen pea zest and juice 1 lemon, plus extra wedges to serve
Method:
Boil the kettle. Heat the oil in a shallow pan with a lid, add the onion, peppers, chorizo, garlic and chilli, then fry over a high heat for 3 mins. Add the turmeric and rice, stirring to ensure the rice is coated. Pour in 500ml boiling water, cover, then cook for 12 mins. Uncover, then stir – the rice should be almost tender. Stir in the prawns and peas, with a splash more water if the rice is looking dry, then cook for 1 min more until the prawns are just pink and the rice tender. Stir in the lemon zest and juice with seasoning and serve with extra lemon wedges on the side.
With food prices increasing rapidly, try our Click & Collect service. Buy single products at wholesale prices. *Order on our website & collect the same day!
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• Book a consultation: We’ll set a time to discuss your vision, either in person or remotely if preferred.
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• Constructing your vision - using measurements we took from our original meeting and the latest technology in building/ rendering software, we can create stunning visuals showing the potential your spaces have. We try to suggest the best products possible to satisfy your vision.
• At this stage, we can supply you with stills of the ongoing project, making sure you’re satisfied with certain elements of the design.
• Once perfected, the drawing can be converted into a walkthrough-style movie, showcasing every aspect of your project.
Experience your new project before any work commences. Being in the know is crucial when it comes to your landscape project, especially when it comes to cost.
Craft Corner
Welcome to my crafty column! Every month I share a crafty activity for you to try at home. Check out my facebook page for more info www.facebook.com/thecraftyfoxes or visit www.thecraftyfoxes.co.uk
This months craft should help keep you entertained before school starts back and also reuses old tin cans leftover from the festive period.
You will need 6 empty washed out tin cans, white paper, Sellotape and colourful felt tip pens.
Wrap each tin can with white paper. Some old wrapping paper might be white on the inside so you could user that too. Tape it in place.
Draw your snowmen on the tin cans, upside down using the end as the top.
Stack them 3, 2, 1 as per picture.
Make a ball by rolling up newspaper and taping it into a ball.
TOP TIP…
You could give each snowman a number and score points by knocking particular ones over. Keep a running total. Try to draw other festive characters too like robins, elves, etc.
www.thecraftyfoxes.co.uk
Cricket Club BURY ST EDMUNDS
Bury St Edmunds Cricket Club indoor cricket sessions commence on Sunday January 12th in the South Lee School Sports Hall situated at the Victory Sports Ground.
For 12 weeks there will be 3 hours per week of cricket practice and coaching.
Details are posted on the cricket club website www.bsecc.co.uk.
Indoor cricket sessions are a very good way to practice and meet up with friends.
The club has a full season of fixtures commencing on Saturday April 19th and every week from then to Sunday September 21st.
The cricket club has grown with a Ladies and Girls team alongside
cricket from those as young as 5 to 8 years to adults.
Teams play competitive matches at under 11, 13 and 15 age groups as well as senior teams on Saturdays and Sundays.
Check the website www.bsecc.co.uk for activities taking place.
Find us at: The Victory Ground, Nowton Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 2BT
Monty Panesar the Ex England player who played against Bury St Edmunds last season.
RECYCLING PLASTICS
Hope you all had a great Christmas and are looking forward to 2025. If you are anything like us we tend to over indulge on everything over the holiday period. Too much food, too much drink and maybe too many presents.
In our household we have cut back on gifts and tried to find presents which are from more sustainable sources but there is still a problem with much of the packaging. Many companies are trying hard to reduce their plastic footprint by using alternative materials, but we still have a pile of plastic packaging sitting in our garage ready to be recycled at the beginning of January. I have not touched on this subject for many years but I thought it appropriate to look at the different types of plastics that find their way into our recycling bins.
Recyclable plastics
Plastic is a valuable and finite resource and environmentally the optimum disposal for most plastic after its first use, is to be recycled.
Statistics from WRAP (Waste & resources action programme) indicate that recycling plastic into end applications that displace virgin plastics can save on average two tonnes of CO₂ for every tonne of plastic recycled.
Plastic is generally not used to make the same items the next time around: old recycled plastic bottles don’t usually go to make new plastic bottles, but lowergrade items such as plastic benches. Still beneficial but it also means that we still need some virgin plastic materials. There is still confusion about recycling plastics, there are so many types and so many symbols on the materials, it’s difficult to know what to do. There’s a lot of work going on to help us understand what is recyclable and where to put it, but we need to work more quickly to increase the level of recycling. Suffolk County Council are about to change our bin system to help the recycling of more materials so hopefully this will help.
Biodegradable plastics
In the past if I saw the word bio-degradable I thought that’s good, that product is environmentally friendly and breaks down into harmless compounds, but now, with more knowledge I realise it does not necessarily mean that at all. The words photodegradable, oxydegradable or just biodegradable seen on plastic bags or packaging, means they contain additives that cause the plastic to decay more rapidly in the presence of light and oxygen (along with the help of moisture and heat). However unlike compostable plastics, biodegradable plastics are usually still made of petrochemicals, they may break down into smaller pieces of plastic more rapidly but they still leave most of the plastic and possibly other dangerous toxins such as cadmium, lead and beryllium as well. We must also bear in mind that if we mix biodegradable plastic with recyclable plastic it renders the recyclable plastic useless, and the whole batch will end up in landfill or burnt.
The upshot is that biodegradable plastic can actually have the opposite effect of what the name implies, we are more likely to use it and discard it into the environment thinking that it is not causing any harm. It sits between compostable plastic and conventional oil based plastic and is more a source of confusion than a solution.
Compostable plastics
The theory behind compostable plastics is good and simple: why don’t we make plastics from more environmentally friendly products so that we can put them in a compost heap or industrial composter and they quickly break down into biomass, water, inorganic compounds and CO₂ leaving no toxic residue. They are then fit to spread on our land to enrich the soil.
To be truly compostable the plastic must break down at the same rate as known compostable materials such as wood, leaves or paper ie within three to six months of disposal. In reality, this is not always the case and certain types of compostable plastic may require breaking down in industrial composters. Many compostable plastics can be made from natural materials such as corn starch, potato, tapioca, cellulose, soy protein and lactic acid. Some of them even look virtually indistinguishable from traditional petrochemical plastics for example Polylactide acid (PLA) looks and behaves like polyethylene and polypropylene and is now widely used for food containers. We are moving in the right direction but there needs to be a lot more urgency.
Pete Austin Electrician
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Services Events
SUNDAY 5TH JANUARY
8.30am: Holy Communion
10.30am: Worship for Everyone Service
SUNDAY 12TH JANUARY
10.30am: Morning Worship
SUNDAY 19TH JANUARY
10.30am: Holy Communion
SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY
10.30am: Morning Worship
WEDNESDAY 8TH, 15TH, 22ND & 29TH JANUARY
7:30pm: Prayer meeting on zoom
(Please remember to contact church office for zoom link – 01284 725391)
TUESDAY 21ST JANUARY
10-11.30am: Coffee Club
THURSDAY 9TH, 16TH, 23RD & 30TH JANUARY
10am-12pm – Decaf - for families/carers & living with dementia
11.15am-12.15pm –Positive Steps strength & balance exercises with Parish Nurse Lesley
FRIDAY 17TH & 31ST JANUARY
10.30am-12pm – Stay and Play For parents/carers of babies to pre-school age having fun with toys and time to chat over a drink & biscuit. Creche available at all services
Christ Church Moreton Hall, Lawson Place, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7EW
www.ccmh.org.uk
www.facebook.com/ ChristChurchMoretonHall
Turn that frown upside down
Written by Samantha Reid, A member of Christ Church
Did you know your brain doesn’t distinguish the difference from a smile that comes naturally in the moment, to a smile that maybe you are asked to give with a photo. Both of which send a signal to release our happy hormones (endorphins). It’s the same with laughter, which is probably why ‘Laughing therapy sessions’ are so successful.
In January, Christ Church Sermons are based on ‘Building the Church of Tomorrow’. On The 19th January our focus will be from Thessalonians Chapter 5 Verses 11-18.
‘Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care
for you in the Lord and who admonish you.’
You might think what does that have to do with ‘Turn That Frown Upside Down’? I hope to learn more myself at each of these services, but I truly believe if we start with the simple body language of a smile, so much more will follow. As a parent or a manager of people, we often find we have to repeat the basics to encourage the foundations to put each person/child on a good footing. We know that Jesus taught this to the disciples when explaining about building your home on a rock rather than the sand, it would be harder, but much more rewarding. Sometimes the hard route in life seems too difficult, but when we reach out to others, asking for help, we find that people are very willing to give their time or advice.
You may find the task of asking for help too much, and so simply smiling at others can open a conversation that leads to getting the help you need.
I enjoy sharing new experiences with others, and often get comfort knowing I’m not the only one finding things difficult. So, as we travel through January without any pressure for New Year’s resolutions, perhaps asking someone who goes to church what it’s like? Or even coming to see for yourself, you may want to turn that frown upside down!
Whatever you do keep smiling, as many of you will have already contributed to children less fortunate round the world receiving a shoe box full of gifts. At Christ Church, we are smiling a lot as we sent 391 boxes out from our community! So a big thank you to the Moreton Hall community!
Rougham Control Tower Aviation Museum
A Very Happy New Year
The new year starts with many, many thanks. Firstly to YOU – attendance for the year has exceeded all previous years. Your support continues to help us prosper, improve and develop. This is also recognised financially, as income from donations also topped our expectations. Secondly, our thanks go to the American families who have visited, the number again up
on previous seasons. Thirdly, to our volunteers who, without their dedication, time, skills and enthusiasm, we could not operate.
Next to the Committee, led so successfully by Chair Graham. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes which visitors don’t see, we are very grateful for all that they do.
The Museum is currently closed for much needed maintenance of the buildings and displays.
We re-open on Sunday 30th March 2025. 10.00 - 16.00.
Finally, the thanks go to the staff at the Directory. Without this excellent magazine, communicating to you our continuing story would not be possible. Although modern social media has its place, having something ‘drop onto the mat’, (not a brown envelope), is to my mind a monthly delight. It also give great bed-time reading. Thank you and may your success continue in 2025.
The Departures Remembrance Sunday in December was very well attended (even with not very friendly weather). We welcomed the USAF Colour Party from RAF Mildenhall. Graham would like to pass on this message:
‘May I thank all who attended December Departure last week, the storm tried it’s hardest to disrupt proceedings but 50 guests braved the rain and wind to attend. Special thanks to the USAF Colour Party from RAF Mildenhall, it’s always a pleasure having you here, thanks also to RTA Life Member Mike Warner for liaising with them again.
Suffolk MVT also braved the weather and brought some military vehicles. The after event buffet went down a treat and it managed to thaw us all out.
The last event of the year will be a wreath laying on December 24th at 12:50 (doors oped at 12:15) in remembrance of the passing of Brigadier General F W Castle, lost in the skies above Liege in Belgium in 1944 on Mission 760. All are welcome to attend.’
Again, thank you for your continuing support, the committee and volunteers really appreciate your visits, especially when you join us for tea, coffee and cake. (YES, remember the Cake!!)
See you again next month in February, here in The Directory.
For our details please refer to our website: www.rctam94th.co.uk
Mr Cliff Hall laying a wreath on behalf of the 94th
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The Gift of Time
On New Year’s Eve, many of us will have count down to the strike of 12, before singing Auld Lang Syne! As we look ahead, we can see a block of time: 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8760 hours and 525,600 minutes and around 31million seconds. It’s all a gift from God. Time is given equally to us all, from whatever walk of life and age. We have done nothing to deserve it. It marches on and cannot be slowed down or hastened. We have measured time for thousands of years. However, the difference between time recorded by atomic clocks, and ‘Earth time’, which is measured by the Earth’s rotations, varies. As a result, adjustments are occasionally made to keep GMT and the Earth’s rotations in synch. Despite these minor adjustments, we cannot bring back time which has passed, except in our memories, and time in the future is unknown.
I dreamed that I had an interview with God. ‘What surprises you most about people?’ I asked. God answered, ‘That they
get bored with being children, are in a rush to grow up and then long to be children again. That, by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they neither live in the present or the future and they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they have never lived.’
Time is probably the most precious of our possessions. We can waste it, worry about it, or spend it on ourselves. Or, we can give it away to others, and invest it in God. As the seconds tick away, we all have those choices to make. God has a plan for each of our lives but to discover those plans, requires waiting on him, seeking his will and his timing. He cares for us and wants what is best for us.
We have just celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ but continue to remember his life, death and resurrection. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is with us as we pass into each new day of 2025. Perhaps one of your resolutions might be to find out more about him? We promise you a great welcome to one of our services or other activities. Or give our Minister, Mike Simm, a ring on 07710 189402 or email on revmikesimm@ southgatechurch.org.uk. Happy New Year!
Sunday 19th January
Messy Church, 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Registration essential. See above for further details.
When the decorations are down, the cards put away, the presents given, received and enjoyed; then comes the return to the real world.
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone
When the kings and the princes are home
When the shepherds are back with their flocks
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, to heal the broken
To feed the hungry, to release the prisoner
To rebuild the nations
To bring peace among the people,to make music in your heart.
What’s on in JANUARY
Sundays 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th January
10.30am Morning Worship services with groups for children of all ages Morning Service on 19th January includes Holy Communion.
Mid-week Communion Service Wednesdays 1.15pm in Church Centre
Friendship Club for older people meet on Thursday 16th January at 2.30pm in the Church Centre for ‘Birding with Barry’.
Thursday Club meet at 7pm on 23rd January for a Bangers & Mash supper. All ladies welcome, but pre-booking is essential.
During term time, the following mid-week groups meet in Church Centre:- Liquid, for young people in school years 8 to 13, Mondays 7pm to 9pm; Southgate Parent & Toddlers, (SPOTS), Wednesdays 9am to 11am. Youth Club, for school years 5, 6, 7, Thursdays 6.30pm to 7.45pm.
CoffeeStop, Mondays, 10am to 12noon in Church Centre. Free Coffee, Tea, Cake and Chat.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins on Sunday 19th January. Please take a look at the calendar on our website for more details of the evening service that day and the lunchtime prayer meetings in the following week.
Please contact Jackie
January
Please note: all correct at time of going to press, but please check for updates directly with the venue.
Cinema
Mufasa: The Lion King (PG)
Simba, having become king of the Pride Lands, is determined for his cub to follow in his footsteps while the origins of his late father Mufasa are explored.
Cast: Keith David, Lennie James, John Kani, Kagiso Lediga, Mads Mikkelsen, Seth Rogen, Aaron Pierre, Anika Noni Rose, Blue Ivy Carter, Thandiwe Newton, Tiffany Boone, Preston Nyman, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Billy Eichner, Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Theatre
Radio Gaga
Saturday 1st February
Have your finest hour, or two! As we bring you Radio GAGA.
Be part of a night like no other as we bring you the concert you’ve been dreaming of! The ultimate celebration of one the biggest bands to have ever graced the stage Queen. Break free with us and shake all over like a jellyfish as Radio GaGa recreates two magical hours live on stage, celebrating the magic, fun & showmanship of the bands touring days. Playing all your favourite hits including, Don’t Stop Me Now, Somebody to Love, We Are The Champions, We Will Rock You and of course Bohemian Rhapsody.
Find out more at: theatreroyal.org
Comedy
Fat Cat Comedy Club
Sunday 12 January 2025
Bury’s great monthly comedy night!
Check out the Fat Cat Comedy Club website www.fatcatcomedyclub.com for line-up details.
Suitable for ages 14+ at parental discretion due to adult humour & themes.
Times: Doors open 7.30pm / Approx. start time 8pm
Tickets: £16.50 (including £2 booking fee)
Find out more at: www.theapex.co.uk
• Broken door or window locks & handles
• Mouldy/misty poly roof sheets
• Broken/misty glass units
• Yellow/cracked door panels
• Letter boxes or cat flaps
• Security chains/ Spyholes/Knockers
• Hinges for doors & windows
• Locksmith/Barrel Locks changed
THE 19TH HOLE
BY ADAM TRETT, PGA PROFESSIONAL GOLF COACH
Email: adamtrettpga@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: Adam Trett - ADT Golf Coaching
Welcome back to the 19th hole and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It’s at this time of year that we all made some new year’s resolutions of things we would like to do more or better this year. I have made a golfing resolution this year… mine is to play more competitive golf (and try not to get injured this
COACHES
CORNER
Let’s make a plan and try your hardest to stick to it… how are you trying to improve this year?
year) and when I compete to not worry about the outcome but just enjoy competing.
There are so many wonderful courses around the UK that I am lucky enough to be able to play them and compete in some amazing competitions - Let’s do it! What are your GOLFING New Years resolutions that will make you improve in 2025?
– PRACTICE BETTER IN 2025!
great. Just leave a club in the house or use anything you find around the house.
Plan your week out and plan when is best and easiest for you to practice. We all have commitments in life so plan around them… for example Thursday you might be able to use your lunch break or go and practice after work, you don’t have to be there hours BUT you do need to go! If you can practice at HOME you will do it more as it fits in with life so much easier… and if it involves rehearsals or putting and its cold outside then you can stay warm as well.
Ten or fifteen minutes every day or few days doing some repetitions of what you are working on would be
If you heading to the range to practice maybe consider these points:
• Don’t just pour the basket of balls out and start hitting have a plan. Hit balls in sets of FOUR and each FOUR shots have a plan… if that’s technique then make sure there are plenty of practice swings before hitting each ball.
• Leave the rest of the basket away from the hitting area so you have to have a break from practice to get your next set of FOUR balls.
• Make it fun, make up games to play during practices. These games will allow you to test your technical work and will break up your practice time.
• Practice like you play, hit a tee
I hope these practice tips help to shape your start to practicing in 2025. If you are struggling with this or any other aspect of your game, then I would be pleased to assist you in enjoying this great game more.
shot, approach shot and then a pitch or a chip shot. When doing this make sure you set target areas to aim for. Play the course you play the most in practice at the range, this will make you change set up positions, speed of swings and alignment.
• NEXT LEVEL - Record your game scores and repeat them over the next few months and see if your practice is helping you perform better.
PGA TOUR
The Sentry
Sony Open in Hawaii
The American Express
Farmers Insurance Open
DP WORLD TOUR
Team Cup, Abu Dhabi
Hero Dubai Desert Classic
Ras Al Khaimah
Championship
Bahrain Championship
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