March 2020

www.stradbrokemonthly.co.uk

March 2020

No.460

Highways Information Event Update

Thank you to all those who were able to attend the Information Event, which was the start of the Parish Council’s public consultation on possible improvements that could be made to the roads in Stradbroke.

To enable the Council to investigate the proposals fully public support must be demonstrated, therefore is was wonderful to see over 70 residents attending this first event where they viewed the information, completed a survey and left their comments for the Parish Council to review. The possible improvements highlighted and their estimated costs were: 20mph zone – Minimum cost = £25,000 Double Yellow Lines – at the junction of Queens St & Church St. Estimate = £1,000 This estimate includes costs for: Consultation drawing, Informal consultation including statutory bodies, Collating and reporting any responses to the client. In addition there is the cost of a TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) will be approx £8,000. This is required to make the double yellows legally binding and enforceable.

Village Gateways - Design and installation for a pair of gateways with lines and a textured surface = approximately £9,000 (x 4 for each entrance to Stradbroke) Build outs - Starting at £10,000 (may be significantly more expensive depending on location) 30mph roundels – reminders painted on the road = starting from £300 up to £1800 (if road needs to be closed for painting) Lorry Watch Suffolk’s lorry route designates Stradbroke’s roads as a local access route, ie access only to a specific location. A lorry watch team recording dates, locations and number plates of HGVs that use the village as a through route would enable a report to be made to Suffolk County Council. Volunteers to join the team will be needed for the scheme to be successful.

Parish Infrastructure - the Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan was also available to view and comment on.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Until 30th April 2020: A copy of all the information from the open event is available in the Library along with the survey and blank comments forms.

9th March 2020: The information and online survey will be available on the Parish Council website until the end of April.

30th April 2020: The full display will be available to view at the Annual Parish starting 7.30pm, in the Community Centre.

Odile Wladon, Parish Clerk

Local Churches

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Stradbroke Baptist Church

Stradbroke Baptist Church, Laxfield Road, Stradbroke, Suffolk Regular Activities Sundays 10:15-11:15 Worship Service Thursdays 13:30 Bible Study and Prayer Meeting Village Friendship Lunches (If you would like a lift to the lunches please contact Bruce) Wednesdays 12:30 11th and 25th with a quiz and or an item of interest Something to ponder...

A well-respected scholar and avowed atheist was speaking at a large outdoor picnic. He spoke for two and a half hours attempting to prove that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since there was no such thing as the historical resurrection, the religious tradition of the church was groundless emotional nonsense because it was based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who never rose from the dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions.

After about 30 seconds, an old preacher stood up. "Sir, I have one question," he said as all eyes turned toward him. He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple he had been eating. "My question is a simple question," he said before taking another bite of the apple. He continued, "I haven't read all the books you have, and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek." He took a couple more bites of the apple and said, "I don't know a thing about Niebuhr and Heidegger."

He finished the apple and said, "All I wanna know is: this apple I just finished, was it tart or sweet?"

The speaker paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion, "I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple." The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag and said calmly, "Neither have you tasted my Jesus."

Have you tasted the sweet love of Jesus?

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who believes in Him. Psalm 34:8 Bruce Francis, Pastor 01379 388744 or 07484 219 265 or psalm34.8@yahoo.com

Local Organisations Stradbroke Good Neighbours

Telephone: 07749445531 Do you need our help? For example, a lift to the surgery, or to a hospital for an appointment?

Can we pick up a prescription for you? Change a light bulb?

Check your smoke alarm?

Then contact Good Neighbours. We only charge for mileage.

Our friendly volunteers will be happy to help.

We would appreciate at least 24 hours notice please.

Bordahoppa

Carol Darling

The Borderhoppa 2020 outings leaflet is now available. We have many trips arranged throughout the year including pub lunches, garden centres, the coast, mystery tours, boat trips and many more. You can pick up a leaflet at your local library, information centre, GP surgery, from one of our drivers or by calling the office and we’ll post one to you.

Need help with transport? Borderhoppa buses are available to people of all ages who are unable to use ordinary bus services either because of mobility difficulties or because there isn’t a bus service for them to use.

Our door-to-door dial a ride service can take you shopping, to medical appointments (excluding hospitals), to visit a friend or relative or attend a local club. If you would like to find out more about the great service we provide please call us on 01379 854800 or visit our website : www.borderhoppa.org

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Local Churches

All Saints, Stradbroke

Revd Canon Susan Loxton 01379 388493. Church wardens, Peter Chetwynd 384069; Karen Ruth 388762 If you have any questions about Baptisms, Weddings or Funerals, or any questions about the Faith, please contact Revd Canon Susan.

Services: Due to the lack of church heating, services have moved, check below where we will meet.

The church continues to be open from 10 am to 4 pm for private prayer and reflection.

1st March 11am Café church in the Court House; coffee & croissants to start and finish 8th March 9.30am HC at Metfield; 11am Contemporary service at Fressingfield 15th March 11am HC in the Court House; coffee and tea to follow 22nd March 8am BCP said Holy Communion in Baptist chapel 29th March 10am Benefice HC at Metfield 5th April 11am Café church in the Court House; coffee & croissants to start and finish Café Church continues in the Court House cafe in Stradbroke. It is a time to get to know each other and talk about faith in a relaxed way. Children welcome. Come and join us, no experience necessary!

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting, 17th March, 7pm is all churches in the Benefice together in Weybread Village Hall. Papers and details for All Saints are on the notice board and in the porch.

Heating Appeal: Due to the village generosity, we have been able to secure the services of an experienced church heating engineer to advise on the more eco-friendly electrical, convection, underpew heaters for the church. This will heat the person, not the high air space in the building! Work will soon begin to give us our church building back.

All Saints Church Fundraising Committee

Our January Cake Stall made £76.10 and the February 14th Bingo made £131, starting off 2020 well. Our committee is getting very slender at the moment, with Pat Fill and Sue Gray not too well. Pat has been a member since we started, very faithful and loyal, and Sue recently joined. We now wish Janet Chambers all the very best after her operation on her knee. At the moment we wish you all well. Our next event will be the Pancakes & Beetles on February 25th. Then we have a Cake Stall on the 7th March when Roly will sell potatoes for the Village Show. After this please save all your Books, Puzzles etc and these can be left in the church for our annual Book Sale on 28th March, 10am to 3pm, with a Raffle. Please put this in your diary and we hope to see you there. Also tea and coffee will be available.

Our thanks goes to the Baptist Church and Court House for their help until we get heat on in church.

PS. Entries are now coming in for the Art Exhibition, Many thanks to Rattlerow Farms, Transam Trucking, W&R Reeves and Roger Skinner for sponsorship. Anyone wishing to enter please let me know on 01379 384642.

Mary Ellis

From the Rectory…

March-ing through Lent “What will you be giving up for Lent?” is a question often asked at this time of year. This is the six weeks or so from Ash Wednesday to Easter Saturday and is traditionally a time to prepare for Easter involving self-denial, giving and prayer. This time helps us to think about people less fortunate than us. People who see what many of us take for granted - homes, full food cupboards, running water, electricity - as impossible luxuries. It can also help us think about what we might do ourselves to help our communities more.

This year, we are encouraged to pay special attention to the environment and here in Sancroft Benefice we have set a Lent Challenge which everyone is invited to join in with. There are no rules - you are invited simply to do as little or as much you can.

Do you think you could change a habit to help the environment? You may have already started but there maybe something else which is a bit less convenient but could really help.

Could you invite someone for coffee or a meal and try to listen more and talk less? Sometimes we are so busy we don’t make time to get to know each other just a little bit better. Our churches will be hosting Lent lunches in Sancroft Hall, Fressingfield, on Wednesdays 11th, 18th and 25th March. Everyone is welcome to come along but please let us know so we have an idea of numbers.

And what about prayer? Prayer can be anything from formal Church prayers to spending a quiet time of reflection. We will be praying especially for people to know God’s love which is there for everyone.

With love and blessings this Lent. Rev’d Gini 01379 870279

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Friendly Professional Carer Offers quality care in your own home Personal care & associated tasks N.V.Q trained Trained in dementia Manual handling References available Contact Andrea 07872530567

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Parish Pump

STRADBROKE PARISH COUNCIL Next Council meeting : Monday, 9th March 2020 @ 7.30pm in the Court House.

Parish Council Clinic: Tuesday, 17th March 2020 @ 2.15pm in the Court House.

Meeting Of Stradbroke Parish Council – 10th February 2020 Planning Applications supported by the Parish Council: SCC/0008/20MS – Replacement of existing office cabins and stationing of additional 4 units.

Barley Brigg Biogas Plant, Laxfield Road, Stradbroke IP21 5NQ. Planning Applications decided since the last meeting: DC/19/04878 – 1 Town House, Church Street IP21 5HT GRANTED DC/19/05851 – Veldon, Wilby Road IP21 5JN GRANTED Parish Council updates: • Following the commencement of the registration of the land owned by the Parish Council, an issue concerning the ownership of the tennis court land at Wilby Road has come to light. There is evidence that suggests that the Parish Council transferred land it did not own to Suffolk County Council in 1972. All parties involved are checking their records to find any relevant information.

A decision on how to proceed with the matter will be taken by all parties once the matter has been thoroughly investigated.

• Virements from the Council’s reserved funds were approved and the 3rd quarter accounts were noted. Councillors agreed to the appointment of Mr T Brown as the internal auditor for the year.

• A working party is being arranged to undertake urgently needed tree work on the boundaries at the Cemetery – contact Don Darling (01379 388098) or Peter Smith (01379 384047) for further information or if you are able to help with the work.

• 2 contractors have been contacted to quote for the work required on the Health Centre.

• Thanks were expressed to the Stradbroke Archive and Records Association (SARA) for their generous contribution of £200 to the work on the War Memorial to add the name of Ethel Tate.

• Investigations into the ownership of the ditch behind the Tennis Court continue to enable some vital maintenance work to be undertaken – this should prevent further flooding at the Health Centre. Suffolk County Council will shortly be clearing the blockages in their drains in between the Health Centre and the ditch behind the tennis court.

• Tree surgeons have been contacted to quote for the works required at the Health Centre, Churchyard and Tennis Courts.

• The moles have been removed from the playing field to prevent further damage.

• The Youth Football club will be undertaking work on the dug out on the playing field.

• Due to the Easter public holiday – the April meeting has been moved to Monday, 20th April.

Highways Information Event: all information displayed at the event is available to view in the Library. The information will be uploaded to the Parish Council website during March.

Village Groups/Organisations: a reminder that the deadline for submission of the parish plan questionnaire is the beginning of March (either scanned copy or via the PC website).

The recordings of Parish Council meetings are available at: https://www.stradbrokepc.org/podcast Dates for Committee meetings will be added to the home page of the Parish Council website when agreed.

All Parish Council papers, accounts and information can be found at: www.stradbrokepc.org Odile Wladon (Clerk) Mobile: 07555 066147 email: stradbrokepc@outlook.com www.stradbrokepc.org

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Dirty Oven??

Friendly & Helpful Service From Adie

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Here’s my advert!

· ·

Want to advertise in The Stradbroke Monthly?

Here’s the low down...

· · · · ·

How long can I have my advert in the Monthly?

·

Advertisements are taken for a full year 01 April to 31 March.

How much will it cost?

Charges are dependent on the location of the advertiser as follows: Stradbroke based: Quarter page £52 pa Eighth page £37pa Non Stradbroke based: Eighth page £47pa Sponsored Inside Front Cover Page £25 per edition Flyers and Inserts are not accepted.

What if I put my advert in mid year?

Payment for adverts listed part way through the year is on a pro rata basis. Invoices are, thereafter, sent annually for payment in advance. If the space is no longer required please inform the Monthly as soon as possible!

-

Rachel Lead

KFRP (Adv), LCSP (Phys), Cert Ed

Remedial Massage, Reflexology Touch for Health – Kinesiology rachelpbck@gmail.com www.ukkinesiology.com 01379 388031 07733 105752

Please send your advert to editors@stradbrokemonthly.co.uk

Email: marty@martynorris.co.uk

Organisations Stradbroke Court House and Library News

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Friday Friends: The next Friday Friends Café is Friday 6th March 2020. These café sessions are dementia friendly and there is always someone on hand to talk to, for those that need advice and support.

We also welcome people that are lonely and just want to come along for a friendly chat. We are doing a 2 course lunch in the café for our Friday Friends group on Wednesday March 25th at 1pm. Come and put your name down if you would like to be included, booking is essential so that we know how many people we are catering for.

Library: A new stock of greeting cards has arrived in the library, so pop in and have a look. The prices vary from 50p to some spectacular 3D cards at £2.50p We will be holding our popular BookShoots event in May, where we read the book and then watch the film (there will be ice creams in the interval) and then discuss over lunch. If you are interested in taking part let us know. It is open to adults and young people over 9 years old.

Post Office: STOP PRESS STAMPS GOING UP ON 23rd MARCH 2020.

Ist class stamps are going up from 70p to 76p a rise of 6p 2nd class stamps are going up from 61p to 65p a rise of 4p Come and stock up before the price rise!

Café: Sunday Afternoon Tea at The Court House Café on Sunday 29th March 2020 at 3pm. Tickets are £7. Book early to avoid disappointment!

Maureen John Library/Post Office Manager

Wingfield and District Gardening Club

Ian Limmer from Peter Beales Roses came at the end of January to tell us about pruning roses. Hybrid Tea Roses should be reduced to about 12” and florabundas to between 8”-10”. Large and continuous flowering plants can be summer pruned during the flowering season, as you dead head them. In all cases keep the centres open to allow the light in. Ramblers are best cut before Christmas and old shrub roses should have 50% of last year’s growth taken, but modern shrub roses about 30%. If the rose is old, but strong, they can be cut quite hard and they should renew well. Ground cover can be done with shears without any harm. Generally, be fairly ruthless in your pruning and you will be rewarded with stronger plants with more flowers. Our meeting on 26th March is an open forum led by Jon Hewson, discussing our own methods of keeping our gardens under control. 7.30pm at Brundish Village Hall.

C Traylen

Borderhoppa Community Transport

Members’ Outings for March/April 2020.

March: Monday 2nd – Lunch at The White Horse, Stoke Ash – return fare - £7.00 Monday 9th – Thetford Town & Garden Centre – return fare - £15.00 Monday 16th – Halesworth & Lunch at The Angel Inn – return fare - £15.00 Monday 23rd – Bury St Edmunds – return fare - £15.00 Monday 30th – Highways Nursery & Shopping Centre – return fare - £10.00 April: Monday 6th – Afternoon Tea at Gissing Community Centre – return fare & tea - £15.00 Thursday 9th – Waitrose (Wymondham) – return fare - £10.00 Thursday 16th – Bungay & Lunch at The Buck Inn, Flixton – return fare - £10.00 Monday 20th – Waveney Stardust Boat Trip – return fare & boat trip - £20.00 Thursday 30th – Alder Carr Farm Shops & Café – return fare - £10.00 Borderhoppa membership is £6 for 6 months or £10 for 12 months.

For more information please call: 01379 854800 www.borderhoppa.org

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Organisations

Stradbroke Archive

Care for the Poor Over time the responsibility for caring for the vulnerable members of the village has, very generally, gone from self, family, village and government. During the 1830's the village council, made up of the wealthier members of the village and the clergy, would consider giving relief upon an accepted request. However, this was quite a strain on finances and when the opportunity for emigration to Canada came to the table many of the 'paupers' got together and wrote a request to the council for funds to help them go. A transcript of that letter can be found on the Stradbroke village archive website. The original document is held with Suffolk records office. Their request was granted and they did in fact board the vessel 'Preston'. In all it is understood that between 1831 and 1843, approx. 200 Stradbroke persons emigrated. Now, almost 200 years later, we receive emails from their descendants asking for information about Stradbroke and in most cases we are able to help.

By 1836 the Hoxne Union Workhouse had opened and most of Stradbroke's poor would present themselves at that door. This ordeal was designed to be unpleasant and it didn't fail in that. Men, women and children were separated and as the name suggests they were put to work. Needless to say, the elderly and the very young in particular, struggled. The workhouse had a chapel and its own graveyard. The main use of the building ended in 1871 although it continued to exist into the 20th century. Source: Stradbroke Digital Village Archive, Suffolk Records Office Ann Readman, SARA

Radio Stradbroke

The 2020 Stradbroke Music Day is only 5 months away. Saturday 11th July is the date, and arrangements are in full swing. Radio Stradbroke will release details as they are confirmed, including the headline act.

What we do know is that it will once again be a FREE festival. As it is a Community event, we want to involve the whole village, & beyond. If you are a local business or organisation & want to be part of the day, with a stall selling your wares or through advertising your services, contact us by email on musicday@radiostradbroke.co.uk . If you are a musician or band who would like to perform, email us too, or if you just want to volunteer to help in any way you can, please get in touch.

Amazingly, Radio Stradbroke still find time to broadcast on Sundays between 10am - 1pm, so keep listening for Music Day updates on www.radiostradbroke.co.uk . Thank you for your continued support.

Michael Hugman

Contact Club

We meet every Tuesday at 10am for coffee and biscuits, friendly chats and games etc, for just £1.00.

If you would like to stay to lunch it will be an extra £2.00 but I would like to know this in advance so I know how much to buy.

Stella Goddard

Lottery Bonus Winners

16 T Moore - £25; 21 B Whiting - £25; 52 – no winner; 21 J Bedwell - £50; 18 R Chambers - £25. £125 donated to village organisations.

M Ellis

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KENT SKIPS

My Care at Home - My Care at Home is a family run business covering the rural communities in Suffolk. We provide Personal Care and Companionship, Respite Care and Dementia Care in your own home. Our commitment is to provide ‘high quality care’, which we deliver through our greatest asset, our staff and the training that they receive. We only employ people who love to care. Your care package could be a one off arrangement, ad-hoc or on a regular basis. Request a Brochure or book an appointment on 01449 763086.

Find us on Facebook or visit our website www.mycare-athome.co.uk We are also recruiting NOW We need exceptional people who love to care.

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Organisations

BSEVC Transport

Connecting Communities is a service for those who are rurally isolated without access to a vehicle, those who cannot access public transport because of mobility difficulties or where there is little or no public transport available. Journeys can booked up to 2 weeks in advance, Clinics, hospital appointments and regular day centre visits may be booked further ahead, or on a regular basis. These vehicles operate Monday to Saturday 7am to 7pm and bookings are restricted to 5 bookings per passenger per 14 day period to ensure fair access.

Fare Structure for Connecting Communities Adult Under 5 Child 5-16 Under 18 ¨ 1 to 5 miles £2.40 Free £1.00 £1.00 ¨ 6 to 9 miles £3.30 Free £1.00 £2.00 ¨ 10 to 14 miles £4.20 Free £1.00 £3.00 ¨ 15 to 20 miles £5.50 Free £1.00 £4.00 How do I pay for my journeys on this service? - Please pay the driver on the day with cash or your travel vouchers. We do not accept concessionary bus passes.

Community Car Scheme - We also have a small team of volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles to take people from “a” to “b” known as the Community Car service.

Minibus use for groups - We have two 15 seat minibuses that are available for community use, the hiring details are available from us or from our website.

How to Book a journey on our services? - Please call 01449 614271, email bookings@bsevc.co.uk. Note that all options are available Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.

Emergency Line - If you need to cancel a journey for the same day or the next day or you need to contact us outside of office hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm) then please call 07873 668430.

For more information Please telephone one of our office staff on 01449 614271 or Email bookings@bsevc.co.uk Our Website - Address - www.bsevc.co.uk. Registered Charity No 1004198 - Company No. 2636217 Jan Robinson

Stradbroke Village Show

Stradbroke Church Village Show of Flowers, Vegetables & Produce will be held at the Community Centre on Saturday 25th July 2020. Potatoes for the Bucket Competition will be on sale at the cake stall in Church Street on Saturday 7th March 2020. The classes which you can work on during the winter are the following handicraft & photo exhibits: Class 61 – Crochet Class 62 – Knitted soft toy Class 63 – Knitted baby jacket Class 64 – Embroidery or tapestry Class 65 – A picture in pencil, watercolour or oils, max 8” x 11” Class 66 – Greetings card made by exhibitors Class 67 – Photograph 7” x 7” max of village scenes Class 68 – Suffolk landscapes Class 69 – Open choice Class 72 – for children – photo of pet animals Full details will be available at the cake stall in March. Any enquiries to Roly Copping on 01379 384 839.

R Copping

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Poppies & Daisies Tearoom

Antique Restoration

Ian Brown LCGI

Come and visit our vintage style tearooms in the heart of Stradbroke. We offer classic Afternoon Teas, Cream Teas, Over 30 Loose Leaf Teas, Homemade Cakes & Scones and Hot & Cold Food Served all day

Poppies and Daisies 2 Town House, Church Street, Stradbroke, IP21 5HT Tel; 07921512052

Find us on Facebook & Instagram

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Council Notes From the Chair...

Thanks to everyone who came along to the Parish Council transport information day last week. This has given us some really useful information to start to plan what we can do to deal with traffic issues in the village. We will be publishing the information we shared at this meeting and conducting an online questionnaire on the Parish Council website at https://www.stradbrokepc.org shortly, so keep an eye out for that if you weren’t able to attend the meeting.

Date for your diaries! The annual parish meeting will be held on the evening Thursday 30th April in the Community Centre. As well as the more formal annual parish meeting this year we are inviting village organisations to have stalls in the Community Centre to promote their organisations and as part of the work we are doing to start a parish plan.

The parish plan aims to build on the Neighbourhood Plan that is now a year old by setting out how we can implement the community actions and improvements mentioned in the plan.

The next parish council meeting is on Monday, 9 March 7.30pm in the Court House - all are welcome to attend.

James Hargrave, Chair Stradbroke Parish Council

Parish Plan

The Parish Council has started the process of reviewing the amenities and facilities by setting up a working party to get the ball rolling and talking to village organisations. The project will be launched at the Annual Parish Meeting on April 30th when a presentation will be made, volunteers will be recruited and information shared. Everyone is welcome to attend, the bar will be open and a variety of exhibits will be put on display to illustrate what the future may hold for Stradbroke. So make a note of the date and come along to learn more.

Parish Plan Working Party – Don Darling, James Hargrave, Gillian Rennie-Dunkerley, Toni Wisbey Don Darling

Village Clubs and Organisations

The Parish Council has started work on gathering views of groups and organisations in the village. If your group or organisation would like to complete the questionnaire it can be completed online by following the link on the home page of the Parish Council website: www.stradbrokepc.org If you would prefer a copy of the form emailed or posted to you, please contact me either by email at: stradbrokepc@outlook.com or by phone on: 07555 066147 The information already collected can be viewed on the PIIP and Neighbourhood Plan pages on the Parish Council website. https://www.stradbrokepc.org/piip https://www.stradbrokepc.org/neighbourhood-plan-documents Deadline for submissions is 1st March 2020. Thank you.

Odile Wladon, Clerk

Suffolk Constabulary

We are always looking to improve how we interact with our communities.

To help us understand how we can do this better, we have created a survey looking at what you would prefer.

Deputy Chief Constable Simon Megicks, “Understanding how our communities would like to hear from us, and how they would like to contact us, particularly in non-emergencies, is important to us. We would encourage everyone to complete this short survey to give us the best possible insight.”

The survey only takes about five minutes to complete and focusses on key questions like: how you would like to receive updates from us on what we are doing or incidents happening now; to how you would prefer to contact us for non-urgent matters.

You can access the survey at https://www.suffolk.police.uk/ We would love to reach all areas of our community and all ages so please let us know if there are more ways we can be doing this.

Suffolk Police

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The Original Stradbroke Village Website!

Now in its 19th year the Stradbroke Village Website brings you news, views and information about Stradbroke.

MARK BANCROFT PAVING SERVICES

Specialist in all types of paving and hard landscaping, driveways, patios, ornamental garden walls, water features, drainage and fencing.

Pressure washing of drives and patios.

Family run business with over 25 years experience.

Fast friendly professional service.

Fully insured and all work guaranteed.

For a friendly visit with a free quotation call Mark on: 01379 677027 or Mobile 07768636618

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Forthcoming Events

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Stradbroke Cinema

On March 19th we will be showing ‘The Good Liar’. Ian McKellen plays a veteran con-man for whom lying is a way of life. Through a dating app he meets a well-heeled widow Betty (Helen Mirren) and settles into her comfortable suburban life that he describes as being ‘smothered in beige’. Despite her grandson’s reservations, Betty is determined to grasp some happiness whatever. McKellen and Mirren are wonderful in this plot full of deceptions and sparkiness. Is all what is seems? Who is really the fake? Doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm. The bar is open before the start and during the interval when ice creams will also be on sale. Entrance is £5.50 for adults, £3 for 16s and under and everyone is welcome Full details can be found on the Village website that is at www.stradbrokeonline.org.uk Roger Turkington and Jane Merritt

Stradbroke Walking Group

Stradbroke’s free Community-led informal Walking Group meets every Thursday. Please come along and join us for a friendly, gentle 30-45 minute walk and chat around this beautiful Village, meeting outside the Stradbroke Antiques Centre (Queen’s Head) at 10.30am. Longer walks can be arranged too, as long as we have enough Walk Leaders. Unless it is really raining, we will be walking! Everyone is welcome, whatever your age or ability - all you need are sensible shoes – and we look forward to seeing you and enjoying a chat with a cup of tea, coffee and cake in the Stradbroke Antiques Centre afterwards.

For more information contact Dennis Merritt Tel: 01379 388 382. Email: dennis_merritt@hotmail.com

Learn:

We are delighted to welcome back Sue Pine who will be delivering a session on looking at the issue of refugees through philosophical thinking. How are refugees viewed? What is their status? How does society react to refugees? All of these questions and much, much more.

Sue is a very lively and innovative speaker with many illustrations to complement her talks. She is guaranteed to make you think, question and debate.

The talk will take place at Stradbroke Community Centre on Wednesday, March 25th at 2.00pm. The cost is £5.00 including refreshments. Tickets on the door. If you would like further details about the above or would like to be added to our mailing list for a regular newsletter please contact me at gillianrenniedunkerley@hotmail.com or 01379 384248 or 07730011951

Gillian Rennie-Dunkerley, Chair of Learn:

Stradbroke Art Group

Stradbroke’s very own Mita Higton IEA has offered to tutor a lesson each week in mixed media along with offering professional guidance and insights as required. We are now meeting on Mondays at 1:30pm in the Hall at Stradbroke Baptist Church. There is a small fee of £2 per session. Please bring along your own equipment and projects. All abilities are welcome. There are still a few available places should you wish to join. For further information or to reserve a place, please contact Mita directly on 07542 070 935 or mita@mitahigton.co.uk or Bruce on 01379 388 744 or psalm34.8@yahoo.com. We look forward to meeting yo Bruce Francis

Phoenix Singers at St Michaels Church

Phoenix Singers – 7.00pm – Saturday 4th April at St. Michaels Church, Framlingham J S Bach – St. John Passion Tickets : £15, under 18s: £7.50, available from Hall Farm Butchers, 25 Market Hill, Framlingham, Juniper Barn, Rendham, William Glasse william@glasse.org.uk 07802 597071, choir members and at the door.

Charity 1076549 Stephanie Askew (publicity)

Stradbroke Chess Club

A newly formed and welcoming club open to all abilities. Please come along and join us on Thursday evenings. If you are new to chess I would be happy to introduce you to the game and teach you what I know, there are other experts too. If you would like to come along and need a lift, my dad will be happy to pick you up and take you home afterwards. Please contact us to arrange. We meet in the Court House on Thursdays 7:30pm.

If you are interested or would like to know more, please contact me on: 01379 388 744 or psalm34.8@yahoo.com.

Josh Francis

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Forthcoming Events

Laxfield Produce, Craft and Flea Market

Laxfield Produce, Craft and Flea Market on Saturday 7th March from 9.30am -12 midday. Lots of stalls inside All Saint's Church and in the Royal Oak and outside on Church Plain Looking forward to Spring now and the March market brings lots of stalls both indoors and out... the usual very mixed and very interesting offering of over 35 independent, local, stallholders. As well as gifts, crafts, vintage, artisan breads, cakes and savouries, find nice things for the garden this month with the welcome return of Sally's selection of lovely plants, bulbs and helpful advice.

There'll also be stands with garden ornaments, garden decorations with rustic appeal, and a supplier of specific bee-friendly plants.

Joy's Junk makes a welcome return following winter hibernation - all sorts of interesting things to be found on her stall. Also search out the locally hand-made jewellery, plus vegan and organic cosmetics and skincare, all made in the UK. Look for the large Fairtrade table supporting similar small ethical crafters and makers overseas.

The Laxfield Produce, Craft and Flea Market is a monthly event on the first Saturday of each month, run as a co-operative, non-profit making venture, with stallholders and organisers from both Laxfield and from the local area making it the vibrant market it has become. The Market welcomes newcomers as customers or sellers, and one-off stalls help make the morning interesting, so if having a Spring clean and sort out, why not book a future slot for stall space with Catherine Cawood on 01986 798852?

Cake, tea and coffee will be available in the Church, and in the Royal Oak breakfasts, bacon butties and teas/coffees, beer and lunches will all be on offer, plus goodies for immediate consumption from the bakes stalls.

The Laxfield Produce, Craft and Flea Market welcomes you on the first Saturday morning of every month – A fantastic community co-operative market run by lovely friendly people! Carolyn Nichols Catherine Cawood

Syleham and Wingfield Village Hall events

Syleham and Wingfield village hall took part in January's National Village Halls week for the first time this year.

You may have seen us in the Diss Express! On Thursday 23rd, the 'Share your History' morning proved very popular and very interesting. People brought along old press cuttings, pictures, bills of sale to share. There was a buzz of conversation! There was so much interest that the items were kept for others to enjoy at the Open morning on Saturday 25th. Our old pictures have recently been restored with the help of a Locality grant made via our Suffolk County Councillor, Guy McGregor - It was lovely to have them back on the walls to show visitors and people living up the road! We intend to join with the National Village halls week in 2021!

Suffolk Artlink Craft event at Wingfield Barns on Wednesday 4th March, which is an introduction to some free craft sessions to be held at Syleham and Wingfield village hall IP21 4LT. Suffolk Artlink is brining creative social events for older people (55+) to the villages and towns of mid Suffolk. More information can be found at www.suffolkartlink.org.uk The sessions at the village hall will be on Thursday afternoons from 1.30 to 4 on the following dates - 19th March, 26th March, 9th April, 23rd April, 14th May, 21st May. Friday 6th March - Open Mic session from 8pm. Come along to listen or join in. Bar open.

Friday 13th March - Lucky Karaoke evening with Purple Star Karaoke from 8pm, free entry, bar open, Lucky Raffle.

Saturday 21st March - Marc James - Easy listening/ Country & Western. Fiver on the door/ Free for SWSSC members. Bar open, raffle, food to purchase. 8pm Friday 27th March - Bingo iao East Anglian Air Ambulance, starts just after 8pm, raffle, bar open. Bar has chocolate and crisps, or bring your own snacks.

Future events: Thursday 2nd April - Eastern Angles theatre production 'Red Skies' an imagined meeting between George Orwell and Arthur Ransome. 7.30pm, Tickets 11 (concs 10) from Eastern Angles website or their box office 01473 211498 Mon - Fri 10-2 Saturday 4th April - table top sale 9 - 1 iao East Anglian Air Ambulance. Tables 6 each - contact Donna on to book. Teas, coffees and bacon rolls.

Friday 17th April - Quiz evening iao East Anglian Air Ambulance. 7.30 for 8pm start. Teams of 4, Fiver per person inc Ploughman's style supper, raffle, bar open. Book with John 01379 668250 or text Julie 07929 794636 or come along on the night.

Friday 8th/ Saturday 9th/ Sunday 10th May - VE 75 will be celebrated on 8th May on J's meadow, opposite the village hall as well as in the village hall itself. Plans are still to be confirmed but it is likely activities will start at 2pm ready for the national 'Raise your glass' at 3pm + Cry for Peace and Ringing out for Peace. There will be traditional games, probably some form of 'tea' and some music. Look out for posters and advertising, and come along. Come along for coffee on Sat 9th May 10.30 to 12.30.

Julie Thompson

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Registered childminder and qualified Montessori teacher.

Set in the beautiful hamlet of Wilby.

Full and part-time places available for all ages.

Open 8am–6pm Tuesday to Friday all year round.

For all enquiries, contact Stephanie on: Phone: 07787154143 Email: stephanie.a.harvey01@gmail.com

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Sports Roundup

Stradbroke Cricket Club

Spring is the season of hopes & dreams for any Cricket Club, when the realisation that there is less time than you think before the playing season begins. Stradbroke is no different. You may notice some new doors on the shed, the result of mindless violence at one end, Storm Ciara at the other, a seamless 'call to arms' for Club members & volunteers to rally round on Sunday 29th March for the annual 'Cricket Force Day', where we cut & roll grass, paint doors & sightscreens, erect nets, & generally make it a welcoming place to play the game. Talking of volunteers, thank you to the small, but encouraging number of cricketers who have expressed an interest in playing for Stradbroke this Summer. We really need you. As well as Two Counties League fixtures on Saturdays, we are entered in the National Village Cup, & Suffolk T20 Plate.

Something for everyone. We are also rolling out a coaching programme in five local Primary Schools in the Summer term, showing our committment to the next generation of players. All these initiatives cost money, so we are grateful to the 15 teams who entered the Annual Pop Music Quiz recently. £436 was raised, (which was quickly spent on new doors), & sensationally, perennial winners, the 'Bacton Tea Party' were beaten into third place. Maybe this will be a season of shocks on the field too?

Michael Hugman

Stradbroke and District Bowls Club

Hello everyone, welcome to our second report and update of the new year.

As previously mentioned we are still in the closed season of bowling and this will be a brief report.

Bingo for Bowls: The next session will be on Friday, 13th March in the Community Centre starting at 7.30 pm.

Annual Dinner and Presentations This will be held at the White Hart in the village on Saturday February 22nd (7 pm for 7.30 pm) David has notified members with the menu selection and price per ticket.

Pudding Party This very successful annual event will be held in the community centre starting at 7.30pm on Saturday 21st March. The ticket price £8 this includes a hot meal and glass of wine, the food is donated by members and friends and mainly home cooked, a blind auction will take place during the evening. Tickets can be obtained by a call to Mary Ellis on 01379 384642 Green Opening As previously reported the bowls green at the community centre will open at 2.00 pm Saturday 18th April. We welcome you to come along and join us at the opening where existing members will only be too pleased to show you the rudiments of the game, and hopefully get you interested in joining the club and meet new friends. Our only requirement is that you wear flat soled shoes or trainers to protect the green. Many thanks for your time in reading this, and if you have any questions please give me a call on the following number.

Regards, Roy Lee (01379 384729)

Tennis Club

Courts are available for hire through Stradbroke Fitness Centre at £8.00 an hour for adults and £4.00 an hour for children. The number is 01379 384376.

New members are welcome. Social Play afternoons are on Monday and Thursday from 1.00 to 4.00 so why not come and have a game? For any further details give me a ring on 01379 384557 Kevin Holmes, Secretary Stradbroke Tennis Club

White Hart Bowls Club Prize Bingo

Prize Bingo for Easter on Friday 27th March 2020 at 7.30pm in Stradbroke Community Centre to raise funds for Stradbroke White Hart Bowls Club.

Many excellent prizes, raffle, and refreshments. Plus a flyer to win a Seasonal Hamper.

Julie Ward

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SEED POTATOES & ONIONS white & red available now.

Vegetable plants ready at the end of march (Cauli, Cabbage, Leeks, Broad beans etc) Hedging and Fruit Trees available now LARGE SELECTION OF CUT FLOWERS & POT PLANTS. FOR YOU TO SPOIL YOUR MOTHER & GRANDMA on Mothering Sunday Special Offer : Primroses 8 £5 Polyanthus 10 £5 6 packs £2:50

Passmore Weeks & Richardson

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News and Views

Suffolk Community Foundation – Championing Stradbroke

The Suffolk Community Foundation was set up to help the people of Suffolk to better understand the needs of the county and to raise awareness and funds to support the work of volunteers, charities and community groups to address that need. They work with many people and organisations to do this.

Two of the fund raising projects that they have created are Suffolk Dog Day which since its start has raised over £500,000, every penny of which has been given to Suffolk charities and Community groups, and the Surviving Winter Campaign which has raised over £700,000 and helped many older and vulnerable people with their winter heating.

In order to “spread the word" of their mission, to change local lives by connecting causes that matter, with people who care, they have introduced Community Champions and I volunteered to Champion Stradbroke!

So, as well as using the wonderful Stradbroke Monthly and Stradbroke Village website to promote events or projects for our local causes or groups, if you also email me at vickyscfcc@gmail.com, I will pass the information on for Suffolk Community Foundation to promote too, which will spread the word even further! If you can attach a flyer about the event, that would be helpful for them to post on their social media. Throughout the year I will circulate updates from SCF about advice and grants available to support local projects. To find out more about Suffolk Community Foundation, find them online at www.suffolkcf.org.uk Vicky Beckley

Suffolk County Council—Childrens Centre Consultation 2020

It is vitally important that we continue to make a real and positive difference for children, young people and families throughout Suffolk and ensure we make the best use of the public money we are given to provide public services.

Given the range of social and cultural changes that we all continue to experience through the greater use of technology, the way our communities continue to develop and the way in which we choose to access services for our families, now is the right time to review the services the council provides for young people aged 0 to 19 years old.

Councillor Mary Evans, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Skills has said: “To prepare for this consultation, we have taken a rigorous approach to review current services through surveys at each Children's Centre and research into what is happening across the country.

“The feedback, kindly provided by families who currently use Children’s Centres and the range of outreach services we already provide in community buildings, has informed the development of this proposal and we hope you can share your views and ideas with us now as we look to develop these services to meet future demands.”

Suffolk County Council has a responsibility to ensure we have enough nursery places for all eligible 2 and 3 year olds, and we know that many areas do not currently have enough nursery places. This means some children are missing out and makes it difficult for some parents to continue working or find work.

We know that good early education has a positive impact on preparing children for school, their learning and their long-term future. It is also important for those parents who want to continue working or take up opportunities to work which suit their family circumstances. You can read the accompanying information which provides you with full details of the proposal and how this relates to services in your area of Suffolk On our website at https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-anddemocracy/consultations-petitions-andelections/consultations/childrens-centre-review-2020/ you can read the accompanying information which provides you with full details of the proposal and how this relates to services in your area of Suffolk, then you can fill in our online survey.

Suffolk County Council

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Also we stock tablets & granular in 10kg bags.

Please contact us for competitive prices either collected or delivered.

Tel 01379 854061 Fax 01379 854 804 We offer free delivery to all Stradbroke residents.

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News and Views

Help for those most in need to remain at home

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have approved a new Housing Assistance Policy to help residents suffering with a long-term illness adapt their homes.

The councils approved the introduction of a local grant scheme, called the Minor Adaptations Grant, to offer financial support to enable residents to carry out minor adaptations to their home up to £7,500, enabling them to remain live independently and safely in their homes for longer.

Works covered within the new scheme include ramps, bathing/washing facilities, additional heating, stairlifts, key safes and wash/dry toilets. The Housing Assistance Policy, forms part of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), and is specifically designed to meet specialist needs not covered by mandatory DFG without the need for applicants to be means tested.

Through the scheme the councils will be able to target those most in need, who may currently not be able to live independently at home and allocate resources in a shorter time scale, allowing disabled residents to live in suitable accommodation, enabling them to live as independently as possible.

The Minor Adaptations Grant supports anyone with an identified need for adaptations including those ‘Living with Dementia’, those suffering with or caring for someone with a ‘Terminal Illness’ or needing ‘End of Life’ support, or those needing quick adaptations to their home after a stay in hospital ‘Home from Hospital’.

Babergh District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Jan Osborne, said: “What seem like relatively small improvements can have a major impact on someone’s quality of life.

Often illness is unplanned and doesn’t give residents much time to make the necessary arrangements at home.

We’ve made the process for the Minor Adaptions Grant more straightforward, which should help to enable residents to leave hospital and return to the comfort of their own home quicker than they might have been able to previously.”

Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Julie Flatman, said: “Making sure our residents across the districts are able to live safely and comfortably in their own homes for as long as possible is really important. This grant will allow people with a variation of long-term illnesses or who require more support in their home, to carry out minor improvements that will make a real difference to their quality of life.”

The councils are encouraging residents in both districts to come forward to apply for the grants which will cover a range of adaptions including; • Installing bathroom fittings • Removing door thresholds • Widening doors • Level access shower

Latest scam alerts

Installation of a key safe Installing pivot hinges Installation of additional radiators

Please stay scam aware. We have included the latest scams reported to us below.

Calls from individuals introducing themselves as ‘conservation officers’ from the local council, offering a "free" loft insulation check · Hang up · Do not share your address or personal details · Report it to Suffolk Trading Standards or call them on 03454 040506 · Make your neighbours aware, especially those who may be more vulnerable Scam text messages stating a council tax refund is due which includes a link. · Do not reply or forward the messages on · Do not click any links · Do not share your bank account details · Report it to Suffolk Trading Standards or call them on 03454 040506 · Delete the message We will always inform you of any changes in writing or via your MyAccount Mid Suffolk District Council

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Hammond Garden & Countryside Services Matthew Hammond

Felix Cottage Horham, Eye Suffolk IP21 5EG Tel: 01379 384643

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All hedge work and garden clearance.

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Rough grass cut & strimmed.

Hedges and trees supplied and planted.

Small tree work - pruning/felling Lawns turfed and seeded All types of fencing Patios and paths laid.

Free estimates, all jobs considered.

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Service and repairs to all cars, light commercial and 4x4’s Specialists in vehicle diagnostics Free local collection and delivery Courtesy car available Prompt attention assured Competitive rates

Open 8:00am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 12 noon Saturdays Barley Hall, Laxfield Road, Stradbroke, IP21 5NQ Located on the B1117 1 3/4 miles outside Stradbroke towards Laxfield.

News and Views

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Ambitious Aimee’s marathon challenge

The assistant manager at a popular Suffolk pub is preparing to take on the London Marathon for a second time to raise funds for the Pear Tree Fund.

Aimee Button will lace up her trainers and join thousands of other runners in the capital on 26 April when she takes on the gruelling 26.2mile challenge. It comes just two years after she vowed “never again” after completing the marathon in 2018, when she was forced to walk the course after breaking a bone in her foot two months earlier.

The 26-year-old, who lives in Lowestoft, is raising money for the Pear Tree Fund after the Queen’s Head in Bramfield, where she works, selected the local cause as its charity of the year. She is now hoping to raise as much as possible while completing the course in under five and a half hours.

“The marathon in 2018 was horrendous and I swore I would never do it again,” said Aimee. “I applied for a place this year without expecting to get anywhere – when I received the email saying I’d been accepted I wondered what I’d let myself in for!

“I like to set myself challenges and my training is going well so far. I’m feeling a mix of nerves and excitement at the moment, and plan to keep thinking of the finish line when things get tough.

“I have learnt a lot about the Pear Tree Fund through working at the pub and think it’s a fantastic local charity. I’m hoping to raise as much as I can for them so that they can continue to provide vital support to vulnerable local people when they need it the most.”

The Pear Tree Fund, formerly known as Halesworth Community Nursing Care Fund, was set up 30 years ago support people with life-limiting illnesses who wish to die in the comfort and security of their own homes.

More recently, it has raised almost £900,000 to construct the Pear Tree Centre on land next to Cutlers Hill Surgery in Halesworth. The centre will bring a full range of holistic services closer to home for people in south Norfolk and north east Suffolk who have cancer or other life-limiting illnesses. This includes benefits advice, support for children and families, complementary therapies, help understanding a diagnosis, counselling and bereavement support.

The charity is now aiming to raise money towards the centre’s running costs, which will be around £150,000 a year.

Ted Edwards, co-chair of the Pear Tree Centre project, said: “We are very grateful to Aimee for choosing to support our charity and wish her the very best of luck when she runs the marathon.

“We look forward to hearing all about her adventure and toasting her success at the Queen’s Head once her challenge is complete.”

Anyone who would like to sponsor Aimee can visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/abpeartreefund?utm_term=d2dbNb4e7 To find out more about the centre and how you could support the charity, go to www.peartreefund.org Liz Hearnshaw, Zenith Public Relations Ltd

Sponsor Page 2 with your own article or advert!

Page 2 is a Sponsored Page, allowing any individual or organisation to request the page for their article or advertisement! The cost of ‘sponsoring ‘ the page will be £25 - this guarantees the whole of the inside front cover page and would give contributors the opportunity to include their own graphics and pictures, laid out to their own design!

It will be possible to request the page some time in advance, but to give fair access the page will not be blocked booked by the same individual or organisation/company for more than two consecutive months. The page will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, but can be booked ahead of time, with payment securing your space in the magazine.

If you would like to reserve Page 2 contact

editors@stradbrokemonthly.co.uk

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News and Views

St Elizabeths Hospice Fundraising Events (Feb—Mar)

Join us for Welly Wednesday during February half term!

Dress in your best wellies and join us for this fun packed 2.5km route including 5 inflatable obstacles and a welly toss! This brand new event will take place on the 19th of February at Christchurch Park, Ipswich.

Before registering, please take a few minutes to read our terms and conditions here The registration fee gives you: aEntrance to the Welly Wednesday Experience aWelly Wednesday Medal Sign up now for a great day out and to help raise vital funds for the hospice!

Ridefest 2020 RideFest is our flagship sponsored corporate static bike challenge, designed to pit local businesses against each other. The event is for your staff to take part in and compete against other businesses in Suffolk to win the coveted yellow jersey!

Workplace heats: 24 February to 13 March 2020 Finals event: Wednesday 18 March 2020 11am – 2pm venue to be confirmed Registration: £99 per team Join the pledge to raise at least £350 for St Elizabeth Hospice to support local patients and their families.

Join our brand new event for 2020 – First 5K! With the new year approaching we want you to make a positive change by pledge to raise £100 sponsorship and train to run your first 5k run all in aid of the hospice. We will provide you with lots of helpful fundraising tips to help you easily smash your target all whilst you train for your first long distance run.

We’re working closely with our event sponsor FTC Gym to bring you a beginners 5k training plan which we will send out to you on the 2 January to start your New Year’s training. You can of course sign up after this point as shorter programmes will be available too.

We welcome all abilities but especially those that want to set themselves this fitness goal, the run itself won’t be timed to remove any pressure and you will be running/walking alongside like-minded people with the same goal.

We have 10 week, 6 week and 4 week plans for you to follow, so you can make sure that you’re ready for the run on the 15th March. (these will be sent to you in your confirmation email once signed up) What could be a greater way to reach your new year’s resolutions than raising money for the hospice and reaching your first goal of the year!

Please read the Terms and Conditions thoroughly before registering for this event.

Make the change and sign up now!

St Elizabeth Hospice—https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/events

East Anglian Air Ambulance Lottery

What is the lottery?

The EAAA lottery is a weekly lottery run to raise funds for East Anglian Air Ambulance. Members register to play for £1 a week (or more) and are then entered into a prize draw on Fridays. Proceeds from the EAAA charity lottery make up 45% EAAA’s total fundraising, so it is incredibly important for the work we do.

What prizes are there?

There are 18 guaranteed prizes available to win in our lottery draw every week: 1 x £1000 1 x £250 5 x £100 11 x £50 All our lottery players are also automatically entered in an accumulator prize every week. The prize increases by £500 until it’s won, up to a maximum of £25,000!

How to play Membership of the weekly lottery game is just £1 per chance per week, and players can sign up to more chances.

Players can pay monthly, quarterly or annually by direct debit, cheque, debit/credit card or by cash via newsagents.

You can register online, by phone on 03450 669 999 or by post by going to our website at eaaa.org.uk When we have your completed membership application, we enter your details onto our lottery system. You will be sent a membership card and details of your lucky number.

How it helps By playing the lottery you are helping us to provide the best possible outcomes for people who are unfortunate enough to be involved in life-threatening incidents or medical emergencies Supporting our lottery is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to keep us flying and saving lives.

East Anglian Air Ambulance—eaaa.org.uk

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THE CELLPHONE & FAX SPECIALIST

TGA Communications Ltd Purchase your new cellphone from TGA Communications at competitive prices Enquiries welcome 7am to 7pm days a week.

We also sell secondhand equipment & part-ex welcome.

WE OFFER A FULL RANGE OF CELLULAR PHONES INCLUDING Motorola - Panasonic - Mitsubishi - NEC - Nokia Professional After Sales Service Hire of Equipment (including European use of GSM) For further details: Brundish Rd, Wilby Tel: 01379 388156 Fax 01379 388109

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Dan Poulter, MP

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At the time of writing, I think it fair to say that winter has been relatively kind to us, in that we’ve not experienced much in the way of snow and ice. The days are becoming noticeably longer and the countryside is already seeming to show some early signs of coming back to life. The longer, brighter days are certainly welcome, particularly for those who perhaps are elderly or more isolated, living in the more rural parts of the county.

However, one of the things that makes me particularly proud to represent this area of the country is that we are so lucky here in Suffolk to have such a strong sense of community spirit and inclusion. I especially enjoy meeting so many dedicated volunteers and visitors at the regular coffee mornings and social events that take place throughout Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. Community events such as these provide a vital lifeline for those living in a rural county like Suffolk, bringing together like-minded friends and ensuring that local communities stay connected and in touch with one another.

Suffolk people are warm, friendly and caring and I’ve witnessed first-hand the kindness of our volunteers who run the many community wellbeing cafes and initiatives across Central Suffolk and North Ipswich. There are a growing number of community cafes and wellbeing initiatives, such as mental health cafes and dementia friends sessions, across the county and there is good evidence that facilities such as these can boost mental health and wellbeing, as well as providing a vital opportunity for carers to benefit from peer support and access helpful support information, if required.

Many of these cafes and drop in centres operate from existing community hubs, such as libraries, community halls or church rooms but the concept is simple; a willing band of welcoming volunteers offering a warm welcome, tea, coffee and biscuits or homemade cake, and the chance for people to come together for a friendly chat. The cafes are used by all age groups and many offer the chance to learn new crafts or skills as well.

At a recent meeting with Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, I was pleased to learn that they are taking a proactive view about investing in community resources, such as these, to boost mental health and wellbeing in our county. Although attitudes and behaviour are slowly changing towards mental ill health, there is still much more to be done and I will continue to do all that I can to fight for more money and better mental health services here in Suffolk.

For more information please visit www.drdanielpoulter.com

Please send all articles to editors@stradbrokemonthly.co.uk The Stradbroke Monthly team encourages readers to submit letters to the Editor expressing their opinions, comments or insights regarding any of the material that appears in the magazine.

The team will publish letters that reflect the diversity of opinions of our readers, but cannot publish all letters received.

The Editor retains the right to edit published letters for clarity and length.

Letters should include the writer's name and be clearly marked ‘FOR PUBLICATION’.

The advertising contact for new and existing adverts is editors@stradbrokemonthly.co.uk for all your advertising enquiries.

Submission Guidelines can be downloaded from stradbrokemonthly.co.uk Handwritten Submission?

Articles can also be left in the library and will be collected at 10am on the Saturday after the final submission date. However, it makes our job much easier and more accurate if articles can be submitted via email. If you do not have access to email you can use the computer in the library and the librarian will happily help you to submit your article.

PLEASE MENTION THE STRADBROKE MONTHLY WHEN CONTACTING ADVERTISERS!

Village Diary March 2020 1st Radio Stradbroke on air from 10 am www.radiostradbroke.co.uk 2nd ‘Tiny Talk Baby Signing’ at the Court House at 10.30 am and every Monday 2nd Rummikub Club from 2 – 4.30 pm and every Monday at the Court House 2nd Stradbroke Art Group meet at 1.30pm in Baptist Church (and every Monday) 3rd Contact Club meet in Community Centre at 10 am and every Tuesday (see page 10) 4th Suffolk Artlink Craft event at Wingfield Barns (see page 18) 5th Court House Café 9.30am-12.30pm, and every Thursday 5th Stradbroke Walking Group meet at 10.30 am and every Thursday (see page 17) 5th Chess Club at Court House from 7.30pm (and every Thursday) all welcome (see page 17) 6th ‘Friday Friends’ dementia friendly café in Court House (see page 9) 6th Open Mic session at Syleham & Wingfield Village Hall (see page 18) 7th Buy Potatoes for bucket competition, Church St (see page 12) 7th All Saints Church Fundraising Committee Cake Stall (see page 4) 7th Laxfield Produce, Craft and Flea Market from 9.30 am (see page 12) 7th Court House Café 9.15am-12.15pm, and every Saturday 8th Radio Stradbroke on air from 10 am www.radiostradbroke.co.uk 9th Stradbroke Parish Council meeting at Court House, 7.30 pm (see page 6) 11th Baptist Church Friendship Lunch at 12.30pm (see page 3) 13th Lucky Karaoke at Syleham & Wingfield Village Hall (see page 18) 13th Stradbroke & District Bowls Bingo in Community Centre (see page 20) 15th Radio Stradbroke on air from 10 am www.radiostradbroke.co.uk 17th Parish Council Clinic at Court House, 2.15 pm (see page 6) 19th Suffolk Artlink Craft event at Syleham & Wingfield Village Hall (see page 18) 19th Stradbroke Cinema ‘The Good Liar’ (see page 17) 20th **Deadline for submissions for April edition strictly by this date** 21st Stradbroke & District Bowls Pudding Party in Community Centre (see page 20) 21st Marc James, easy listening, at Syleham & Wingfield Village Hall (see page 18) 22nd Radio Stradbroke on air from 10 am www.radiostradbroke.co.uk 25th ‘Friday Friends’ group lunch in Court House (see page 9) 25th Baptist Church Friendship Lunch at 12.30pm (see page 3) 25th Learn Special Session in Community Centre at 2pm (see page 17) 26th Suffolk Artlink Craft event at Syleham & Wingfield Village Hall (see page 18) 26th Wingfield and District Gardening Club meet at Brundish Village Hall (see page 9) 27th Bingo at Syleham & Wingfield Village Hall (see page 18) 27th White Hart Bowls Bingo in Community Centre at 7.30pm (see page 20) 28th All Saints Church Fundraising Committee Book Sale. 10am-3pm (see page 4) 29th Radio Stradbroke on air from 10 am www.radiostradbroke.co.uk 29th Cricket Force Day – volunteers wanted (see page 20) 29th Sunday Afternoon Tea at The Court House Café at 3pm (see page 9) April 2nd Eastern Angles’ production 'Red Skies' at Syleham & Wingfield Village Hall (see page 18) 4th Table top sale at Syleham & Wingfield Village Hall (see page 18) 4th Phoenix singers at St Michaels Church in Framlingham (see page 17) 17th Quiz evening iao East Anglian Air Ambulance at Syleham & Wingfield Village Hall (see page 18) 18th Green Opening at the Community Centre (Page 20) 20th Annual Parish Meeting, Community Centre 7.30pm (see page 14)