In Touch
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with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit Volume 3 • Issue No. 12 • March 2020
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
NEWS
Do you ever long for the days when you pulled up at a service station and waited for an assistant to come to your aid? This is just one example of a ‘social’ encounter which doesn’t exist anymore, replaced by self-service or technology. Of course, self-sufficiency is good in many, if not all, aspects of life, but the need for and the benefits of social contact are proven. Loneliness and isolation are rarely freely embraced and Facebook, Twitter and the like have become lifelines for many while the internet provides unparalleled access to... well, to just about everything. However, I find that spending time with ‘real’ people, chatting over coffee, brief conversations over a counter, a helpful assistant when you need to try on a different (invariably bigger) size, even a nod on a cold morning have all become more precious as a consequence. I saw a poster in a coffee shop recently which made me smile: “I saw a man in a coffee shop the other day. He was just sitting there drinking coffee. He wasn’t on his phone or checking his emails. Just sitting there doing nothing like some crazy person!” Not so long ago this would have described most of us and I hope you occasionally find time to ‘just sit’, despite what others may think! We are fortunate to live in an age where access to just about everything we need, and lots more besides, is at our fingertips but we must never forget those who don’t have access or who may need our actual presence in their lives. A message may be appreciated but a hug is everything. Of course, this also applies to local business; without our support they simply can’t survive and where would we be without them. Now more than ever, we need to show some love to our high streets and to consider the carbon footprint of each and every purchase we make. Every face-to-face shopping experience helps us to stay connected with our local community and shopping locally ensures more of our money stays in the local community. Of course, if you prefer to shop online or simply don’t have the means to get out and about, you can still choose to shop local by finding a local supplier online. As you’ll see in the following pages, most, if not, all of the businesses and service providers featured have an online presence.
Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins T: 01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.
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ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379 E: steve@colourplan.co.uk Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd
In Touch Titles • Stowmarket & Stowupland • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew • Melton & Woodbridge • Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley • Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath • Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit • Needham Market & The Creetings • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone • Martlesham • Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton • East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford & Stratford St Mary • Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham • Capel St Mary (Capel Capers) • Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone & Washbrook • Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe
Friday 20 March Printed on gloss paper from FSC certified sources
Please recycle.
is the advertising and editorial deadline for the April edition
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COFFEE MORNING IN AID OF MARIE CURIE Saturday 28 March, 10am-noon at Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship For more info call Phil & Jan Sparkes on 01359 240502 or Margaret Cook on 01359 240565.
DRINKSTONE ANNUAL SALE TRAIL Saturday 2 May at Drinkstone Village Hall and surrounding village, 9.30am-2.30pm Households around and about the village open up their garages to sell their wares while others prefer to sell from a table top in the village hall. Come along to our sleepy Suffolk village and enjoy the fresh country air while ‘bagging lots of bargains’. Car parking, refreshments and accessible toilets at the village hall. Admission is free, and maps are on sale. All profits to Drinkstone Village Hall. Contact: 07816 394990 / suefoulshamster@googlemail.com
NORTON & DISTRICT TWINNING ASSOCIATION The association is holding a quiz night with supper on Friday 20 March at Norton Village Hall. Doors will open at 7pm and the quiz starts at 7.30pm. There will be a bar, raffle and prizes. Entry is £10 per person and the teams will be up to eight people. For tickets please contact: Ed Wilson, 01359 240489; Angela Walton, 07702 954299; Jane Williams, penrhiwgarn@hotmail.com
CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFE LINE Easter Chocolate Bingo Our Easter Chocolate Bingo will take place in Needham Market Community Centre on Saturday 21 March. This event has been held twice a year since our charity began and yet it still continues to be very popular. Who wouldn’t want a really good family night out where children are welcome, a full bar is available and you get fed as well, all for only £6 (£4 for under-10s). All seating is pre-allocated so you can be sure to sit with your friends and family. Tickets are now available from our charity shop on Coddenham Road in Needham Market or call 01449 760343 or 07974 424374. Are you interested in lending a hand? Organising the group trip for the visiting children each year is a major project and we start preparations as soon as the current visiting group have gone home. We would love to hear from anyone who might be interested in giving a hand with the advance preparations. You don’t have to be a host or be involved in the actual visit as there are many other areas that need attention. If you are interested in finding out more about the charity in general, would like to help with the pre-visit arrangements or in our charity shop we would love to hear from you. Please do get in touch. Thank you to everyone for your support as always. Link Chair Elizabeth Parker 01449 760343 / enquiries@ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk www.ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk www.facebook.com/ccllmidsuffolk
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NEWS COUNTY COUNCILLOR PENNY OTTON: THEDWASTRE SOUTH DIVISION Including Thurston, Beyton, Hessett, Drinkstone, Felsham, Gedding, Rattlesden (also Onehouse, Buxhall, Harleston, Shelland and Gt Finborough) Ipswich Northern Route The leader of Suffolk County Council has announced that he will be recommending to his cabinet that the Ipswich Northern Route should not proceed to the next phase of development. This follows an interim study, a strategic outline business case and a public consultation into the proposed bypass to the north of Ipswich. The public consultation found that 70 percent of respondents were against the bypass, and there has been a prominent anti-bypass campaign organised by local residents. Babergh District Council, Mid Suffolk District Council and East Suffolk District Council all withdrew their support. My group proposed months ago that not further work or money should be used on this. At the same time, Highways England published their report on the Orwell Bridge and how to stop so many closures. Children’s Centres On 10 January, Suffolk County Council launched a consultation looking at the future of children’s centres in the county. Currently there are 38 children’s centres in Suffolk and the council is proposing to convert 16 of them into full-time family hubs and 11 into part-time family hubs. A family hub will provide a wider range of services for families with children aged 0-19. More details about the proposals and a link to the consultation are available at: www.suffolk.gov.uk/ccconsultation The consultation will close at 5pm on Sunday 1 March. Report on School Transport This has now been published and has highlighted many of the problems in the new policy, particularly the fact that it was difficult for parents to gain information. This was put to the scrutiny committee where I put forward the problem of split villages and siblings. I also asked when the actual policy would be scrutinised Phase 3 of Superfast Broadband Programme Cabinet has approved the roll-out of the third phase of Suffolk’s superfast
broadband programme with BT Openreach. Currently, 96 percent of properties in Suffolk have access to superfast broadband. Phase 3 will aim to reach a further two percent of properties, who are amongst the hardest to reach. In order to fund this, the council will reinvest the £10m of ‘gainshare funding’ that it has received from the first two contracts with BT Openreach. Introduction of permit scheme for roadworks Cabinet has also approved the introduction of a permit scheme which will require utility companies to apply for a permit from Suffolk Highways before digging up roads in Suffolk. Currently, utility companies only have to inform Suffolk County Council of their intention to conduct work on the highways. The introduction of a permit scheme will ensure that motorists have more notice of planned roadworks and will provide the council with more powers: the council can approve or refuse a request for a permit and can also place conditions over the work carried out. It is expected that a permit scheme will also result in less disruption for road users as the council will be able to coordinate and plan works to ensure there are minimal road closures. Any costs incurred by the council for running the scheme will be recovered through fee income from permit applications, so the scheme will be cost neutral. Suffolk County Council Budget This was agreed with an increase of four percent on your Council Tax, but two percent will be purely for adult social care. My LibDem Green and Independent group put forward some amendments asking for more highways officers to deal with large planning applications, more health visitors and social workers, the introduction of a bus pass for carers, a revised school transport policy to enable siblings to attend the same school with no split villages, a county wide cycling strategy and re-instated funding for CABs. Although there was some support for some of our ideas, they were not agreed. penny.otton@suffolk.gov.uk
NEWS FROM YOUR NEW DISTRICT COUNCILLORS The district council budget is expected to be approved on 27 February and proposes a Council Tax increase of 1.66 percent (£2.76 a year, 5p per week for a Band D property). The net budget is approximately £10 million and the council still has (as at end March) £9.2 million in a fund to spend on projects. Working with the Libdems, we (the Green Group) have put forward proposals to make Mid Suffolk more sustainable – from housing to transport to biodiversity – and Rachel has been negotiating with the Conservative administration to include some of these proposals in the budget.
managed by West Suffolk District Council. There are concerns about funding the scheme and the enforcement of obstructive and dangerous parking. District staff will have no remit to deal with dangerous parking; responsibility rests with the police and they may not give this a high priority.
An environment taskforce at the council has met several times to look at initiatives to combat climate change but, disappointingly, no actions or recommendations have so far been brought forward.
Rachel Eburne: 01449 673311 / Rachel.eburne@midsuffolk.gov.uk Keith Welham: 01449 673185 / keith.welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk
Preparations are continuing for the transfer of civil parking enforcement from the police to Suffolk County Council. Enforcement within Mid Suffolk will be
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And finally, we are pleased that Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet has agreed a grant to Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice of £86,700 a year for each of the next three years, starting in 2020/2021. This service is widely used by many of our residents.
Joint Mid Suffolk District Council Ward Members (Green Party) for the Ward of Haughley, Stowupland & Wetherden – including Old Newton (with Gipping and Dagworth)
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EST. 1881
REEMAN DANSIE Auctioneers & Valuers
Incorporating Coins & Militaria Tuesday 10th March: Silver, Jewellery & Watches, Coins, Banknotes & Tokens, Medals, Militaria, Edge Weapons & Clubs Wednesday 11th March: Ceramics & Glass, Ephemera & Stamps, Books & Toys Thursday 12th March: Cars & Automobilia,Vintage & Designer Textiles, Music, Cameras & Miscellaneous Viewing: Saturday 7th March 9am - 1pm, Monday 9th March 9am - 5.30pm Each morning of the sale from 9am
8 Wyncolls Road, Severalls Business Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 9HU Tel : 01206 754754 Fax : 01206 754750 Email : auctions@reemandansie.com Web : www.reemandansie.com
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NEWS / out & about
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ENSURING YOUR RTA CLAIM DOESN’T HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD
Friday 6 March, 10am-noon: Coffee and Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market
No matter how serious, road traffic accidents (RTAs) are always distressing experiences. 2018 alone saw over 165,000 casualties of all severities resulting from RTAs.
Friday 20 March, 6.45am: Breakfast The Mix, 127 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket To book online follow the link at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events
WOOLPIT AND DISTRICT MUSEUM
If you are a victim of an RTA, you could have a case for compensation. To assist you ahead of any claim, there are important steps you should take / pieces of evidence that you should gather if possible. Immediately following an accident, if possible, the first steps you should take include: • Get the details of all those involved:
At the moment we are getting the museum ready for when we reopen on April 4. The main task is preparing and putting up new displays but we are also busy cleaning and refreshing the permanent displays, sorting out storage space, organising the rota for museum duty, checking the stock for our little shop and generally keeping very busy. We have a small band of loyal volunteers but are always pleased to welcome new helpers. If you would like to join us please email us at: museum@woolpit.org
For vehicles, this includes registration numbers, the make, model and colour of the vehicles involved.
When working in the museum I often reflect on the fact that while we hope visitors will be interested in our displays, the room itself is also fascinating. It occupies the upstairs room of a former cottage dating mainly from the 15th century. Perhaps the most striking features are the steeply pitched roof with its crown post, and the small leaded windows overlooking the village centre.
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The cottage was incorporated into the neighbouring institute in 1920 to create a memorial to the 25 Woolpit men who lost their lives in the First World War. Downstairs, now Teacups, provided accommodation for a caretaker, and the upstairs room was used for billiards and then storage. In 1983 the parish council asked if the village history group would like to use the room and this marked the beginning of the museum. We think it is the smallest museum in Suffolk but a lot of information is contained within this small space! Permanent displays feature the brickworks, a Victorian kitchen, and information about the buildings in the village centre and the legend of the Green Children. At least two new displays are mounted every year and details for the forthcoming season will appear in next month’s In Touch. Meanwhile we hope you have noted our opening date in your diaries.
For people, obtain their phone numbers, addresses and insurance details. Also, be sure to write a description of the person involved and who you believe to be responsible for the RTA.
• Seek medical attention – even if you are feeling ok, it is important to get checked over. • If possible, take photographs of the accident location, the vehicles involved and the damage caused. Contact the police and report the incident – while they may not always be required to attend the accident, if any person refuses to provide their details at the scene, you must report them to the police.
• If you are the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident, inform your insurer at the earliest opportunity. • Get the details of any witnesses including their telephone numbers – and their own accounts of what happened – they could back up your claim. • Keep your own record of the incident – this can include writing down what happened and taking photos of any injuries sustained. • Keep records of all expenses that you may have incurred as a result of the incident and any injuries sustained – for example, loss of earnings, travel expenses and any medication costs. If your property or vehicle has been damaged as a result of an RTA, or you’ve been injured, then you can make a claim. Personal injury and loss claims following an RTA come in two parts: 1. Compensation for the pain and suffering sustained as a result of the accident.
BARN DANCE FOR CANCER RESEARCH UK Friday 13 March, 7.30-11pm at Norton Village Hall Ceilidh band to start playing at 8pm. Bar and raffle on the night Adults £12.50, under-18s £7.50, buffet included For tickets call Jo on: 07913 922926
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2. Compensation for any financial losses flowing from that accident and injury – this could come in the form of the cost of vehicle repairs, medication and treatment costs or loss of earnings due to injuries sustained. It is important therefore that, if possible, you capture as much information about the accident, injuries and losses sustained so that if you do wish to make a claim at a later date, the evidence and information that you need is already to hand to assist in the progression of your claim as quickly as possible. For more information or advice on how to make a claim, get in touch with Prettys’ Personal Injury team. Contact Louise Plant by calling 01473 298293 or email: lplant@prettys.co.uk
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ENJOY
WHAT REALLY MATTERS
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out & about EASTER TEA Monday 6 April, 3pm at Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship For more info call Phil & Jan Sparkes on 01359 240502 or Margaret Cook on 01359 240565.
STOWMARKET BOYS’ BRIGADE BAND We are a small but dedicated band operating under the banner of the Boys’ Brigade, performing at a number of formal and informal events throughout the year. This year we have lined up a number of events including Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds Carnivals, Remembrance Day, Naughton May Fair and Suffolk Show. At the end of January we moved our usual Thursday practise to Cedrus House Care Home where we entertained the residents. Much fun was had by all and we look forward to our next visit. We would like to publicly thank MidSuffolk District Council for a grant to help us refresh our uniforms and instruments and for a training mace. Have you (or your children) have ever fancied playing drums, a bugle or even the cymbals? No experience is needed as tuition is given. Any age over nine (over 14 for the big bass drum), male or female are welcome to join. It’s free to join and we can even lend you an instrument. There’s lots of fun and laughter as part of a drum and bugle marching band. We meet from 7pm on Thursday evenings at The Boys Brigade Hall, Combs Ford (next to The Magpie). If interested please message The Stowmarket Boys’ Brigade Band Facebook page (just in case we have a booking on a Thursday) and then pop by on a Thursday evening to see what we’re all about.
CIRCLE DANCING This month Helen shares her experience of the group. “Thursday morning is the highlight of my week and has been since I first attended Jen’s circle dance class three years ago. One dismal February morning in 2017, I arrived at Drinkstone Village Hall to observe the class and write an article for the folk magazine Mardles. I was made very welcome, recognised a few faces and was encouraged to join the class. I came away hooked. “Jen’s clear and informative teaching and her choice of music takes us on a journey around the world. We are supported by and are supportive of each other as we follow Jen’s lead. Even if the sun isn’t shining as we arrive, we make our own sunshine, have lots of fun and are connected to the earth and each other in a very therapeutic way. “Following an injury last winter the group danced and recorded my favourite dance, The Bells of Norwich, to help hasten my recovery with its reassuring lyrics ‘All shall be well again, I know’. Our circle dance class offers friendship and lovely dancing to a wide variety of music from different countries, providing a connection with and insight into cultures around the world.” Why not give it a try? Come on your own or with a friend (you don’t need a partner). There’s no need to book, just come along. Drinkstone Village Hall, Thursday from 10-11.30am Blackbourne Community Centre, Elmswell, Thursday from 1.50-3.20pm Contact: Jen Larner 01284 705548 / jenlarner@gmail.com
THE JUBILEE LADIES CHOIR Conductor Simon Welham, accompanist Calvin Goymer. Our next concert will be on Friday 27 March at the United Reformed Church, Stowmarket at 7.30pm. Tickets (£7 / children free) can be purchased at the door. This concert is in aid of Stowmarket Girl Guides Travel and will also feature items from the Girl Guides. There will be light refreshments and a raffle.
CAPITAL GAINS TAX – CHANGES As solicitors, we don’t usually get involved in advising on the taxation consequences of the sale of a property, or in making the calculation for the tax that may become due. However, this month I thought it would be useful to review a forthcoming change which is going to have an impact on certain residential property transactions. You may already know that where a residential property which is the owner’s principal private residence is sold, no Capital Gains Tax is paid in the usual course of things as an exemption applies. Capital Gains Tax is charged, in general terms, on the gain in value of an asset.
For example, under the current rules, if a property is sold in this tax year (before 6 April 2020), any gain must be reported in the 2019/20 tax return and the tax paid by 31 January 2021. This is all due to change, however. From 6 April 2020, the gain must be reported and the tax paid within 30 days of the date of completion of the sale. This is a significant change to the reporting and payment of Capital Gains Tax for residential property sales such as this, which according to the policy of HMRC is to ensure any tax is paid sooner and to reduce error and increase compliance.
However, where a residential property which is not the owner’s principal private residence is sold, there may be Capital Gains Tax to pay on any increase in value. Under the current rules, if there is any tax to pay on the gain, it is reported in the taxpayer’s self-assessment return, with the tax paid by 31 January following the end of the tax year during which the property has been sold.
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Buttermarket, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1ED Telephone: 01449 613101 • Fax: 01449 615087 Email: info@gudgeons-prentice.co.uk
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out & about EASTER AT THE MUSEUM OF EAST ANGLIAN LIFE Join us at the Museum of East Anglian Life between April 3 and 20 for Easter fun. With the arrival of spring lambs, you can take part in feeding sessions throughout the holidays. Also explore the new farm area and have a go at an Easter Egg Hunt across the museum site. Don’t forget! Museum entry gives you access to the museum site for 12 months. Early-bird tickets for StowBlues Stowmarket favourite StowBlues, held in partnership with BBC Radio Suffolk and hosted by Drivetime presenter Stephen ‘Foz’ Foster, returns to the museum on Saturday 6 June. The museum is offering super early-bird tickets until March 31 for just £10.
STOWMARKET CHORALE The dark winter months don’t feel gloomy for the singers of Stowmarket Chorale. What a busy time they have had, singing Verdi’s Requiem on a singing day in Woolpit and energetically rehearsing for the spring concert in March. The concert programme includes the very beautiful Fauré’s Requiem and several pieces from European Sacred Music such as Bruckner’s Os Justi and Monteverdi’s Cantate Domino. Rehearsals always begin with warm-up exercises and practise with techniques to help singers develop their voices, their facial muscles, throats and diaphragms. Up and down scales and some very tricky tongue twisters are great fun and raise a laugh or two. Winter over, spring underway and rehearsals completed, the choir will be ready for their performance in the United Reformed Church on Saturday 21 March at 7.30pm. For further details contact: pr@stowmarketchorale.org.uk
STOWMARKET CRAFT MARKET After what feels like the longest three-month break ever, Stowmarket Craft Market starts again next month. Saturday 4 April will be our first event in our new location, The Mix on Ipswich Street, and we are very excited.
Back Porch, East Anglia’s premier acoustic blues band, were announced as the first name on the line-up with more announcements to be made over the coming weeks. Tickets are available in the museum shop or online at: www.eastanglianlife.org.uk
MENDLESHAM’S 40th STREET FAYRE This year Mendlesham Fayre celebrates turning 40 and will have a ruby theme throughout the day. As the VE celebrations take place at the beginning of May, this year’s farye will be on the last bank holiday in the month so put Monday 25 May on your calendar. Old Market Street will be closed to traffic and full of stalls selling crafts, bric-a-brac, plants, jewellery and tickets for our grand draw. Throughout the afternoon there will be live music on stage with Sun of Elvis (Andy Ottley) and others. East Suffolk Morris Men will stop by and The Tricky Twister will be there to entertain the children. There will be a craft fayre in the community hall, remote controlled trucks, a hog roast, bygone farm machinery and bouncy castles and karts for the children. Our 50/50 shop will be open with good as new clothes and you will find plenty of refreshments, hot dogs, teas, sandwiches and cakes, all provided by village charities. Entry is by programme (adults £3, under-16s free) and there is a free car park. To book a space in the street contact 01449 766483 (no food outlets needed) and look out for more details in the coming months.
WOOLPIT DRAMA CLUB Our next production will be a wonderful adaptation of Wind in the Willows, to be performed outdoors in June and July. Auditions will be held on Monday 9 March from 7.30pm at The Bull, The Street, Woolpit IP30 9SA and on Wednesday 11 March from 7.30pm at The Room, White Elm Road, Woolpit IP30 9SQ. Everyone welcome. wooldramclub@gmail.com www.woolpitdrama.co.uk
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We have been extremely popular with local crafters and we’re very nearly fully booked for the entire year. To say we have some amazing stalls returning and joining us this year would be an understatement. The variety will be even bigger and better than before. Every event will have a different range of stalls so it’s worth returning every month. Don’t forget to pop into The Mix’s café, Cabbages and Kings, while you’re visiting us. For more information find us on Facebook (Stowmarket Craft Market) or email: stowmarketartisanmarket@gmail.com
CARA-LEA DANCE STUDIOS HIT THE NEW YEAR WITH A BANG Many of our Little Starz’ pre-school students, adults and graded dancers have recently taken ISTD exams and are currently awaiting results. We took 16 students to an area competition at Southend Sports Centre at the end of January. For many this was their first big competition. More than 1,000 tickets had been sold for the event as there were multiple heats in each age group. It was a great experience for our students, many of whom got recalls through some gruelling rounds. Special congratulations to Izzy Porch and Amelie Stride who took third in disco pairs and to Paige Tubridy and Debbie Greece who took first place. Paige also took first in disco solos and set dance which means she has now qualified to the nationals in London in October. We have other competitions lined up for the season ahead and hope for many more successes. At the end of last year 25 students auditioned to perform in Disneyland Paris and we have just received the amazing news that we have been accepted. The school has performed at this venue once before but will have a different troupe, ranging from nine to 20 years, this time. We wish them many congratulations, not just for representing the school but also Suffolk and the UK. As you can imagine, we are all very excited and we’re now busy putting together fundraising events to help with the cost of travel and costumes. The school, which has nearly 30 years’ experience in dance, performance and examinations, holds classes in Stowmarket NRG and surrounding areas in disco freestyle, street, slow lyrical and rock ‘n’ roll for ages three upwards. For more details contact Cara-Lea: 07786 253823
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HAYWARDS SOLICITORS
FOR ALL YOUR FAMILY’S LEGAL NEEDS We offer Fixed Fees at Competitive Rates
Telephone: (01449) 613631
email: enquiries@haywards-solicitors.co.uk www.haywards-solicitors.co.uk @HaywardsLaw on Twitter Free car park available for use by clients 7 - 9 TAVERN STREET STOWMARKET IP14 1PJ
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OUT & ABOUT HOW TO AVOID RUNNING INTO TROUBLE Last month we talked about heel pain and its many names and causes. Sadly there will be many whose new year fitness regimes are being affected by it. If you are one of them and the pain is settling and you are thinking about getting back out there, or if you are a bit delayed in getting your new fitness plans off the ground, take heed of the following tips to help you steer clear of injuries. 1. Build up slowly – one of the biggest risk factors for running injuries is doing too much too soon. Build up your running distances and frequency slowly. This allows your tissues time to build themselves up to tolerate the new loads and stresses and strains you are putting through the system. • Avoid being drawn into challenges like running every day for a month. If you aren’t used to it, it’s a really quick way to get injured and loose the enjoyment you can get from running. • Initially give your body a good 36-48 hours between running or other impact training sessions to allow your body time to adapt to the new loads you are putting on it. • Consider using an equation like the acute:chronic workload ratio to guide how many miles you are running each week. Your chronic fitness is the average running miles over the last four weeks and your acute load is the miles you are doing this week. If that ratio is over 130 percent you have a much higher chance of injury. • If you are new to running keep a steady pace on your runs over the first six to eight weeks – let your body get used to things before taking on interval, sprint, hill or Fartlek training runs. 2. Running trainers – running is meant to be a cheap sport/activity and generally it is compared to many others out there. However, it does get more expensive if you get injured and need to spend money on getting yourself fixed, so try and avoid getting injured in the first place and make sure you are running in some specific running trainers.
HAUGHLEY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Chairman: Mr Tim Hart Secretary: Mr Lewis Van Slyke Vice Chairman: Mr Roy Buttle I wish I could step back 100 years and see for myself what Duke Street was like all those years ago. I would imagine there was lots of activity surrounding the war memorial and much anticipation within the village. Tuesday 9 March will mark 100 years since the unveiling of the war memorial by Brigadier-General Massy Lloyd CBE. Many residents within the village donated money to its construction which was mainly orchestrated by Mrs Butterworth, who is named on the original documents. In today’s money, construction cost in the region of £16,000. Our village memorial is a place to remember those who answered the call more than 100 years ago. They came from all walks of life, from a teacher to a grocer’s assistant. Many villages couldn’t afford memorials, or even a plaque to remember their fallen, which is why in Haughley their names will live on forever more. Roy gave me his ‘thought for the month’ before he jetted off on holiday but I’ve misplaced it (sorry Roy) so here’s something different. What eight letter word can have a letter taken away and it still makes a word? Take another letter away and it still makes a word. Keep on doing that until you have one letter left. What is the word? Look out for the answer in the April issue! Remember our branch meetings are held in the football club every second Tuesday of the month from 7.45pm. To view our latest newsletter or our full calendar of events go to: www.britishlegion.org/branches/Haughley
STOWMARKET U3A
• A lot of science that goes into running trainers these days and they are there to help out. It’s tough on the body when you start running so don’t make it even harder by running in social, flat trainers, trainers which are years old, too small, too big, etc. • Change your running trainers every 500 miles or six months – whichever comes round sooner. Think about your trainers which take the first impact with each and every step. Just looking at the sole is a poor indicator of wear as it won’t tell you how worn out the upper supportive material is. • You don’t need to buy the most expensive pair of trainers on the market. Sometimes those extra features haven’t yet been proven to be any more effective than good old EVA foam, the mainstay of most trainer soles. Try on lots of pairs and the pair that feels most comfortable is probably a good shout for you to get. Next month we will add some more top tips to help avoid getting injuries as you start out with running. Robert Grainger MSc MCSP MHPC CSCS Practice Principal PhysioFixx Physiotherapy Clinic Sports Physiotherapist
Stowmarket U3A (an organisation whose purpose is to give opportunities for retired or semi-retired people to keep learning in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere) has existed for nearly 30 years. Besides informative monthly talks on a wide range of subjects, held in the United Reform Church, there are a wide range of small group activities that usually meet monthly too. These are a few examples. If you are interested in reading and discussing books, there is a book club. If you enjoy games, there’s a table tennis group, a bridge group and a quiz group. Do you prefer to be outside? Twice a month the walking group meets to enjoy our beautiful Suffolk countryside with an optional pub lunch to follow. The geology group studies the rocks and soils of Great Britain through reading and viewing presentations, studying rock samples and visiting places of interest. If you would like to know more about the organisation, our monthly meetings or our groups, please visit our website or contact our membership secretary, Diane Plester: 01359 271652 Glynis Hunt www.u3astowmarket.org.uk
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OUT & ABOUT ELMSWELL HISTORY GROUP Our February talk on the Guildhall in Bury St Edmunds traced the history of the building over some 800 years and its many civil and military uses. Even though the Guildhall is the oldest continuously-used civic building in Britain, it was at one time at risk of being knocked down. Thankfully, good sense and lottery money saved it and it has now been sympathetically refurbished for all sorts of events and the public can visit this fascinating tapestry of our local history. www.burystedmundsguildhall.org.uk Frances Hart’s talk on British Canals & Waterways on March 12 will tell the enthralling story of the people involved and how the British waterways came to be built, with superb illustrations of scenery, locks, bridges, and aqueducts, including the local River Gipping. Appeal to internet users In your internet browsing of auction or similar sites, should you come across any Elmswell items such as old sale particulars, letters, maps, postcards, or indeed anything at all to do with our village, the history group would be interested to see these as possible additions to our local archive. We look forward to hearing from you, for which many thanks. We meet at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of each month at Chamberlayne Hall in the Blackbourne Centre, Elmswell IP30 9UH. Admission is £2 for members and £4 for visitors. 01359 242601 / www.elmswell-history.org.uk
STOWMARKET BRIDGE CLUB A number of club competitions are in their final stages. The Ron Ion Trophy will be decided soon. Pam Yeomans and Tom Wright face Andy Billings and Sekhar Pillai in the final. Current leaders in the Wednesday Scratch are George Moody and Tony Aldous, with David and Christine Bruce first in the Wednesday handicap. The Friday equivalents are David Willson and Kevin Fletcher in the Scratch, and Andy Billinge and Sekhar Pillai in the Handicap. The Myrtle Cottage Mixed Pairs competition has reached the quarterfinal stage. The Upside Down Cup sees Willson’s Warriors in the lead, followed by Riley’s Rockets. Eric Smith, closely followed by Linda Patterson and Mike Creffield, currently heads the Most Improved Player competition and two new individual knockout competitions will begin in March. We are always eager to increase membership. We play in Stowmarket on Wednesday evenings and Friday afternoons. For more information, please contact Arthur Winchester on 01449 612105 or visit: www.bridgewebs.co./stowmarket
STOWMARKET RAMBLERS Sunday 1 March: 10-mile walk to Lavenham Bridge Street and Long Melford. Park and meet in Church Street car park in Lavenham at 10am / GR. TL 914489. Leader: 01379 783658 Sunday 8 March: 7.75-mile walk to Iken and in Tunstall Forest. Park and meet in the Pines car park to rear of Snape Maltings Concert Hall at 10am / GR. TM 393573. Leader: 07736 573243 Sunday 15 March: 5.5-mile walk in Saxtead Green area. Park on edge of Saxtead Green and meet near the mill at 10.30am / GR. TM 253644. Leader: 01473 717239 Sunday 22 March: 5.5-mile walk in Earl Stonham and Creeting St Peter. Park and meet at Earl Stonham Village Hall at 10am / GR. TM 096599. Leader: 01449 673131 Sunday 29 March: 6-mile walk to Creeting St Mary. Park and meet at Creeting St Mary Village Hall at 10am / GR. TM 099570. Leader: 01449 672168
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB Monday 23 March: Route 66 by David Steele DPAGB Tuesday 21 April: Granville Foulger Trophy at East Ipswich Camera Club. To be judged by Sarah Kelman ARPS DPAGB. Thursday 23 April: A45 Inter-Club Challenge at Bury Photographic Society. To be judged by Barbie Lindsay MPAGB EFIAP/s FBPE. Monday 27 April: Colin Stubley Shield (Portraiture) and A/V Trophy to be judged by Alan Sarsby. New members are always very welcome. You don’t have to be an expert photographer; all you need is a camera – any camera – and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras. Regular meetings, which start at 7.30pm, are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Monday of the month between September and June. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us? For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT MONDAY CLUB So far this year we have enjoyed a disco with Jane and Julian and a coach trip to the New Wolsey Theatre to see Aladdin, a great success and very much enjoyed by our members, helpers and carers. We are now considering options for another outing in the summer. We spent an evening making Valentine’s Cards, followed by a Valentine’s Dance with G&T. We have also planned a pancake evening when we eat and ‘race’ with pancakes. We just hope we don’t have too many landing on the floor. We are a club for adults with learning difficulties and meet each Monday from 7.30-9.30pm at the Community Hub in Crown Street, Stowmarket. We are run entirely by volunteers and new members and helpers are always very welcome. If you would like further information, please contact me on 01449 672123 or just come along on a Monday evening. Lilian Fidler
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OUT & ABOUT / Schools STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB This month’s meeting will be at Woolpit Village Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25 March. David Wright from Norwich will present a demonstration entitled It’s an Education. As always, everyone is welcome and we would be pleased to see you.
STOWMARKET WILDLIFE GROUP Hedgerows, Herbs and Medicines, an illustrated talk with Martin Sanford Wednesday 29 April, 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall A look at common plants from Suffolk hedges and waysides, their use in foods and medicine and how we use them sustainably. Admission is £2.50, children free. Please pay on arrival. Hearing loop available on request. John Thompson: 01449 676471 / swtstowmarket@gmail.com
OLD NEWTON OPEN GARDENS 2020 June 13 and 14 between 11am and 5pm About 15 gardens and the village allotments will be open along a circular route and scarecrows will stand about the village. Sunday ends with a Songs of Praise.
NORTON CEVC PRIMARY SCHOOL I can’t believe we are already halfway through this academic year. Time really does fly when you are working hard and having fun on the way. This half term has been very busy with all classes starting new topics. In Upper Key Stage 2 the children’s topic is Active Earth, with the children learning about earthquakes, mountains, volcanoes and tsunamis. Lower Key Stage 2 have being studying Anglo-Saxons and have enjoyed a trip to West Stow. In Key Stage 1, Year 1 have been explorers and have been learning about Christopher Columbus, while in Year 2 the focus has been on food and farming. In EYFS the children have been learning about toys. It has been lovely to see the children and parents sharing their favourite toys and discussing whether a toy is old or new. The children also celebrated Chinese New Year, experiencing many craft activities and having a guest speaker visit the school to tell them how they celebrate Chinese New Year. This half term the school also took park in Internet Safety Day and Children’s Mental Health Week. During Internet Safety Day the children all took part in activities linked to being safe online and as a school we held an information evening which was presented by Nathan Simmonds. Nathan had a very engaging manner and shared some useful tips on how to keep children safe online. The theme for Children’s Mental Week was Find Your Brave, and during assembly many children and staff shared times when they had to be brave. On Friday 14 February, Valentine’s Day, we spent the day raising money for a defibrillator. After several meetings with the school council, the children decided that they wanted to do a sponsored activity that would get the heart pumping. With this in mind, they designed a circuit made up of activity stations where they would do things like skipping, ball skills and hurdles. To make the event more fun, the children were grouped into different year groups and had the opportunity to do other creative tasks while waiting for their turn.
Admission by programme (£5) which will be available from the Village Institute (IP14 4ED) or any of the gardens. Children free when accompanied by an adult.
The children enjoyed taking part and we hope to have raised £2,000 to fund a defibrillator. Located in the school, this life saving piece of equipment will be available for ourselves and the village community should an emergency arise. I’m really proud that the children were able to demonstrate their commitment to the community in this way, which is one of our Christian values.” Headteacher Mrs Lisa Sparkes office@norton.suffolk.sch.uk / 01359 230520 www.norton.suffolk.sch.uk
WOOLPIT ARC EASTER HOLIDAY CLUB Our holiday club is open for all children aged two to 11 years. We offer a variety of fun activities to suit all ages. We have our own garden with sand and water, a grass area, a mud kitchen and a pulley and pump. We also have access to the playground and field at Woolpit Primary Academy. We love cooking, crafts, outdoor activities, den making, music, scooters, trikes, football and more. We also have iPads and an interactive whiteboard for your enjoyment. All activities are optional and there is plenty of time for free play too. Open 8am-6pm from Monday 6 to Thursday 9 and Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 April at Heath Road, Woolpit IP30 9RU. 01359 245868 / admin.woolpitarc@timicomail.co.uk www.woolpitarc.org
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sport / church news STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB
STOWMARKET CRICKET CLUB
We’re supposed to be in the grip of mid-winter but, at the time of scribbling, we’ve escaped the worst with nothing on the horizon. There’s plenty of time for things to turn nasty as we all remember the Beast from the East a couple of years ago which didn’t hit until the final week of February. We’ll be thrashing away in the dome until the end of March so will hopefully manage to get all our scheduled matches, coaching and training completed without too many snowy disruptions.
The new season will begin in a few weeks and work to get our ground ready is well underway.
All activity continues at pace inside our dome with a full range of coaching groups, hitting sessions, social matches, box leagues and external league matches. The winter league should be wrapped-up (like us) by the end of February with several pairs looking eagerly at the points tally and trying to predict whether they will be promoted, retained, or even relegated. Whatever the outcome, there have been some tremendous matches played over the last couple of months and everyone returns to the clubhouse for a well-deserved cuppa and a bonus biscuit. Many thanks for the offers of tea and biccies for me as well – you know who you are! The Australian Open has just been completed with Sofia Kenin beating Garbine Muguruza 4-6, 6-2, 6-2. My money was on Halep due to her work rate and the difficult conditions in Melbourne, but she got binned in the semi-final. I had also predicted a Federer v Thiem final but, due to a groin injury, it was Djokovic v Thiem. Novak won from 2-1 sets down to win his eighth Melbourne title and 17th Grand Slam overall, also returning to the World No.1 spot. There are several events in Europe and South America on hard and clay courts over the following six weeks but the next Grand Slam will be the French Open beginning on May 24. Surely Nadal will be favourite! As ever, there are several entry points into tennis whether you’re a junior, adult, newbie or seasoned player and all sessions continue right through the colder months. A particular success has been our Saturday morning adult disco tennis session with games, drills and lots of fun hitting with a pulsating disco/dance soundtrack. Give it a look because it’s more active than a gym and you don’t need any tennis skills to take part and burn loads of calories. See you on court. Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com
ELMSWELL BAPTIST CHURCH What a month we’ve just endured of wind and rain. I’m so glad that our village is well above any rivers or flood plains but at the same time can’t help thinking about the people in other parts of the UK whose homes have been flooded and ruined. We have remembered all those affected in our prayers and will continue to do so.
The youth registration/fun evening for ages five to 16 takes place on Monday 30 March from 6pm. Why not come and give the game a go? Experience a couple of sessions before paying your annual subscription of just £25, which will provide you highly qualified coaching and fun on Monday evenings through to the end of the school year. We will run under 9, 11, 13 and 15 teams in the local county leagues and cup competitions again this year. Meanwhile, our senior teams are training hard in readiness for the opening fixtures of the season. Following the remaining indoor net sessions at Ipswich School on Sundays 23 February and March 8 and 22 (7.30-9pm), our senior weekly outdoor nets commence on Thursday 2 April from 6pm at Chilton Fields. On Saturday 18 April our 1st X1 take on local rivals Woolpit at Chilton Fields and on Saturday 25 April our 2nd X1 host Mildenhall. Both are 12.30pm starts in the Two Counties Championship. Our midweek team will begin playing evening matches in May, when they will defend their Wednesday evening trophy from last season. We don’t just host club matches and those of local schools. We are also the venue for county fixtures at various age groups. This programme of national matches commences when Suffolk Over-70s take on Sussex on Thursday 30 April with a 1pm start. You are never too old or young to play cricket; we are proud to say that current members still playing regularly span the ages of five to 68. If you are interested in playing, volunteering, sponsoring or supporting Stowmarket Cricket Club please contact Clive Witherly: 01359 240019 / wigg51@btinternet.com www.stowmarket.play-cricket.com
WOOLPIT ROOM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP There’s something about spring that causes some people (or at least one woman I know) to decide that it’s time to empty out all the cupboards and mess up the house in order to clean it up again! It may not have hit your home yet but as a public service I am giving you a heads up. You might as well be prepared for it! There is, however, a sense of satisfaction from getting into all the nooks and crannies and giving everything a thorough deep clean and clearing out anything that’s not needed. But isn’t it far more important to ‘spring-clean’ our lives? What about those dark corners, never seen by anybody else that we would prefer to keep hidden?
Our activities for March are:
It’s very easy for us to just wipe the surface of our lives clean and give a good impression to others. Jesus accused the religious leaders at the time of covering up by saying this: “You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”
Monday 2 March: Ladies Friendship Group to meet at 7.45pm to hear about the life of a paramedic. If you would like to join the ladies for what sounds like a very interesting evening, please contact Margaret: 01359 241541
Harsh words indeed! But the good news is that while Jesus knows everything about us – even those things that we prefer to keep hidden – He loves us. He came to clean us up from the inside out and give us new life.
Thursday 12 March: Food & Friends Lunch at noon. If you haven’t been before and would like to join us, please contact Jackie: 01359 245918
You are welcome to join us for our regular 10-11am Sunday morning services, and also to Monday Meet on Monday afternoons. If you need transport or would welcome a visit, please contact us and we will gladly help.
Our 10.30am Sunday services will be led by: Sunday 1: Stephen Spurgeon (inc. Communion) Sunday 8: Stephen Spurgeon (Sunday Morning Together) Sunday 15: Mike Forrester March 22: Stephen Spurgeon March 29: Irene Martin
See our website for further information or call Margaret (01359 240565) or Phil and Jan (01359 240502). Marie Curie Coffee Morning: Saturday 28 March (see page 3) Easter Tea: Monday 6 April (see page 9)
If you need more information about our church and our activities please contact Tony, our church secretary: 01359 241541
You are very welcome to join us at Monday Meet from 2.30-3.30pm. Friendly, informal and relaxed, we start with an interesting talk, break for tea and then have an encouraging talk from the Bible.
www.elmswellbaptist.org.uk
www.woolpitroomfellowship.org
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CHURCH NEWS Breakfast Church 3rd Sunday of the month
ST JOHN’S CHURCH, ELMSWELL Hello from St John’s, If you’d like to know about our church, please get in touch or visit: www.stjohnselmswell.org.uk / Facebook The Rev Peter Goodridge: 01359 240512 / elmswellrector@gmail.com We trust that 2020 is treating you well. However, if you’re having a tricky year, let us know. We love you and we care about you. We believe that Our Lord is a great healer and can work miracles to fix problems. Maybe someone needed to hear that today. UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday 7 March, 7pm: Quiz Night with Sausage Casserole at St John’s Church Teams of six, suggested donation £10 each. If you want to bring a team, message John Evans: johnevan21@btinternet.com Sunday 5 April, 2.15pm: Sunday Pilgrimage, Tea and Choral Evensong at St Edmundsbury Cathedral If you’d like to come, please message Rosie Ellis: rellisstjohns@gmail.com Friday 19 April, 10.30am: Messy Church at St John’s Church, Elmswell Jokes, crafts, songs, games and a party-style lunch at the end. Messy Church is for all ages, not just children. Adults can enjoy a chat over cup of tea or coffee and a slice of cake in the cafe while the craft activities take place. Or join in the mess with the rest of us! Please note children do need to be accompanied by an adult. Peter Goodridge continues his sabbatical and will be back in Elmswell next month for the Easter services. While he’s been away, we’ve been keeping in touch with him via photos and updates on Facebook and his regular newsletters. It’s been fascinating to hear about his time in Cambodia and the specific prayer points he’s requested. If you’d like to hear more about his trip, he’ll be doing a Cambodia-themed talk at our 2020 Songs of Praise event (Sunday 17 May, 7pm).
9am at St John’s, Elmswell
quick and easy to use. With your donations, we ensure the church is available to everyone. We open every Sunday (often twice and occasionally three times) and run mid-week and weekend events such as prayer meetings, Christian mum support groups, coffee mornings, school assemblies. We also support many charities here in Mid Suffolk (such as the Stowmarket Food Bank) and globally (such as Tearfund and WaterAid). It’s brilliant to feel like we’re making a real difference in this beautiful, flawed world. Thank you so much for your continued support. Join us at one of our upcoming services, all at St John’s unless stated otherwise: MARCH & EASTER SERVICES Sunday 1 March 9.30am Family Church 11am BCP Morning Prayer / Communion Sunday 8 March 8am Holy Communion 10.30am Parish Praise Sunday 15 March 9.30am Breakfast Church (breakfast from 9am) 11am Holy Communion Sunday 22 March: Mothering Sunday 10.30am All-Age Communion Sunday 29 March 8am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30am Mercy Ships Sunday Sunday 5 April: Palm Sunday 9.30am Family Church 11am BCP Holy Communion Thursday 9 April: Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Holy Communion
Our first ever Retro Praise will become an annual event – watch this space for more information! Everyone had such a marvellous time reminiscing. They loved the iconic tunes and words from previous decades, which carried precious memories for many. We already have a bucketful of requests for the next event.
Friday 10 April: Good Friday 10am Christians Together in Elmswell, Baptist Church
Our contactless giving machine is up and running at St John’s. Did you know that it costs nearly £1,500 a week to keep the church and ministry running here in Elmswell? You can donate anything between £3 and £30. It’s super
www.stjohnselmswell.org.uk www.facebook.com/stjohnselmswell elmswellrector@gmail.com / 01359 24051
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Sunday 12 April: Easter Day 8am Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30am Easter Family Communion
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CHURCH NEWS ST ANDREW’S NORTON & ST ANDREW’S TOSTOCK Part of the Benefice of Pakenham, Norton & Tostock, with Great Ashfield, Hunston & Stowlangtoft Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Katherine Valentine 01359 235095 / katherine@kavalentine.plus.com Our beautiful and ancient churches are both open daily for visitors and for private prayer. MARCH 2020 Sunday 1 March 8am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 9.30 for 10am family@church at Pakenham – Lent
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Sunday 8 March 9.30am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Tostock 6pm Evensong, St Andrew’s Norton Sunday 15 March 11am Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s Norton 6pm Evening Prayer & Praise, St Andrew’s Tostock Sunday 22 March: Mothering Sunday 9.30am Family Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 11am Family, St Andrew’s Tostock Sunday 29 March 10am Benefice Holy Communion at Norton with The Rt Revd Dr Mike Harrison, Bishop of Dunwich Mothering Sunday Families of all shapes and sizes are very welcome at all our morning services on this special day when we give thanks to God for our mothers and grandmothers. Bring your mum or your grandma – or both. Traditional posies will be distributed to all mothers as a token of our love. Confirmation 2020 This year the Deanery Confirmation will be at All Saints Stanton on September 20 at 3pm. Anyone wishing to be confirmed please get in touch with me so we can arrange the necessary preparation, which will take place in May and June. If you are thinking about Confirmation, but not sure what’s involved or would just like a chat about it, please contact me. Katherine Norton Coffee Morning: Tuesday 17 March, 10.30am - noon This month’s coffee morning will be at Street Farm, Woolpit Road the home of Penny and Charles Mathieson. Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy meeting new friends and catching up with old ones. Always excellent tea, coffee, cake and chat! Service at The Croft, Tostock: Monday 16 March at 10am Come and sing your favourite hymns and chat with friends. All welcome.
St Mary’s Pakenham, 9.30 for 10am Sunday 1 March: Lent With breakfast refreshments available from 9.30am, this service on the first Sunday of every month is run by the whole benefice and is an opportunity for all our villages and families to join together in worship and get to know each other. Look out for the invitation coming through your door. LENT 2020 Ixworth Deanery invites you to Who is Welcome?, a course of five studies watching the film Green Book and discussing Jesus’ teaching on hospitality. Held on five Wednesday evenings at St Mary’s in Pakenham from March 4 to April 1, 7.30-9pm. Refreshments provided. All are welcome. For more details of all our churches visit: www.achurchnearyou.com
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