In touch news with stowmarket jan18

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Vol. 19 • Issue No. 2 • NOVEMBER 2013

FREE to STOWMARKET & STOWUPLAND 50p where2018 sold Volume 23 • Issue No. 4 RESIDENTS • JANUARY

Hanging in There by Georgina May

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR When I was much younger, New Year’s resolutions seemed to be quite important. I remember feeling I had to come up with some genuine pledges to do one thing or another, or to not do one thing or another. Of course, they all fell by the wayside, but I thought it would be fun to share a few I have failed to keep over the years.

1: I will stop biting my nails (every year since I was five) 2: I will run 5K (last year) 3: I will learn a new language (every year since I married into a family where everyone else does) 4: I will not watch daytime TV (rarely happens, but does feel like a treat when I get 10 minutes – got to love those housewives!)

5: I will eat less sugar (a daily failure) 6: I will not buy any new shoes or clothes for an entire year (I tried this and it made me completely miserable. A girl needs an occasional treat, or at least the possibility of one!)

7: I’m going to do face yoga every morning (recommended by a friend in 2014 – we don’t see much of each other anymore) 8: I’m going to drink six glasses of water every day (oh the guilt!)

9: I’m going to listen to less Leonard Cohen and be more positive about everything (can’t do it – Leonard truly holds the keys to my miserable heart) 10: I’m going to make time for a weekly date night with my husband (turns out he would have to make the same resolution and get home from work before 9pm) So I’m going to skip the resolutions this year and just get on with living, always trying to do better, to be healthier, more appreciative, more thoughtful… all of which would be easier if I got more sleep.

I’ve just talked myself into a resolution, haven’t I? Failed again!

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

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• NEW Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge

NEWS STOWMARKET CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL St Peter and St Mary’s Church, Stowmarket Library and The Museum of East Anglian Life would like to thank everyone who was involved in decorating a Christmas tree at the festival. The standard of decorating highlighted the creativity in the town and it was great for us all to work together and show how many active groups and organisations we have.

Tens of thousands of people visited the venues with many travelling from different parts of the country to see our wonderful winter attraction here in Stowmarket. Thank you also to those who have donated trees and decorations and given time and money to support it. The Christmas trees in the library and the church will be on display until Saturday, January 6.

If you were inspired by the Christmas Tree Festival and would like to write a poem, story, prose or thoughts we would love to hear from you. The best ones are due to be published in a book for Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival 2018. Please hand your work into the library, the church or the museum before February 18 along with your name and contact details.

Book the dates for Stowmarket Christmas Tree Festival 2018: November 24 to January 5 2019

STOWMARKET SHED BREWERS Are there people in the Stowmarket area who enjoy brewing their own beer, either from grain or beer kits, who would be willing to form a group in Stowmarket? As an idea, we could meet once a month and present a small sample of beer we have made to the group for tasting.

We could learn so much from each other. We may be able to visit other people’s shed breweries or occasionally take a trip out to a local commercial brewer.

If you think this is something which may interest you, please contact me on: alanpage52@gmail.com

Georgina May is an aspiring photojournalist from Ipswich. She says: “I’ve always had a huge passion for taking photos as far back as I can remember, there’s something so beautiful about capturing a moment in time. I take mostly nature shots, but also love event shots, landscapes and portraits. Any enquiries feel free to email me at georgina.a.may@gmail.com or pop online and visit me on Facebook at Georgina May Photography!

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NEWS

As a New Year unfolds I thought I would give you a little insight to the background, services and future plans for The Mix. What is The Mix? The Mix is a charity founded in 2012. We are dedicated to providing and equipping youth work that works. We believe young people have intrinsic and immeasurable worth and are valuable, exceptional and unique.​ The value we hold for young people isn’t driven by funding, political agenda, philanthropic drive or the behaviour, ability or academic prowess of the young people in our area. ​ Every day we strive to provide the opportunities, services, support and challenge that young people want and need so that they can discover their true value and build their best future. Our vision is for every young person, everywhere to be empowered and enabled to change their personal worlds and the world we all share.

What do we do?

Our services include our drop-in sessions (youth clubs) for young people in School Years 7-12 where they can come and hang out with their friends or make new friends, with a range of activities on offer including a suite of Apple iMac’s, gaming stations, pool table and use of our recording studio. We are working closely with Stowmarket High School and one of our youth workers is now based within the school two days a week as a point of contact for students who may need some advice or support. We run a number of courses throughout the year which focus on unlocking potential, raising confidence and self-belief.

We know that life can be challenging and our potential can remain undiscovered or buried beneath the complications of life or lost amongst the many voices that tell us we can’t, won’t or shouldn’t. At The Mix we don’t think that’s ok, in fact we think it’s unacceptable and we are committed to supporting young people with every aspect of their lives.

We offer counselling and coaching, leadership training, work experience, traineeships and residentials… just to name a few things.

In addition we have an open door policy at our head office on Ipswich Street (which is where we run most of our services from) to the whole

community, offering a place and a face for people to come and talk about any issues, questions, challenges, worries or needs they are facing. If we can’t help directly we will help find someone who can.

How do we make this all happen?

As a charity 60% of our core services are funded by our own commercial activity, including our award winning on-site café and catering company Cabbages & Kings, our Book a Space venue and our creative agency Brix Brand and Creative.

The remaining 40% is funded by independent trusts, charities, individuals and the local authority (until March), but we are working hard to grow our commercial activities with lots of new exciting projects in the pipeline. All designed to ensure a sustainable future for our core services to young people. We are fortunate to have an exceptional team who are all committed to our vision and embody our values.

What next?

Well, we are striving to ensure more people in our local community know about us and what we do. Community engagement is important to us and without your support in using our commercial services, and most importantly partnering us in supporting young people, we would not be able to offer what we do.

We are fortunate to be working more closely with local businesses; the generation we support are their next generation of staff. So we, and they, believe there is a vested interest and commitment.

Our Youth Work Academy which was established in 2016 will next year start to offer any Suffolk community the support to start and run their own youth clubs for the young people in their town or village. Full training will be available.

If you would like a tour or to find out more please pop in, contact us – 01449 745130 / hello@themixstowmarket.com – or find us on social media.

Dave Hannah – Operations Manager @ The Mix

STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Stowmarket Carnival Committee wish Happy Christmas to everybody and are looking forward to the New Year when they will be looking for sponsors, stallholders and volunteers for Stowmarket Carnival 2018 which will take place on July 7 and 8.

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The first networking breakfast of the New Year is at 6.45am on Friday, January 19, at The Mix, Stowmarket. Please check the website for further details and to book: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk The countdown to the chamber’s MSBE begins. The first Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition is on March 21 at The Mix. Visitors can pre-book for the lunch and find out more at: https://msbe.biz

In Touch online:

March Accounting & Taxation Services Ian Coombes FCCA MBA

• FREE initial consultation to discuss any tax, accounting and general business issues • Payroll, Auto Enrolment,VAT, Self Assessment, and full accounting service • Personable and professional tailored support • Fees agreed in advance • Out of office hours service available Individuals, self employed and limited companies

Please call Ian on: 01449 740285 / 07939 837939 E: ian@marchconsultingltd.co.uk

01449 770704

Stowe Veterinary Centre

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Ipswich Veterinary Centre

The Mustard Pot Veterinary Surgery

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54 Bury Road, Stowmarket

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ADVERTORIAL

Cloudy2Clear Announce Trusted Trader Partnership Consumer champions Which? have now joined the thousands of customers who recognise that Cloudy2Clear Windows really are a business that you can TRUST. The company which specialises in repairing windows which are steamed up, broken or damaged by replacing the panes – not the frames has received the coveted ‘Which Trusted Trader’ status after going through a rigorous accreditation process entirely focussed on customer service.

Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number

of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle.

Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing

a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT BICYCLE FOUND IN TOWN CENTRE A local resident found a bicycle dumped in Stowmarket Town Centre on Thursday, November 24. If you think it may be yours, please text a description to: 07549 276670

SALVATION ARMY EMERGENCY RESPONSE GROUP 2017 was a busy year for the group. The team was called out 17 times with the following result: • 1,570 emergency workers refreshed • 2,055 hot/cold drinks issued • 239 loaves into sandwiches • 381 man-hours at incidents Mike Baker, the co-ordinator of the group, said that he has a dedicated team of volunteers, who are willing to be called out day or night to assist at any incident when requested by the emergency services.

THE REGAL IN JANUARY In Hollywood, December 26 marks the official start of the Oscars season, despite the fact that the awards aren’t given out for another two months. The standard (and budget) of the films released over the next 10 weeks should be the best you see all year. Some years that certainly isn’t the case, but 2018 is looking really good.

January is set for a great month on stage, with Bob Brolly and Union Gap paying us a visit.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Sci-Fi adventure starring Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver. Having taken her first steps into the larger Jedi world, Rey joins Luke Skywalker on an adventure with Leia, Finn and Poe that unlocks mysteries of the Force Paddington 2: Family adventure starring Ben Wishaw, Hugh Bonneville and Julie Walters. Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.

The Justice League: Superhero thriller starring Ben Affleck, Amy Adams and Gal Gadot. Fuelled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy.

Daddy’s home 2: Comedy starring Mel Gibson, Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg. Having finally gotten used to each other’s existence, Brad and Dusty must now deal with their intrusive fathers during Christmas.

LET’S BOP! Your chance to dance every third Wednesday in the month at the John Peel Centre in Stowmarket.

Did you love to get out on the dance floor?

Then this could be for you. We’re not all Strictly; there are no judges at Let’s Bop! and no complicated steps to learn. Simply 90 minutes of great tracks so you can dance!

Get your mojo back with Let’s Bop!, dance for women’s well-being, fun, friendship and fitness, No booking, you just turn up! Wear whatever’s comfortable.

Doors open at 7.30pm, bopping until 9pm. Atmospheric lighting, iconic dance tracks, £5 per session with a loyalty card scheme available. www.Letsbop.co.uk www.Facebook.com/LetsBopUK www.Twitter.com/LetsBopUk

Ferdinand: Family animation voiced by Kate McKinnon and David Tennant.

After Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle: Adventure starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black. Four teenagers discover an old video game console and are literally drawn into the game’s jungle setting becoming the adult avatars they chose.

Battle of the Sexes: Drama starring Emma Stone, Andrea Riseborough and Steve Carell. The true story of the 1973 tennis match between world number one Billie Jean King and ex-champion Bobby Riggs.

The Disaster Artist: Drama starring James Franco, Dave Franco and Seth Rogan. When Greg Sestero, an aspiring film actor, meets the weird and mysterious Tommy Wiseau in an acting class, they form a unique friendship and travel to Hollywood to make their dreams come true.

Oklahoma!: Musical comedy starring Gloria Grahame and Gordon MacRae. Return of the 1955 classic, in Oklahoma, several farmers, cowboys and a traveling salesman compete for various local ladies.

Pitch Perfect 3: Musical comedy starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Elizabeth Banks. Following their win at the world championship, the now separated Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour, but face a group who uses both instruments and voices.

Marks & Mann were overwhelmed by the generosity of staff and the general public in donating Christmas shoeboxes filled with goodies and much needed toys and toiletries as part of Operation Christmas Child. Every year the number of boxes being donated increases and this year was no exception with over 200 boxes delivered to Marks & Mann offices at the Penshurst Road Branch in Ipswich IP3 8QB, Martlesham Heath branch located on the Square IP5 3SL and our Stowmarket branch in Needham Road IP14 2AW. The boxes are collected in November in time for Christmas delivery.

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INDOOR BOOT SALES The last indoor boot sales of this winter season will be held in a warm St Peter’s Hall, Stowmarket (next to the library) on Saturdays, February 3 and March 3, 9am-noon. Tables cost £5 each. This is a great way to turn unwanted Christmas presents into cash. Bacon butties, cake and coffee available all morning so great for snapping up a bargain and meeting with friends. To book a table phone: 01449 678623

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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET ARTISAN MARKET

VIVA VOICES WEEKLY STOWMARKET CHOIR

My thanks to all our stallholders and customers who helped to create a fantastic market on Saturday, December 2, and to those who have supported us throughout the year. We had a great selection of crafts on offer and tasty cakes from the team in the cafe.

We hope that you have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year and we will see you again in the spring.

Facebook: Stowmarket Artisan Market E: suedelfbtinternet.com

SODS’ AUDITIONS COMING SOON Made In Dagenham tells the true story of the upholstery machinists at Ford’s Dagenham plant who came out on strike in the late 1960s for equal pay with men. In doing so they took on the full force of the British Government, the TUC and their parent company Ford (USA).

And they won!

Pre-auditions will take place over three evenings: • Tuesday, January 9 from 7.30pm at the Boys Brigade Hall. All children wishing to audition should attend this evening.

• Tuesday, January 16 from 7.30pm, also at the Boys Brigade Hall. Adults only.

Be prepared for movement.

• Thursday, January 18 from 7.30pm at Earl Stonham Village Hall. Adults only.

Adults are advised to attend all three evenings as each evening will be different. For a full list describing each character please visit: www.stowmarketoperatic.org.uk/Facebook Auditions will be on Sunday, January 21 (TTBA) at the Boys Brigade Hall.

Our normal Tuesday and Thursday evening rehearsal schedule will start the following week on Tuesday, January 23. There will be an all-day (10am to 4pm) rehearsal on Sunday, April 22 with full costume. Performance dates at the Regal Theatre are Wednesday, May 9 to Saturday, May 12.

SODS, your local drama group, have built up a great reputation for the quality of their productions over the past 90 years. We always welcome new members and this would be an ideal time to join, whether it be making costumes, applying makeup, building and painting sets or singing, dancing or acting on stage. If you would like to know more visit our web page or phone our membership secretary, Angela: 07943 420494

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Our Christmas concert on Monday, November 27, was a tremendous success and we were joined by The Mayor, Dave Muller and his wife Lois for the first time which made us concentrate hard and sing even better!

The choir sang a variety of songs including an African chant, pop hits, folk music, and tunes from a musical. Two members each sang moving solos and Graeme, our choir master, played some wonderful piano solos. We finished the concert with a Christmas medley when the audience joined in, and two members each sang moving solos.

The charity chosen for this concert was The Society for Children’s Cancer and £259 was raised.

We start the next term on Monday, January 15, at 7.30pm at The United Reformed Church in Ipswich Street. So if you’ve always wanted to sing, come along and join us. No need to audition, and the first session is free to see if you like us.

For more information please contact choirmaster Graeme Hopson: admin@vivavoices.com / 01284 700286

EARLY BURNS NIGHT We are holding a Haggis Supper with entertainment and dancing from 7pm on Friday, January 12 at Woolpit Village Hall to raise money for St Mary’s Church, Woolpit.

Tickets are £17.50. If you would like to join us please contact Jennifer Baker (01359 240119) or Mary Hughes (01359 240811) for further information.

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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET & DISTRICT ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN’S SECTION

Stowmarket & District Royal British Legion Club will be holding their Annual General Meeting on Friday, January 26 at 7.30pm in the lounge of the Royal British Legion Club, 8 Tavern Street, Stowmarket IP14 1PH. All members welcome to attend.

Our November meeting was held at the RBL club on Wednesday 15. After the exhortation and silent tribute from Hazel, our chairlady, Audrey read out the minutes of the last meeting. Maggie then gave us an account of monies held, mostly members’ subs for the year. This will be sent to the benevolent fund.

There were a few items of correspondence and a few apologies.

SIMPLY BRASS GIVE THANKS AT CHRISTMAS

There is to be a one-day conference in Harrogate for the AGM, and also a national standard bearer’s competition, but there were no names put forward. Hazel thanked Liz, our standard bearer, as she had paraded our standard on November 10 and 11 and for the main parade and poppy laying service at the Memorial Gates on Remembrance Sunday. It was a very windy morning and not an easy task to hold the standard steady.

It’s been a busy Christmas period for Simply Brass Stowmarket with performances in Needham Market, local primary schools, the Scouts Christmas Carol Service as well as our own festive concert. We hope you managed to catch us and enjoyed the performances as much as we enjoyed giving them!

The band had some fantastic news in December. We’re extremely pleased to announce that Stowmarket Town Councillors serving on the district council have got together to support the work we are doing. We’re really pleased to have your continued support that will allow us to extend the work we do. Thank you very much.

We’ll be locked away in January getting new pieces of music ready for the coming year. If you’d like to book the band, or are interested in joining Suffolk’s leading independent youth brass band please contact us at simplybrassstowmarket@gmail.com, find us on Facebook or visit: www.simplybrassstowmarket.org.uk

Lynda then gave a demonstration of card making. Then it was the members’ turn to make a Christmas card. There were some very good cards and all of them different. Shirley thanked Lynda and said they had enjoyed making the cards. Lynda then judged the competition of a homemade item. First was Maureen with a homemade card, second Janet with a Christmas ornament and third Josie with a broach. Carole also had some knitted headgear for sale.

After the raffle, the National Anthem was sung.

We meet every third Wednesday in the Royal British Legion Club at 7.30pm.

You don’t have to have connections or be a relative of an ex-serviceman to attend, so why not give us a try? We have talks, demonstrators, outings, meals, competitions and raffles. We have fundraising events, like jumble sales, which bring in revenue for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. Just turn up on the evening. We would be pleased to welcome you.

Lynda Farr

STOWUPLAND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Wednesday, February 7: Unusual Gravestones in Suffolk by Robert Halliday

STOWMARKET RAMBLERS Sunday, January 7 – Festival of Winter Walks: 5 mile walk around Tinker’s Marshes near Southwold. Park and meet in York Road, near the water tower in Southwold at 10.30am / GR. 503763. Leader: 01449 673131 Sunday, January 14: 5 mile circular walk around Haughley. Park and meet at Haughley Pavilion, Green Road, Haughley at 10.30am / GR. 027625. Leader: 01449 673690 Sunday, January 21: 6.5 mile walk to Thwaite and Wickham Skeith. Park and meet at Four Horseshoes pub car park, Wickham Road, Thornham Magna at 10.30am / GR. 104706. Leader: 01379 870468 Sunday, January 28: 5 mile walk around Creeting St Mary. Park and meet at Needham Market Railway Station at 10am / GR. 091549. Leader: 01449 771724

Robert visited us in 2016 to talk about haunted Suffolk. The talk went down so well that we have invited him back this time to talk about some of the more unusual memorials and gravestones he has found in the county’s churchyards and cemeteries.

Wednesday, March 7: We Will Remember Them: The Lives and Deaths of British Men who Fought in the First World War by Sarah Doig Since 2014 we have been commemorating the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Sarah Doig will look at the war from an East Anglian perspective – how men were recruited and served, the effect on rural communities back home as well as life in the trenches, a Suffolk VC, the first poppy day appeal and local war memorials.

We meet at 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall (IP14 4BQ) where there is plenty of space to park. Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are available. Admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members. For more information, please contact Judy Clarke: 01449 615386

It was the chat with them over a cuppa that got me through the day Here for you every hour of every day 15 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket

01449 798023

or visit www.eastofengland.coop/funerals www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

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Are you in pain?

Chiropractic may help with many problems including lower back pain, neck pain and related headaches as well as arm and leg pain.

STOWMARKET CHIROPRACTIC HEALTH CLINIC

ALLERGY THERAPIST at StowHealth (Violet Hill) Testing for food, environmental and chemical sensitivities – as well as vitamin and mineral deficiences which can cause unpleasant symptoms and illnesses.

For an appointment contact Helen Parsons Dip Allergy Therapy, Food Studies Cert.Ed, B.I.A.E.T.

Tel: 01531 670746

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Michael T E Bailey Doctor of Chiropractic Registered with the General Chiropractic Council

7 Stowupland Rd Stowmarket IP14 5AG

Tel/Fax 01449 612620 www.michaelbailey.net

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OUT & ABOUT NASA TECHNOLOGY LANDING ON EARTH One small step for man, one giant leap on a treadmill Many people think that the millions we spend on spaceflight and exploration is a waste that could be spent down here on Earth in better ways.

The night sky may look pretty on a clear night, but the content of space doesn’t really affect our everyday lives. However, it’s worth taking a look at what the NASA space program has actually developed and delivered to our everyday lives.

What’s come as a spinoff from the space program; that little camera in your smartphone uses technology driven to make a tiny camera to fit on spacecraft; CAT scanners used in medicine have been derived from the need to get high quality images in space; we are saving energy due to LED lights – and yep they came from NASA pushing new technology; the insulation in your home keeping you warm this winter has come as a result of NASA needing to insulate things from the extreme cold of space.

There are loads more things too; foil blankets, water purification, the dust buster, memory foam beds, baby formula, scratch resistance lenses, wireless headsets, laptops and even the simple computer mouse.

Another space-derived invention is the trainer. Suit construction technology led to the design of trainers used today, helping to offload impact.

Helping to offload impact is another NASA fuelled technology, and it’s slowly filtering in to clinics and hospitals. It’s an anti-gravity treadmill.

Okay so many might think how can you defy gravity without taking a really expensive trip on the comet vomit flight.

Well some clever people have come up with the solution – fit a giant bubble around a treadmill, get someone to wear some shorts which attaches to the hole in the bubble which is zipped up to form an airtight seal around their waist and then fill it with pressurized air. The effect of the air gently lifts someone and can reduce their effective body weight down to a low of 20%.

What’s great is it can help so many people. The obvious ones are those after a lower body or back injury, which means that they can be active really quickly again, without putting so much pressure through their bones, muscles and joints, helping to return to fitness quicker. Those with degenerative joint pain can get back to walking or running without pain, keep up their fitness and health. Many patients with a neurological condition can have the chance to walk again easier as a result of a little less gravity pulling them down.

Those who are overweight can also use it for walking and running; get that motion kick starting the metabolism and burn off that extra Christmas (or perhaps longer) weight, in an environment which doesn’t hurt so much as running outdoors. Take some of the load off by reducing gravity and you can run without putting so much stress on the system. It could even motivate you to see what running outside might feel like if you lost a few pounds.

Sadly these treadmills aren’t cheap, but hopefully it will be another NASA spinoff, which will make it down here on Earth in more clinics in the future.

Robert Grainger MSc MCSP HCPC CSCS Practice Principal PhysioFixx Physiotherapy Clinic Sports Physiotherapist

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

STOWMARKET LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Monday, January 15: Stowmarket Local Diarists by Neil Langridge Monday, February 19: Suffolk Archaeology (sites in and around Stowmarket) Meetings are held at 7.30pm at The Salvation Army Hall; members £1, non-members £3.

For further details contact Jeannette Baldry: 01449 675271 www.stowmarket-History.co.uk

ART SHOW AND SALE The United Reform Church Ipswich Street, Stowmarket Thursday, February 15 and Friday 16 Thursday 10am-5pm / Friday 10am-2pm Admission £1, Under 16s accompanied by an adult free EXCLUSIVE CHEESE AND WINE PREVIEW EVENING Wednesday, February 14 from 7.30pm Tickets (£5) available by request from: artshow2018@stowlions.org.uk / 08458 335114

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT MONDAY CLUB We enjoyed the run-up to Christmas and had an evening making decorations for our tree for the Christmas Tree Festival in the church. Our theme this year is ‘It came upon the midnight clear’. The tree is now on show in the church and is looking really good.

The following week we made decorations for the members to take home.

An evening of ‘Touch & Feel’ followed with lots of discussion as to what the various items were. The evening of card making was hugely popular with some really beautiful cards produced. The photograph shows two of our members with the cards they had made.

We now have a three-week break, reconvening in the New Year with a disco.

We are a club for adults with learning difficulties and meet each Monday from 7.30-9.30pm at the Community Hub on Crown Street. We are run entirely by volunteers and new members and helpers are always very welcome.

If you would like further information, please contact us on 01449 672123 or just come along on a Monday evening.

INNER WHEEL CLUB OF STOWMARKET There was a great deal of laughter at the November meeting of Inner Wheel of Stowmarket when Doreen Hughes guided us through a reflexology demonstration. Members paired up and worked on each other’s hands, finding the areas that connected with certain parts of the body. We all found it beneficial, particularly Doreen’s advice for those suffering from broken sleep (which was most of us).

Stowmarket Inner Wheel has decorated a tree in St Peter & St Mary’s Church for their wonderful Christmas Tree Festival and preparations are well in hand for the Inner Wheel / Rotary dinner at the Cedars Hotel on December 11.

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ADVERTORIAL MID SUFFOLK SLIMMING WORLD CONSULTANTS SHARE SECRETS FOR A SLIM 2018 To celebrate the start of 2018, slimming experts from Mid Suffolk are sharing their secrets for successful slimming to help local people make their healthy New Year’s resolutions a reality.

Abi, Phil, Nicole, Stacey, Zia, Carla, Jason and Jenny all lost weight with Slimming World and now run 13 Slimming World groups in and around Stowmarket. When they first joined Slimming World as members themselves, they never dreamed that they would end up helping other people to lose weight. After losing over 27 stone between them they feel it’s a privilege to be able to pass on the experience, insight and understanding that helped them, so that they can give their members the support they need to get to target.

Zia says: “Lots of people will be making resolutions to lose weight and improve their health this New Year. If you really want to live happy for the long term, the key is to make healthy, realistic changes to your lifestyle that you can keep up for the rest of your life.”

fewer opportunities to be active now too. As a result, it’s so easy to gain weight! Jenny said that losing weight made her feel happier and healthier.

“It has given me so much more confidence. I became a consultant because I wanted to share that feeling and help other people to achieve the same success I have.”

Carla added “I just want to help people to make real changes for life. Each week at group, members share tips, ideas, recipes and a lot of fun and laughter. There is nothing like learning from the success and experience of others to help you make changes and commit to them. There’s really is no better job satisfaction than that!”

To live happy with Slimming World in 2018 visit www.slimmingworld.co.uk or join any of the groups in Stowmarket, Needham Market, Stowupland, Elmswell, Fornham St Martin, Ixworth or Stanton held from Monday to Saturday, every week, 52 weeks of the year.

Abi adds that she has been able to maintain her weight loss due to the nature of Slimming World’s Food Optimising plan. “Being able to eat unlimited amounts of fruit and veg, pasta, rice, potatoes, lean meat, fish, eggs and more, shows that Slimming World members never need to suffer the hunger pangs that usually see people throwing in the towel on other weight-loss plans.”

Slimming has never been more important. We live in a world where high calorie food is cheap, heavily marketed and readily available and there are

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OUT & ABOUT CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFE LINE & CHARITY SHOP

CELEBRATIONS AND CHANGES AT RED GABLES

On December 3 we collected our Christmas group from Gatwick airport. The children who had never been to the UK before all said “England is lovely” as soon as they got off the plane!

This is going to be a very exciting month for the children who have not only never been away from home, but have never experienced Christmas before either.

After the children return home at the end of the month I will be leaving for Belarus for our Father Frost Program. As previous Christmas parcels have been returned or just haven’t arrived at all, a friend and I decided this year to go to Belarus to deliver them personally as the Belarusian equivalent to December 25 is January 7. Having intended to just take presents in our personal luggage we asked if anyone else would be interested in sending a present to a child who would receive nothing for Christmas and we were amazed and touched by the response. We are now taking 150 presents to needy children and will deliver to 39 families in three days, as well as holding a party for the children who we will be unable to reach during that time. We will bring back photos and updates after the trip to share with everyone who has so kindly contributed to this program. A very big thanks must also go to those people who have sponsored part of the trip allowing us to be able to take this many presents to the children and also to leave gifts for those in the local hospital.

We are now looking towards the summer group visit and would ask anyone interested in hosting who we have not yet spoken to, to get in touch now as we have to start processing the invitation to the authorities in Belarus by January 2018. The children will be with us for four weeks from July 1-29. All that is needed is a minimum of a mattress to sleep on and a loving home with people who care, financial circumstances are immaterial. Age is not a barrier – single parents considered, families may or may not still have their own children at home. Hosts are able to follow their own occupation and interests as the children meet at least four days a week Monday-Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm and helpers are on hand to collect or look after children at other times if needed.

We are very aware that there are now more charitable causes than ever all needing support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports us; you may think you only do a little but without you we could not survive.

May 2018 bring you everything you wish for.

Link Chair Elizabeth Parker 01449 760343 / enquiries@ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk www.ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk

STOWMARKET BRIDGE CLUB

It has been 20 years since Red Gables was opened by Mid Suffolk Voluntary Organisations Forum as a community facility. The picture shows John Peel as our guest of honour at the opening ceremony on February 24. To celebrate this milestone we have been planning several events over the course of this year and two of them took place in November.

We had an open day on November 21 which brought people in from the town and further afield to find out what goes on at Red Gables. As well as looking around our lovely building, they visited many of our tenants to talk about the services on offer and made new links and connections.

Later the same week we had a celebration with more than 60 people who had played a part at Red Gables joining us at Redwoods for an evening of food, music, history and reminiscing. Music was provided by the Stowmarket Strummers and Pip Wright. Local historian Steve Williams spoke about the history of Red Gables and the role it had played in the life of the town and Martyn Burnside talked about how Mid Suffolk Voluntary Organisations Forum had taken over the building and the changes made since that time. We would like to thank all the local companies and individuals who sponsored the raffle: Muntons, Buildbase, the Regal, Gammers, Oddfellows, Jewsons, the Kennedy Family and Helen Carless. The total raised was £109.

If you have visited Red Gables in the last month you cannot fail to have noticed the changes in the car park which has now been completely resurfaced and even has marked parking bays. We are very grateful to Viridor Credits Environmental Company which has funded the largest part of this project in conjunction with Mid Suffolk District Council. The resurfacing work has now finished and we would like to thank all visitors for their patience in bearing with us while these works were carried out. Local firm AE White Surfacing has done an excellent job and we have received many compliments on their work. The final part of our Access for All project will be new signs around the car park which will go up shortly.

Funding News We are delighted to announce that the Garden Project came first in the Tesco Bags of Help token scheme in the Stowmarket store. A big thank-you goes out to all of the people who voted for us. We received the highest number of tokens, which means that we have won the top prize of £4,000. This will be going to fund a drought garden area together with new tools for this excellent project.

In their final match in the Suffolk Summer League (Division 1) for club teams of eight, Stowmarket suffered a heavy loss against a strong Colchester team.

Despite this being the only loss of the season, it meant that Stowmarket finished third in the league. Nevertheless, it is a very creditable result for a team promoted from Division 2 last year.

We have also been awarded £1,703 from the Dulverton Trust toward the purchase of a new range cooker to go in the kitchen at Redwoods. This has been funded through Suffolk Community Foundation. We hope that the new cooker will be in place soon.

On November 10 the club participated in a national simultaneous pairs competition in aid of Children in Need. One of the best turnouts of the year resulted in £183 being raised for the cause. The top pair in the club was Andy Billinge and Sekhar Pillai who came 38th out of 958 pairs nationally.

THINKING OF VOLUNTEERING?

Over the years such national bridge competitions have raised a total to date of £881,950 for Children in Need.

For details of times of play and venues please visit: www.bridgewebs.stowmarket.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

Assistant Manager Robert Horn

At Red Gables Volunteer Drop-in, we have many varied volunteering roles with local charities.

For more information contact Sue on 01449 673947 (Tuesdays only) or email: sue.redgables@gmail.com Facebook.com/volunteerredgables

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10254_Intouch Stowmarket_Jan Fit Advert.indd 1

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01/12/2017 16:45

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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET MEADLANDS MEN’S SHED Shed members have been actively involved in a number of community projects since we started working in May of last year. Working with PPG, supporting their Colourful Communities Project, we made three large planters from recycled pallets and a mud kitchen for Freeman Pre-school at Stowupland. Members were encouraged by the positive comments received and this lead to a further request by PPG to build two mud kitchens for the HOPS Play Scheme at Thorndon. The scheme helps children with learning difficulties, allowing parents respite care during the long school holidays. We are also designing a tactile activity board for the play scheme.

The members are currently putting their heads together to design and make a mud kitchen for a brave four-year-old girl from Stowmarket who is preparing to battle against leukaemia.

Forecourt Sale

Our members braved the very cold weather and held a stall at the United Reformed Church sale. They had been busy for a few weeks making bug hotels, planters, bird boxes and flowerpot men. A total of £235 was raised. Our kind-hearted members are now working on three more projects; it is our intention to donate them to more good causes.

Creative Skills We welcome all adults over the age of 18 years, both men and women.

We have been inspired by the creative skills brought into our shed by our members. We are all learning at every session. It doesn’t matter who you are, or your background – your skills are always welcome.

Shed Membership We are proud to be an active section of the Meadlands Recreation Club and it’s a requirement to join the Recreation Club before joining the Shed.

An annual Playing Member fee of the Recreation Club is £36. To cover the overheads of the workshop, all we ask is a further annual charge of £36.

How to join us Simply pop in during one of our sessions and talk to one of our members, they will gladly show you around. You may even get a hot drink and a biscuit!

Or call Barry on 07894 548706.

NEW CRAFT ROOM AT ORCHARD BARN IS TAKING SHAPE Here at Orchard Barn we are busy making wooden tiles (shingles) for our new craft room roof. The logs we are using are Sweet Chestnut which is a wood with tannin in it. Why mention this here? Well, tannin corrodes ordinary metal which means that for our shingles to stay fixed to our roof we need to buy expensive non-corrosive stainless steel nails to fix them with. We calculate that we need to make and fit over 5,400 shingles to cover the whole roof, and to fix them using these special nails will cost £250.

This is where our community run project needs your help. In exchange for £5 we will put a name of your choice on the inside of the shingle roof. For £10 we will put two names and so on. These names will remain inside the craft room for decades and will be seen by everyone who comes to learn rural crafts with us.

If you like what our Community Interest Company are doing, and would like to support our stainless steel nail fund with an online donation, please visit www.orchardbarn.org.uk/newcraftroom.html Cheques and cash are also welcome. Our postal address is Orchard Barn, Bildeston Road, Ringshall IP14 2LY. Or drop in between 10am and 4pm on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and have a look at how this hand-made roof is progressing.

We wish you a constructive and creative New Year. Many large thank-yous in advance of your donations.

STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB The club will meet at Woolpit Village Hall on Wednesday, January 24, 12.30 for 1pm for a workshop entitled Out of the Box and a soup and bread lunch. Members £6, visitors £11.

For details contact chairman Vicki Hease: 01449 770900

Opening Times: Monday 9am-1 pm / Wednesday 1-4.30pm and Wednesday evenings 6.30-9.30pm

A guide to prescriptive rights of way Other than along a public footpath, or over a highway, the most common means by which a right of way over an accessway arises is by a deed granting it.

or a statement to that effect – and sometimes there will be a series of statements or declarations over the years to show a continuous and unbroken use of the accessway. If there is a gap in time, then the criteria will not be fulfilled – and the right will not be made out.

However, it is also possible to obtain a right of way over another person’s land without there being a deed, or any other sort of written agreement. For example if Person A goes over Person B’s land for long enough, and providing that certain criteria are met, then Person A may be able to claim a right over Person B’s land. It is difficult to achieve in full, but nevertheless possible.

The use must be ‘as of right’ – meaning that the owner using it has been doing so as if he or she had the right, and it must be without force, and without the consent of the owner of the land. It is the latter that sometimes causes difficulty – because when an owner gives consent to the use of an accessway, then a right in this way cannot be claimed – it is with permission only, which the owner is then entitled to withdraw.

While there are other ways, one means of obtaining a legal right is under something called the doctrine of lost modern grant. This assumes that there was a deed, even though there was not – and this requires, in our example, Person A to demonstrate that the accessway has been used for a period of 20 years or more. There are certain qualifications that must be met. One of these is that it must be continuous – there must be no interruptions in the length of time the accessway has been used. This is often proved by the owner making a statutory declaration

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In conclusion, while it is possible to obtain rights in this way, there are hurdles to be overcome before they can be established absolutely.

Buttermarket, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1ED Telephone: 01449 613101 • Fax: 01449 615087 Email: info@gudgeons-prentice.co.uk

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SCHOOLS / SPORTS ST PETER & ST MARY’S PRE SCHOOL The staff and children of St Peter & St Mary’s Pre-school would like to say a big thank you to Orbit Housing and Lovell Builders.

Not only did they keep us entertained with diggers and cranes as they redeveloped the area around us, they very kindly bought us a mud kitchen with lots of accessories so that we could redevelop our outside play area. They laid the slabs to stand it on, alongside the insect hotel that they had previously built us.

We are all enjoying making mud pies in our new pots and pans, pouring with our wonderful giant teapots and using a variety of brushes, tweezers and tongs.

Everyone enjoys getting wrapped up warm to play in the garden, learning about our natural environment and watching the world go by. Something for everyone!

If you are between two and five years old and would like to join us, contact us at 07803 290272 / stpeters.stmarys.preschool@gmail.com or just pop in.

A very Happy New Year to you all.

ROOKERY BOWLING CLUB RACE NIGHT Although our summer season has finished there are still lots of social events going on at Rookery Bowling Club.

Jamie Gill and his team are hard at work preparing the green for the new season. Peter Wallace and his helpers are working through the list for maintaining and improving our club house for 2018. Our social committee have been busy running, organising and planning all our fun activities, which have included our race night, quiz nights, games and curry evenings, and even a Stowmarket SODS performance at our presentation evening. We also have very active wine and crib clubs that keep us out of mischief in the dark cold nights of the close season.

Our bowlers are enjoying the indoor season with Mark Royal, Martin Heitzman, Andrew Pulford, John Sewell, Jamie Gill, Carl Riches, Stuart Brimelow and Shirley Plummer all going well in the Federation Indoor Competitions and National Championships, also other members itching to get started in the County Championships.

In the New Year we will be starting activities to encourage new bowlers, both young and old to come and join us. So if you would like to join a thriving club with lots going on, contact our secretary Shirley Plummer: 01449 774064 / secretary@rookerybowls.club

STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB Strange things are happening in the world of sport: Ipswich Town seem to be producing some football, Formula 1 is attracting Alfa Romeo and Aston Martin, and Andy Murray is forming a sports management company!

This last element is the one which raises the most eyebrows because usually top athletes wait until they’ve reached their peak before distracting themselves with too much off-court business.

The Williams sisters are well known to have created future careers in fashion to continue after their playing days are over, but our Andy will be mentoring young players and sprinters. If you combine this with his persistent hip injury, which is still no better after five months of rehab and physio, maybe his thoughts are turning elsewhere…

Down at the club we have no distractions from the tennis with social play, matches and the full coaching program continuing right through the winter. The weekend league pairs are just about to enjoy a wellearned break over the festive period having reached the halfway point in this year’s campaign. So far the results sound promising with nearly all of our teams emerging with either two or three points from every home fixture. The coldest weather is yet to come so they’ll be readying themselves for more clothing and more wins as the matches resume.

The starter fun sessions continue to attract good numbers with several new faces appearing for our junior fun sessions: Saturday morning has two sessions for the Under 9s and Thursday evening for the 10s and over. Adults can also get started, even at this time of year, by joining the Cardio tennis class on Tuesday evenings. It’s a great way to get into tennis without having to worry about your standard or any other expectations. The music is great (not my own, of course) and rackets can be borrowed.

So, a lot going on over the Christmas period so if you fancy working off those extra calories, or even making a bit of space for the beforehand, get in touch.

See you on court!

Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com

Or visit: www.rookerybowls.club

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Fri 5th - Thurs 11th Jan

JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (12A)

Fri 5th & Sat 6th: 2.30 & 7.45, Sun 7th: 2.30 Mon 8th - Wed 10th: 5.15, Thurs 11th: 7.45

BATTLE OF THE SEXES (12A)

Fri 22nd - Thurs 28th Dec

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

(12A)

Fri 22nd & Sat 23rd: 2.00, 5.15 & 8.30 Sun 24th: 2.00, Tue 26th: 2.00 & 5.15 Wed 27th & Thurs 28th: 2.00, 5.15 & 8.30

PADDINGTON 2 (PG)

Fri 5th & Sat 6th: 5.00, Sun 7th: 7.45 Mon 8th - Thurs 11th: 2.30

THE DISASTER ARTIST (15)

Sun 7th: 5.15, Mon 8th - Wed 10th: 7.45 Thurs 11th: 12.00 & 5.00

Fri 22nd - Thurs 28th: 11.30am*

FERDINAND (U)

Fri 29th Dec - Thurs 4th Jan

PADDINGTON 2 (PG)

*No Showing on Christmas Day

THE JUSTICE LEAGUE (12A) Fri 29th & Sat 30th: 7.45 Tue 2nd - Thurs 4th: 7.45

Sat 6th & Sun 7th: 10.00am Sat 6th & Sun 7th: 12.15

OKLAHOMA! (1955) (U) Wed 10th: 11.30am

PADDINGTON 2 (PG)

Fri 12th - Thurs 18th Jan

DADDY’S HOME 2 (12A)

Fri 12th - Wed 17th: 2.15 & 7.45 Thurs 18th: 11.30am, 2.15 & 7.45

Fri 29th - Sun 31st: 5.00

Sun 31st: 7.15, Mon 1st - Thurs 4th: 5.00

FERDINAND

(U)

Fri 29th - Thurs 4th: 12.15 & 2.30

Thurs 22nd February at 7pm - Tickets £12.50 National Theatre presents a recorded LIVE screening of

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

LIVE ON STAGE Monday 22nd January at 7.30pm - Tickets £17.50

BOB BROLLY

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN (PG) PITCH PERFECT 3 (12A)

Fri 12th: 11.30am & 5.15 Sat 13th - Thurs 18th: 5.15

JUMANJI (12A)

Sat 13th & Sun 14th: 12.15

FERDINAND

(U)

Sat 13th & Sun 14th: 10.00am

POCKET MONEY MOVIES

Monday 29th January at 7.30pm - Tickets £17.50

GREAT FAMILY FILMS, KIDS £2.50, ADULTS FREE!*

Monday 5th February at 7.30pm - Tickets £17.50

Fri 22nd - Sun 24th: 9.30am, Wed 27th: 9.30am

UNION GAP

RAYMOND FROGGATT

www.regalstowmarket.co.uk / 01449 612825 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket, IP14 1AY

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CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS (U)

THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE (U) Fri 29th - Sun 31st: 9.30am

*1x free adult per paying child. Under 10’s must be accompanied.

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SPORTS / ON THE GRAPEVINE SCORPION MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY With more than 100 juniors and seniors grading in kickboxing and karate at our last exams of the year in November, the standard of martial arts demonstrated was simply superb. The kickboxers were put through a gruelling test of their fitness, conditioning and fighting skills.

The first universal karate exam saw all of the junior coloured belts been tested on their self-defence and fighting skills and once again the level of karate was fantastic. The last exam was for the seniors and junior brown and black belts. This was a very tough exam for all involved and when new belts and certificates were presented several students also received invites to the blackbelt exams in March 2018.

Nine Scorpion blackbelts went down to Woking in Surrey to train with Soke Grandmaster Brian Dossett (10th dan blackbelt). This was a very special trip as it was a chance with the grandmaster at his own dojo (training hall). Soke Brian has been training for 70 years and his knowledge and skills are inspiring.

Grandmaster Mark JR Trent (8th dan blackbelt) was personally presented with his kancho title (head of house) by Soke Brian. This was a great honour as Brian has awarded the title of kancho to very few people.

The Scorpion Academy teaches universal karate, kickboxing and muay thai. We offer one month free to all new members and run classes throughout the week. We specialise in teaching realistic self-defence and can offer workshops for groups and clubs. For more details please contact Mark: 07708 644162 / scorpionacademy@live.co.uk www.ufkkwa.webs.com

MELFORD HALL NEEDS YOU! Following our successful open day last September, we will be holding another in February.

We are still looking to recruit more volunteer room guides and would like to give you the opportunity to meet and chat with current volunteers, as well as having a look around the hall. You will be able to hear first hand what is entailed in the role as well as what they have gained out of it. If you have some spare time on your hands, are perhaps a little lonely, or want to meet people and chat, make new friends and have new experiences, then why not come along and find out more?

Our team are a very friendly group of all ages and backgrounds. They spend what time they are able to commit in a beautiful environment, surrounded by fine furniture, art and objects. The hall is open from Wednesday to Sunday, plus bank holidays, from 1-5pm, March to October. The role will involve talking to our visitors, answering any of their questions and sharing the stories of this wonderful family home. Don’t worry – there will be as much help and guidance as you need so you can go at your own pace. Although a National Trust property you do not need to be a member to volunteer. So why not make it your New Year resolution to volunteer at Melford Hall.

The open day is Saturday, February 24 from 10am-3pm. We look forward to welcoming you. Please contact us if you would like to find out more: melford@nationaltrust.org.uk / 01787 379228 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/melford-hall

KRISSY AND FRIENDS REFLECTION As one year closes and another opens, Krissy and Friends Foundation have been reflecting on what an exciting and amazing 12 months we’ve had.

With your support and donations we have been able to provide therapy through music to many local charities, organisations and causes including Ipswich Hospital Children’s Ward, specialist schools, 4YP, Musica (young people’s workshops) and South Street Kids.

This has enabled Krissy and Friends Foundation to reach more East Anglian children with therapy through music than ever. Your generous and growing support has meant that moving into 2018 we hope to meet our target of supporting even more of our communities most vulnerable young people.

Thank you to everybody who has made a difference and we look forward to seeing you at our events in the year ahead. www.krissyandfriends.org.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

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ON THE GRAPEVINE

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR SUFFOLK’S YOUTH PARLIAMENT

MUNTONS INVEST IN NEW TRUCK DESIGNS

Nominations are now open for Suffolk’s Youth Parliament and young people in Suffolk have until January 7 to submit their nominations.

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) is the largest elected body of young people in the UK who influence policy. Made up of elected Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) and deputies, they meet locally and nationally to give young people a voice.

There are currently two MYPs in Suffolk and up to 15 MYPs and deputies will be appointed when elections are held in February.

MYPs assist in running Make Your Mark, the UK›s largest youth consultation. The results of the consultation are used to develop services locally and nationally. There are also opportunities to attend British Youth Council conventions and attend the Make Your Mark debate in the House of Commons. Above all, young people are given the opportunity to meet new people, make lasting friends and make a difference.

As a major exporter in the East Anglian region, Muntons has increased their corporate visibility through the branding of two new trucks with their distinctive and colourful diamond logo.

Results of the recent Make your Mark consultation can be viewed at: https://tinyurl.com/ya9jhx5b

Muntons export their malt and malted ingredients to over 76 countries around the world. Their products are all made from barley grown in the local region and exports are important, with over 86,000 tonnes shipped overseas last year. That’s the equivalent of well over 4,000 individual container movements.

Councillor Gordon Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said: “I would always encourage young people to get involved in politics and UK Youth Parliament is a great opportunity for young people to be a part of important decisions made both locally and nationally.

“Being a Member of Youth Parliament gives young people a powerful voice to present views, opinions and issues of Suffolk’s residents to local decision makers. Elected MYPs will demonstrate a passion and energy to drive real change for the better.”

Current Member of Suffolk’s Youth Parliament, Meg Day, said: “Youth Parliament has given me so many opportunities and experiences that wouldn’t have been offered to me otherwise. I’ve met likeminded people from up and down the country and made some of the best friendships I’ve ever had. UKYP holds the largest youth consultation in the world and you really do feel like you’re making a positive difference for young people.”

The UK Youth Parliament holds elections for UKYP members to be elected in Suffolk in February to start their term in March.

Working in conjunction with DHL Supply Chain Transport division, and Coastal Global Logistics, Muntons have had their logo designed to sit stylishly on the tractor unit of the two new trucks in an eye-catching fashion.

Muntons ship a great deal of their export cargo through the Port of Felixstowe, which is conveniently located just a few miles away along the A14 corridor. This helps tremendously in keeping transport costs to a minimum, contributing towards Muntons competitive position within the global market.

Andy Janes, Muntons Corporate Marketing Manager commented: “It was very good of Coastal Global to arrange for two of their new trucks to carry our logo when they bought the vehicles and thanks must also go to DHL for facilitating this. These eye-catching trucks can be seen regularly plying the route between Felixstowe and Stowmarket and with their distinctive logo they stand out from the crowd. We are running a competition through social media with a prize for the best photo of our new trucks and are anticipating some interesting pictures.”

Muntons manufacture a wide range of malt and malted ingredients which are used widely in the brewing, distilling and food industry.

To apply, you must: • Be aged 11-18 • Live, work or study in the area you are standing for • Be able to commit seven hours a month (or one-two hours a week) to Suffolk UKYP To run for election, young people will need produce a short video or a written manifesto, addressing three areas they are passionate about and would like to change in their local area – one of these must be taken from the top 5 a Make Your Mark results.

Manifestos must be submitted by January 7, 2018. Full details of how to apply can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/y9x2a828 For more information about the UK Youth Parliament, visit: www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

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ON THE GRAPEVINE QUESTIONS ON CASH With Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb Simon from Needham Market asks: “In order to reduce the value of our estate for inheritance tax purposes, my wife and I intended to gift our main residence to our son. We would like to be allowed to continue to live in the house for the remainder of our days under a formal agreement with our son. After we have both died, he would be able to move into the house or sell it. However, a friend tells us that this would not save inheritance tax. Is that right and if so, why?”

Like many people at your stage of life, your main residence is free of mortgage and thus forms a major part of your joint estate. Many people who have substantial property assets believe that to reduce the potential inheritance tax liability on their estate, they can gift their house to their children during their lifetimes but stay living in the house and pay a so-called ‘peppercorn’ rent. There is a common misconception that after seven years have elapsed, the house would then no longer form part of their estate.

However, if you gift part or all of your main residence to your children and you still continue to live in the house rent free, or by paying a ‘peppercorn’ rent, then HMRC would almost certainly deem the transfer to be a Gift with Reservation (of Benefit) or GROB. In effect, this means that although you made a gift of the house to your son, you continued to enjoy the benefit of living there. On this basis the gift would not be recognised and in the event of your deaths, the full value of the house at the date of death would be still included in your estate for calculating the inheritance tax payable on your estate.

Your only option would be to either move out after making the gift, or pay the normal market rate of rent for the property to your son ongoing. Gifting the house without continuing to live in it would of course not be practical, as you would need to find somewhere else to live anyway.

Harry from Woodbridge asks: “I recently applied for an insurance policy to cover funeral expenses so that my family would not be out of pocket if I died. I have received a letter from the insurance company telling me that the premium has been increased from £25 per month to £43 per month on medical grounds. My bank has refused to tell me why. How can I find out?”

In reality Harold, your bank is not hiding anything from you. They simply cannot tell you why you have been rated as medical information is confidential and your bank are not told the reasons for the rating by the insurance company. The bank act as an agent of the insurance company and your personal and medical information is not shared with them.

The insurance company can only discuss this with you personally or with your doctor, if you signed an authority form.

Give the insurance company a call to ask why you have been rated. If they will not discuss their decision over the phone, write to their chief underwriter. They must reply to your written request for information.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services of Baylham in Suffolk. The information within this column is provided only as a general guide and does not constitute personal financial advice.

If you would like to take advantage of a complimentary meeting to talk over your options for your own investments or financial planning you can contact Nick by email at nick@plumbfs.co.uk or by calling the office on 01473 830301. Plumb Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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DANCEEAST TO HOST NATIONAL YOUTH DANCE FESTIVAL U.DANCE 2018 Following four days of youth dance celebrations in Birmingham earlier this year to mark One Dance UK’s U.Dance 2017, it was revealed that DanceEast will host the national event for the first time in 2018.

Each year the U.Dance festival showcases a selection of dance groups from all over the country, as well as providing young people with the chance to take part in workshops and masterclasses with dance industry professionals, and inspire each other with a love of dance. The 2018 festival will run in July, across both DanceEast Image by Brian Slater and Snape Maltings. It will enable young dancers from both schools and youth dance groups to participate in classes, workshops, careers sessions and social activities during the three and half day residential.

Coming to the East of England for the first time, One Dance UK will work with DanceEast to make U.Dance 2018 a unique experience, inspired by the region’s urban and rural landscapes. DanceEast will also host the regional platform, which forms part of the selection process for the festival, on Sunday 18 February 2018, at the University of Bedfordshire.

Applications for the regional platform open on DanceEast’s website at the end of October, closing on Friday 24 November.

Youth dance and school dance groups are invited to apply to perform, in a bid to be part of the national festival in the summer of 2018. Applications are welcome from across the entire eastern Image by Brian Slater region and groups working in any dance genre are encouraged to apply. Dancers need to be aged between 11 to 19 (or up to age 25 for dancers with additional needs).

Working in partnership with One Dance UK, DanceEast is excited to continue to champion youth dance in all its forms. DanceEast’s base at the Jerwood DanceHouse has played host to regional U.Dance heats since 2012 as the East of England partner organisation, heading to the University of Bedfordshire for 2018.

Lucy Bayliss, Head of Creative Programmes, said: “Work with young dancers is a core part of DanceEast’s programme and we are excited to have the opportunity to celebrate this work with groups from across the country through such a prestigious event. U.Dance brings a huge amount of colour and energy to the host area and is a positive celebration of what young people can achieve. We are looking forward to welcoming the national groups to Suffolk, to experience just a little of what is special about living and working in the East.”

Andrew Hurst, Chief Executive of One Dance UK, said: “We are excited to partner with DanceEast in presenting U.Dance 2018. The U.Dance national youth dance festival is an important event on the national dance calendar.

From the local platforms to the Festival itself, U.Dance engages with more than 7,000 young dancers each year, encouraging them in the pursuit of excellence in dance and embarking on careers in dance, highlighting one of One Dance UK’s key aspirations - to get as many young people as possible dancing.”

In true U.Dance tradition, the 2018 event will further extend DanceEast’s offering of dance opportunities. Additional specialised projects are also hoped to increase the dance opportunities for children and young people in the region for 2018, expanding the reach of U.Dance to young people in Suffolk and beyond.

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

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In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE OPEN DAY AT BRUISYARD HALL

SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR OF PIONEERING PROJECT StartEast is delighted to announce, as the calendar year draws to a close, that they have so far supported more than 130 cultural and creative individuals, start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises in Norfolk and Suffolk, with over 800 hours of advice and training to enable them to take the next vital steps in securing growth for their businesses.

Bespoke business support packages have been specifically tailored, following individual assessments, to deliver a combination of one to one sessions, practical small group workshops and larger networking events, providing opportunities to meet other creatives from across the region, covering popular topics such as business planning, finance, fundraising and social media.

One StartEast beneficiary commented: “The session I attended focused on financial, social media and entrepreneurial considerations. All of this was really helpful and the session on how to nurture creative potential and apply it to cultural enterprise was inspirational.”

StartEast Advisor Sue Lawther-Brown said: “Working with StartEast as an advisor has given me enormous optimism about the quality and quantity of creative talent in Norfolk and Suffolk. I’ve met such an interesting range of people, all pursuing businesses in the cultural sector, and all with passion, determination and a great deal to offer the future of this region. It’s so encouraging to see so many new and established creatives wanting to work smarter, be more business -like and making a real difference to the economy of the local area. I look forward to meeting many more creative entrepreneurs in the year to come.”

StartEast: Building the Cultural Economy is a major economic development initiative led by the New Anglia Cultural Board, managed

by Norfolk County Council in partnership with Suffolk County Council and delivered by the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich The £12.million project received funding from Arts Council England’s Creative Local Growth Fund (£500k) and the European Regional Development Fund (£609,773) One of nine national projects supported through the first round, it was one of only 3 to be awarded the full amount available through the fund.

Bruisyard Hall, the country house wedding venue set in the rolling countryside just outside Framlingham, is opening its doors for a Wedding Open day on Sunday, January 28 from 10am to 2pm. Due to weekend wedding bookings, this open day is the only available weekend to view the hall for at least four months.

The Wedding Open Day at Bruisyard Hall is free to attend though guests do need to pre-register online. It gives couples the chance to tour the 14th century country house that provides luxury accommodation and can be an intimate wedding venue for up to 24 people. A few paces away, the lovingly refurbished medieval barn can host up to 140 guests for a ceremony and wedding breakfast.

The open day means guests can see the venue, meet the team and meet a range of trusted suppliers. There will also be canapés to sample and free prosecco for the first 50 guests through the door. Everyone will receive a goodie bag to take away. The weddings team will be available to check availability, talk through catering options and answer any questions that may arise.

Alan Sabol, general manager at Bruisyard Hall, explains: “We look forward to welcoming couples, their friends and family to Bruisyard Hall’s unspoilt corner of the Suffolk countryside. Our open day provides an opportunity for us to share the warmth and character that resonates from this magnificent estate as our guests mingle with suppliers and enjoy making plans for their special day.”

Robert Rous, owner of Bruisyard Hall, added: “Despite its grandeur, Bruisyard Hall is a cosy and welcoming ‘home from home’ for wedding parties to enjoy. Our family business is focused on customer satisfaction, so we offer a helpful, reliable and friendly service along with the privacy to relax and enjoy the facilities.”

Councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Communities Committee, said: “Major Arts Council England and European Regional Development Fund investment has enabled Norfolk County Council, in partnership with Suffolk County Council and the New Anglia LEP Cultural Board, to develop this ambitious and pioneering business development programme which will significantly strengthen our cultural sector, placing it at the heart of economic growth in the region. It is very exciting to see StartEast now fully underway and benefiting people across the region.”

StartEast supports creative sole traders, established SMEs and start-ups working in various art-form areas, such as performing arts, outdoor arts, dance, music and literature. It also supports technical roles in the sector such as, for example, stage management.

The initiative is enabling a step-change in the capacity, ambition, impact and economic contribution of our regional cultural sector which is one of the New Anglia LEP’s ten priority growth sectors. The programme is leveraging the strong partnerships already established between Norfolk and Suffolk’s cultural sectors – including 12 Arts Council England National portfolio organisations, the New Anglia LEP and other key growth sectors.

For further information about StartEast, please contact info@starteast.co.uk / 01473 295938 or visit: www.starteast.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

Pictures by Dominic Whiten

Bruisyard Hall is a magnificent 14th century stately home turned exclusive use country house. The stunning building and its barn are set in 700 acres of beautiful parkland and forest in the Suffolk countryside. Not far from Framlingham with easy access from the A12, Bruisyard Hall and Barn have been lovingly refurbished to a very high standard throughout. The Hall can accommodate up to 24 people in its 12 bedrooms – perfect for the bridal party. And with over 45 rooms, including a games room and attic bar, there’s no chance of getting under each other’s feet.

For more information please call 01728 639000 or visit: www.bruisyardhall.com

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ON THE GRAPEVINE

THE NEW WOLSEY THEATRE SPRING 2018 SEASON ON SALE NOW

This spring, the New Wolsey Theatre will present the premiere of Our Blue Heaven, a brand new musical in celebration of 40 years since Ipswich Town’s historic FA Cup Victory. The production runs from Friday 4 to Saturday, May 26.

With a hasty wedding, a first birth and missing tickets to contend with, will our mad-keen Ipswich fans make it to the final? Can the town navigate the frozen pitch at Bristol Rovers, the rioting Millwall supporters at the Den, dodgy refereeing at Villa Park and make it all the way to Wembley?

Created from the heart-warming memories of super blues fans themselves, with a live soundtrack of chart hits from ‘78, join Bobby and his Blue Army on this nostalgic trip down Wembley Way. The production opens at the theatre exactly 40 years on from the win – a moment when Ipswich united to celebrate success as the underdog and became victorious. With funding raised from the community and local businesses, this production will really be a show drawn from the local community, for the local community!

Next year will also see the New Wolsey Theatre collaborating again with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch to produce Patrick Hamilton’s Rope, running from Wednesday 7 to Saturday, March 17.

Based on a 1920’s real life case, this dark classic was filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1948 and remains to this day one of the most tightly coiled of thrillers. Chilling and spine-tinglingly gripping, this production will be coproduced with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, who last collaborated with the New Wolsey for the classic Ealing comedy The Ladykillers.

Nottingham Playhouse Theatre will produce the third Ramps on the Moon touring production. Our Country’s Good which will tour to Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield and London. The production will arrive in Ipswich from Wednesday, March 28 to Saturday, April 7. Both a comedy and powerful drama, Our Country’s Good tells the extraordinary true story of a group of convicts and a young officer who rehearse and perform a play – Australia’s first theatrical production. With opposition from the officers and a leading lady who may be hanged, the odds are stacked against them. For more information visit: www.rampsonthemoon.co.uk The New Wolsey Theatre and fingersmiths co-produce John Godber’s awardwinning comedy Up ‘n’ Under. The Wheatsheaf Arms amateur rugby league team have never won a game. They don’t have enough players and they have no kit. Can Arthur, our hero, coach them to beat the mighty Cobblers Arms in the cup final? The production, showing from Wednesday 7 to Saturday, February 10, will be given a fingersmiths’ spin featuring a cast of Deaf and hearing actors using British Sign Language and spoken English.

Oliver Award-nominated actress Josette Bushell-Mingo mixes story and song as she draws together tales from the life of Nina Simone and her own

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extraordinary career from Tuesday 20 Thursday, February 22 with Nina – A Story About Me and Nina Simone.

Snapdragon Productions and The Watermill Theatre present an awardwinning, punchy new musical that race through the dark and damaged world of post-war London: a brand new Britain bombed to bits by the Blitz, belts tight with austerity, but ripe and ready for revolution with Teddy from Monday 19 to Saturday, March 24.

Mark Goucher and David Ian present a Cheltenham Everyman Theatre production Quartet. A charming tale of four ageing opera singers, this brandnew revival of the bitter-sweet comedy Quartet, from Oscar-winning writer Sir Ronald Harwood and directed by the New Wolsey Theatre’s Artistic Director Peter Rowe, will run from Monday, February 26 to Saturday, March 3.

A collaboration from Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Selladoor Productions will mark the 80th anniversary of the Kindertransport and 25 years since the play was written by Diana Samuels.

This deeply moving and timely modern classic will take to the New Wolsey Theatre stage from Tuesday 17 to Saturday, April 21 as a part of its National Tour in 2018.

From Tuesday 24 to Saturday, April 28, English Touring Theatre Company will return following the success of Silver Lining and Rules For Living in 2017, with a bold revival of Tennessee Williams’ timeless masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire. Stanley Kowalski’s entire way of life is threatened by the arrival of his anxious, seductive and fiercely clever sister-in-law Blanche. This raging portrayal explores what is means to be an outsider, in a society where we’re all desperate to belong.

Performances for children and families include: M6 Theatre with Mike Kenny’s A Tiger’s Tale; an interactive performance with Little Howard’s Big Show for Kids; one for all the family with Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show featuring vortex generating dustbins, vanishing bears and exploding Pringles tubes; Kid Carpet return with Noisy Holiday; a performance from the characters of the BAFTA Award-winning CBeebies show with Sarah and Duck; an adaption of the popular children’s book Captain Flinn and the Magic Cutlass; and Full House Theatre with a story based around Edward Lear’s poem The Owl and The Pussycat.

There will also be plenty of music and comedy to entertain throughout the season. Appearances include The Magic Flute, Duke’s Comedy Club, A Salute to Sinatra and the Swing Legends, Graffiti Classics; Judy and Liza, Dad’s Army Radio Show, This Is Going to Hurt (The Secret Diary of a Junior Doctor) and the return of Si Cranstoun with Twisting the Night Away.

Tickets at the New Wolsey Theatre are on sale now and can be booked by calling 01473 295900 or online at: www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

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CHURCH NEWS STOWMARKET GOSPEL HALL

All welcome to our Messy Church Service on Sunday, January 7.

I hope you have all has good Christmas and are all ready for a New Year.

I’m going to have to start the New Year with a confession. If you were impressed at the look of the Gospel Hall in the picture last month, I have to admit the picture was actually of somewhere else. So, to correct that, I’m making sure that you have the right picture this month. As you will see, it is a comfortable looking hall, though we often use our back hall for meetings because it feels cosier when there aren’t many of us. One thing you can be sure of is a very warm welcome, whether in the main or the back hall. With a new year with us, a good resolution for you would be to come and join us praising God and listening to a message from the Bible. Sunday meetings are at 6.30pm, except on January 14 which is a Family Service at 4pm.

This month’s theme is Stairway to Heaven and we will be making Curly Wurly ladder cakes, pillows into pillars, painting large pebbles, making a giant ladder and decorating an angel with a prayer to send to God. If this sounds like fun, then come along and join us. The service starts at 11am with tea, coffee and bacon rolls served from 10.45am.

For the children we have Trailblazers on Saturday, January 13, and Friday Club for Year 5 and above every Friday at 6.45pm.

To check up on the times and other details, please visit: www.stowmarketgospelhall.org.uk

THE SALVATION ARMY Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket

Could you volunteer to listen to children read in school?

Start the New Year with us

Why not become a

Schoolreader?

Who are we?

We provide volunteers to give one-to-one reading practice to children in their primary schools.

No qualifications are necessary to be a volunteer, just a good command of English and a bit of spare time each week. Schoolreaders will match you to an appropriate local school. Volunteers say the experience is incredibly rewarding.

We are a charity, so there is no charge to either schools or volunteers.

Join us - you can make a real difference to a child’s life!

To find out more, please telephone 01234 924 111 or visit our website, www.schoolreaders.org Registered Charity: 1159157 P0003

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www.schoolreaders.org

Sunday, January 7 Wednesday, January 10

Services at 11am & 5.30pm Live Lounge at Costa at 7.30pm

Sunday, January 14

Service at 11am Messy Church at 4pm

Sunday, January 21

Exchange of Pulpit at 11am United Church Service at Methodist Church, 6pm

Sunday, January 28

Sunday School Prize Giving at 11am Café Church at 4pm

Sunday, February 4

Services at 11am & 5.30pm

Wednesday, February 7

Live Lounge at Costa at 7.30pm

Sunday, February 11

Service at 11am Messy Church at 4pm

Sunday, February 18

Anniversary Celebrations at 11am & 5.30pm

WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays

First Steps Parent & Toddler Group, 9.30am

Tuesdays

CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) at 10am

Over Sixties Club at 2pm

Wednesdays

Kidz Club (ages five plus) at 5.45pm Live Lounge at Costa Coffee at 7.30pm (first Wed)

Fridays

Café of the Rec from 7-9.30pm

Saturdays

Coffee Morning from 10am-noon

We have interesting and varied activities during the week, and well attended Sunday Services. For more information, please ring Jenny: 01449 614133.

In Touch online:

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To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

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ELECTRICAL Tel/Fax: 01449 612537 Your local electrical service contractor for expert advice

• Rewiring • New Installation • Testing and Repair Work • Supplier of Electrical Equipment Unit 5, Glebe Farm, Onehouse, Stowmarket

John Bull motors ltd Petrol and diesel MOT Testing Servicing, repairs & diagnostics

Unit 7B, Charles Ind. Estate, Stowmarket

Tel: 01449 774150 Fax: 01449 675898 johnbullmotors@btconnect.com

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YOU GROW IT I’LL MOW IT

GROUNDS & GARDEN MAINTENANCE We offer the following services all year round: Grass cutting • Garden clearance Fences & Gates • Patios & Paths Hedge Cutting • Tree Cutting Sheds • Summer Houses Digger & Dumper work

For a free quotation please call Nigel Coton 01449 721025 or 07801 515505

To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

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In Touch online:

S J Wallace Builders Ltd Est. 1987

Specialising in Extensions, Kitchens & General Building Residential and Commercial Visit our website at

www.sjwallacebuilders.co.uk Tel: 01449 672997 Mobile: 07788 560482 FREE ESTIMATES

SAXON MONUMENTAL CRAFT Best quality memorials, pet stones and marble for fireplaces Contact Sally Nice on: 01284 754512 / 01284 735797 07799 376105 (mobile) sallynice@hotmail.co.uk 55 St Andrews Street North, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1TZ

STOWE SCHOOL OF DANCE RAD Ballet, ISTD Ballet,

ISTD Modern, ISTD Tap For enquiries please contact

Fiona Drew on 01449 616623.

RAD TeAching DiplomA, AiSTD

To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

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