In Touch
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with Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market
Volume 6 • Issue No. 3 • JANUARY 2019
Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Paula Irvine
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09/05/2018 16:33
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Recently I spent time with an friend who is caring for her elderly dad. Sarah is exhausted, sad, stressed and worried, worn out from sleeping on chairs next to her dad’s hospital bed. She talked about the ongoing struggle to get the support they both need, the ever-changing nature of her dad’s condition and her fears for the future, but also of the people she calls ‘Angels’ who she has encountered along this difficult journey. These ‘Angels’ are few in number, but they stand out because they are so remarkable. One she particularly remembers is Sam. He operates the overnight tea trolley in A&E at their local hospital. A&E is never a pleasant place to be, particularly so at 3am, but when Sam arrived, pushing his tea trolley quietly so as not to disturb or agitate patients, my friend was amazed by his smile and the gentle manner in which he approached people. She watched him make his away around the room and was astonished by the effect he had. People returned his smile, grateful to have a hot drink and to chat for a moment to someone who actually looked happy to be there.
NEEDHAM MARKET & DISTRICT ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Congratulations and thanks to everyone throughout our communities who supported the 2018 Poppy Appeal. Your generous contributions amounted to: Needham Market £2,519, Creeting St Mary £1,210, Creeting St Peter £160, Akenham £111, Baylham £341, Special Events £2,956. This makes a new record total for our area of £7,296. It
As he approached, my friend prepared herself to speak for her dad, but Sam spoke directly to him. He said: “I have a cup of tea for you and something tells me you’d like it with sugar.” Her dad hadn’t said a word for hours, but to Sarah’s surprise he replied and he and Sam had a brief chat. When Sam departed with a smile and a wave, Sarah’s dad continued to chat into the morning. This one brief encounter had lifted his spirits and for a short time Sarah and her dad chatted about all and sundry. For this Sarah will forever be grateful to the ‘Angel’ with the tea trolley. I share this story because it has had such an impact on me. I have never been, and will never be, an ‘Angel’. I try to be positive, I really do, but it doesn’t come to me naturally. If I had to push a tea trolley around A&E at 3am I’d be more likely to leave a trail of despair. I dread to think what my work colleagues might have to say! When I’m feeling sorry for myself I think of Sam and my friend’s tears as she recalled her all to brief encounter with him. January is a difficult month for many people for many different reasons. Do you have the capacity to be an ‘Angel’ in someone’s life for a brief moment? I hope I do!
InTouch
Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market
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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 Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.
We also publish In Touch with... •B eyton, 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 •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge
was most impressive to note the enthusiasm, knowledge and commitment of both schools. In addition to decorating their school with poppies, pupils at St Mary’s CEVAP School in Creeting St Mary visited the six War Graves in their church as part of the Suffolk Remembers county-wide initiative. A similar quiet memory was held at the one War Grave in Creeting St Peter. (There are no First World War Graves in Needham Market)
Children from Bosmere CP School in Needham Market attended a Commemoration Service at the Millennium Memorial which they had decorated with a frieze of 49 soldier silhouettes (one for every name on the war memorial) that they had made in collaboration with students at West Suffolk College. On Remembrance Sunday a dozen soldiers from 662 Squadron Army Air Corps and 18 Cadets from the Army Cadet Force Detachment affiliated with Needham Market Branch of the Royal British Legion, led the procession to the Civic Service of Commemoration held in the community centre. More than 380 members of the public attended this service. We even ran out of chairs! Deputy Lieutenant Sam Wilson represented Clare, Countess Euston, the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, at the service. Thank you and congratulations to everyone involved. The commitment of all communities in our area to Remembrance and the Centenary of the 1918 Armistice which brought the tragedy of the First World War to an end was deeply felt. Chairman Peter Down
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NEWS MID SUFFOLK SUBMITS PLANS FOR NEW HOMES, RETAIL AND LIBRARY IN NEEDHAM MARKET houses and eight flats on the site, while retaining the existing Victorian building and converting it into a library for the use of Suffolk Libraries, who currently operate a library on the site. The plans would see the new library in the Victorian building open and operating before the current library building is demolished. In total the proposals include the following on the former office site: 33 two-bedroom houses; 13 three-bedroom houses; three four-bedroom houses; four one-bedroom apartments; five two-bedroom apartments; three three-bedroom apartments Mid Suffolk District Council has submitted plans for the future of their former offices in Needham Market and for the former Needham Market Middle School, including 135 new homes, a library and a new retail outlet. The plans have been submitted as two planning applications, one for the former office site (including the Hurstlea Road car park) and one for the former middle school site. Both are validated and available on the council’s planning pages. The first, for the former office site, proposes 49 houses and 12 apartments on the former office site off High Street, as well as 15 houses, eight apartments and a single retail outlet on the former office car park on Hurstlea Road. The listed building on the site, facing the High Street, will be retained and converted back to its original (residential) use, allowing restoration of surviving period details, character and the provision of quality residential accommodation. This building is proposed to house apartments as part of the plans. In addition, the historic bowling green behind the listed building will be maintained as a shared amenity space for residents of the development. The plans include 20 car parking spaces for public use, in addition to 25 spaces for use with the retail outlet. This is in addition to private parking for residents. Vehicle access to the site would continue to be via Hurstlea Road, as was the case when the offices were operational. Far greater pedestrian access is included in the plans. As part of the proposals, the existing duck pond and surrounding open space would be retained, with landscaping works and improved access for the public included. As many trees as possible are to be retained on the site, with the proposals also including a scheme of new planting to ensure there is no net loss of trees. Existing memorial trees will be retained but may be relocated within the site. Existing public recycling facilities, currently located in the Hurstlea Road car park, will also be retained at another location on the site. The second application, for the former Middle School site, proposes 33
While the proposals for the former car park on Hurstlea Road include: 10 two-bedroom houses; five three-bedroom houses; nine one-bedroom apartments; nine two-bedroom apartments; one retail outlet And the housing on the former Middle School site consists of: 22 two-bedroom houses; 11 three-bedroom houses; six one-bedroom flats; two two-bedroom flats The proposals were drawn up by Purcell Architects following public consultation earlier this year. The planning application follows closely behind the submission of plans by Mid Suffolk District Council for the former Needham Market Middle School site on School Street, where 41 dwellings are proposed including a mix of two and three bedroom units and one and two bedroom flats. In total across the two sites Mid Suffolk propose to build 135 new homes in Needham Market, of which 51 would be affordable housing, including 28 for affordable rent and 23 offered for affordable home ownership. Mid Suffolk are also looking to assist in enhancing Needham Market Community Centre, with a contribution to support a new home for the Community Internet Café incorporated within an extension, subject to planning, of the community centre. Councillor Nick Gowrley, Mid Suffolk District Council’s Cabinet Member for Assets and Investment, said: “We’ve always been determined to leave our former office site empty for as little time as possible, and this planning application is the next step to bringing the site back into use. “By offering residential and retail units, as well as retaining the listed buildings, we can secure the future of the site and see it develop into a key part of the town centre. Along with the affordable housing, library and community facilities on the former Middle School site, these applications could help Needham thrive for years to come.” The proposals will now be considered by Mid Suffolk District Council’s Planning Officers before going to one of Mid Suffolk’s Development Control Committees in the new year.
bRAVO! THEATRE WORKSHOPS Our second festive turn was at Helmingham Hall on December 2 (pictured). We were contacted earlier this year and asked to sing carols at their winter market and illuminated garden trail. Again, it was a huge success and they have asked us to come back next year. We also did carol singing at Stonham Barns on Wednesday, December 19, a festive, fun night out organised by That’s Entertainment, one of their on-site shops.
The children had a busy few weeks preparing for Christmas with our annual variety show on December 14/15 and singing with Samantha Harvey at the Christmas Lights Switch-on in Stowmarket on Friday, November 23. What an honour it was to be on stage with such a star; the children loved it and so did the audience.
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We’ve had fantastic LAMDA results this year thanks to all the students’ hard work. We’re also very proud of two of our students, Noah Sparkes and Eleni South, who were chosen from over 70 children to perform in The Sound of Music with Bury Operatic Society this year. If you would like to join in the fun, we meet every Friday evening at The Boys Brigade Hall, Combs Lane, Stowmarket. For more details, please contact Anna at bravotw@hotmail.com or visit: www.bravotheatreworkshops.co.uk.
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NEWS REPORT FROM KEITH WELHAM
District Councillor for Creeting St Peter and Stowupland Financial Monitoring The half yearly financial monitoring report was discussed by MSDC Cabinet in November. The general fund has a number of significant underspends and some overspends. There is, also, currently an overspend on the housing revenue account which will need to be considered when planning expenditure for the rest of the current financial year. MSDC Performance Outcome Report A review of the performance of MSDC against targets for the various services provided is being considered at the December Cabinet meeting. Many of the targets are new and it is not yet possible to measure performance against them. One target which is not being met, and was not met last year, is the provision of facilities for disabled people to enable them to remain living at home safely. Only around £70,000 of a budget of £400,000 has been spent in the first half of 2018/19. This is particularly worrying; if people are not given the adaptions they need, they could end up in hospital or a care home solely because their home is unsuitable for their needs – or because they have been injured in a fall which could have been avoided. Babergh and Mid Suffolk Building Services (BMBS) Concern has been expressed in the past about the business plan agreed at the time that the BMBS housing repair service was set up. The service was found to be insufficiently resourced and the plan not fit for purpose. New staff were recruited some time ago and a new business plan has been developed and agreed by Cabinet. BMBS continue to deal with responsive repairs and planned maintenance works to all the council homes across both districts. The improvement in the management of the service has seen a reduction in the time that a council home has been unoccupied, cut by around 50 per cent from a year ago, and is now consistently down to less than three weeks. Five-year land supply for new housing and the joint local plan Staff continue to work to establish that MSDC has a five-year supply of land ready for new housing. The new Joint Local Plan is still being worked on and the draft document should be ready for consideration at the council meeting on January 24. This will set out the preferred strategic policies and site allocations to guide the development of both Babergh and Mid Suffolk. The next step will be public consultation on the plan. Poundfield Products, Grove Farm, Creeting St Peter Poundfield Products have applied for a Certificate of Lawfulness for Existing
Use. The company are asking MSDC to allow their working hours to be extended on the basis that they have been operating from 6am for a period of many years despite their planning permission restricting their hours to a start time no earlier than 8am. I attended an Extraordinary Meeting of Creeting St Peter Parish Council recently and the general consensus is that there have been a number of occasions when operations commenced before 8am; from time to time over a number of years MSDC have been informed when this has been occurring and start times have reverted back to 8am. MSDC have been asked to check their records of complaints regarding the operation of the site and of any enforcement action taken, any warnings given or notices served. Redevelopment of the former MSDC HQ site and middle school site Planning applications showing the proposals for these sites are currently being consulted upon and a decision should be made on each early in 2019. Together they will provide 135 new homes of which 41 will be for affordable rent or shared equity. This is planned to be a high-quality development of energy efficient homes. A new retail store is also planned for part of the former public car park site in Hurstlea Road. Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) MSDC is planning to finance two PCSO posts to carry out parking enforcement and other duties around Mid Suffolk. The main reason for taking this action is the delay in bringing in a countywide parking enforcement scheme. The legislation required continues to be held up due to the parliamentary time taken up discussing Brexit. Suffolk Citizens Advice Suffolk County Council had announced that they were going to remove all the funding they provide to Citizens Advice by way of an annual grant. Fortunately, they relented and decided that the grant will be reduced by 50 per cent for 2019/20 and withdrawn completely from 31 March 2020. I hope that MSDC will provide some financial support for this vital service, especially as Universal Credit will add considerably to their workload. It is disappointing that the SCC grant is being reduced when the workload of the service is on the increase; any reduction in the service will impact most on the least well-off and least able to access services. Keith Welham: keith.welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 673185
MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Submitted on December 5 Environment strategy for Mid Suffolk The Environment Panel met again on Wednesday, November 21. The recommendation from the panel to Mid Suffolk’s Cabinet is that consultants are appointed, who in fact don’t even have environmental expertise, at a cost of between £10,000 and £15,000 to put together an environment strategy for Mid Suffolk which will be used to influence all aspects of the council’s work. Numerous other councils have produced environmental strategies; there were examples at the panel meeting – no point in reinventing the wheel. Two of us did not agree with these consultants being appointed, but there should be capacity within the council for their own officers to do it – or at least not consultants with no environmental expertise. Crime and community safety There was also a member briefing at Endeavour House on crime and community safety on Wednesday 21. The facilitator was Mid Suffolk’s Corporate Manager for Safe & Strong Communities. The three biggest things of concern are County Lines, Street Gangs and violence against women and girls (also men and boys). Of these, County Lines is the biggest threat, with drug gangs recruiting young people, making use of the homes of vulnerable people and moving out from the big cities to other areas – ruining people’s lives. More work is being put into dealing with this problem. Old People’s Fayre Wendy attended the fayre at Needham Market Community Centre on Friday,
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November 30. Our Member of Parliament Jo Churchill also attended. There were numerous stalls offering excellent advice to help the elderly including safety advice for senior consumers, how to avoid scams, information about Cedrus Care Home in Stowmarket, health walks, the CAB with advice about saving energy, the Stroke Association, Dawn and Jan telling us about the knitting and Meet Up Tuesday at the Community Café, and many others. This was an excellent event to help the elderly. Corporate parenting Presented by Suffolk County Council Officers at Endeavour House on November 30. Corporate parenting is essentially the responsibility of the county council, but district councillors are very much encouraged to attend (there are to be repeat events at Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft), because the district council is responsible for housing, and sometimes care leavers may require housing which the district Ccouncil might be able to provide. The number of children in care has been increasing in recent years. Bosmere School There was a productive meeting at Bosmere School on November 30 to discuss issues relating to Bosmere School and the Middle School site, with representatives from the town, district and county council and from Bosmere School. Mid Suffolk District Councillors Mike Norris: mike.norris@midsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 720871 Wendy Marchant: wendy.marchant@midsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 720965
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NEWS CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFE LINE On December 9 we collected our Christmas group from Gatwick Airport. The children in this group have never left their home villages before so not only was the trip to the UK a first time experience, but so will Christmas in the UK. In Belarus, Christmas Day is celebrated on January 7 and the usual gift for a child would be a packet of sweets, nothing like the celebrations we have here. After the children return home at the end of the month, three of us will accompany them back to Belarus for our Father Frost Christmas Stocking Program. We have had the most fantastic response to our appeal and will be delivering in the region of 300 Christmas stockings to needy children. During the nine-day trip we will visit many villages and outlying areas, and hold a party for 28 children who will be bused in as they are too far away for us to travel to. We will visit two Social Shelters, a cross between an orphanage and a foster home. We will also be visiting the Children’s Cancer Hospital in Minsk and the pediatric wards of two general hospitals. 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, enabling us to take this many presents to the children. We are now looking towards the summer group visit and would ask anyone interested in hosting to get in touch now as we have to start processing the invitation to the authorities in Belarus by January 2019. The children will be with us for four weeks from June 30 to July 28. 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 and families may or may not still have their own children at home. Hosts are able to follow their own occupation/interests as the children meet at least four days a week at our day centre from 8.30am to 4.30pm and helpers are on hand to collect or look after children at other times if needed. 2019 will see two of our major fundraising events, Pig Racing (not on a screen) at Stowmarket Football Club in March and in April our Easter Chocolate Bingo in Needham Market. 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 2019 bring you everything you wish for. Link Chair Elizabeth Parker: 01449 760343 / enquiries@ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk www.ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk
DO YOU ENJOY A GAME OF BADMINTON? Would you like to start playing? Come and join our friendly groups on Monday and Thursday mornings from 10am to noon at Needham Market Community Centre. We welcome brilliant players, not such brilliant players, and beginners. We look forward to seeing you. Contact Sheila Norris for more details: 01449 720871 / sheila_norris@hotmail.co.uk
STOWMARKET AND NEEDHAM MARKET LIBRARY UPDATE Both libraries will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, but open as usual otherwise during the festive period (the libraries are closed on Mondays anyway) so if you didn’t get the book or DVD you wanted for Christmas why not come in and borrow it? Stowmarket Library’s next big event is on Wednesday, February 13 when it hosts a Sutton Hoo roadshow. There will be a talk for adults from 11am-noon and a family roadshow and activities for children from 10.30am to 2.30pm with a chance to see and handle amazing artefacts and replicas from Sutton Hoo and learn all about the site and its current development. Stowmarket Library will also soon be hosting a new Visitor Information Point (VIP) so local people and tourists can access more information about the local area. If you need any more info about this please visit: www.babergh.gov.uk/news/councils-to-support-new-visitor-informationpoint-network (https://tinyurl.com/y9pc6d5l) If you’re part of a local group or charity and are looking for a meeting room or other facilities, Stowmarket Library also has two small meeting rooms with capacity for up to 12 people, as well as the option of using the library for events out of hours. There is a projector and Wi-Fi and facilities to make refreshments. The cost is £5 per hour for community, charity and private bookings and £7.50 per hour for commercial and statutory bookings. If you’re interested, visit the Stowmarket Library web page or call the library on 01449 700549.
LET RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY – FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS In one of my articles a few months ago, I looked at the various statutory requirements that apply to the paperwork and other documents that must be put in place when a residential property is let by a landlord to a tenant. Residential properties that are let in this way are subject to relevant five safety legislation.
Where property is let with gas appliances, those gas appliances must comply with the relevant rules and regulations, and must be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, or annually. There must be a gas safety check annually on each gas appliance and flue. There are further requirements that apply, in that a record of gas safety checks must be kept for at least two years, and a copy given to the tenant within 28 days of the checks having been completed.
All landlords of residential properties must ensure that a smoke alarm is installed on each storey of the property which is used wholly or partly as living accommodation. A carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in any room that is used and contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance.
Any electrical equipment supplied by the landlord must meet the stated requirements for the safety of domestic products – and equipment must be marked with the CE symbol.
Often, a property will be let unfurnished. However, where property is let with furnished items, those items must meet the fire resistant standards that apply. In general, these regulations will apply to all persons who supply furniture and furnishings with accommodation. A landlord must ensure that any furniture complies – the evidence for which will usually be the label inserted on it by the manufacturer.
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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE
THE REGAL IN JANUARY
Christmas Clear Up Did you know that Suffolk Councils collect an extra 12 per cent rubbish and recycling in January compared to other months? This equates to 2,000 extra tonnes of rubbish! You can minimise your post-Christmas environmental impact by taking a few simple steps.
The weather may be awful, but it’s definitely worth putting down that mince pie, putting on your winter coat and paying us a visit as we’ve got some fantastic films on screen over the festive period and into the New Year. Mary Poppins Returns: starring Emily Blunt, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep and Dick Van Dyke. Decades after her original visit, the magical nanny returns to help the Banks siblings and Michael’s children through a difficult time in their lives.
Remember to recycle your plastic, paper, cardboard, tins and cans in your recycling bin at home. If you find yourself with unwanted gifts, or old items which have been replaced for Christmas, donate them to your local charity shops or reuse containers at your local recycling centre. Please also make sure you dispose of your old electronic equipment and batteries correctly, either at your local supermarket or collection point, or your local recycling centre. You can find your nearest recycling centre at: www.greensuffolk.org/recycling/HWRC
Ralph Breaks the Internet: voiced by John C Reilly, Sarah Silverman and Gal Gadot. Six years after the events of Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discover a Wi-Fi router in their arcade, leading them into a new adventure. Aquaman: starring Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman and Dolph Lundgren. Arthur Curry learns that he is the heir to the underwater kingdom of Atlantis, and must step forward to lead his people and be a hero to the world. The Old Man and the Gun: starring Robert Redford, Sissy Spacek, Tom Waits and Casey Affleck. Based on the true story of Forrest Tucker and his audacious escape from San Quentin at the age of 70 to an unprecedented string of heists that confounded authorities and enchanted the public.
Interested in having a look around the facility? In 2018, Suffolk’s energy-from-waste facility hosted over 1,280 visitors interested in finding out how we put the waste left after recycling to good use as a fuel to generate energy. As well as regular open days for local residents, we hosted 26 schools and colleges from around Suffolk and recently Suffolk’s High Sheriff. If you are interested in what happens to your waste here in Suffolk, we are hosting a series of open days in 2019 and we have spaces available on the following open days: January 16 at 2pm, February 5 at 6pm, March 15 at 10am, April 2 at 6pm and May 27 at 2pm.
Holmes and Watson: starring Will Ferrell, John C Reilly, Kelly Macdonald and Ralph Fiennes. A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
Alternatively, we host tours on weekdays for groups of five to ten people (the minimum age for visitors is seven years old), so why not get a group together and arrange a tour? Pre-booking is essential: suffolkefw.uk@suez.com / 01473 836149 If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact the facility: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910
DEMENTIA Together Call Free 08081 688 000 Information and support for people who are curious, concerned about or living with dementia, their carers, and health and social care professionals in Suffolk.
email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com Mon to Fri: 9am - 6pm / Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays: 10am - 4pm
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Creed 2: starring Michael B Johnson, Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson. Under the tutelage of Rocky Balboa, heavyweight contender Adonis Creed faces off against Viktor Drago, son of Ivan Drago. Mortal Engines: starring Hera Hilmar, Hugo Weaving and Robert Sheehan. A mysterious young woman named Hester Shaw joins forces with Anna Fang, a dangerous outlaw with a bounty on her head, and Tom Natsworthy, an outcast from London, to lead a rebellion against a giant predator city on wheels. The Favourite: starring Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. In early 18th century England, a frail Queen Anne occupies the throne and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead. When a new servant Abigail arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Bumblebee: starring Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena and Justin Theroux. On the run in the year of 1987, Bumblebee finds refuge in a junkyard in a small Californian beach town. Charlie, on the cusp of turning 18 and trying to find her place in the world, discovers Bumblebee, battle-scarred and broken. We’ve got some brilliant Event Cinema on screen during January, with an encore screening of The King and I from the London Palladium, Andre Rieu’s New Year Concert from Sydney and The National Theatre’s The Tragedy of Richard Second. www.regalstowmarket.co.uk
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NEWS STOWE SCHOOL OF DANCE 2018 was an extremely busy and successful year for all pupils at Stowe School of Dance. Over the course of the year pupils were given the opportunity to take Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) demonstration classes, class awards and examinations at both graded and vocational levels, achieving excellent results. Pictured are some of the school’s vocational students on their examination day at DanceEast. Owing to the diverse system of examinations and assessments that the RAD offers to its registered teachers, the school’s pupils from as young as three up to adulthood and into retirement can all gain a sense of achievement. The fact that Dame Darcy Bussell’s signature is on all the certificates is an added bonus. In addition to RAD ballet examinations, Stowe School of Dance also offers Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD) modern theatre and tap examinations, including the adult popular tap tests and in March 2018 gained 100 per cent success with most pupils achieving merits and distinctions. In November 2018 the school were invited to perform at The Regal Theatre, Stowmarket as part of the Royal British Legion’s Remembrance Festival where they performed an historic tour through 100 years of dance to commemorate the end of the First World War. Over 50 pupils took part receiving amazing positive reviews. Stowe School of Dance’s classes are held in the United Reformed Church, Stowmarket. It offers classes for children in ballet (from two-and-a-half years), modern theatre (from four years) and tap (from four years) up to vocational level and classes for adults in ballet and tap. As well as examinations, all pupils are given the opportunity to perform at the school’s biennial show. Therefore, whether pupils are dancing for fun or want a career in dance Stowe School of Dance has something to offer everyone. For more information please contact Miss Fiona Drew, Registered Teacher of the RAD, RAD Teaching Diploma, AISTD, DDE (Imperial Ballet, Tap Dancing and Modern Theatre)) at 01449 616623 / fionajdrew@hotmail.co.uk or private message via the school’s Facebook page.
NEEDHAM MARKET SOCIETY Way back at our November Meeting, Mark Mitchel’s talk on the Cretingham Murder kept us all on the edge of our seats! He is a wonderful storyteller and kept us riveted with the details (dubious!) of this real-death event in late Victorian era. Was the Vicar murdered by his wife? Or the curate? Or was it suicide? Were the two younger people having an affair? All very strange – and some of us are still puzzling over the details! On Wednesday, January 23, Mike Garland presents a talk on the English Morris Dance tradition entitled Mr Kemp Was Passing By. Our meetings are held at 7.30pm in the Burton Room at Needham Market Community Centre. Visitors are always welcome (£3 entrance fee). Membership for the NMS year ending in September 2019 is £7.50. New members are always welcome. For further details please contact Andrea Davies: 01449 721056
PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY FOR SODS’ SPRING PLAY With the panto season for SODS over, we are now looking forward to spring and our production of Last Tango in Whitby. Written by Mike Hardy, this play tells the story of the annual trip of a group of mainly senior citizens who spend a weekend in a hotel in Whitby. They all seem to be good friends who have been regularly enjoying this trip for a few years. However, this year is tinged with sadness as Pat is recently widowed and trying to make the best of the weekend. Pat’s weekend takes an unexpected turn when Cupid arrives in Whitby, but her friends are not too happy with the unfolding events. The play will be performed at The John Peel Centre from May 15-18. If you are interested in auditioning or finding out more about the production and about SODS, we will be holding pre-audition meetings on Tuesday, January 22 at the Boys Brigade Hall and on Thursday, January 24 at Earl Stonham Village Hall, with the main auditions on Sunday, January 27 at Red Gables, Stowmarket. It is advisable to attend both pre-auditions if possible. All are welcome!
STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE New Year – New Energy We hope you enjoyed your Christmas, have had time to relax and restore your energy levels and are ready for what the new year will bring. Why not start your business networking with our breakfast networking at The Mix in Stowmarket at 6.45am on Friday, January 18? Don’t forget our second business exhibition, MSBE2, on March 27 at The Mix. Have you booked a stand yet? Do you want to ensure you get a goody bag? Sign up as a visitor to make sure. To find out more and book online go to: https://msbe.biz
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For more information about SODS, please visit: www.stowmarketoperatic.org.uk
STOWMARKET RAMBLERS Sunday, January 6: 5 mile walk on the high ground above Barrow. Park with courtesy in Church Road, Barrow and meet near the post office at 10am / GR:TL760643. Leader: 01449 673131 Sunday, January 13: 5 mile walk to Stowupland and Creeting St. Peter. Park and meet at the Retreat car park in Thorney Green, Stowupland at 10am / GR:TM066599. Leader: 01449 771724 Sunday, January 20: 6 mile walk through Sproughton parks and riverside. Meet and park in Church Lane, Sproughton at 10.30am / GR:125450. Leader: 07919 350170 Sunday, January 27: 5 mile walk in the Nowton Park area, Bury St. Edmunds. Meet in the car park in Nowton Park at 10.30am / GR:TL865623. Leader: 07519 164931
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OUT & ABOUT HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SIMPLY BRASS Looking back, 2018 was another extremely successful year for Simply Brass. Playing at many local events including Gig at the Glad and Stowmarket Remembers, as well as our own gala concerts, and who could forget the extremely successful trip to Bandstand on the Beach as part of the Aldeburgh Festival of Music. We packed a lot in! Looking forward, 2019 isn’t going to be any quieter. We’ve already been invited back to Aldeburgh and have our first booking for Christmas 2019. We are also looking to strengthen our ranks. We have a few instruments needing owners to play them, particularly in the lower end, so if you fancy having a go at baritone, euphonium, trombone or even Eb bass why not start the New Year with a new challenge? We provide the music, uniform, tuition and instrument so all you need is enthusiasm (and £5 per month towards running costs). We’d love to hear from you so please don’t be shy. Contact us as simplybrassstowmarket@gmail.com or give our musical director, Ian Harvey, a call on 07738 752862. Wishing all our members, friends and supporters a very Happy New Year.
STOWMARKET CHORALE HOLDS AUDIENCE SPELLBOUND The Apex in Bury St Edmunds was packed to the rafters for Radio Suffolk’s Carol Concert on December 1 in aid of Children in Need. A varied programme included local choral society Stowmarket Chorale, a brass band, a children’s choir, readings and opportunities for the audience to sing along. Both audience and performers went away afterwards with happy smiles and in thoroughly festive mood, and had raised £3,000 for Children in Need. Stowmarket Chorale brought out all the emotion and drama of the popular 19th century French carol O Holy Night, and their music director, Tom Appleton, performed the solo melody in The Three Kings while his choir provided the serene and contemplative chorale tune interwoven with it. An exuberant version of Jingle Bells had the audience laughing along with the choir. Then in the second half came a change of gear. Silent Night was performed by Stowmarket Chorale with breathtaking poise, first hummed very, very quietly and then sung with feeling in both German and English before returning to the final, tiny humming. There were some 500 people in the hall, including children, but you could have heard a pin drop. The Chorale then showed it could let its hair down too and give the music some welly, as it belted out Slade’s Merry Christmas Everybody – but it still managed clear diction and some very well-controlled sudden pianissimos. Stowmarket Chorale showed off the full dynamic and stylistic range that can be achieved by this 60-strong choir under the leadership of Tom Appleton, its talented and charismatic new music director who was appointed less than four months ago. The next major concert by Stowmarket Chorale will be Brahms’ well-loved German Requiem at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket on March 30. Rehearsals start on January 9, 7.30-9.30pm at Chilton Primary School, Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket. New singers welcome. www.stowmarketchorale.org.uk
IPSWICH & DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Jane Riley, to our last meeting and particularly encouraged to hear that she is focussing on finding out more about smaller voluntary groups in the town – like us of course! She kindly presented the quilt which we raffled in aid of Light House at the Women’s Voices, Women’s Vote event to the winner – as it happened, our own newest member.
December meant a Christmas meal together. We exchanged greetings with our Friendship Clubs in France and Denmark. We share many concerns with them. This Christmas we sent a donation to Arras towards an event they are hosting on domestic violence. Naested has a long history of working for trafficked women and we recently organised a lunch in aid of a similar project set up by our club in Poole. Our meeting on January 9 has the odd title Knowing Me, Knowing You. For the benefit of new members, we are going to spend the evening introducing ourselves and explaining more fully what Soroptimism is all about. If you are interested why not come and listen in? Just phone our secretary Joyce on 01394 615659.
STOWUPLAND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Please note that the group does not meet in January. We look forward to the following talks in the earlier part of 2019. Wednesday, February 6: Medieval Drama by Dr Kate Jewell Dr Kate Jewell returns for her third talk to our group. Previously she has looked at mediaeval rituals and popular entertainment. Now she will be exploring drama in the Middle Ages, such as mystery plays. Ordinary folk used these performances to protest against injustice and to make social comments. Kate studied the performance of medieval plays in the area around Bury St Edmunds for her MA at the University of East Anglia. Wednesday, March 6: Gypsy Caravans by Geoffrey Kay The speaker has made a Reading type caravan. This illustrated lecture tells the personal story behind the research and the making – and the search for a suitable horse! Wednesday, April 3: Suffolk Cloth Industry by Dr Nicholas Amor South Suffolk villages such as Lavenham and Long Melford are well known as centres of wool production in the Middle Ages. The talk looks at the heyday of this local industry. Dr Nick Amor is chairman of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History and an honorary fellow of the University of East Anglia. He is author of Medieval Ipswich: Trade and Industry and From Wool to Cloth: The Triumph of the Suffolk Clothier. We meet at 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ. 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
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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB Jenni Baker of Harleston will present a demonstration entitled The Feminine Touch when we next meet at Woolpit Village Hall on Wednesday, February 27 at 7.30pm. New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details, contact Carla Firman: 01449 672719
GIPPING WOMEN’S CLUB We meet at 7.45pm on Tuesday evenings in term time at Needham Market Bowls Club, Crowley Park, Barretts Lane, Needham Market IP6 8BX where there is a large car park. We are a friendly club, with members from Needham Market and surrounding villages such as the Creetings. We always welcome new members to our meetings and events and you can phone beforehand or just turn up one Tuesday evening. We are trialling having no meetings in January so the New Year programme will restart on February 5 with Dotty Dominoes which will give us time for lots of chat as this will be an informal meeting. We had an excellent Christmas Dinner at The Crown in Stowupland. At our Christmas Party we created some decorations using decopatch with wrapping paper and wooden shapes. The varied and colourful results are pictured. At the bottom are three unused Santas, but I’m sure a grandchild will decorate those very soon. We wish you all a happy 2019. For information, please contact Stephanie Wiggins: 01449 723440
SUFFOLK PLANT HERITAGE EVENTS Saturday, January 26: All My Own Work – The Essex Garden of Lady Bing by Jan Michalak. Members free, guests £5.
ONE YEAR ENDS AND ANOTHER BEGINS At this time of year we look back on our achievements in 2018 and strengthen our plans for 2019. 2018 was a great year at Orchard Barn. We made steady progress at reinstating the mediaeval Suffolk timber-frame longhouse and have almost completed the shingle roofing of the additional craft room. We opened new vegetable beds and enjoyed excellent harvests from the polytunnel that was erected at the start of the year. This year we plan to make further improvements to the barn to grow the range of activities that we can offer. We will also increase the number and scope of courses that we provide. New volunteers joined us in 2018 and we hope to welcome more in 2019 to help with organic gardening, site maintenance and work in the woods, as well as administrative roles. If you would like to know more about volunteering, please contact Carole Brown, our volunteer co-ordinator: carole.orchardbarn@gmail.com We are looking forward to what promises to be an exciting and fulfilling year at Orchard Barn. We wish our supporters and all readers a very happy and healthy 2019. www.orchardbarn.org.uk
BURY ST EDMUNDS AND STOWMARKET
Saturday, February 23: Tales from a Norwegian Garden by Tommy Tonsberg. Members free, guests £5. Saturday, March 23: Special Event Bulbs for all Seasons by Anna Pavord. Members £8, guests £15. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Isobel Ashton: 01284 754993 All talks are held in Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ at 2.30pm.
This month we are hoping to rehome Marmaduke, a handsome semi-longhaired boy who is just over 18 months old. Unfortunately he has come into our care as he has been frightened by neighbouring cats. He is quite timid at the moment, but once he gains confidence he is very affectionate and loves fuss and attention. He will need time and patience to settle into a new home and we hope to find him one which doesn’t have many neighbouring cats. He has lived with a cat friendly dog and older children and is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. If you are interested in giving a home to Marmaduke or another cat in our care please ring 01449 674584. For more information visit our Facebook page or: www.cats.org.uk/bury-st-edmunds If your cat hasn’t been neutered and your circumstances mean that you need help towards the cost, please ring Margaret on 01284 851055 and leave a message. You call will be returned as soon as possible. Our admissions and lost & found number is 01449 615500.
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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB
STONHAM ASPAL PRIMARY SCHOOL
On November 12 Jamie Hall gave a talk entitled Lifting the Lid on How. James took us through his journey to being a photographer, right from the very first photograph he shot. It was an interesting, encouraging and enlightening evening enjoyed by our club members. We hope to invite Jamie back in the future to learn about his amazing worldwide photography experiences
Boys Football Tournament We travelled to Hartismere to attend the High Suffolk Boys Football Tournament on November 7. Stonham Aspal took three teams to this competition. Each team showed great team work, creativity and perseverance. Our A team did so well they won the whole tournament and were through to the regional play-off. All the teams shared their achievements in our celebration assembly and the A team showed the school their medals. Well done to all the teams and thank you to Mrs Corsie for organising the team, and Mrs Wright and Mrs Pritchard for helping on the day.
On November 26 we welcomed George Buxton to judge our OPEN 2 competition. He gave constructive comments and appropriate marks to the large number of prints and projected images entered with the highest mark given to several entries. NEXT MEETINGS Monday, January 14: People Pictures by David Steel DPAGB Monday, January 24: Tripod competition v Framlingham and Wymondham to be judged by Harold Mousley LRPS AFIAP Monday, February 11: Open Competition 3 to be judged by Mike Lloyd Monday, February 25: Earth & Skies by Barry Freeman ARPS DPAGB You don’t have to be an expert photographer to be welcomed as a member of the club. All you need is an interest in photography. Our aim is to encourage you to develop your interest and skills, as well as to provide a place to meet a range of friendly people who share your interest.
We’ve been very busy since our last entry as you will see below.
The regional play-off took place on Tuesday, November 27. The result of this game was a convincing 4-0 win to Stonham Aspal, which meant we qualified for the County Finals, a really impressive achievement. The County Finals took place on Friday, November 30. There were four games in their first section and Stonham finished second. This meant they qualified for the semi-finals. Unfortunately, they lost their semi-final game and ended up finishing fourth overall out of the 150 teams that originally entered the whole tournament! This is an incredible achievement and all the boys should feel very proud of how far they went and what they have been able to achieve. Well done to all involved. Remembrance
New members are always very welcome. All you need is a camera – any camera – and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, compacts and bridge cameras. Regular meetings 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 start arriving at around 7pm for a 7.30pm start. For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net
STOWMARKET BRIDGE CLUB Members played in a national simultaneous pairs competition held in support of Children in Need on November 9. Members pitted their bridge expertise against 840 pairs from 53 clubs throughout Britain. The top pair at the club was John Heath and Caro Hunt who came twenty-fifth nationally while the second pair, Jan Wynne and Jim Sawyer, came twenty-ninth. The competition raised £131. The club’s final match in the County Summer League for teams of eight (Division 1) was played on November 29. Stowmarket lost to Clare Bridge Club by 49 to 31, a better result than it looks considering that the Clare team contained members with county and national team experience. Stowmarket finished in fifth position in the league, a creditable result in view of the fact that the team was drawn from a wider pool of members than in previous years. The club welcomes visitors and new members. Times of play and venue can be found online, but if you need a partner or further information contact Arthur Winchester: 01449 612105 www.bridgewebs.stowmarket.co.uk
TUESDAY TOTS Calling all mothers, grans and carers! Come along to The Ark on King William Street on Tuesday mornings from 9.30-11am in term time for fun, crafts, songs and stories for your little ones. Only £1 per family to include refreshments.
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On Friday, November 10 we held our two-minute silence on the playground. Class 6 trumpeters led the silence by playing The Last Post. All the children respected the silence and understood the importance of the commemoration this year. An example of the class displays created as part of the commemoration is pictured with a photograph of the stunning church displays that our children contributed to. Poppy Appeal We raised £100.30. This is an incredible total. As a district we raised £447.08 which is impressive. These totals are amazing and I would like to thank all our community for supporting this great cause. Girls Football As winners of the tournament in October, the girls’ team went through to a regional play-off to see which team went through to the county finals. It was a close fought game which even after extra time was 0-0. This meant it went to penalties. It was still equal after five penalties so it went to sudden death. Sadly, at this point we lost. It was a great performance and the girls should all feel extremely proud! Children in Need 2018 This was an amazing day. The children all came to school looking incredibly ‘spotty’ and by donating to dress-up and selling cakes we raised £407.65 in aid of Children in Need, our largest total so far. It is just wonderful to be able to raise this much money for such a great cause. Thank you very much. Are you deciding which school you should send your child to? We think you would choose our school. We are extremely proud of what we achieve. We have been recognised by the diocese as Outstanding and by OFSTED as a Good School. We have also been recognised by the Department for Education for our excellent work with closing the gap in attainment for our vulnerable groups of children ensuring that all our children achieve good results. To find out more about our school please contact the school office on 01449 711346 or visit: www.stonhamaspal.suffolk.sch.uk
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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB As this drops onto your doormat we may well be in a fairly quiet spell at the club. Some of the regular activity takes a short break over Christmas and the New Year; Winter League pairs have a couple of weekends rest before embarking on the home run and the coaching program also rests, the last day being Saturday, December 22 with a return to action on Monday, January 7. So far we have been very lucky with the weather with conditions inside the dome more than comfortable once running around. I’ve issued a few starks warning though to prepare players for the depths of January and February when temperatures can dip below freezing inside the dome. Still, not a problem once we’re moving and the courts also remain absolutely dry which is the biggest bonus. The professionals are also on a break with the final event of the year, as usual, being the senior’s event from the Royal Albert Hall. Players such as Tim Henman, Pete Sampras, Pat Rafter and even older players like McEnroe, Leconte and Bjorkman show us how talented they are well into the later years. The players on the main ATP and WTA circuit will have a couple of warm-up events in Australia at the beginning of January ready for Australian Open. Temperatures on court can reach 40 degrees which makes our current weather even harder to tolerate. If you’re looking for ways to trim the ‘Christmas tummy’ then we have lots of ways to get you into fun tennis. There are hitting groups for men, ladies and juniors of all ages, plus the spectacular Disco Tennis every Saturday morning from 9-10am. Perfect for getting the weekend started with a bang and burning some calories while making new friends along the way. If you’d like any information about getting started get in touch with me. See you on court! Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham 07761 142372 / chris@chriscoaching.plus.com
CHRISTCHURCH, NEEDHAM MARKET Methodist/United Reformed Church, High Street, Needham Market IP6 8AP Ministers The Rev Mary Playford (URC): 01449 711798 The Rev Rita Carr (Methodist): 01449 612619 Sunday Morning Worship: 10.30am (including crèche and Sunday Club) Service of Holy Communion: Second Sunday Reverend Mary Playford In January Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service: Sunday, January 20, 10am at St John the Baptist Church WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH HALLS Tiddlers: For mums and babies up to four years, Monday from 9.30-11.15am in term time. Contact Victoria: 07725 037026 Scrabble Club: Monday from 2-4pm. New players please contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Knit for Peace: First Wednesday, 2.30-4pm. Contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Christians Together: 10am-noon. Contact Tony Leigh Pollitt: 01449 403105 Coffee Morning: Second Saturday, 10am-noon, always with a selection of cakes for sale. OTHER REGULAR BOOKINGS Weight Watchers: Saturday 8-10am Yoga: Monday 6.45-8.45pm / Wednesday 9.15-11.15am Moosical Moo: Sing, dance and play for 0-5s, Tuesday from 9.15am-noon in term time Osteo Stretch & Exercise: Tuesday 12.30-1.30pm Karate: Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm Karate: Wednesday 5.30-7.30pm (term time) Karate: Friday 6.30-8.30pm Rainbow Guides: Thursday 5.30-6.30pm (term time) Brownies: Thursday 6.30-7.30pm (term time)
CLAYDON & DISTRICT BADMINTON CLUB
Exercise Classes: Friday 9-10.30am HALL LETTINGS: There are spaces available for hire. To arrange a visit to view or for further information ring: 07851 742847 CHURCH CONTACT: Lindsey Gomez, 01449 722418 www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk
CHRISTMAS HOME WORSHIP Feeling full and ever so slightly guilty about the amount you have eaten over the festive season? Why not get back into badminton right on your doorstep here at Claydon High School. Claydon & District Badminton Club is a social badminton club which meets on Monday nights from 7-9pm during school term time in Claydon High School Sports Hall. Although we are a popular club we have some space and you would be very welcome. If you fancy a game you can have a free taster session. Come along to meet us and have a few games at the Sports Hall on any Monday night during school term – our season started in September and we’ll have a short break over Christmas, but start again in January. For more information visit our website www.claydonbadminton@wordpress.com or get in touch with C&DBC chairman Dik Langan: 01473 831692 / claydonbadminton@dnacomputing.co.uk
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We had a lovely Christmas Home Worship with the decorations up and the Mothers’ Union knitted nativity scene as a centre piece. The Rev Canon Diane Williams, our vicar at the Parish Church in Needham Market, lead the worship and we also sang some carols. The Rev Diane talked about the nativity story as it is related (or not) in the Gospels. St John begins with ‘The Word’ and nothing about the nativity; St Mathew gives a long family tree and tells us of the Wise Men. Mark beings with John the Baptist and also nothing about the nativity. St Luke tells about the shepherds. So we piece the story together. She had twelve Christmas Cards, each with a different poem on about the nativity as it might be seen from the eyes of different animals – and a different picture on each of these animals. So we focused on the lovely story of the ‘incarnation’ and how God became man and dwelt among us. Our next Home Worship is at 10am on Monday, January 7 at 137 High Street, Needham Market, when someone from The Children’s Society will tell us about their work. Wendy Marchant
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CHURCH NEWS NEEDHAM MARKET EVANGELICAL CHURCH THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH We hear a lot these days about people, especially elderly people, being lonely. It’s not good to be lonely. We were created to enjoy human companionship. After God created Adam he said: “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
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One of the reasons for human loneliness today is the mobility of sons and daughters who not only move out of the parental home, but move away for reasons of marriage, career or simply the unaffordability of property where they grew up. No longer are they just round the corner and able to pop in and see mum and dad. Another reason is that church attendance has fallen below most people’s radar and nothing has replaced it as a regular meeting place. Perhaps if you are lonely, or know someone who is, this might be something you would like to think about or suggest. I know that at our church new people will find a warm welcome, and I hope that would be true wherever they go. Peter Kinley REGULAR MEETINGS Sunday Services: 10.30am and 6.30pm Bible Study and Prayer Meeting: Tuesdays at 7.30pm For further information, if you require transport, or you would like a home visit, please contact Peter: 01394 271645 / 07570 558072 / peterkinley60@gmail.com www.needhamchurch.org.uk
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, NEEDHAM MARKET By the time you read this Christmas will be over and we will be into the New Year and wondering what that will bring! However at the time of writing we are still looking forward to Christmas and all that it brings. As a church we have had quite a year with nine months of work on the repair of the roof and our mobile services. We’ve been back in our church since September and it has been a busy three months, what with getting back into our normal routines and preparing for a few events leading up to Christmas At the end of November we held our Christmas Fair and coffee morning at the community centre, which was very successful. We had several stalls including a bottle tombola, which is always successful, bric-a-brac, toiletries, a Christmas raffle and even a produce stall. There were several stalls where you could try your luck at, like how many sweets were in the jar and how many tea bags in a teapot. Of course we also had refreshments where you could get a slice of cake or a mince pie along with your chosen beverage. We were entertained during the morning by the young people of Simply Brass playing carols and Christmas music on the stage. Thank you if you came along and joined in the fun, we raised more than £1,000 for our church funds. The town’s street fayre at the beginning of December saw the church open to many visitors. Refreshments were served and we had a great time chatting to those who came in and gave us a look. At the end of the afternoon we welcomed back Castleton Brass for their annual Christmas concert. This, as usual, was an exciting event with lots of people ending their afternoon enjoying some favourite Christmas music and singing a few carols. The proceeds were shared between the band and church funds. This was our tenth year holding this concert and the church was packed; we have already arranged year 11 for Sunday, December 1, 2019.
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Part of our project in having the major works done on the church during 2018, was to be able to hold more concerts in church. Bearing this in mind we are at the moment preparing a programme of concerts which will happen over 2019, hopefully about once a month. I will let you know when the dates are all settled and we have the complete programme. So do keep an eye out for details in this and the other newsletters.
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May you have a happy and peaceful New Year.
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