Essential Suffolk November & December 2019

NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2019 | PRICELESS

Essential SUFFOLK

Winter Festivals & Christmas Celebrations

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Celebrating all that makes our county great

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10 Festivals Interview Molly Dineen, founder of Aldeburgh Documentary Festival, Southwold Festival of Words and Ideas, Flipside, Lavenham Literary Festival, Ipswich Biscuit Competition

Welcome We are entering the dark months, the clocks have changed and the amount of daylight diminishes every day until Christmas. However, November and December are two of the most exciting months of the year, giving us opportunities to enjoy lighting up the darkness with fireworks and of course Christmas too.

You’ll see from our festivals previews, Christmas shows and What’s On listings that there’s masses to do over the next two months – so get the diary out and start planning your outings. There are some unmissable theatrical events and festivals across the county.

We have your Essential Guide to Christmas too; for 16 pages of inspiring gifts, festive recipes, wine recommendations and stunning decorations turn to pages 45 to 61.

In this issue we are celebrating several anniversaries. There’s the 25th Aldeburgh Documentary Festival, with an interview with filmmaker Molly Dineen, who came up with the original idea for the event. Our My Suffolk interview is with Professor Chris Green from Trianon Music Group which he started 60 years ago with some friends, never intending it to last but of course, it’s now a key part of the music landscape in Ipswich.

Plus we also have an interview with James Buckle, the retiring chairman of Suffolk Community Foundation.

17 Suffolk in Brief News from around the county

18 What’s On Where to go and what to see in Suffolk during November & December

24 Fireworks

So Season’s Greetings from Essential Suffolk – we look forward to seeing you in 2020.

Celebrating Bonfire Night across the county

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Get in touch Lesley Rawlinson

Anne Gould

Paul Newman

Essential SUFFOLK

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS Copyright on all content is with Achieve More Media Limited. Reproduction in part or whole if forbidden without the express permission of the publishers. All prices, events and times were to the best of our knowledge correct at the time of going to press and you are encouraged to contact the venue prior to booking.

All expressions and opinions within the publication are those of the editor including contributors. Essential Suffolk is a trading name of Achieve More Media Limited.

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C O NTE NT S

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70

Pub Dog Walk

Homes & Interiors

Rediscovering Westleton

Dining Furniture and festive table dressings

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75

Short Break

Property

The refurbished Dunwich Ship

A selection of our county’s finest homes for sale

86 Essential Faces Highlight’s from Suffolk’s social calendar

Christmas Shows page 25

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Christmas Shows

My Suffolk

Pantomimes and festive theatre

Professor Chris Green, musician and founder of Trianon Music Group

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Christmas Decorations page 59

James Buckle The retiring chairman of Suffolk Community Foundation

34 Home-Start Helping families in Suffolk

40 Fashion Cosy cover-ups, new nightware and party outfit ideas

45 Essential Suffolk Guide to Christmas 16 pages of inspiring gifts, festive recipes, wine recommendations and stunning decorations

Homes & Interiors ‘Fun For Your Festive Table’ page 72

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FESTIVAL FINALE OF 2019 We are in the final countdown to Christmas but for those seeking respite from the shopping and pre-season planning, there’s much on offer on the cultural scene.

November is a month when the darkness of winter starts to make its mark, a time for books, reading and literature. With two literary festivals and Flipside at a new home – Henham Barns – there’s much in store. Plus there’s a new event, Ipswich Biscuit Competition, from the organisers of Spill Festival

November 7 – 11

Ways With Words Southwold Hold onto your hats! There’s a storm of a festival blowing in to Southwold this autumn when Ways With Words breezes into town to celebrate great writing. From the fields of politics, philosophy, history, religion, nature and science, this year’s diverse and exciting programme offers a selection of local and internationally known writers of the highest calibre.

A C Grayling and Julian Baggini explore the ideas, views and teachings of philosophers and Rabbi Julia Neuberger asks what constitutes antisemitism, arguing why it is so crucial to come to a shared understanding now.

Nicholas Crane makes the compelling case that geography has never been so important. Explorer and former director of the Royal Geographical Society, John Hemming, discusses the pioneering work of the Villas Boas brothers in the Amazon rainforests. Closer to home Francis Pryor offers a very different view of the Fens, and Julia Blaxland discusses the experience of living on the end of a crumbling cliff in East Bavant, with Wendy Holden.

BBC World Affairs Editor for more than half his 52-year career, John Simpson, has reported on major events all over the world.

As a man who has seen many a real-life intrigue unfold in the halls of power, he explores the realm of murky Russian plots, conspiracies and assassinations in his latest work.

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FE ST I VAL S

A strong seam of history runs throughout the five days: The colourful story of the Crusades is vividly told by Dan Jones, Diarmaid MacCulloch presents an exhaustive portrait of the hugely influential Thomas Cromwell and Anna Pasternak seeks to redeem “a woman wronged by history” – Wallis Simpson.

Deborah Moggach, bestselling author of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Tulip Fever, discusses her latest novel The Carer, which explores the idea that life most definitely does not stop for the elderly – it just moves onto a very different plane, full of surprising twists and turns.

No Ways With Words festival would be complete without a generous helping of politics, and this year Gavin Esler takes a no-nonsense look and how Brexit will change Britain and former Foreign Secretary David Owen takes the long view on Donald Trump.

Added to this Howard Jacobson discusses writing about finding love in later life, Dom Joly takes a trek through Beirut and stand-up comedian Robin Ince explores some of the biggest questions we all face. www.wayswithwords.co.uk

November 16

Flipside 2019 Henham Barns Following a triumphant summer delivering the First Light Festival multi-arts programme, FlipSide returns for an immersive day of conversations, performance, screenings, music and more – all about ‘The purpose of place and the place of purpose...’

The human relationship with place; where we are and how we affect it, and it affects us – is the oldest we have.

Now, as everything we know about that encounter is changing, and we are questioning more than ever how we live on the earth, and to what ends, Flipside 2019 explores the many ways in which writers, artists, film-makers, musicians, poets and activists are responding to the challenges we face.

The festival is pitching its camp for a full day of spirited meetings in the remarkable landscape of Henham Park. The programme includes pioneering literary star and advocate Robert Macfarlane and Radiohead's artist in residence Stanley Donwood discussing their collaboration on new book, Ness, described as Gawain and The Green Knight for the Atomic age.

In Home Truths essayists Joanna Pocock and Jon Day will explore the worlds both local and distant conjured and conjoined in their acclaimed new books, respectively Surrender and Homing. From the vastness of Montana to the streets, parks and waterways of east London, they will tease out the myriad threads of being from which we weave a sense of enduring and viable identity. In his new book The Great Flood, the award-winning investigative writer of Leadville, Edward Platt, takes as his point of departure the record-breaking waters of 2013-14. With

engaged cultural and social historian Ken Worpole, who has written extensively on Eastern England and also on the 1953 disaster, they will discuss the challenge of the tides and the realities we will be increasingly facing.

In Culture Declares Emergency with Mira Calix and Dan Harvey these two remarkable artists who are central to the growing Culture Declares Emergency movement will be in conversation about how their practices can both inform and inspire collective creative and transformational action. Author Julia Blackburn and artist Jayne Ivimey will soar with the birds – in print and paint – in conversation about their book Bird by Bird, and Tom Bailey’s extraordinary award-winning performance Vigil will remind us how they are not free of threat.

There will be an impressive programme of films during the festival.

The screening of Magda’s Boy will see the East of England premiere of a new film about the life and work of Norfolk-based poet George Szirtes. The award-garlanded writer and translator’s latest book, The Photographer at Sixteen, is a memoir about his mother, Magda, a Hungarian photographer whose short but remarkable life encompassed global conflict, concentration camps, escape with her family from the communist bloc in 1956 and exile into English suburbia. In Magda’s Boy, filmmaker Anthony Wilks traces the stories, poems and photographs behind the memoir. The 40-minute film will be introduced by Szirtes and Wilks.

Bill Jackson’s new film Man of Stones about Suffolk sculptor Laurence Edwards will also have its premiere at FlipSide and throughout the day the festival will be screening films from Britain on Film on Tour, specially crafted film programmes of archive films including Welcome to Britain, Coast and Sea and Rural Life.

Suffolk’s own maestro musician Laura Cannell together with fellow musician/composer Polly Wright will dream the county into sonic being with conversation about their new work Sing as the Crow Flies and a live performance of songs from the album will close the festival. www.flipsideuk.org

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FE ST I VAL S

November 15 – 17

Lavenham Literary Festival Lavenham Village Hall There’s something for everyone who loves reading at the 6th Lavenham Literary Festival. Fiction, history, biography, crime, poetry and creative writing are all part of the entertaining and stimulating programme. The fun kicks off on Friday with the Literary Festival Dinner at Lavenham’s famous Swan Hotel where the guest speaker is Ruth Jones, author and playwright and the incorrigible Nessa in television’s Gavin and Stacey.

She will be in conversation with author Hannah Beckerman.

The main Festival starts on Saturday with an impressive line-up of wellknown authors includes Ian McEwan, Pam Ayres, Tracy Borman and Clare Mulley. Local barrister Bill Clegg will talk about the headlinegrabbing murderers he’s defended, Andrew Lownie discusses his biography of Lord Mountbatten with Mountbatten’s valet. Jessica Meyer takes a medical look at World War I while John Higgs takes an optimistic view of the future. Duncan Campbell and Joanna Jolly compare crime in fact and fiction, and two poets, Rebecca Goss and Pauline Stainer, will read from their latest collections.

For aspiring authors Bridget Holding returns to give another popular workshop in creative writing and Phoebe Morgan offers advice on how to get published. www.lavenhamliteraryfestival.co.uk

December 14

Ipswich Biscuit Competition Gala

Pacitti Company, the not for profit organisation that makes art projects locally, nationally and internationally from its Think Tank building next to Ipswich Museum, has launched The Ipswich Biscuit Competition.

The competition is about taste, place and memory.

It’s for anyone who is proud to call Ipswich home, whether they’ve just arrived or always lived here. It’s an opportunity for Ipswichians to share their biscuit creation recipes and tell their stories about it.

Whether that bake is sweet or savoury, the idea is to find a winner that showcases Ipswich talent and tells the world about life in this town.

Ingredients could be based on favourite flavours or maybe a reminder of a loved one or an important place. Perhaps something growing in a window box, allotment or garden could feature.

Ipswich Biscuit competition is free to enter and open to individuals, friends, families, groups and colleagues. There is a cash prize for the winning recipe. The winner will be announced on December 14 at Ipswich Town Hall with a tasting of all the finalist biscuits and an opportunity to vote for your favourite. In addition to a cash prize the winning Ipswich Biscuit will be launched packaged and ready to eat at SPILL Festival in 2020.

Alice Sandon, Participation Producer of Pacitti Company, explained why there is a need for an Ipswich Biscuit: “Ipswich is home to around 137,000 people, it’s the County Town of Suffolk and its heritage as a significant English port, becoming home to migrants and settlers, all add to its rich cultural mix. So many of us are proud to call Ipswich home but whilst its star is rising again, it’s been a town of mixed fortunes, meaning considerations around place, nutritional health and wellbeing are serious here. We know that it takes much more than a biscuit to solve some of the issues faced by this town, but we believe that the Ipswich Biscuit offers a good opportunity for our community to come together in a meaningful way, to display pride in who we are, where we live and what we want.”

Councillor Jan Parry, Mayor of Ipswich, said: “The Ipswich Biscuit Competition is a brilliantly collaborative, inventive and thoughtful project from the Pacitti Company in which we can all take part and I cannot wait to taste the results. Let’s make an edible ambassador for Ipswich. I am both happy and proud to back the bake.” www.ipswichbiscuit.com

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FE ST I VAL S

Documentary Celebrations Celebrating its 25th anniversary November’s Aldeburgh Documentary Festival is awarding its founder, award-winning BAFTA filmmaker Molly Dineen, with its top prize; Outstanding Contribution to Documentaries. She talks to Anne Gould

I

t’s the day when a deluge of 46mm of rain fell across East Anglia in 12 hours, the roads around Thorpeness, Aldringham and Aldeburgh are all but impassable, there’s water everywhere – even the beach is flooded. At Molly Dineen’s picture-perfect beachside house there are baking trays on the floor and the Sunday papers are being put to use mopping up water leaking from the ceiling.

Looking out across beyond her garden a sullen North Sea is overcast with big grey clouds scooting across the sky with such menace – making the beach look reminiscent from a scene from a thriller blockbuster. Except Molly – a multi-award winning filmmaker with a BAFTA and a string of other awards to her name – doesn’t make those sorts of films; she’s a ground-breaking documentary maker, known for her intimate and probing portraits of British individuals and institutions.

Her work has catalogued the travails and, in some cases, the gradual decline of individuals and institutions struggling to navigate change happening around them: London Zoo, the House of Lords, ageing military personnel, the London Underground and even the Spice Girls.

She’s worked with the BBC, Channel 4 and famously was the only director to catch Tony Blair in his kitchen for his party broadcast in the 1997 general election campaign.

Currently, she’s working on a documentary exploring controversial ballet dancer Sergei Polunin’s life but so far she’s not sure how it’s going to work out – there have been two other film crews present when she’s gone to do a shoot leaving her with a question mark.

Molly says ideas for documentaries come up all the time - but because some take a long while to film and can impact on family life, not all ideas come to fruition. She has certainly got the power industry in and around Suffolk in her sights and the lights from the Greater Gabbard wind farm, visible from her Thorpeness home, are a constant reminder that there’s a potential story here waiting to be told.

One story that modestly she backs off from though, is that she’s a founder member of the Aldeburgh Documentary Film Festival. “It was just that my mother-in-law, Felicity-Ann Sieghart had just taken over Aldeburgh Cinema from Letty Gifford and I said why don’t we have a documentary film festival.” She says the real work at establishing the festival was really down to Felicity and Craig Brown, the writer and satirist who lives in Aldeburgh. “All I had was the idea,” says Molly.

What she started though has certainly made November a month that attracts audiences from across the country to Aldeburgh, although she says the nature of the festival has changed a great deal over 25 years.

In its early years, she says the festival featured the sort of television documentaries that would be shown on the BBC.

When Diana Quick took over as Artistic Director it changed to include documentaries from around the world and Jill Green the current Artistic director has continued that theme. It’s attracted eminent filmmakers and experts over the years including Paul Greengrass, Sir David Attenborough, Roger Graef and Craig Brown.

This year however Molly is the star and cannot avoid the spotlight as she is being awarded the Outstanding Contribution to Documentaries award for her “brilliant” body of work. Born in Canada, because her father was working there at the time, Molly says it’s only recently, at the age of 60 that she’s applied for her British passport. With Irish ancestry, she’s also hoping to get an Irish passport but she’s also thrilled to have discovered that her mother’s family originally came from Suffolk.

“I had not been here before I met my husband (entrepreneur, publisher and philanthropist William Sieghart) and admit that I didn’t fall in love with it straight away. Now I love the bleak openness of it, Suffolk does feel more cut off than other parts of the country.”

With a house on the beach in Thorpeness, she swims in the sea every day that she’s in Suffolk (apart from mid-winter) and those Suffolk relatives have made the county feel even more like home. “We discovered them in Yoxford cemetery, they were Suffolk farmers, it was very exciting to discover their graves. I am really proud to have found them.”

This year at the festival Molly, besides receiving a prize, is a keynote panellist alongside Paul Merton, Anthony Horowitz, Martha Kearney and Nima Gurung. The programme includes 16 films many of which have an environmental theme, two of which Molly particularly recommends.

Into Eternity looks at the problem of what to do with highly radioactive nuclear waste and how it’s being dealt with in Finland. She saw this film while on the jury of another film festival and was fascinated as the builders had to work out a way of communicating with people in the future that the underground bunker was dangerous without knowing what language they might use. Another is Life is Wonderful - Mandela’s Unsung Heroes – the story of the brave, inspirational and self-sacrificing lawyers who were tortured and imprisoned for their attempts to defend the ANC men in the 1964 Rivonia Trial.

INFORMATION aldeburghcinema.co.uk/aldeburgh-doc-fest

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SUFFOLK in brief Good news stories from around the county

Do you know a volunteer, or a charity in your area, that has never won an award for the work they do? The High Sheriff of Suffolk, Roz Eminson, has launched the 2020 High Sheriff’s Awards and is calling for entries. They are designed to reward the volunteers, charities and community groups in Suffolk who devote their time and energy to improve the communities in which they live and work, to make Suffolk a better and safer place to live. Find out more by visiting www.suffolkcf.org.uk or contact Suffolk Community Foundation on 01473 602602.

Over a dozen of the county’s favourite pubs are supporting Suffolk charity The Alde & Ore Estuary Trust in parallel pub quizzes to raise money for the Save Our Suffolk Estuary campaign. Over 600 people are expected to compete in this significant community event on Friday 22nd November.

Questions testing participants’ knowledge of the county are being set by actor, writer and comedian Max Norman who was brought up in Suffolk. Event organiser Clare Greenwell, said, “We are absolutely delighted to have the support of Max and so many local pubs and venues. The first Save Our Suffolk Estuary pub quiz in 2017, raised over £40,000 for the Trust. We are determined to raise a substantial amount of money again this year to protect our beautiful Suffolk coast from flooding. Full details can be found at www.aeotrust.org

The Sunday Times has named The Black Lion in Long Melford as its East Anglian winner of Best Places to Stay, 2019. The article describes the Suffolk-Essex borders as ‘the Cotswolds of the east’ and the former coaching inn located in the ‘implausibly handsome village of Long Melford’. Congratulations to all at The Black Lion and owners, Chestnut.

Weeting Primary School was named the winner of the The Salvation Army’s county-wide competition to encourage recycling in schools.1,629 pupils from nine schools in Suffolk took part in the initiative, collectively donating a phenomenal 1.75 tonnes of unwanted clothes and shoes. However, it was Weeting Primary School which won the county competition, with the largest donation of goods (calculated as the highest ratio of weight to pupils).

The programme is an important way for schools to generate muchneeded funds as well as supporting The Salvation Army’s work to help vulnerable people from all walks of life in communities.

Jonathan Agar has joined the Hopkins Board as a non-executive director of the award-winning housebuilding company. Commenting on the appointment James Hopkins, Executive Chairman of Hopkins Homes, said, “I am delighted that Jonathan has agreed to join the Hopkins board.

I have worked with him on a number of projects over the last six years and greatly value his wisdom and advice. Jonathan is one of the region’s most experienced businessmen with invaluable knowledge of leading companies through phases of accelerated growth”.

The Hopkins Group has also recently been listed in the Sunday Times Grant Thornton Top Track 250. Jonathan became Chief Executive of Birketts LLP in 2013, a regional law firm with offices in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich.

Young Art East Anglia, the annual art competition for Suffolk’s primary and junior school’s pupils, which also raises money for Cancer Research UK has announced that local artist Mimi Nicholson is this year’s judge. The theme is ‘A Moment In Time’ and pupils are encouraged to use this title for work in any medium. Chair of Young Art East Anglia, Heidi Norman comments, “Each year we are overwhelmed with the talent and thought that our local school children put into their work which both teachers and parents feel is a tremendous boost to a child’s confidence especially when they see their art on the wall of a professional gallery”. Previously participating schools have already been contacted about this year’s competition, but schools who haven’t taken part before can still do so. Contact info@youngarteastanglia.co.uk or visit www.youngarteastanglia.co.uk

More news can always be found at www.essentialsuffolk.com/content

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What’s On NOVEMBER 1 – 2

Ipswich Farmers' Market The Cornhill, 10am – 2pm

Teechers by John Godber Avenue Theatre, Ipswich Presented by CTC. Crammed full of political left-hooks and razor-sharp comedy, Teachers is more relevant today than ever, a modern classic with something vital to say about education.

Box office: 01473 603388 redrosechain.com

NOVEMBER 2 Farmers Markets Beccles Heliport, 9am – 1pm Snape Maltings, 9.30am – 1pm Wyken Vineyard, 9am – 1pm

NOVEMBER 4 Nicholas McCarthy The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm Born without his right hand, Nicholas McCarthy is the only one-handed pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music in its 130 year history.

Tickets: £21 / £17 (£6 U25s) Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

Halesworth Cut Suffolk Herring Festival This year’s festival will have theatre, illustrated talks and plenty of fishy food and refreshing drinks.

Telephone: 0300 3033211 newcut.org

(see website for further dates) Best of British Crafts Blackthorpe Barn, 10am – 5pm (free after 4pm) Brimming with 100% British items all beautifully created by the exhibitors themselves. Turned and crafted wooden creations, textile and knitwear garments, artworks and landscapes, ceramics and figurines, metal sculptures, leather goods, contemporary and textured jewellery and so much more.

Entry: Adults £3, OAPs £2, children/students free, season tickets £10 www.blackthorpebarn.com

NOVEMBER 5 – 16 The Season New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

NOVEMBER 2 – 3

NOVEMBER 9 & 10

NOVEMBER 10 Wine Tasting Fynn Valley Cafe Terrace 7pm – 10pm

A New Musical by Jim Barne & Kit Buchan.

It’s Christmas Eve and Dougal has travelled from Ipswich to New York for his father’s wedding. At JFK Airport he’s greeted by Robyn. Thrown together for a wild weekend in the city that never sleeps, their adventure becomes a musical whirlwind. Will these two endearing misfits provide the ultimate test for the theory that opposites always attract?

Box Office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

Lepra, alongside John Grose, are delighted to bring you an evening of relaxation and wine.

Raffle with some exciting prizes including two tickets to the Ipswich and Blackpool game in November. Enjoy some tasty wine with your friends – all for an excellent cause!

Entry: £22 Contact: 01206 216734 www.lepra.org.uk/Event/wine-tasting

NOVEMBER 6

Trio Con Brio Copenhagen St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt, 4pm

NOVEMBER 3 BBC Big Band The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm The BBC Big Band and guest vocalist Atila will present a very special concert to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Nat King Cole.

Tickets: £28.50 (£6 U25s) Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk Prometheus Chamber Concert Jubilee Hall, Snape Maltings, 4pm In the second concert of the series members of the string and wind sections will join to delight you with performances of Benjamin Britten’s Sinfonietta Op.1 and the Schubert Octet in F major.

Tickets: £18 Box Office: 01728 687110 www.snapemaltings.co.uk Craft & Food Fair 2019 Town Hall / Guildhall Complex, Hadleigh, 10am – 4pm Stalls selling foods, drinks and various crafts.

Refreshments available.

Entry: Adults £1 (U13's free) Contact: 01473 823884 www.hadleightownhall.co.uk 18

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Shaun Ryder The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 8pm An in-depth interview with the frontman of the Happy Mondays and Black Grape, and an opportunity to ask your own questions.

Tickets: £23.50 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

NOVEMBER 9 Farmers Markets The Old Print Works, Halesworth 9am – 1pm Woodbridge Community Centre, 9am – 1pm Wyken Vineyard, 9am – 1pm Bloody Poetry Halesworth Cut RoughCast’s fast moving production brings out all the excitement, lyricism and wit of Brenton’s modern masterpiece.

Box Office: 0300 3033211 newcut.org

One of the world's leading piano trios.

This concert is part of their extensive 20th anniversary tour.

Entry: £15 Information: 01206 298426 www.svam.org.uk

NOVEMBER 13 The Australian Pink Floyd Ipswich Regent Theatre, 6.30pm One of the oldest and longest running tribute shows in the world and certainly the most famous.

Tickets: £32.45 Box Office: 01473 433100

NOVEMBER 14 Al Murray: Landlord of Hope & Glory Ipswich Regent Theatre, 7:30pm A time of crisis, the world in chaos, the country divided as it has never been divided before. Questions have been asked and non-answered. What we need is one man, to

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step forward, one man with all the answers.

Well you’re in luck, ladies and gentlemen – he’s here and touring the nation.

Tickets: £30.50 Box Office: 01473 433100

NOVEMBER 16 continued

Alexander Armstrong: All Mouth & Some Trousers Grand Hall, Corn Exchange, Ipswich, 7:30pm A brand new and “deliciously irreverent” account of a career that has taken him from Armstrong & Miller, to presenting, documentary making, singing and – ultimately – taking his rightful place as the Voice of Toilet Duck.

Tickets: £31.50 Box Office: 01473 433100

Farmers Markets Aldeburgh Church Hall, 9am – 12 noon Beccles Heliport, 9am – 1pm Memorial Hall Long Melford, 10am – 1pm Wyken Vineyard, 9am – 1pm Dom Bouffard Britten Studio, Snape Maltings, 7pm Composer Dom Bouffard and his collaborators explore the possibilities of electric guitars, percussion, vocalisations and digital reprocessing in a project which honours the electric guitar’s unique outlaw status, while displacing it in a search for new shapes.

Tickets: £6 Box Office: 01728 687110 www.snapemaltings.co.uk

NOVEMBER 15

Ben Fogle – Tales from The Wilderness Grand Hall, Corn Exchange, Ipswich Join Ben in this uplifting and exciting show, when he’ll be sharing his stories of the wilderness. Ben has climbed Everest, been swimming with crocodiles, saved elephants, dodged pirates, been marooned for a year on an uninhabited island and much more.

Tickets: £29.50 Box Office: 01473 433100 OMD Ipswich Regent Theatre, 7pm Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark continue their 40th anniversary celebrations with the announcement of a special world tour, joined by both Martin Cooper and Stuart Kershaw.

Tickets: £38 Box Office: 01473 433100 Charity Christmas Market Red House Farm Barn, Tuddenham Road, Ipswich, 10am – 4pm

The Selecter The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 8pm 40th Anniversary Tour with extended, hit-rich set each night, plus added live favourites and surprises.

Tickets: £26 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

In aid of Samaritans, Soup Kitchen and Night Shelter. Lots of stalls, the Soup Kitchen Bus serving refreshments and cakes. Come and enjoy some festive shopping.

A UNIQUE CRAFT BEER & GIN BAR IN THE CENTRE OF IPSWICH LOCATED IN A BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC GEORGIAN TOWN HOUSE Over 120 beers from across the world specialising in UK, USA, Belgian & German plus 100 small batch gins BESPOKE GIN TASTINGS | BEER & FOOD PAIRING EVENTS | PRIVATE ROOMS AVAILABLE GIN FESTIVALS | TAP TAKEOVERS

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NOVEMBER 17

NOVEMBER 22

NOVEMBER 23

(see website for further dates) Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm A brand new show of skill, stamina and red-hot rhythms to stir your soul.

Tickets: £23 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

Blackthorpe Barn Country Christmas Shop Festive Nights, 5.30pm – 7pm Country Christmas Shop is a haven for everything Christmassy from special gifts, baubles and decorations to lighting and gift wrap.

Entry: Free www.blackthorpebarn.com

Verdi - Requiem Snape Maltings Concert Hall, 7.30 pm Aldeburgh Music Club choir with Prometheus Orchestra and Singers under the baton of Edmond Fivet.

Tickets: £22/£27/£30 (Students half price) Box Office: 01728 687110 www.aldeburghmusic.club

NOVEMBER 23 – 24 NOVEMBER 23 Farmers Markets Snape Maltings, 9.30am Woodbridge Community Centre, 9am – 1pm Wyken Vineyard, 9am – 1pm Josh Widdicome – Bit Much...

Grand Hall, Corn Exchange, Ipswich, 8pm

Jubilee Opera: The Casket Girl Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh

A show that will change your life and how you perceive your place in the world. Bit much? Fine, it’ll be a very funny night of grumbles and jokes in which Josh will finally tackle the hot comedy topics of advent calendars, pesto and the closing time of his local park.

Tickets: £22 Box Office: 01473 433100

Inspired by a true event in 2013 at Barbers Point on the banks of the River Alde in Suffolk, where a casket of personal treasures was discovered in the Anglo-Saxon grave of a young woman.

Tickets: £14 Box Office: 01728 687110 www.snapemaltings.co.uk

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The Grand Bazaar Halesworth Cut Art, craft, music, food & drink. Stalls in the café, theatre, studio and Malt room gallery.

Information: 0300 3033211 newcut.org

NOVEMBER 26 An Evening with Lenny Henry Ipswich Regent Theatre One of Britain’s best-known and celebrated comedians, from cult stardom on children’s television to writer, radio DJ, TV presenter and co-founder of Comic Relief.

Tickets: £32.50 Box Office: 01473 433100

WH AT’ S ON

NOVEMBER 27

DECEMBER 1

DECEMBER 5

Gigspanner Big Band The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Farmers Market The Cornhill, Ipswich 10am – 2pm

Dido Ipswich Regent Theatre, 7pm

As a trio, Gigspanner has a reputation as a ground-breaking force on the British folk scene.

Tickets: £22 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

Christmas On The Saints St Peters Street, Ipswich, 10am to 4pm Christmas Market – an extended shopping day with lots of fun. The street will be closed to traffic to host local artisans to offer crafts and food for sale. www.thesaintsipswich.com

NOVEMBER 30 Pop Chorus presents Winter Songbook Ipswich Corn Exchange, 4pm & 7.30pm

Bildeston Christmas Market Chamberlin Hall, Bildeston A large variety of stalls selling locallyproduced crafts, cakes, condiments, spices, jewellery, homewares and more. Bring along the children to meet Father Christmas.

Entry: Free Chamberlin.indoormarket@gmail.com

The acclaimed Suffolk choir return to the Corn Exchange following last year’s triumphant ‘Human’ show at the Regent, for a unique performance of their winter repertoire, with special guests Honey & The Bear.

Entry: £12 / £7 concessions Contact: 01473 433100 www.ipswichcornexchange.com

Dido’s first return to touring in 15 years will see her performing material from her new album, as well as classic tracks such as Thank You, Here With Me, White Flag and Life For Rent.

Tickets: £35.50 Box Office: 01473 433100 James Acaster: Cold Lasagna Hate Myself 1999 Grand Hall, Corn Exchange, Ipswich The well-known face from countless TV panel shows and one of the UKs finest stand up comedians.

Tickets: £18.50 Box Office: 01473 433100

DECEMBER 6 Parkin’s Half Century Halesworth Cut

For a full round-up of Christmas theatre and pantomimes see pages 25 to 31

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The inimitable Dean Parkin celebrates 50 years of living and writing in Suffolk with the best of his poems, tales and tall stories.

Box office: 0300 3033211 newcut.org

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Art Forms

IN NATURE

Discover the beauty of nature in this exhibiton of photography and art.

FREE ADMISSION www.ipswich.cimuseums.org.uk/exhibitions

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DECEMBER 6, 7 & 8

Walk Like A Man: A Celebration of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons Spa Pavilion Felixstowe, 7.30pm

Lavenham Christmas Fair Friday 5.30pm – 8.30pm, Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 5.30pm Three-day extravaganza of shopping and non-stop entertainment under cover of marquees. Fifty stalls in Market Place, Guildhall and Little Hall selling gifts, crafts, food, wine,toys, jewellery, Christmas wreaths.

Entry: Free Information: 01787 247478 www.facebook.com/lavenhamchristmasfair

The Four Seasons rose to stardom in the 1960s with some of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll songs of a generation, pumping out classics such as Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Walk Like a Man. Tickets: Adult £23, concessions £21 Box Office: 01394 284962 thelittleboxoffice.com/spapavilion

DECEMBER 10 Cara Dillon The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

DECEMBER 8 DECEMBER 7 Farmers Markets Beccles Heliport, 9am – 1pm Snape Maltings, 9.30am – 1pm Wyken Vineyard, 9am – 1pm Chelsworth Christmas Fair All Saints Church, Chelsworth, 11am – 4pm Rural Christmas fair with about 20 craft and gift stalls. Light refreshments available and cosy pub close by.

Entry: £3 Contact: 01449 744055 www.cheIsworth.org.uk

Suffolk Philharmonic Orchestra’s Family Christmas Concert Corn Exchange, Ipswich, 4pm Bill Turnbull narrates Peter and the Wolf, a story of adventure set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. A great opportunity for parents and grandparents to introduce children to the delight of live classical music.

Information: 07951 061688 www.suffolkphil.org

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Upon A Winter’s Night: capturing the mystery of Christmas with a collection of songs ancient and modern, providing a welcome reminder that the festive season can be about more than just commercialism.

Tickets: £24 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

Enjoy no-pressure, one to one, no obligation privacy to buy your new bed.

We’ve got the expertise to help you choose – but we’ll also encourage you to spend time relaxing and sampling our chemical-free British wool beds and mattresses.

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WH AT’ S ON

DECEMBER 11

DECEMBER 13 – 15

Elephant Sessions The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Lord of the Flies Halesworth Cut

Exploding onto the indie folk scene in 2017 with their last album ‘All We Have Is Now’, the band have appeared at some of the world’s most notable venues and festivals.

Tickets: £14.50 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

Mouth Youth Theatre presents William Golding’s classic novel teaches all you want to know about kids – well some of them.

Marooned on an island paradise they fight to be leaders, fight the beast, fight to survive.

Box office: 0300 3033211 newcut.org

DECEMBER 12

DECEMBER 14

Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm

Farmers Markets Aldeburgh Church Hall, 9am – 12 noon Beccles Heliport, 9am – 1pm Village Hall Long Melford, 10am – 1pm Wyken Vineyard, 9am – 1pm

A regular member of Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings since the 1980s, Andy became the guitarist and vocalist of choice for a phenomenal cast list of musical luminaries: Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Van Morrison... and hundreds more.

Tickets: £26 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

DECEMBER 20 Christmas Oratorio Snape Maltings Concert Hall, 7.30pm The grandeur and unbridled joy of the start of the Christmas Oratorio is one of the great

openings in music. Bach paints the story of the nativity over an expansive canvas of six cantatas, four of which we hear tonight, with performers including a group of outstanding young international soloists.

Tickets: £20 Box Office: 01728 687110 www.snapemaltings.co.uk

DECEMBER 23 Farmers’ Markets Snape Maltings, 9:30am – 1:30pm Woodbridge Community Centre, 9am – 1pm Wyken Vineyard, 9am – 1pm An Albion Christmas The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 7.30pm A musical guided tour through the Christmas customs of Britain with Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), Kellie While (Albion Band) Simon Care (Edward II) and the Guvnor himself, Ashley Hutchings.

Tickets: £22 Box Office: 01284 758000 www.theapex.co.uk

To see more event listings and tell us about your event visit essentialsuffolk.com/whats-on-in-suffolk We cannot guarantee inclusion in print but all suitable listings will be included online.

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Family Fireworks If you’re a fan of fireworks, attending an organised display is certainly the safest and most cost effective way of enjoying the spectacle. Many will also be raising funds for charity too, so why not pull on your bobble hat for some ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’!

NOVEMBER 2 Heveningham Hall Fireworks A huge bonfire sets the scene for a spectacular fireworks display by Full Effect Fireworks along with a traditional funfair, Helter Skelter, 7 LED Drummers, two bars and a variety of tasty local foods. Also playing at the fireworks this year: The Feeling.

Ivor Novello award-winning, Brit Awardnominated band The Feeling first burst onto the scene in 2006 with their debut Top 10 UK hit ‘Sewn’. The band’s debut album, Twelve Stops And Home, followed in June 2006. It was a huge success, selling 1.5 million copies worldwide (with platinum sales of over 900,000 in Britain).

Tickets: £30 per car or £35 on the gate. www.suffolk-fireworks.co.uk

Christchurch Park Fireworks, Ipswich Gates open 6pm James Bond themed fireworks display.

Headlining this year’s event on the Ipswich 102 Stage will be Forever Bond, a 7-piece band with outstanding vocals and glamorous costumes; entertaining you with classic hits from Goldfinger to Goldeneye. The main feature will be a sensational musical fireworks display, brought to you by Alchemy Fireworks, accompanied by the greatest theme tunes from the most iconic British film series in history. There’ll be all the fun of the fair, catering stalls, a bar, roaring bonfire and more family-friendly entertainment. New for 2019, ThunderMental Entertainers will be getting sparks flying with their body grinding and fire performances; nobody does it better!

Don’t miss Chelsea Francis, performing her “Bond and Beyond” tribute show and Ipswich based pop and rock band OK.OJ making their debut appearance at the fireworks. Ipswich based singer Adam Thomas will be another new addition for the 2019 line-up. Have a selfie with one of the most sought-after Daniel Craig James Bond lookalikes in the UK and around the world, alongside his archenemy Blofeld!

Tickets: £7 (child £5) in advance or £8.50 (child £6.50) on the gate www.ipswichfireworks.co.uk

Abbey Gardens Fireworks, Bury St Edmunds Gates open at 5.30pm After last year’s unfortunate cancellation, Bury St Edmunds Round Table is proud to continue its long history of organising the Abbey Garden Fireworks Spectacular. All proceeds will go to local charities and this year’s headline charity is Suffolk Mind. The night’s entertainment includes not only the fireworks but also a fun fair and food & drinks stalls. If you have your tickets from last year’s show, these can be used this year if you provide them on the gate. www.what’sonwestsuffolk.co.uk

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Framlingham Fireworks The Pageant Field, Badingham Road Gates open 6pm, bonfire lit 6.30pm, firework display 7.30pm Once again the amazing Shell Shock Fireworks will be providing a fireworks and close proximity pyrotechnics display complete with some unique effects and high quality fireworks suitable for all the family. This event is organised by Framlingham Town Council along with support from many volunteers. All the profit from the Fireworks Spectacular goes into a special fund towards enhancement projects on the Pageant Field and events in the town such as the Soap Box Race. www.framlingham.com

The Long Melford Big Night Out Melford Hall Project Seven organises one of the largest bonfire and firework shows around with all of the proceeds going directly to local charities. More than 10,000 people attended the event in the grounds of Long Melford Hall, all keen to feel the warmth of the giant bonfire and secure a front row view of the stunning pyrotechnic display, which is carefully choreographed and staged by Pains Fireworks. The 30-minute firework spectacle goes off with a series of thunderous bangs as rockets soar into the darkness, delighting spectators young and old. The display also includes carousel fireworks – the current craze in the pyrotechnic industry. As well as the bonfire and fireworks the event is also host to a large fun fair with many rides and stalls There is also lots food outlets providing snacks and refreshments. www.project-seven.co.uk

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CURTAIN UP!

With pantomimes and Christmas shows starting their runs earlier and earlier every year, if theatre is an important part of your festive season it pays to book early.

Here’s our theatre guide for the holidays

November 28 – February 1

Aladdin – the Rock’n’Roll Panto New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich Widow Twankey’s in a spin – there’s the Emperor’s robes to be cleaned, stir fry to be cooked and the mysterious magician, Abanazer, to be catered for. Then her eldest son Aladdin falls for Princess Lotus Blossom, the Emperor’s daughter, and she nearly chokes on her chop suey. But when Aladdin and his pet monkey, Cuddles, get their hands on an ancient oil lamp, a rocking green Genie magically appears to make all their dreams come true. Can they outwit the evil Abanazer, dodge the Emperor’s dragons, and prove that a Princess and a peasant can make the perfect pair?

Written by Peter Rowe, and performed in the New Wolsey Theatre’s iconic actor-musician style this ancient tale gets a brand new twist, incorporating over twenty classic songs including I’m A Believer, Papa Don’t Preach, ABC and I Will Survive, all played live by a multi-talented company. Mix in outrageous jokes and classic slapstick, with some wicked magic, and Aladdin serves up a sizzling hot feast for all the family.

INFORMATION Box office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

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December 3 – 22

Christmas at Snape Visitors to Snape Maltings can enjoy a range of events right across the month of December. On the 3rd there’s a festive community celebration of festivities, food, dancing and music. A true community celebration with live music, afternoon tea and an opportunity to waltz, foxtrot and cha-cha-cha.

On December 20th the Christmas Oratorio, conducted by Ben Parry, is one of the great openings in music. Bach paints the story of the nativity over an expansive canvas with performers including a group of outstanding young international soloists. Together they lead us from resounding celebration to sublime intimacy during the first days of life, and melancholy hints of the suffering to come. Taking part are Aldeburgh Voices and the Suffolk Ensemble and singers from the Britten–Pears Young Artist Programme.

December 21st brings Sing Christmas and a performance by the BBC Concert Orchestra. Sing Christmas is an opportunity to raise the roof with much-loved Christmas hits. Led by Snape Maltings’ two choirs, celebrate some of the most popular festive music. There’s no need to be a great singer – just come along and have fun! Later, in the evening there’s Tchaikovsky’s magical Christmas ballet The Nutcracker, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra. The concert also includes the Humperdinck Hansel and Gretel Overture, Delius Sleigh Ride ,Holst The Mystic Trumpeter and Arnold arr. Palmer Fantasy on The Holly and the Ivy.

November 29 – January 19

Peter Pan Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds It’s a very special year at the Theatre Royal and they’re about to embark on a very special adventure. Everything changes on the dull, dreary day Wendy Darling meets a strange young boy called Peter Pan. He takes her to Neverland; filled with fiendish pirates, funky mermaids and an incredibly hungry crocodile. Join Peter, Wendy and the outrageous Tiger Lily as they face the most fearful pantomime villain of all: Captain Hook. Want to come along? You must love stories, you must believe in fairies and you must never, ever grow up.

There are four returning cast members this year, Chris Clarkson is back for the third year in a row to play the dame, the gorgeous and outrageous Tiger Lily; Oliver Mawdsley is back to play ex-pirate Smee, following his hilarious performance as Grub in Sleeping Beauty.

Jasmine Hackett will play Wendy Darling, after she won everyone’s hearts last year as the Sleeping Beauty herself and Alan Mehdizadeh, last seen at Theatre Royal playing Ghastly Gordon in Jack and the Beanstalk will play the villain, Captain Hook.

Starring as Peter Pan is Lauren Chinery along with Anna Campkin who will play Tinker Bell and Joanne Sandi playing Mad Maud. They will all be joined by a fabulous young chorus of local performers adding their talents to the mix. Peter Pan is being directed by Karen Simpson and Marcus Romer, it written by Chris Hannon, with choreography by Jess Ellen and the Musical Director is Ward Baker.

INFORMATION Box Office: 01284 769505 theatreroyal.org 26

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Finally on December 22nd is Little Red Riding Hood and the Film The Snowman with the Suffolk Ensemble, conducted by Ben Parry and Zeb Soanes.

INFORMATION Box office: 01728 687110 snapemaltings.co.uk

December 21 – January 5

Dick Whittington Spa Pavilion, Felixstowe This year’s Pantomime from Dennis Lowe Theatre Company, Dick Whittington, tells the rags to riches tale of a young man and his cat on an exciting quest for fame and fortune for the purr-fect family show. With all the usual elements of a family panto, you'll be kept in suspense waiting to see if the evil King Rat thwarts Dick's plans.

Can the Good Fairy save the day? Did the Bells of Bow Church give Dick false hope? All will be revealed in this magical and spectacular family pantomime.

Featuring all the traditional ingredients; sensational songs, a live band, magic, dazzling dance routines, magnificent slapstick comedy and bags of audience participation, Dick Whittington is guaranteed to be full of wonder to delight audiences of all ages.

INFORMATION Box office: 01394 284962 Thelittleboxoffice.com

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December 6 – 15

Christmas Spectacular Snape Maltings Celebrating 15 years of the Christmas Spectacular at Snape Maltings this year’s Co-op Juniors Theatre Company production is a musical and theatrical treat. It boasts a cast of almost 100 with more than 800 costumes, a live orchestra, stunning stage set and high-tech lighting, making the show the largest youth group production in the country.

Directed by Lucy Allen working with musical director Jo King and arranger David Tobin, the show is a firm family favourite in Suffolk, seen by over 100,000 people. Lucy said, “We’re showcasing our cast’s talents in music and dance, with high-energy choreography and moments that we hope will delight and surprise everyone.

We’ll have our renowned toy soldiers and finale chorus line, and we’re excited to bring a stunning nativity scene to the stage.”

Musical director Jo King added, “The sheer range of music takes the show to an exciting new level, with lots of familiar numbers and a few surprises too! Selecting music is a challenge and a real pleasure, from classic Christmas songs and traditional carols to swing, ballads and fast-moving dance numbers.”

Costume supervisors Jeannie Ingram and Cilla Tricker start work many months ahead, sourcing and, with parents, making the hundreds of costumes needed for the show. Explained Jeannie, “There are so many different styles, and with such a large cast we have to be creative about which costumes are redesigned and which are totally new.”

The staging and West-End style lighting is a major part of the show’s spectacle, with huge moving sections of scenery and projection to change the appearance of the stage. “The clue is in the name,” said Lucy, “it’s Spectacular!”

INFORMATION Box office: 01728 687110 snapemaltings.co.uk/spectacular

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December 6 – 31

December 10 – 13

The Magic Fishbone

Sounds Like Christmas

Avenue Theatre, Ipswich

St Peter’s By The Waterfront, Ipswich

Based on a story by Charles Dickens and adapted by Joanna Carrick The Magic Fishbone promises to bring you whatever you wish for…

IODS Theatre Company is excited to return to St Peter’s by the Waterfront for its festive production; Sounds like Christmas. Following last year’s sell out run and brilliant reviews, they are sure to provide an evening of fantastic seasonal entertainment. The packed programme includes music from films, musicals, the charts, classics… and it’s all Christmas themed. They even have a special performance of an original new Christmas song. Boasting a cast of 30 and a live band, this choral event will fill you with Christmas spirit.

The beautiful princess Alicia is poor and her clothes are threadbare.

She works all day long looking after her little brothers and sisters and has no friends, except for a ragdoll duchess and Percy Pickles, the fishmonger’s son. But one day, Alicia is given a magic present; a fishbone which will give her anything she wishes for, as long as she wishes for it at the right moment.

This December, Joanna Carrick’s acclaimed adaptation finally comes home to The Avenue Theatre. Charles Dickens at Christmas is a magical, unmissable treat for all the family and the perfect alternative to the traditional panto. Fresh from Theatre in the Forest, Red Rose Chain are thrilled to welcome back their very own Nurse from their Mods vs Rockers themed Romeo & Juliet this summer, Ailis Duff as Watkins will join long-time Red Rose Chain associate Genevieve Clarke as Princess Alicia, and multi-talented new face to Red Rose Chain Matt Penson as Percy Pickles!

INFORMATION Box office: 01473 295900 www.wolseytheatre.co.uk

INFORMATION Box office: 01473 603388 redrosechain.com

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December 13 – 17

Ten Sorry Tales DanceEast, Ipswich Premiering at DanceEast this Christmas is Ballo Arthur Pita’s Ten Sorry Tales based on the book by Mick Jackson. Choreographer Arthur Pita is celebrated for his surreal take on story-telling – combining dance, theatre, live music and song.

Ten Sorry Tales presents a collection of modern-day fables. From the child who sleeps for fifteen years, to the sinister sisters who prey on trespassers and the boy who brings butterflies back to life – Mick Jackson’s tales are by turns moving and gruesome, funny and dark.

Beautifully eccentric and infused with gothic charm, stealing you away on a journey of curiosity.

In this new commission by DanceEast and Sadler’s Wells, Ten Sorry Tales follows The Linbury, The Little Match Girl, The World’s Greatest Show and Stepmother/Stepfather. “Pita’s macabre cabaret confirms the choreographer as one of this generation’s leading storytellers.”

The Guardian on Stepmother/Stepfather.

INFORMATION Box Office: 01473 295230 danceeast.co.uk

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December 14 – 31

Cinderella Ipswich Regent Come and join in the festive fun with the lovable Buttons, the handsome Prince Charming, the wicked Ugly Sisters, the magical Fairy Godmother and of course, the beautiful Cinderella and make it a Christmas to remember for the whole family. Watch with amazement as Cinderella’s pumpkin and white mice are transformed into a beautiful coach and horses in this true rags to riches story, but will Cinderella remember to leave the ball before midnight?

From the same team behind last year’s recording breaking pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Ipswich Regent Theatre and Enchanted Entertainment bring the world’s best known and most loved pantomime to life.

As well is the return of panto favourite Mike ‘Squeaky’ McCLean, Adam Garcia has been announced as Prince Charming. Adam achieved great success in the UK’s West End playing Doody in Grease and Tony Manero in Saturday Night Fever, Chip in The ENO’s On The Town, Fiyero in the multi-award winning Wicked, and Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate. More recently he played The Artilleryman in Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds and Lord Amadis in The Winter’s Tale for the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company alongside Dame Judi Dench and Sir Kenneth Branagh.

Adam’s feature film credits include Murder on the Orient Express, Coyote Ugly, Riding in Cars with Boys, Love’s Brother, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Every Emotion Costs, Standing Still and Nativity 3. Adam was also a judge on four seasons of Sky 1 UK’s Got To Dance.

Cinderella also stars Hannah Spearritt as the Fairy Godmother.

Hannah first came to the attention of the British public in 1998 with the launch of S Club 7, the band and TV show of the same name both becoming global smash hits topping the charts continually until 2003 when the band took a break.

Hannah then starred in the 2003 film Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London and in the following years she also appeared in the cult horror film Seed Of Chucky and in BBC sitcom Blessed. In 2007 she was cast in an Agatha Christie television movie At Bertram’s Hotel playing Tilly Rice before landing the role for which she is perhaps best known, the zoologist Abby in ITV hit series Primeval which aired between 2007 and 2011. Alongside her TV, music and film work, Hannah has extensive stage experience in the West End including Bugsy Malone and One Man Two Guvnors.

INFORMATION Box office: 01473 433100 www.ipswichtheatres.co.uk

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C H RI S TM AS SH OW S

December 20 – January 1

Dick Whittington Beccles Public Hall & Theatre Hearing that the streets are paved with gold, down-on-his-luck hero Dick Whittington sets off to London in search of fame, fortune, adventure… and true love! But the dastardly King Rat and his band of evil ratlings will let nothing stand in the way of world domination and soon the streets of the capital are overrun with rats causing chaos and mayhem across the City.

It’s up to Dick and his friends to save the day, and you’re all invited to join him on his adventures. A traditional family pantomime packed full of comedy, song, dazzling costumes and scenery.

INFORMATION Box office: 01502 770060 www.becclespublichall.com

The Famous Four and a Half Go Wild in Thetford Forest December 4 – January 4 Sir John Mills Theatre, Ipswich January 8 – 18 Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge Eastern Angles bring a new musical comedy spoof to you this festive season. On their hols, Rupert, Nick, Fran, Alex and Dimmy the dog, do battle with a shady figure who has stolen their aunt’s time machine. A crazy chase visits a future Thetford by the Sea, some hipster Neolithics at their local derby, and a certain Home Guard rehearsal. Once again their annual “alternative to panto” hits the wacky heights and spoofs the kids whose adventures we all learnt to read by.

INFORMATION Box office: 01473 211498 easternangles.co.uk

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After six and a half years James Buckle is stepping down as Chairman of Suffolk Community Foundation.

Anne Gould spoke to him about how the charity has changed and its influence for good

James Buckle

E

ntrepreneur and farmer James Buckle, says that one of the things he loves is starting businesses and seeing them grow. “I always thought I would grow them and then sell them but I get emotional about them and then can’t let them go.” So you might suspect he’s feeling a little emotional right now as he is stepping down as chairman of Suffolk Community Foundation at its annual meeting at The Apex in Bury St. Edmunds on November 25th.

He explains part of the constitution of the charity is that no-one can serve on the board for more than nine years and as James was previously a trustee for a few years, his time is up. However, he says it’s time for a fresh face to take over “The Foundation is now on a sure footing at the heart of the county and it needs that new energy to support it to the next level.”

SUFFOLK NEEDS The other big achievement is that charities and organisations across Suffolk are now more aware of the Foundation’s work and how it can help – it’s a large county and it takes time, but the core message is established and now we need to deepen understanding right into the grassroots of our community he says.

“The battle that SCF has taken on to help small charities in Suffolk with funding is just critical, we have to work really hard to persuade people to think local when they give to charity, otherwise the only charities that get money are the multinationals. The really small village-based charities can often

raise the small amounts of money they need, but a few hundred pounds in grants from us, can often increase the positive impact they are making.’’

However, he says there’s still much work to be done right across the board, especially with specific issues like domestic abuse, addiction and more recently the drugs and knife crime issues he feels strongly about.

“It’s been alarming that we have a real growing problem with young people and drugs. The foundation has supported research and brought people together around these issues, but with the establishing of County Lines drug networks out of the major cities,

In the early days, he says there was just a desk in a shared office in Ipswich. “We had to work very hard on every level to establish our presence in the early days, but now we have real cohesion and a really strong team of staff and trustees.” From its offices in Wherstead, Suffolk Community Foundation now has £16 million in its investment funds, which means, he says, that the charity has the foundations it needs to exist and do great work to support the people of Suffolk forever.

“Stephen Singleton, the CEO, has done an amazing job. He was literally handed a box of papers and started the whole project from the ground up. At last count we have awarded over £23M in grants to charities and organisations right across the county. We are also playing our part to bring the challenges into focus and convene some really important conversations and partnership that are really making a difference.’’

Suffolk Community Foundation team on sailing barge Victor

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J A ME S B UC K LE

Suffolk Community Foundation trustees

into major towns and now further out into villages and rural communities, we have to do more to keep our young people safe.

“Anyone who takes drugs needs to understand that it’s killing people, it’s killing young people and its wrecking lives.

Outwardly to visitors, Suffolk is beautiful from Snape Maltings to racing at Newmarket with a chocolate box feel in between but this doesn’t show the true picture. The High Street in Hadleigh, for instance, looks lovely if you drive through but if you slow down and look at what’s going on more closely it’s terrifying.”

One of the biggest County Lines problems in Suffolk, he added, is in Bury St Edmunds, like much of Suffolk it has the perfect mix of affluence and deprivation that criminals can play to their advantage. Suffolk Community Foundation works with over 20 organisations directly connected in some way with addiction and many more dealing with broader issues in society that appear as a result. That’s why he believes passionately in the work that is being done to support young people, charities like the Porch Project in Hadleigh and Cornard, offering help before things go wrong.

Photography by Sylvaine Poitau

“We need to help young people with their life chances so that they grow to be valuable citizens rather than being lured into the drug trade.” The other issue, he says, is that there’s a huge issue of deprivation in Suffolk and this is where he believes the Foundation has provided real leadership with its Hidden Needs reports. “We have lots of jewels, places like Aldeburgh and Southwold, but they too have needs, but then you just have to look left and right along the coast and you have towns like Leiston and Lowestoft right next door where the issues are more obvious.

“Reports like Hidden Needs provide the solid evidence local charities need when applying for funding from the Foundation, but also the bigger organisations and outside the county, we need to bring more money into Suffolk, it’s vital too.”

Although James is stepping down as Chairman he says that the Foundation has changed him and opened his eyes, so moving forward he wants to continue to help – but in another way. “The Lord Lieutenant, Clare, Countess of Euston has asked me to take on a role around the lives of children and young people in the county.

“At the moment I am not sure what this is going to look like, but what’s become obvious, he says, is that there’s duplication or cross over of services in some areas which can mean that similar charities find themselves competing for the same funding or contract which isn’t very helpful.”

Meanwhile, in other areas there are also gaps in services for young people – he says the Foundation struggles to give grants in Forest Heath because the charities/services are just not there. So the idea, he says, would be to ensure that these gaps could be plugged so that for every postcode a young person need only go to one charity or service to find the help they need.

“Ideally, I’ll be working behind the scenes I think, helping to join people up. If they wanted help or advice they’ll be able to call me up and I’ll help to connect them. I’m not taking my foot of the pedal, I will still be working with the Foundation and finding new ways to help.”

INFORMATION www.suffolkcf.org.uk

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THE BEST START IN LIFE Home-Start in Suffolk is a small local charity that helps give children the best start in life and this year it is celebrating its 20th birthday. Anne Gould speaks to Chief Executive Tara Somers

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H O ME - S TART IN S UF FO LK

F

rom the first moment you hold your baby in your arms every parent’s wish is to give that precious vulnerable infant the very best start in life. Unfortunately, sometimes it just doesn’t work out like that.

Life can throw impossible and unforeseen challenges at you and your family and despite your best intentions things can start to unravel. It might be mental health issues, financial struggles, relationships, illness, drug and addiction problems, domestic abuse, job loss or a combination of some or all of these things that can make family living complicated or difficult.

In a county such as Suffolk, families can also struggle because of rural isolation or equally urban deprivation. That’s where Home-Start comes in – it’s a Suffolk-wide charity, based in Martlesham Heath that has, through its network of over 200 volunteers, helped 420 families across the county in the last year. Chief Executive Tara Somers says that Home-Start is a federated organisation with a national body that looks after 185 independent Home-Start charities across the UK, each of which focuses on local provision depending on local needs.

In Suffolk what they offer is support for struggling families with a child or children under the age of 12. Clients are usually referred through health visitors, doctors, social workers, schools and other statutory services but self-referral is also possible. Every referral is assessed, and a bespoke package put in place to meet the needs of the family.

Each family is then carefully matched with a volunteer based on their needs. Support is outcome-based which is planned and reviewed with a dedicated coordinator. ‰

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H O ME - S TART IN S UF FO LK

As a result, the specially trained volunteer visits families weekly, either at home or at a chosen meeting point, for support and advice, whatever is more appropriate.

“We had to meet one client – a mother with young children – in a car park for just 15 minutes at a time because she was too nervous to have anyone visit her home.”

Explains Tara. “We kept going back time after time and just over a year later the mum felt able to leave an extremely abusive relationship and is now living in safety in a new home with her children.”

The sort of support offered varies on a case by case basis – maybe a child or a parent has a diagnosis of terminal illness, which is very challenging. It might be that someone has mental health issues and can’t cope with getting their children out to school in the morning or maybe they need someone to read bedtime stories.

One client – quoted in the annual report – says, “Before Home-Start, I struggled to leave the house because of my mental health.

When support started, I wanted to stop it all because my mental health got the better of me. I stuck at it because I knew I needed it. Thanks to Vikki, I can now go out with my children without having to worry.

Home-Start is different from other types of help because they only do what you feel comfortable with.”

Obviously, as support is so specialised volunteering for Home-Start involves a rigorous selection process and long and careful training. “The volunteers come from all walks of life – some are retired social workers or health visitors, but others come from completely different backgrounds with parenting experience” says Tara. “Our volunteers are all committed and simply want to work with families and give them better opportunities.

“In the last year our volunteers supported 1,400 people across 420 families, but with over 33,000 children living in poverty across the county and potentially 16,000 families that need our help, the need to recruit more volunteers is increasing.”

In addition to individual help, Home-Start also has three group schemes; a family drop in group based at Nansen Road Baptist Church offering an opportunity for adults and children to socialise in a friendly and welcoming environment with age appropriate activities run by a coordinator and volunteers, a homework club based around science and maths at Ravenswood Primary School in Ipswich which is run by a volunteer and a teacher from the school and there’s also a youth group, run in conjunction with 4YP for the eight to 12-year-old age group encouraging young people to try out new things and build confidence.

Tara, who was recently named as a Suffolk Inspiring Leader in the High Sheriff’s Award, says that Home-Start has various funding streams. There is a partnership with Suffolk County Council with support from Home-Start aiming to prevent social services involvement, there’s also been National Lottery funding and funding from Children in Need.

Home-Start in Suffolk hosts some small fundraising events each year such as quiz nights and wreath making courses. Moving forward, as demand for the Home-Start service continues to grow, they hope to increase community involvement with the charity through further events.

The major fundraising event is the annual Snowflake Ball, which is held at The Hanger at Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall. Next year’s ball is set to take place on 15 May 2020 and with new Patron Anthony Horowitz set to attend the guests will be in for another spectacular evening.

Anthony Horowitz

Anthony became Patron in May this year and when asked he was very clear about why he had chosen this small charity. “I’m so pleased to have become a patron of Home-Start in Suffolk...it really is the perfect charity” explained Anthony. “It's doing very valuable work right where it matters, inside the community, inside peoples' homes.

Of course, the first casualties in families are often children and, as a children's author myself, I believe every young person should grow up not just with dreams but with the chance to have those dreams fulfilled. For me, charity begins at Home-Start.”

As part of the charity’s 20th Anniversary celebrations, a new fundraising initiative was launched earlier this year – The Platinum Challenge. Aimed at gaining support from 20 local businesses, the Platinum Challenge invites individuals and organisations to sponsor a year from 1999 to 2019 and pledge to raise a minimum of £1000 over twelve months through fundraising activities which can be themed around the chosen year. So far, nine organisations have pledged their support.

At this time of year, the charity tries to help those clients with financial issues with donations of food. “Christmas is a very difficult time and it’s hard for parents who are unable to buy gifts for their children.

Even basic items of food like pasta, tinned goods or even a £10 Tesco voucher can make a difference to some of our clients,” Tara added.

If you would like to find out more about how you can get involved in any way, from volunteering to fundraising, then contact the Home-Start in Suffolk team.

INFORMATION 01473 621104 headoffice@homestartinsuffolk.org www.homestartinsuffolk.org

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NOVEMBER & DEC E MB ER 20 1 9

H EA LT H

Mr Vyomesh Bhatt

MEET THE NEW SUFFOLK SURGEON This month we met with Mr Bhatt, a Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon who has set up private practice in Suffolk at Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital. We asked him about his speciality and what it covers, before finding out about his wide range of interests and achievements.

What do Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons do?

“Consultants in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) deal with the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the hard and soft tissues of the face, jaws and neck. To enter higher training, a surgeon needs to be qualified in both medicine and dentistry since many of the conditions treated require expertise from both fields. This requirement for dual qualification is recognised by the EU and makes OMFS unique amongst the 10 surgical specialties in the UK.

Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Fellowship in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in England. Following a few years in training as senior house officer and middle grade I joined medical training at the University of Birmingham (2001).

Changing training circumstances in the UK at the time caused me to return to the surgical world and after posts in trauma and orthopaedics and general surgery, I completed the requirements for Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons and Certificate of Completion of Basic Surgical Training. I was then selected for Higher Surgical Training in the West Midlands and two years in the University Hospitals, Birmingham. During my time at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham I was involved in the management of complex trauma, treating injured soldiers returning from modern war fronts. Queen Elizabeth houses the Royal College of Defence Medicine and is a pioneering centre for cranio-maxillofacial trauma, deformity and reconstructive surgery. On completion of specialist training in the UK I undertook a Fellowship in the Management of Facial Deformity and Trauma in Ulm and Freiburg, Germany before commencing duties as Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon in Southend and Chelmsford, Essex.

In addition to performing surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgeons also deal with the non-surgical management of conditions such as facial pain, oral mucosal disease and infections, and procedures range from the relatively minor through to complex major surgery. The more straight-forward procedures include treatment for impacted teeth, complex tooth extractions, cysts and lesions of the oral mucous membranes.

This is called dento-alveolar surgery and encompasses surgery of the tooth-bearing part of the jaws. For example, a dentist may refer a patient with impacted wisdom teeth to an OMFS consultant, or a GP might refer a patient with a rodent ulcer (basal cell carcinoma) on their face, head and neck for excision and repair or reconstruction depending on the location on the head and neck. Treatment maybe as an outpatient or if required the patient may be admitted for elective surgery or as an emergency when a general anaesthetic is necessary”.

My subspecialty interest lies in the management of facial deformity and trauma, management of salivary gland diseases, and facial skin lesions. In the private sector, my main surgical interest is in correction of congenital and acquired facial deformity and minimally invasive approaches to maxillofacial surgery including endoscopic assisted forehead surgery; problems with salivary glands; facial skin lesions; lumps and bumps of the head and neck including those inside the mouth. I treat patients ranging from wisdom teeth removal to bone grafts and sinus lifts for patients referred by their dentist as part of the preparation for implant assisted restorations.”

Tell us about your training and professional development

What are your interests outside clinical practice?

“I trained as a dentist from Manipal in South India (1991) and completed post graduate training in OMFS from Lucknow in the North (1997). I then moved to the UK to complete a

“Beyond my clinical work, I have several interests in education, training and research both in OMFS and the wider healthcare environment. I direct several educational

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activities in the region related to the delivery of oral surgery and run courses locally and internationally on the management of facial deformities, as well as serving a reviewer for several journals related to OMFS. As part of my involvement in streamlining oral surgery services between primary and secondary care for patients across East Anglia, I have been serving as the Chair of the Managed Clinical Network for Oral Surgery in Essex, and as Chair of Clinical Triage for all East Anglia.

I am passionate about disseminating awareness of human factors in the clinical environment and deliver lectures to dentists for Health Education England on the subject.

I also have an interest in the management of complex sub cranial facial asymmetry using virtual planning and patient-specific solutions, and the use of computer software for planning surgery”.

What do you do to relax outside of work?

“I am currently serving as the only Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with a facial deformity interest in all of Essex which keeps me very busy. My spare time is spent as far as possible with my young family in Chelmsford where I live with my wife who is an Orthodontist and my children.

I do try to find time to pursue my interest in languages (I speak Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Urdu, Punjabi, French and Italian) and WW2 history.

To keep fit I cycle and train regularly at the gym. In the past I have had a pilot license and flew single engine aircraft, a hobby I hope to return to when my children have grown up”.

Mr Vyomesh Bhatt, BDS(Hons), MDS(OMFS), FDSRCS(Eng), MBChB(Hons), MRCS (Intercollegiate), FRCS(OMFS), is a new consultant at Nuffield Health Ipswich Hospital. For more information on Mr Bhatt’s clinics or how to book a private consultation with Mr Bhatt please contact 01473 852 574, or visit nuffieldhealth.com/ consultants/mr-vyomesh-bhatt.

For details of all consultants and services visit nuffieldhealth.com/ipswichhospital.

FI NA NCE

Chris George

INHERITANCE TAX IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Tax Manager

the beneficiaries. Some would argue that this is only right, but in practice it can have a drastic affect. This is especially the case when assets are left to two or more beneficiaries who want to simplify the ownership into sole names. It could lead to a significant tax charge arising.

When the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS) published its review of Inheritance Tax (IHT) back in July, the proposal to shorten the time that lifetime gifts could remain in your Estate attracted the majority of the headlines.

However, in the subsequent months it has become apparent that there are several big changes which have almost gone under the radar.

The OTS review was ordered by Philip Hammond, the previous Chancellor, and although he no longer occupies No 11, the current incumbent, Sajid Javid, made headlines when he told the Conservative party conference that he would like to scrap IHT altogether. Although this seems unlikely (the tax is forecast to generate receipts of £5.3billion this year) what does seem certain is that there will be some changes or ‘simplifications’ to IHT in the near future.

And when taxes are simplified, it usually leads to a higher tax bill for the person concerned.

The changes suggested in the report that appear to have been largely brushed over relate to assets which qualify for Business Property Relief (BPR) or Agricultural Property Relief (APR).

Currently, when an individual dies, their beneficiaries inherit their assets at their current value for Capital Gains Tax (CGT) purposes. This uplift in value can prove very valuable because it enables the beneficiary to sell the asset with little or no CGT payable.

However, the OTS review has suggested that for assets which qualify for BPR or APR, such as shares in a family company and farmland, this CGT uplift should be scrapped. Instead, the beneficiary of such assets will inherit the CGT base cost of the deceased, which in some cases can be the value of the asset in March 1982. The rationale behind this is that because IHT is not due on assets which qualify for BPR or APR, they should not enjoy the benefit of reduced CGT in the hands of

Another change suggested relates to the availability of BPR. As it stands, in order to qualify for 100% relief from IHT, a business needs to be wholly or mainly trading. For IHT purposes, ‘mainly trading’ means more than 50%. This means that businesses which have a reasonable proportion of non-trading assets or income (such as let properties) can still qualify for IHT relief. There is a similar trading requirement in CGT for Entrepreneurs’ Relief, however in order to qualify as trading for CGT, the business needs to be at least 80% trading. The OTS has said that having two definitions for ‘trading’ within tax legislation needs to be simplified, and have suggested the trading test for BPR purposes is altered from 50% to 80% in line with the CGT rules.

This is going to mean that a large number of trading businesses, including many farms and other family owned businesses, which have diversified their activities, may find it much harder to obtain IHT relief. The loss of a relief which saves 40% tax could mean that some of these family owned businesses have to be sold or broken up in order to pay the IHT, which ironically is exactly what BPR was designed to help prevent.

So IHT is likely to change and no doubt the changes will be announced as part of a great simplification of the overcomplicated and burdensome tax of the past. There will inevitably be a number of people who are better off as a result of the changes and these are likely to grab the headlines. But if previous ‘simplifications’ can teach us anything, it is that with all of the giveaways, there will be some hidden catches buried in the small print.

For more information on Inheritance Tax and the ways that you can plan ahead to manage your taxes please contact Chris George on 01473 939099 or email hello@scruttonbland.co.uk

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N OVEMB ER & D EC EM BER 20 1 9

BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!

Essential SUFFOLK

always proud ~ to feature ~

LOCAL RETAILERS

Shop local and independent for cosy coats, woolly wraps and stylish scarfs

Faux fur coat £120 Tilley & Grace

Sophia gilet £75, Lisa earrings £18 Tilley & Grace

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FASH I ON

Blenheim wrap £35 Tilley & Grace

Faux fur reversible coat £110 Tilley & Grace

Nikita wrap £79 Ottilie bag £55 Tilley & Grace

Blenheim Wrap £35 Tilley & Grace

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N OVEMB ER & D EC EM BER 20 1 9

Kristianna poncho (also available also in black, navy, winter white and soft pink) Cashmere blend £99.95 Laura Jane Boutique

Blue knit poncho top (also available in grey) with button detail £109.95 Laura Jane Boutique

Chocolate longer length wrap £79.95 Laura Jane Boutique

Camel stripe wrap £159.95 Laura jane Boutique

Cosy palin scarfs £24 each Cake & Catwalk

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Suzi snood £25 Tilley & Grace

Leopard print coat £149.95 Laura Jane Boutique

Fringed scarfs £18 each Cake & Catwalk

FASH I ON

Designer sleepwear for luxury and comfort

PYJAMA PARTY

DKNY pyjamas £72 Sweet Dreams

DKNY 100% cotton pyjamas (various styles) £75 Sweet Dreams

Essential SUFFOLK

always proud ~ to feature ~

LOCAL RETAILERS Find your perfect fit at Sweet Dreams More than 20 years of fitting experience means we don’t just find the right size, but the right shape too DKNY taxi pyjamas £75 Sweet Dreams

45a Thoroughfare, Woodbridge | 01394 380306 Open 9.30 – 5 Monday to Saturday

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PARTY PIECES Black & white print jumpsuit £109.95 Laura Jane Boutique

Bird print slip dress £79.95 Laura Jane Boutique

Grey dragon print shirt dress £89.95 Laura Jane Boutique

Tyler Wallet £45 Tilley & Grace

WINTER COLLECTIONS NOW IN SPECIALISING IN JERSEY & KNITWEAR

STOCKISTS Cake & Catwalk 15 St Peter’s Street, Ipswich.

T: 01473 235573 www.cakeandcatwalk.co.uk Laura Jane Boutique 89/91 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge T: 01394 386686 Sweet Dreams 45a Thoroughfare, Woodbridge.

T: 01394 380306 www.sweetdreams-lingerie.co.uk Tilley & Grace 47 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge; 140 High Street, Aldeburgh; 33 High Street, Southwold; 2 High Street, Holt T: 01728 885598 www.tilleyandgrace.co.uk

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YAYA | PART TWO SOAKED IN LUXURY LUELLA ‘STAR’ COLLECTION TUTTI JEWELLERY PERUZZI | SUZY D

Chic and stylish fashion at affordable prices A unique and enjoyable shopping experience 89/91 Thoroughfare Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 1AW 01394 386686 www.laurajaneboutique.co.uk Situated at the end of the Thoroughfare, just over the traffic lights.

Christmas 2019

16 pages of gifts, recipes, wine and decorations to inspire your best ever celebrations

N OVEMB ER & D EC EM BER 20 1 9

Essential Gifts Perfect presents from your local leading independent retailers Bubbles & fizz umbrella £25 Barretts of Woodbridge

Elf £22, book £10 Love One

Sparkly socks £8.99 Love One

Bevelled edge mirror trinket box £7.49 each Blackthorpe Barn

Chillys – more than 30 variations from £15 Woodbridge Kitchen Company

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Boxed set of 8 notecards £9.59 Blackthorpe Barn

Cinnamon and orange reed diffuser £25.50 Barretts of Woodbridge

Hip flasks £10 each Woodbridge Kitchen Company

Tree necklace £30 Cake & Catwalk

Hare crochet kit £32.99 Blackthorpe Barn

Bubbles & fizz standard mug £11.50 Barretts of Woodbridge

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Zebra bag £48 Cake & Catwalk

Bubbles & fizz hanging decoration £10.50 Barretts of Woodbridge

Gluggle jugs various colours large £32 tiny £12.50 Love One

Two in one bag £30 Cake & Catwalk

Angie Lewin 2020 calendar £9 Love One

Last minute gifts head to Pressi.co.uk for instant eGift vouchers

Dog sequinned collar tote bag £17.99 each Blackthorpe Barn

STOCKISTS Barretts of Woodbridge 40 – 42 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. T: 01394 384300 www.barretts.co.uk Blackthorpe Barns Rougham, Bury St Edmunds. T: 01359 270880 www.blackthorpebarn.com Cake & Catwalk 15 St Peter’s Street, Ipswich. T: 01473 235573 www.cakeandcatwalk.co.uk Love One 21 St Peter’s Street, Ipswich. E: cathy@loveone.co.uk T: 07711 517787 Pressi www.pressi.co.uk The Woodbridge Kitchen Company 5 – 7 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. T:01394 382091 www.woodbridgekitchencompany.co.uk

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Makita DHP459SFE 18V combi drill complete with 2 X 3AH li-ion batteries Elmers Price £164.99

Faithfull 6 piece ratchet spanner set (SSP £60.99) Elmers Price £24.99

Draper 70503 36" roll cab and top chest stack (SSP £814.80) Elmers Price £679.00

Irwin Marples eight piece chisel set (SSP £118.50) Elmers Price £69.99 Draper Stormforce 24L compressor (SSP £166.80) Elmers Price £99.99

Phillips HD4644 energy efficient kettle (SSP £33.00) Elmers Price £24.99

Lighthouse led headlight torch 280 lumens (SSP £15.50) Elmers Price £9.99

Town & Country 2 in 1 kneeler stool (SSP £29.99) Elmers Price £14.99

ELMERS HARDWARE Large range of gift ideas for the gardener, chef and hobby/DIY enthusiast

Judge J3C1 5 piece saucepan set (list £200.00) Elmers Price £84.99

59-61 Edmonton Road Kesgrave, Suffolk T: 01473 623381 www.elmershardware.co.uk

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NOVEMBER & DEC E MB ER 20 1 9

Esther earrings £16

Bette Cashmere fingerless gloves £35

Zoe ring £14

Frederik leather purse in gold £49

Astor earrings £20

Mia faux fur collar £25 Laya bracelet £16

Henri ring £18

Bronte leather handbag in leopard £38

47 Thoroughfare – Woodbridge 140 High Street – Aldeburgh 33 High Street – Southwold 2 High Street – Holt T: 01728 885598 www.tilleyandgrace.co.uk

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C H RI S TMA S 2 01 9

Rabbit barware from £4.75

Robert Welch Signature knives from £26

The perfect Secret Santa £4.99

Stocking presents and table games from £3.50 Grind and keep your coffee fresh, Kilner coffee grinder £29.99

Chilly’s. Over 30 variations from £15

Magimix, the complete kitchen appliance from 239.99

Cocktail kit for everyone from £7.50

7 Thoroughfare Woodbridge IP12 1AA T: 01394 382091 www.woodbridgekitchencompany.co.uk

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The Festive Season at Ufford Park Woodbridge

Have the day off.

All you need to do is book!

Festive Lunch

available throughout December

£17.95 2 courses £19.95 3 courses

Christmas Day Lunch £72.50 per adult adul £29.50 (5 -12 years old)

under 5’s FREE

Boxing Day Lunch £35.00 per adult £19.50 (5 -12 years old)

under 5’s FREE

New Year’s Eve

Gala Dinner £99.00 per adult

(Over 18’s Only)

Family Disco

£39.00 per adult £25.00 (under 12 years old)

t. 01394 383555 ext.325

e. events@uffordpark.co.uk

w. www.uffordpark.co.uk

Yarmouth Road | Melton | Woodbridge | Suffolk | IP12 1QW

C H RI S TMA S 2 01 9

Celebrations start with a toast!

Get your Christmas day celebrations off to the perfect start with this simple but ingeniously festive twist on French toast

Egg Nog French Toast with Spiced Clementine Fynn Valley Café Terrace opened in October 2018 and has gained an enviable reputation for its food offering in a relatively short time. Head Chef Daniel Puddle joined the team in June 2019 and brought with him his passion for preparing dishes from scratch to the highest standard of both taste and presentation, showcasing the best produce Suffolk has to offer.

Daniel Puddle is originally from Norfolk and trained in Great Yarmouth before working in North Norfolk, London and Australia. He returned to Cambridge for a year and then moved to Suffolk two years ago, working in the esteemed Hadleigh Ram and Oaksmere before heading up the Fynn Valley team. Daniel lives in Framlingham with his wife and in his spare time enjoys cycling and eating out by way of local research!

INGREDIENTS Serves two Egg Nog French Toast 4 slices of brioche bread 3 large eggs 50g butter 50g caster sugar 150ml double cream 50ml semi skimmed milk 150ml egg nog 50ml maple syrup ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp grated nutmeg Spiced Clementine 1 clementine 75g caster sugar 75ml water 3 whole cloves 1 star anise ½ cinnamon stick

METHOD For the Egg Nog French Toast 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Whisk together the egg and the caster sugar.

Add the cream and milk to the egg mix and whisk again.

Add the egg nog and the spices.

Soak the brioche in the mixture for 5 minutes.

Heat up the butter in the frying pan.

When melted, carefully place the brioche in the pan and fry on a low heat for 3 minutes until golden brown, then turn over the brioche and repeat.

7. Add the maple syrup to the pan and turn up to high and bring to the boil.

8. As soon as it is boiling turn off the heat.

9. Remove brioche, place on the plate and cover in the maple syrup.

10. Add the spiced clementine segments with a little extra dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg.

For Spiced Clementine 1. Begin by peeling the clementine and removing as much pith as possible.

2. Bring caster sugar, water and spices to the boil, then leave to cool.

3. Once the liquid has cooled, add the clementine and infuse for a minimum of four hours, ideally overnight.

Fynn Valley Cafe Terrace, Witnesham, Ipswich, IP6 9JA | 01473 785267 | fynnvalleyterrace.co.uk Café Open 8am – 6pm every day. Food served 9am – 3pm

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Game On The run up to Christmas is the perfect time to serve game. Local butchers and supermarkets alike should have good variety for you to choose from throughout November and December, so why not try these two festive favourites from leading local chefs

Local Venison Fillet served with Herbed Mashed Potatoes and Wild Mushroom Stroganoff A fantastic in-town pub with a real country feel, The Coach & Horses, Melton, is a lively pub with an atmosphere sure to draw you in; the low ceilings and open fireplace really adding to a sense of history.

Stephanie Wright has been with The Coach & Horse for three years, taking on the role of sous chef in early 2019. Originally from Scotland she has trained with many establishments including a cheese farm and smoke houses to a variety of local restaurants. Steph is a great asset to the team with bringing many inspiring ideas.

INGREDIENTS Serves two 2 venison fillets 2 slices of streaky bacon 2 medium white potatoes Handful of fresh herbs 1 shallot diced 250g wild mushrooms A small pot of double cream 1tsp English mustard 1tbsp smoked paprika 1 measure brandy

METHOD 1. Wrap the venison fillets in bacon and return to the fridge for an hour.

2. Prepare mashed potato; peel and quarter the potatoes place in a pan with boiling water and cook until soft. Mash with a knob butter, splash of milk, salt, pepper and a handful of your chosen fresh herbs.

3. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a pan and seal the venison fillets. Move to a tray and place in a preheated oven at 200°C for 14 minutes (approx.) depending on size and cooking preference.

4. In the same pan sauté the mushrooms and diced shallot, add mustard, paprika and brandy. Flame the brandy to burn off the alcohol and add the cream.

Reduce to required consistency.

5. Serve the venison sliced on top of the mashed potatoes and smother in the rich mushrooms.

Melton Road, Melton, Woodbridge, IP12 1PD | 01394 384851 | www.debeninns.co.uk/coachandhorses Food served all day, every day. Breakfast, lunch and dinner from 9am – 9.30pm

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Partridge stuffed with Pork and Chestnut wrapped in Parma Ham Described as ‘a cosy country gastro-boozer’ there’s definitely a feeling of comfort, warmth and conviviality at multi award winning Sibton White Horse.

Loved, restored and successfully run by Neil & Gill Mason you’ll find them just off the A1120 near Peasenhall

David Murty moved to Suffolk eleven years ago and his impressive CV includes award winning restaurants including The Anchor at Walberswick and Satis House.

He’s back in a Two Rosette winning kitchen team and loves being part of “a small operation with a passion for everything we do” he says.

INGREDIENTS Serves four 4 dressed whole partridge 8 thin slices Parma ham 100g pork mince 4 medium onions Bunch of thyme 40g chestnuts 4 garlic cloves 6 large potatoes 750ml double cream 1 sprig of rosemary 3 large carrots 2 sticks of celery 25g juniper berries 375ml red wine 100g girolle mushroom 200g Brussels sprouts 100g kale 50g fresh cranberries Salt and pepper to season

METHOD

Served with braised leg, dauphinoise potato, girolle mushroom, crispy kale, Brussels sprout, burnt onion, cranberry and juniper sauce

For the stuffing 1. Finely dice 1 onion, strip the leaves from 2 large thyme sprigs and roughly chop the chestnuts.

2. Add these ingredients to the pork mince, season with salt and pepper and mix thoroughly.

(Keep approximately 15g chopped chestnuts for garnishing).

For the partridge 1. Spatchcock the partridge by cutting through the backbone from front to back, gently remove the ribcage and any remaining small bones, cut of the wings and legs. Leave the 2 breasts attached to the skin.

2. Lay cling film onto a kitchen surface and place 2 slices of Parma ham (slightly overlapping) onto the cling film.

3. Lay 1 flattened partridge onto the Parma ham, lay about a quarter of the stuffing onto the partridge and roll over the Parma ham to form a cylindrical sausage, tie the cling film at each end. (Repeat for the further three partridges).

4. Place in refrigerator to help form the shape.

5. Remove the cling film and place in frying pan. Gently sear all-round and then place in oven at 180°C, cook for approximately 20 minutes or until the partridge is completely cooked (be sure not to over-cook).

For the accompaniments 1. Finely dice 1 onion and chop 2 garlic cloves, add to pan with sprig of rosemary. Fry until the onion is soft, add the cream and season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes and remove the rosemary.

2. Peel and thinly slice the potatoes. Place a layer of potato (be sure to overlap the potato) into a baking tray, evenly spread a ladleful of the cream mixture over the layer of potato.

3. Add a further layer of potato followed by another layer of cream, continue the process with a further 3 or 4 layers. Bake in the oven until the potato is tender.

4. Peel 2 onions and cut in half. Char under the grill. Place in some of the leg stock and cook in the oven until soft.

5. Wash the mushrooms thoroughly and gently fry in knob of butter, season to taste.

6. Peel and half the sprouts, boil in water until tender.

7. Deep fry the kale at 180oC degrees, remove when spitting stops (take care with spitting) and drain on a paper towel.

8. Heat the red wine until it starts to thicken. Add the remainder of drained leg stock and reduce further until all water is evaporated and sauce as further thickened.

TO SERVE Slice the partridge and discard the ends. Position the potato, leg, mushroom, kale, Brussels and onion according to the photograph. Sprinkle the cranberries and remainder of chopped chestnuts.

Finally drizzle the juniper sauce over.

Sibton White Horse, Halesworth Road, Sibton, Nr. Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 2JJ 01728 660337 | www.sibtonwhitehorseinn.co.uk

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Alchemy Wines has your Christmas fuel all wrapped up!

by wine expert, Rob Chase

2019 probably saw Prosecco peak in both popularity and quality, thus opening the door to other traditional sparkling wines, like Blanquette de Limoux in the Languedoc (where Dom Pérignon is said to have had his bottle-fermentation light-bulb moment).

Step up the deliciously crisp and appley Sandpiper, Diamond Cuvée Brut (£11.99 bottle/£24.99 magnum). Matured on its lees for nine months, this is made from local variety Mauzac, plus a little Chardonnay to fill the middle palate. Perfect for preChristmas party quaffing or for Buck’s Fizz on the morning itself.

From the La Révérence range, both the Sauvignon Blanc and the Chardonnay (£6.99 each) reflect the quality of the remarkable 2018 vintage, and the winemaking skills of Boris Kovac. The Sauvignon is an eminently quaffable style, marrying Old World fruit and traditions with New World winemaking techniques.

Its classic, blackcurrant-leaf aromas and restrained tropical fruit are balanced by freshness and weight. A great aperitif.

The Chardonnay is everything a Chardonnay should be, but – due to over-enthusiasm in the oak department – so frequently isn’t.

This is textbook, unoaked Chardonnay – the perfect accompaniment to the most creative canapés.

T

ry as we might, we can’t ignore the fact that Christmas will soon be upon us. As good a time as any, I thought, for a heads-up regarding drinking matter, so I set about reflecting on my recent encounters with Alchemy Wines.

It struck me that his small range of excellent wines would suit anyone’s seasonal needs.

In addition, David has offered significant discounts shown here for readers of Essential Suffolk with savings of up to 30% off the the usual prices.

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My summer ‘pink’ has been the 2018 D&B Rosé (£8.99). This should be on every festive table as the perfect refresher with the fowl, and the 2010 D&B GSM&C (Grenache/ Syrah/ Mourvèdre and Carignan at £11.99) spending three years in oak and another three years in the bottle has mellowed and is drinking beautifully now, a great match for roast meats of any colour.

Crowd pleasers, both! D&B simply standing for ‘D’avid and ‘B’oris – these are the best of what we do!

C H RI S TMA S 2 01 9

David is also offering impressively discounted magnums of 2016 ‘The Red’ Shiraz (£18.99), from Castilla, Spain. It is the absolute antithesis of the inky, black Syrah-style of the Rhône Valley (albeit the same grape), being more ‘New World’ with its big, bold, red fruits. Not only will this flatter anything served up at the Christmas table – for vegetarians and carnivores alike – the magnum itself provides an extra touch of class. The low-yielding, action-packed 2018 ‘100 Year Old Vine’ Carignan (£9.99) from the Languedoc sings with concentrated black fruit, herbs and spices. This is something of a rarity: the price is deceptively low, and I would suggest decanting it a couple of hours ahead of serving.

“A fistful of genuinely great value wines” Finally, how about a ‘sticky’? Mü, Muscat de Frontignan (50cl @ £11.99) is full of rich, raisined sweetness with a hint of marmalade – just perfect for seeing off the Christmas pudding.

PS For lovers of gadgets, David offers two ‘must have’ accessories. Keep the base of the Caddyo bottle chiller (£24.99) in the freezer until required. Then place your bottle into the holder and zip both into the heavily-insulated bottle-shaped carrier. Great fun and efficaciously cool for up to 8 hours. The Chillcore (£16.99) is even simpler: it stays in the freezer until needed, at which point insert it into the bottle and within 15 minutes, your wine is not only chilled and ready to go, it’ll stay cold for two hours. The Chillcore also acts as a pourer and preserver. Gizmos that work, and are fun to give.

A fistful of genuinely great value wines and a couple of present ideas for Christmas: all at seasonal knockdown prices, and all available to collect from Alchemy’s offices at Ransomes Masterlord Business Park Ipswich or we will arrange delivery for you.

Contact Alchemy Wines Unit 3, Beta Terrace Masterlord Business Park Ipswich, IP3 9SX 01473 290244 www.alchemywines.co.uk EssentialSUFFOLK

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Featuring our magical festive displays, and beautiful range of decoratrions, giftware, and tableware.

Ask about our last order dates for pre-Christmas delivery.

VISIT OUR STORE TO VIEW OUR FABULOUS RANGE OF QUALITY HOME FURNISHINGS

C H RI S TMA S 2 01 9

Mice to meet you! Fluffy foxes, pretty penguins and flirty flamingos are just some of the cute decorations on offer this Christmas. Whether hanging on the tree or adorning a shelf or window ledge younger visitors will adore them

Cutest Christmas Companions

Decorations from £4.99 All available from Barretts of Woodbridge 40 – 42 Thoroughfare.

T: 01394 384300 www.barretts.co.uk

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Barn Christmas e p r o h t k 2019 c a l B

The

Wonder of Christmas at Blackthorpe Barn

Country Christmas Shop s British Crafts s Christmas Trees HandmadeWreaths s Festive Nights s Walks s Talks Workshops s Santa’s Grotto s Café

See opening hours at

www.blackthorpebarn.com

J45 A14. Rougham, 3 miles from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP30 9HZ

C H RI S TMA S 2 01 9

Reflecting the glow of a candle with glass, metal or sequinned decorations will make your Christmas setting sparkle and shine with sophistication

Glamour and Glitz

Flying Santa & Train snow globe, small £49, large £79 Barretts of Woodbridge

Red luster glass lantern £3.29 Blackthorpe Barn

Brass star from £18.99 Blackthorpe Barn

Nutcracker snow globe £24 Barretts of Woodbridge

Reindeer candelabra £83.99 Blackthorpe Barn Range of Sophie Allport botanical candles available from Barretts of Woodbridge

STOCKISTS Barretts of Woodbridge 40 – 42 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. T: 01394 384300 www.barretts.co.uk Blackthorpe Barns Rougham, Bury St Edmunds. T: 01359 270880 www.blackthorpebarn.com

Hand-blown Egyptian glass bauble Blackthorpe Barn

Clear crackled glass bauble £3.29 Blackthorpe Barn

Pub Walks with Darcy

Darcy’s latest collection of walks brings together some favourites from The Westleton Crown

Highfield Barn

Charity Farm Redmere Farm

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4 Old Hall

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3 Start point 1 2 14 for all routes 12 WESTLETON

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The Lambpits

Sandy Lane Farm

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8

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8 4 9 3 2 10

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PH Remains

DUNWICH

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Westleton Heath Nature Reserve

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6 9

Greyfriars Wood

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11 10

13 15

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The countryside around Westleton is surely some of the most beautiful in the county. Heath, forest and open grasslands stretch for miles and there are plenty of well-mapped routes for avid walkers. We’ve already published our two favourite circulars from The Westleton Crown along with the ever popular Inn to Inn route – also a circular but a longer route via The Ship at Dunwich. So it’s time to pull these together into one of Darcy’s popular ‘collections’ in readiness for the crisp winter days that call for a good ramble ending in front of an open fire at a dog friendly pub.

Walkbarn Farm Westleton Walks

Sponsored by Coastguard Cottages

11 Scotts Hall

3/13 12

Saunders’ Hill

Minsmere Nature Reserve

4 www.christchurchvets.co.uk

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the walk OS MAP: Explorer 212/231 START POINT OS REFERENCE: 440 689 As always please keep your dog under close control and follow any advisory signs. Before you set off ensure you visit www.essentialsuffolk.com/pub-walks-with-darcy for a printable map and comprehensive instructions for these routes and more than 70 previous walks.

ROUTE 1

Blue Route

Heading north east out of the village route one heads towards the coast via the woodlands surrounding the Westleton Heath Nature Reserve. Soak in the tranquillity because you’ll be hard pushed to find a phone signal out here – so download your map or print it out before-hand. Just one call for attention, make sure you chose the right path at point 3 – taking an OS map out with you might be a useful backup. If you’re following the combined map please take care to follow only the blue numbers.

ROUTE 2

Purple Route

His is the shortest of the three routes at approximately 3.5 miles but never-the-less there’s still plenty of stunning scenery to enjoy.

There’s a short stretch on quiet lanes so just beware that traffic volumes vary depending on the day and time of your walk.

Heading out over farmland and back along the heath path you’ll still see plenty of wildlife too. If you’re following the combined map please take care to follow only the purple numbers.

ROUTE 3

A CRAFTED CHRISTMAS

Red Route

The Inn to Inn route is a beautiful walk – over lapping in parts with route 1 but taking you down to the coast at Dunwich too.

It returns through the nature reserve and all in all has to be one of our very favourite walks, not least because of the half way stop! Keep your eyes peeled for muntjac, as well as the very many birds that make this very special area their home. If you’re following the combined map please take care to follow only the red numbers.

From stays, to our festive comedy dinner, to the big day

Book Now

01728 648777 | westletoncrown.co.uk The Street, Westleton Nr Southwold, Suffolk, IP17 3AD

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COASTAL ESCAPE What better way to escape than a break on the Suffolk Coast. Lesley Rawlinson heads for Dunwich where Essential Suffolk favourite The Ship is under new owners

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S H O RT B RE AK RE V IE W | T HE S H I P, D UNWI C H

W

e’re living in uncertain times – I can’t be the only person who’s exhausted at how often I’m hearing these weary words. By the time you’re reading this will everything be resolved? Highly unlikely – however if you’re currently cowering on your sofa wondering what the months ahead will bring I can offer you some positive news. While giants of the holiday industry crash out of the game and our consciousness over the environmental costs of travel have never been higher, there’s an opportunity to surround yourself with the beauty of nature, breathe the purest coastal air, rest and relax in style and comfort… oh and the food and drink is pretty great too.

The Ship at Dunwich has long been a firm favourite of mine, along with its ‘sister’ The Crown – just down the road at Westleton – and so news of a change of ownership for both last autumn, I have to admit now, was

received with slight angst. New owners, Chestnut, already a stable of quality properties across East Anglia, might mean a change of formula? Would everything I loved about The Ship be swept along with the tide of change and end up as the wreckage of a treasured memory? I’ll leave the coastal metaphors there but you get the picture.

So what makes The Ship so special? Number one must be the location. If you still haven’t found your way to this gem of a hideaway on the Suffolk coast then head just north of RSPB Minsmere. The tiny village of Dunwich is nestled in the shelter of the cliffs and is a well-positioned base for exploring the surrounding heaths, forests and coast. We’ve mapped at least four Pub Walks with Darcy routes (see essentialsuffolk.com/pub-walkswith-darcy) over the years including the famous Inn to Inn route (see page 62) connecting the two pubs. For serious walkers

there’s also an extremely enjoyable route via Walberswick to Southwold – and of course the surrounding lanes are a perfect playground for cyclists too.

However the pub itself has some rather appealing attributes and I am pleased to report that its star continues to rise in my eyes. Booked in for a midweek stay I was greeted with the trademark relaxed but efficient informality of The Ship team. Some faces are new, some long established yet there’s always an ease about the place. Stone floors and stripped furniture mean walking boots, dogs and children are commonplace and as temperatures fall the wood-burning stove will virtually be on 24 hour shifts.

But all that relaxed informality doesn’t mean a lack of comfort where it’s needed.

The accommodation has recently been refurbished and I was shown to my room –

SeaFields. What an apt name. The view from the pretty window across Dingle Marsh reflected in the décor. A subtle, soft seagreen shade (some might say blue?) accented the crisp white bed linen and rustic painted furniture. Other rooms use a similar beachinspired pallet but without being overtly ‘coastal’ - shades of coral, stone, sand and sea all feature. The quirky nature of the building has been creatively incorporated – on first impression this was a cosy double with ensuite bathroom but on further investigation a tiny staircase in the corner of the room led to a further twin space above making it a perfect room for families where everyone needs a bit of space for themselves.

A good choice of quality refreshments, TV, radio, hairdryer – I was beginning to relax into this stay already.

I was blessed to arrive in late-afternoon October sunshine. Determined to take the chance to get out and enjoy the weather-

window, but with daylight in relatively shortsupply and I laced up my trainers and headed out for a run. I’ve discovered it’s a great alternative to walking (for the time-deprived individual) while still enjoying the open air and countryside. There was an added incentive too – I’d spied the evening menu.

From experience the portions at The Ship have always been generous and I already had my eye on both a starter and a main… off out I go!

On return there was time for a well-earned soak in the bath before making my way down for another squint at that menu. I was pleasantly surprised by the buzz in the bar – walkers, locals and holiday makers, plus a varied collection of adorable dogs, all eating, drinking and chattering. And that’s part of the inevitable charm of this place; it’s a bit of a hub. But there’s also plenty of space. In the summer the garden and patio add even more but when the outdoors is less inviting there’s the traditional main bar, a relaxed but atmospheric dining room or the conservatory where I chose to settle for the evening.

A warming bowl of curried pumpkin soup with homemade seedy bread made a great first impression. Subtly swirled throughout with crème fraiche the delicate flavours balanced perfectly. But I needed to leave space for what was to follow; homemade pork, leek and mushroom pie with creamy mash, local greens and red wine gravy – autumn had arrived. There are always a number of delicious fish dishes on the menu but I also highly recommend the Scotch eggs. They’re listed under Starters / Light Meal and there are three choices; Blythburgh pork and black pudding with homemade piccalilli, ‘hot smoked’ salmon and horseradish with sweet pickled cucumber or spiced mixed bean with homemade spice tomato chutney.

I slept like the proverbial log in my enormously comfortable bed and opted for the full English. Breakfast at The Ship is the perfect set up for a day exploring – quality local ingredients, loads of choice and the same friendly service that’s on offer throughout your stay. So, all in all, I had no cause for worry – staying at one of my alltime favourites was just as enjoyable as I had hoped and with the new rooms, even lovelier than ever.

INFORMATION The Ship St James Street, Dunwich Saxmundham, IP17 3DT 01728 648219 info@shipatdunwich.co.uk www.shipatdunwich.co.uk

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The Maybush

Ufford Park

Kingfishers

The Maybush Inn sits on the banks of the Deben in Waldringfield. The busy riverside pub and restaurant affords panoramic views across the river and beyond. The Maybush has become famous for its excellent food offering with a wide range and varied menu including local game, meats and fresh seafood. Vegetarian options and children’s menu available. Food offers are available throughout the week. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week from 9am. See our website for details.

Open every day, The Park Restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere, local produce and a seasonally-changing menu. You can enjoy Sunday Lunch in both the restaurant and bar and this is priced accordingly. Join us on Sunday 17th November and sit back and relax with local saxophonist playing between 12 noon & 2pm. Our Festive Afternoon Tea launches on Monday 2nd December through to Sunday 5th January and is priced at £19.00 per person. All party sizes can be accommodated. Open to everyone.

Our bar, restaurant and terrace have been thoughtfully designed as a welcoming and stylish haven for relaxed indoor and outdoor dining. Fresh, local plates of food to cater for all, so if it’s a breakfast, Sunday lunch, a romantic evening or afternoon tea, you will find what you are looking for. We make all of our bread in house and keep our food miles to a minimum. Family friendly and dogs welcome in our bar area.

Open: 7 days a week 9am – 11pm Food served 9am – 9.30pm daily

Open: Monday to Sunday 6.30pm – 9.30pm.

Sunday Lunch in The Park Restaurant served 12 noon – 4pm

Open: Bar open: Mon to Thurs from 7.30am, Fri to Sun from 7am. Food service: Mon to Weds 9am – 3pm, Thurs & Fri 9am – 9pm, Sat 7.30am – 9pm, Sun 7.30am – 5.30pm

The Maybush, Cliff Road, Waldringfield, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4QL

Ufford Park, Yarmouth Road, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1QW

Swan Lane, Cretingham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 7BA

01473 736215 maybush@debeninns.co.uk www.debeninns.co.uk

0844 847 9467 reception@uffordpark.co.uk www.uffordpark.co.uk

01728 685275 info@kingfisherscretingham.co.uk www.kingfisherscretingham.co.uk

The Fox

The Coach & Horses

Butt & Oyster

Imagine a chocolate box style village pub, beaming with pinkness, beautiful tranquil gardens and flowers around the door.

Add a loyal and friendly clientele and great food and you’ll wish you had discovered us sooner. Fine locally sourced food is offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week from 9am and this is complemented by an ever changing range of guest ales and wines. See our website for details of our menus.

The Coach & Horses located just outside of Woodbridge, has extremely good access to the A12 with ample parking. Originally a staging inn or coach house, it’s historical role is equally well served today providing great family food. We offer a great combination of quality, value and atmosphere that the Deben Inns are renowned for. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week from 9am. See our website for details of our menus.

Open: 7 days a week 9am – 11pm Food served 9am – 9.30pm daily

Open: 7 days a week 9am – 11pm Food served 9am – 9.30pm daily

The Butt & Oyster is one of the best known public houses in Suffolk renowned for its good beer, good food and great views.

As you eat watch the changing tides on traditional timeless shores. Understand an artist’s inspiration with Thames barges, swans and the river, enjoying the finest Suffolk ales whilst being tempted by the wonderful aromas which welcome you.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week from 9am. See our website for details of our menus.

The Fox, The Street, Newbourne, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4NY

The Coach & Horses, Melton, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1PD

Butt & Oyster, Pin Mill, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 1JW

01473 736307 fox@debeninns.co.uk www.debeninns.co.uk

01394 384851 coachandhorses@debeninns.co.uk www.debeninns.co.uk

01473 780764 buttandoyster@debeninns.co.uk www.debeninns.co.uk

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Open: 7 days a week 9am – 11pm Food served 9am – 9.30pm daily

FO O D G A LL E RY

Sibton White Horse

Salthouse Harbour Hotel

Situated in the pretty Suffolk Village of Sibton, this beautiful 16th-century pub has a wealth of charm and an abundance of character. Enjoy delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere in the bar or restaurant areas.

Recently awarded 2 AA Rosettes, the food at the Sibton White Horse is freshly prepared using the local fresh and seasonal ingredients from Suffolk producers. Take one of the many local walks and build an appetite for lunch – best to book a table just in case it’s busy.

Open every day for a relaxing Lunch, sumptuous Afternoon Tea or an intimate dinner overlooking the stunning harbour.

Head Chef Luke Bailey, winner of the prestigious award of Suffolk Chef of the Year 2019, is passionate about creating delicious food using fresh, honest ingredients. Large selection of wines or enjoy a refreshing cocktail while you soak up the views across the idyllic waterfront. A beautiful place to meet up with friends, whatever time of year.

Open: Food served lunchtimes 12 – 2pm Wednesday to Saturday (2.30 on Sunday).

Evenings 6.30 – 9pm Monday to Saturday, 7.00 – 8.30pm Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday lunchtimes.

Open: Every day from 12pm.

Afternoon tea served daily from 1pm to 5pm.

Sibton White Horse, Halesworth Road, Sibton, Nr. Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 2JJ

Salthouse Harbour Hotel, Neptune Quay, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AX

The Artisan Smokehouse, Goose Barn, Back Road, Falkenham, Suffolk, IP10 0QR

01728 660337 info@sibtonwhitehorseinn.co.uk www.sibtonwhitehorseinn.co.uk

01473 226789 reservations@salthouseharbour.co.uk www.salthouseharbour.co.uk

01394 448414 info@artisansmokehouse.co.uk www.artisansmokehouse.co.uk

The Randolph

Fynn Valley

The Fountain

Located in the heart of the peaceful village of Reydon, just a 15 minute stroll from Britain’s quintessential seaside town of Southwold; The Randolph provides the perfect base for exploring the heritage coast and offers a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

In the countryside just outside Ipswich, the new Fynn Valley Café Terrace and The Venue catering for weddings, celebrations, private & Christmas parties, charity events, conferences & more is where your event is uniquely designed by you and created by us. It is the ‘place for taste’ with delicious, locally sourced, breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or just coffee and homemade cake.

Picturesque views across our golf course.

Open to ALL – Non-members very welcome.

Just three miles north of Ipswich in Tuddenham St Martin a warm welcome awaits at our informal bistro style restaurant.

Enjoy the atmosphere of a 16th century country pub with great food, great service and great value. Full A La Carte menu plus set price menus available daily. Our ever changing ‘Specials’ can be found on our website. Covered heated patio and spacious beer garden. Now serving coffee, cakes and brunch from 9.30am to 2pm daily.

Open: 11am – 11pm, 7 days a week. Food served 12pm – 2pm and 6.30pm – 9pm

Open: 8am – 6pm every day Food served 8am – 4pm Please check our website for what’s on and events as opening and food service hours will vary.

Open: Monday to Friday: Brunch 9:30am – 2pm, Dinner 6pm – 9pm.

Saturdays: Brunch 9:30am – 2pm, Dinner 6pm – 9.30pm.

Sunday: Food service from 12 – 7pm

The Randolph, 41 Wangford Road, Reydon, Southwold, Suffolk, IP18 6PZ

Fynn Valley, Witnesham, Ipswich Suffolk, IP6 9JA

The Fountain, The Street, Tuddenham St. Martin, Suffolk, IP6 9BT

01502 723603 reception@therandolph.co.uk www.therandolph.co.uk

01473 785267 enquiries@fynnvalleyterrace.co.uk www.fynnvalleyterrace.co.uk

01473 785377 fountainpub@btconnect.com www.tuddenhamfountain.co.uk

NEW! Week Day Warmer: Every Monday to Friday Lunch 12 noon – 2pm 2 courses and a drink* – £15 per person 3 courses and a drink* – £17.50 per person (*Soft drink, 125ml house wine or ½ pint draught beer. Menu options change weekly)

The Artisan Smokehouse Café & Deli

Set in the lovely village of Falkenham, near Felixstowe, with wonderful countryside views.

Join us in our licensed café, where all the smoked foods are hand-made on site. Enjoy breakfast, coffee & cake, and light meals including smoked meat and fish platters, cheese boards, sandwiches and salads.

While you’re here why not grab something to take home from our deli, which stocks a wide range of products, including our own award-winning smoked foods.

Open: Thursday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm.

Please see website for variations in opening.

Food served all day – breakfast until 11.30am

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AWARD WINNING DESIGN It’s been a very successful year for Rendall & Wright – the dynamic interior design partnership established 13 years ago by Lindsey Rendall and Helen Wright

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B US I N ES S P RO FI LE | R EN D A L L & WRI G HT

xpanding their team, moving to new premises and winning awards all feature as they reflect on 2019.

“Rachel becoming really embedded in the team and moving into our newly completed studio have started a new chapter in our continuing success story” explains Lindsey, “and winning the latest award has just been the perfect sign off for 2019”.

E

Rachel studied Art & Design at West Suffolk and De Montfort University, Leicester, before moving to London to work with Terence Conran’s Architecture & Interior Design Company based in Shad Thames. She worked on prestigious commercial projects, predominantly designing bars and restaurants in London for the Conran Group, as well as projects in Paris and Stockholm.

Rendall & Wright have always been about offering a comprehensive, bespoke interior design and soft furnishing service for their clients. “Developing a property can be an extremely stressful experience” says Lindsey, “we carefully guide our clients to ensure the process in an enjoyable one and that the finished project exceeds expectations”. Their projects have seen them refurbish homes – in Suffolk, London and throughout the UK – including new builds and period restorations as well as commercial projects, including hotel, spa and restaurant design.

After ten intensive years she returned to Suffolk to join the established family firm, Clement Joscelyne, based in their beautiful Bury St Edmunds showroom. She learned a whole new approach to design taking on bespoke soft furnishings working with local crafts people including curtain makers, upholsterers and joiners. “I have been incredibly fortunate to have worked within small, independent companies where I am able to give a high level of customer service with a friendly, personal and professional approach, to ensure that each individual project is perfectly executed” Rachel commented.

Until 2018 this had all been very much about Lindsey and Helen using their perfectly paired skillsets to deliver their projects, however when the decision was made for two to become three it was important to find someone who would further add to their talents. Enter Rachel Morley; originally from Suffolk and settled back here with her family, but with a wealth of knowledge from more than 20 years in the industry.

able to present our designs here in a calm, neutral environment where colours and textures can be seen without the influence of what might currently exist can be very helpful all round. It’s surprising how viewing certain colours in a room where other colours already dominate can alter their appearance”.

This attention to detail and concern for the client’s perspective and experience is reflected in their most recent award. There was tough competition in the Residential £1-2.5 Million (Property by Value) category at The International Design & Architecture Awards 2019 however Rendall & Wright were crowned winners for Henny House. “Winning in the awards’ 10th anniversary year was very special. More than 400 projects were shortlisted and to win on a stage where global interior design and architecture industry leaders are brought together is indeed an honour”.

“Having Rachel on board with all her knowledge and experience completely complements all that Lindsey and I have been creating until now” says Helen. She added “We each bring our own individual styles to all that we do but our values and understanding of what we’re ultimately delivering for our clients is completely cohesive. Working now from our new design studio makes the process even more straightforward for our customers”.

And the new space is impressive; a beautifully bright barn, just outside Hadleigh, where the ladies can share their creativity with clients as well as each other. “Initially visiting the customer’s space is vital to gain an understanding of what we need to achieve – how the scheme will fit within its surroundings and a feel for light, use and so on” explains Lindsey “however being

INFORMATION Rendall & Wright (Meetings by prior appointment only) The Games Room, Deaves Farm Layham, IP7 5PB 01787 375076 www.rendallandwright.com

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A modern take on formal dining, by integrating in the kitchen, the host chef can still join in the party.

Anglia Factors

TIME TO DINE You may still love the tradition of your formal dining room, or be in favour of more integrated living spaces. Finding the right furniture will be key and these local independent retailers are waiting to help you

Cromwell dining range from Barretts of Woodbridge

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Marconi patterned oak drinks cabinet sale price ÂŁ959 Harpers Furniture

H O ME S & I N T ER IO RS

Marconi Collection oak dining tables, sale prices from £479 Harpers Furniture

Chelsea grey painted collection from Harpers Furniture

Essential SUFFOLK

Cromwell extending dining table Barretts of Woodbridge

always proud ~ to feature ~

LOCAL RETAILERS

STOCKISTS Anglia Factors 34 Gloster Road, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich. T: 01473 610192 www.angliafactors.co.uk Barretts of Woodbridge 40 – 42 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. T: 01394 384300 www.barretts.co.uk Harpers Furniture Star Lane, Ipswich. T: 01473 213858 www.harpersfurniyure.co.uk

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The Sophie Allport Holly & Berry Collection

FUN FOR YOUR

FESTIVE TABLE Is your Christmas table lacking a certain something? Does it need some shine and sophistication or maybe a rustic reindeer or two? Pep up your party preparations with stunning styles all available from Barretts of Woodbridge

Snowflake table runner (matching items available)

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Starry Night napkin set ÂŁ16.50

Mistletoe Collection

H O ME S & I N T ER IO RS

Bubbles & Fizz Collection includes napkins, table runner, place mats and coasters

Holly & Berry Collection porcelain bowls from £12, rectangular plate £12

Stag napkin rings £5 each

Penguin and reindeer napkins £11.50

Barretts of Woodbridge 40 – 42 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge. T: 01394 384300 www.barretts.co.uk

Over 25 years of supplying high quality German kitchen furniture and Villeroy & Boch bathrooms

German kitchen furniture | Corian | Dekton | Miele | Neff

Villeroy & Boch bathrooms | Hansgrohe | Matki | Aqata | Keuco 2 A1

A12

WOODBRIDGE INTERIORS

KITCHEN & BATHROOM SPECIALISTS

A12

A1 15 2

WOODBRIDGE

D NR LTO ME

LD FIE ITH SM

A1152

WOO MELTON DS L N

Kitchen & Bathroom Showroom Smithfield, Melton Road, Woodbridge, IP12 1NG

01394 386390

www.woodbridgeinteriors.co.uk

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NOVEMBER & DEC E MB ER 20 1 9

AN T IQ U E S & AU C TI O NS

A FINIAL AND A FINALE!

James Neal

It has been an enormous pleasure to write a column for this magazine since its inception. For those who have read and commented on the articles “like wot I have writ” I send a heartfelt thank to you all or, more probably, to you both! It has been fun to reminisce and pass on what I hope have been amusing instances from my time in the saleroom and on the rostrum. Other stories and different subjects have been covered along the way.

But now it is time for my finale, as I prepare to retire in the spring after fifty plus years of hard labour. I need just one last hoorah!

My “inspiration” comes from the word finial which I contend is quite close to finale. Referencing finial lead me to learn a completely new term; a hip-knob.

Anyway, a finial as we know is usually an attractive object which sits at the top of, or at the end of, an object. For furniture think perhaps of a pole screen, a box base toilet mirror or morph to a Jim Lawrence curtain pole with a cannon ball or spear finial at each end.

Exotic as a finial may sound, hip-knob does have a certain resonance.

I have seen it defined in reverse as a finial as well as the element of decoration at the intersection of a ridge and hip during the construction of a roof. That lofty position is, of course, way above my station but perhaps a fitting finale!

So now it is a case of saying bye for now – it has been fun for me and I hope for you too! – or is that two?

Please do stop it – I know what some of you may well think of me, but although not medically qualified to say so, I still feel both my hips are fine. Just please don’t mention the knees!

Moving Home?

Move in with us REVELLS REMOVALS & STORAGE UK – EUROPE – WORLDWIDE Eastlands Industrial Estate, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4LL 01728 830849 | info@revells-removals.co.uk

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P R OPE RT Y

Essential

PROPERTY 76 77 79 80 81 83 92

Mortimers Fenn Wright Jackson Stops Grier & Partners Savills Clarke & Simpson Hopkins Homes

78 Occold

82 Sutton

84 Woodbridge

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FAMILY RUN bUSINESS WITH OvER 30 YEARS ExPERIENCE

guide price £750,000

Ufford

An attractive and spacious 4 bedroom detached house which occupies a generous plot. ent hall, study, dining room, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, boot room, master bedroom with en-suite and dressing area, guest room with en-suite and Jack & Jill en-suite to serve bedrooms 3 and 4. poppy lodge is a detached annex in the grounds of the property. epc: c.

Woodbridge

guide price £775,000

LAST PROPERTY REMAINING! is this modern and very spacious 5 bedroom town house with private parking in the centre of Woodbridge.

Woodbridge

guide price £695,000

SOLD more deTAcHed properTieS in WoodBridge reQUired cAll For A Free VAlUATion

guide price £375,000

Ufford

A charming 3 bedroom period cottage with many original features, ent hall, shower room, garden room, kitchen, dining room, walk-in pantry, sitting room, bathroom and separate W.c, 3 bedrooms, large garden and a garage. epc: d

Woodbridge

guide price £230,000

First Time Buyers – A three bedroom terraced house with kitchen/diner, ensuite, off-road parking and an extensive garden to the rear. epc: d

Woodbridge

guide price £245,000

First Time Buyers – is three bedroom terraced house is tucked away fronting a leafy green, yet conveniently close to local schools and the co-op. epc: d

guide price £475,000

Snape

A very handsome 4 bedroom detached house in the highly desirable village of Snape. ent Hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility, cloakroom, master bedroom with en-suite, 3 further bedrooms, family bathroom, double garage, garden backing onto farmland. epc: d

Otley

guide price £475,000

A spacious 4 bedroom detached family home in the centre of the village near the shop and within Farlingaye High School catchment. epc: d

Ufford

guide price £385,000

A well present 4 bedroom detached house with garden and garage. e property has been extended and offers spacious family accommodation. epc: d

guide price £375,000

Woodbridge Town Centre

A 1930s 3 bedroom semi-detached house with garage and parking. ent hall, sitting room, kitchen / dining room, utility and cloakroom, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. early viewing advised. epc: d

Hasketon

guide price £450,000

A three bedroom detached bungalow with modern kitchen and bathroom fittings, integral garage and a large garden to the rear. epc: TBc

Woodbridge

guide price £795,000

is deceptively spacious modern town house is located nearby to market Hill with a decent sized garden and flexible accommodation set over four floors. epc: TBc

call 01394 386688 or email info@mortimersestateagents.co.uk

Selling the most desirable town houses, country homes & properties with character in Essex & Suffolk

fennwright.co.uk

Otley Bottom | Woodbridge office • Four bedroom country cottage • Fabulous living room with wood burner • Delightful kitchen, separate utility room

Great Bealings | Kesgrave office • No onward chain • Village living in a rural location • Impressive kitchen/conservatory

Playford | Kesgrave office • Four bedroom well-presented home • Two bedrooms with en-suites • Elevated position enjoying country views

£725,000 • Easy reach of Woodbridge and Ipswich • Off road parking for multiple vehicles • Wonderful gardens, EPC – E

£395,000 • Light and airy sitting room • Three good size bedrooms • Garage, parking, EPC – D

£749,950 • Stunning Anglia Factors kitchen • Double garage with studio room above • Private landscaped gardens, EPC – C

Martlesham | Kesgrave office • Bespoke new build family home • Excellent accommodation • High quality kitchen

£850,000 • Separate utility room • Carpets to all bedrooms • Gated access with parking, EPC – TBC

Woodbridge | Woodbridge office

£795,000

• Good access to Farlingaye High School • Study/ground floor bedroom • Beautifully presented, versatile family home • Approx. 1/3 of an acre plot • Five/six bedrooms with one en-suite • Double garage, parking, EPC – C

Town centre | Woodbridge office • Well-appointed accommodation • Grade II listed townhouse • Open plan kitchen/breakfast room

£565,000 • Well-lit first floor sitting room • West facing walled courtyard garden • Parking space, EPC – D

Woodbridge 01394 333346 | signaturesuffolk@fennwright.co.uk | Kesgrave 01473 358400

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Cedar Rise Facts Location: Occold Price: £235,000 - £475,000 Agent: Clarke & Simpson

Stunning new Suffolk homes Cedar Rise is a new development of eight contemporary new houses enjoying countryside views, in north Suffolk. The properties are situated in the rural village of Occold, within walking distance of the Beaconsfield Arms public house (known locally as “The Beaky”), the village hall, playing field, and the primary school. Day-today facilities are available in the historic market town of Eye, which provides a range of independent local shops, as well as Barclays Bank, two Co-ops and a newsagent.

Seven miles distant is the town of Diss with direct rail services to both Norwich (17 minutes) and London’s Liverpool Street (1 hour 20 minutes).

Cedar Rise is a highly impressive site of eight houses. The timber homes will be finished to the highest of standards and are being built

by Hartbuild Ltd who have constructed some

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first class dwellings and have recently finished a site in Creeting. All the new houses at Cedar Rise will offer light and spacious accommodation with high quality kitchens that will include integrated ovens and dishwashers. Throughout each of the houses there will be tiled or carpet floor coverings.

Each property will benefit from central heating via an air source heat pump to underfloor heating on the ground floor and radiators on the first floor. All homes will additionally have spacious gardens with ample parking. Those that wish to see similar completed dwellings are welcome to do a drive-by of the Creeting site that can be found at IP6 8NF.

INFORMATION Clarke & Simpson 01728 724200

SEMER

SPROUGHTON

● Kitchen/breakfast room ● Pool house ● Self-contained offices

● 5 bedrooms ● 2 bed self-contained annexe ● Garaging/workshop

● Pretty Grade II Listed house ● 3 reception rooms ● 4 bedrooms

● Cart lodge & workshop ● Pool ● Tennis court ● In all about 2.5 (sts)

● Country house setting on the edge of town ● 3 reception rooms ● Garaging & stores ● Set in 4.25 acres of woodland

GUIDE £1,100,000

GUIDE £1,250,000

BENHALL

FRESTON

● 4 bedrooms ● 4 en suite bath/shower rooms ● Double garage

● Commanding an elevated setting ● 3 reception rooms ● 4 bedrooms

● Contemporary new build ● 2 reception rooms ● Open plan

● Close to Snape & the Suffolk Heritage Coast ● Approx ¾ of an acre

● The major part of a Grade II Listed house ● Fabulous river views

● Secluded gardens ● Surrounded by 40 acres of undulating parkland

GUIDE £750,000

GUIDE £895,000

BUCKLESHAM

SWILLAND

● 4 bedrooms ● 2 bathrooms ● Double garage

● First floor reception room ● 4 bedrooms ● 2 bath/shower rooms

● Beautifully presented village house ● Anglia Factors kitchen ● Private & enclosed rear garden ● Backing onto open fields

GUIDE £625,000

● Historic mill conversion ● Open plan kitchen/living/dining area ● 1 bed self-contained annexe ● Garage/workshop & stores

GUIDE £595,000

IPSWICH 01473 218218

Tim Dansie

Jonathan Penn

James Squirrell

15 Tower St, Ipswich IP1 3BE ipswich@jackson-stops.co.uk jackson-stops.co.uk

SHIRBURN MILL, LAWFORD GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ1,300,000

This remarkable property situated in the Dedham Vale and positioned on a site mentioned within the Domesday Book, offers a purchaser the unique opportunity to acquire a home, together with the associated mill, ponds and land, enhanced by its historical setting. Combined with the approved enabling planning permission in place which sets out a clear route of enhancement going forward for the site, Shirburn Mill is an opportunity not to be missed. Accommodation includes drawing room, dining room, library and study as well as kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, cloakroom and cellar. Upstairs there are 5 bedrooms and family bathroom. A little over 10 acres of land including formal gardens and mill ponds.

WOOD FARM, HINTLESHAM GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ875,000

A property of historical significance situated within 3 acres of grounds dating from 1460, this house brings together modern facilities with the look and feel of a period property, this within a delightful extensive plot on the outskirts of the popular village of Hintlesham. Four/five bedrooms over three floors, outbuildings, pond and cellar, we highly recommend a viewing of this village home. Dating in its earliest parts from 1460, the property was originally constructed as a Hall House. Latterly in the 16th century, a first floor was added to create bedrooms, the property's make up is now largely dictated by the Victorian frontage and extensions added over the last 100 years.

T: (01206) 299222 E: enquiries@grierandpartners.co.uk www.grierandpartners.co.uk

The Old Shop The Street, East Bergholt Colchester, Suffolk CO7 6TF

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Dairy Farm Cottage Facts Location: Sutton Price: In excess of ÂŁ1,500,000 Agent: Jackson-Stops

Idyllic Deben living Dairy Farm Cottage is a superb lodge in an idyllic setting, nestling beneath Sutton Hoo, with an extensive river frontage and views of the Woodbridge skyline. The setting is magical, with its land running down to the southern banks of the River Deben. Set at the end of a one-mile-long private woodland drive, the original property has been comprehensively rebuilt and refurbished by the present owner in recent years to offer well-appointed and well-laid-out accommodation, with a modern presentation throughout.

vaulted dining room, with a full-height glazed elevation and French doors onto a wide terrace. In addition to a twin-aspect sitting room with bay and picture windows, there is a snug/study and four double bedrooms, with three luxury bath/shower rooms, two of which are en-suite.

terraces ideal for alfresco dining, an attractive gazebo and a natural pond overhung by willow trees. There is also a greenhouse and an area of orchard. Gates access an eight-acre wildlife meadow, through which there are mown rides which run down to the re-formed river wall.

A wide parking courtyard is bordered on each side by a recently constructed triple car garage, with a multi-purpose first-floor studio annexe/gym, together with an equipment barn/workshop and a secure store.

A summer house pavilion and veranda deck sit atop it, with a mooring jetty giving access to the River Deben. In all the property extends to about ten acres.

It features central front and rear halls, a bespoke kitchen open plan into a stunning

Dairy Farm Cottage sits in secluded and secure gardens, which include sheltered

INFORMATION Jackson Stops 01473 218218

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Cransford, Nr Framlingham £775,000

Charsfield, Nr Framlingham OIEO £650,000

A substantial barn conversion standing in a lovely rural location on the edge of the village of Cransford.

22'8 x 20'7 sitting room, dining room, study, breakfast room, utility area, boot room, kitchen & sun room.

Master bedroom with en-suite dressing room & shower room. Bedroom 2 with en-suite shower room.

3 further bedrooms & 2 bathrooms. Double bay cartlodge, workshop/store & office.

Range of outbuildings. Grounds extending to 0.6 acres. EPC = E Ref: 6285

A charming detached period 4 bedroom cottage & separate 1 bedroom contemporary lodge finished to a high standard, with generous gardens & elevated views. Main cottage comprising utility/boot room, hallway, kitchen/breakfast room, sitting/dining room, family room & downstairs shower room.

4 first floor bedrooms & family bathroom. Garden Lodge comprising open plan living space, downstairs cloakroom, bedroom & bathroom. No onward chain. EPC = F Ref: 6263

Stradbroke £610,000

Orford, Heritage Coast £435,000

A substantial 2,800 square feet, 6 bedroom house located within walking distance of the centre of Stradbroke. Hallway, dining room, sitting room, breakfast room, kitchen, conservatory, utility room, cloakroom & study. 6 first floor double bedrooms including a master suite with bedroom, dressing area & bathroom. Bedroom 2 with en-suite shower room. Family bathroom. Integral double garage.

Gardens extending, in all, to approximately 0.25 acres. EPC = C Ref: 6266

A charming end-of-terrace period cottage located in the popular & desirable coastal village of Orford, just a short walk from the quay. Sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, garden room, utility room & cloakroom. Master bedroom with en-suite. Further double bedroom & family bathroom.

Enclosed garden to rear. EPC = D Ref: 6270

Bedfield, Nr Framlingham OIEO £425,000

Mendlesham £425,000

A most impressive new house with 4 double bedrooms, standing in the centre of the village of Bedfield.

Hallway, kitchen/dining room, sitting room, study, utility room & cloakroom. Master bedroom with en-suite shower room. 3 further double bedrooms & bathroom. Parking, attached garage, west facing garden. EPC = TBC Ref: 6229

An impressive, partly converted barn & stable block that has, until recently, provided ancillary accommodation & stabling facilities to Mendlesham Manor, with the benefit of planning permission to create a stunning 4 bedroom dwelling, with established gardens & grounds in a rural location on the outskirts of Mendlesham. Additional land available by separate negotiation. No forward chain.

Ref: 6209

Old Felixstowe £415,000

Blaxhall, Nr Snape £340,000

A spacious 2 bedroom ground floor mews-style apartment enjoying fabulous views over the sea, located in Old Felixstowe. Large hall, open-plan sitting/dining room with sea views, kitchen, master bedroom with en-suite dressing room & shower room. Second double bedroom & bathroom. Designated parking space & visitors' spaces. Private patio area & large communal gardens. EPC = D Ref: 6293

A charming & extended end-of-terrace cottage located in the popular village of Blaxhall.

Entrance hall/study, inner hall, sitting room, kitchen/dining room & ground floor bathroom.

2 first floor bedrooms. Outbuildings, detached garage & off-road parking. Garden of 0.22 acres.

EPC = F Ref: 6234

Clarke and Simpson, Well Close Square, Framlingham, Suffolk, IP13 9DU

T: 01728 724200

www.clarkeandsimpson.co.uk

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The Lodge Facts Location: Woodbridge Price: ÂŁ1,600,000 Agent: Mortimers

Modern design in sought after location This most impressive modern home of contemporary design is perfectly positioned near to the town centre with far-reaching views across the neighbouring meadows towards the River Deben. The property offers bright, spacious and stylish accommodation throughout, all benefitting from underfloor heating.

The dining area with pendant lighting is set in front of a wood-burning stove. The sitting room is of a sensible size with a more traditional red-brick fireplace, incorporating another wood burning stove. Two sets of patio doors also lead onto the decked terrace. There’s also a study, boot room and shower room.

Downstairs, a welcoming reception lobby that leads through to the main reception hall with floor-to ceiling window gives a wonderful first impression. The kitchen/ family room is of a generous size with bifolding and patio doors leading out onto a decked terrace with the excellent views beyond. The stylish kitchen with fully integrated appliances and granite work surfaces is centred by a large island unit with circular breakfast bar.

Upstairs, the master bedroom with en-suite is effectively a viewing platform, with a fully glazed gable to the rear elevation and patio doors leading out to a balcony. There are four further bedrooms plus a dressing room and a luxurious family bathroom.

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The main area of garden has been meticulously landscaped with numerous seating areas arranged around it. The decked terrace which runs along the rear and side

elevations offers the perfect space for entertaining and al-fresco dining. A cart lodge provides a double garage at ground level and a useful office/studio above with its own WC. Using renewable energy, the central heating and hot water is generated by an air-source heat pump which is discreetly hidden outside. Woodbridge Town Centre is just a five minute walk away with rail links to London Liverpool Street via Ipswich.

INFORMATION Mortimers 01394 386688

WORLDWIDE REMOVALS UK Residential, European & International Moving

Thank you Abels for a stress free move.

• UK Residential Removals • Worldwide Relocations • Weekly European Removals • Storage Services • Antiques, Fine Art Packing, Storing & Moving • Car Transportation & Storage • Office & Commercial Moving Telephone: 01473 852826 E-Mail: enquiries@abels.co.uk

Memb No: A001

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FS 23942

198656

Essential FACES

An Evening with Judy Murray A celebration of leadership in sport and business, in aid of the Elena Baltacha and Judy Murray foundations. This inaugural event was held at The Hangar, Kesgrave Hall was led by Elena’s husband Nino, fully supported by Elena Baltacha patron Judy Murray. More than 300 guests enjoyed the evening.

Judy Murray, Anna Sheppard

Ellie Cooper, Isobel Gingell

Grant Buchannan, Colin Gebhard

Ian Wallace, Jennifer Mcghee-Wallace, Samyr Pai

Damian Anderson, Siobhan Bellion 86

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Nino Baltacha, Wendy Henderson

Kerry Hockley, Justice Hall

Luba Coult, Cath Egdell, Jackie Dunn, Trevor Coult

Luke Caraccio, Katie Varney, Jason Turner

Tracy Keeble, Mel Warnes

Essential FACES

Annie’s Story Greshams was the venue for a sparkling fund raising ball in aid of The Aplastic Anaemia Trust, Woolverstone Wish and Friends of Kings College Hospital charities. Annie’s friends and family raised £6500 on the night along with a further £7500 raised through her Just Giving page following her diagnosis back in January. Main sponsors included Howard Construction, Ray and Lyn Sallows, Glyn Davies, Chapel New Homes and The Bed Factory.

Lesley & Chris Dack

Bea Hasdell, Darryn Mayhew

Abby Wiles, Wendy Barnes, Katie Mehmed

Ivan & Noreen Savage, Elaine & Tony Bevan

Steve Croft, Marianna La Bella-Croft

Mike Howard, Ellie Lovegrove, Annie Lovegrove, Millie Lovegrove, Hayley Sallows

Rosie Giudicianni, Tim Mulley

Paul & Carole Trinder, Neve, Cathy & Jason Burman

Marian & Nick Welham

Katie Mehmed, Stephen Storey

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Essential FACES

East Suffolk Business & Community Awards Held at once again at Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall, and with a record number of entries, the judges had a tough job to shortlist the finalists and agree the winners. On the night there were more than 60 businesses and groups represented. The winners received an engraved eco-friendly trophy and all the finalists were awarded a bottle of Prosecco with their certificates.

Kieran Moore, Charlie Brownlee

Mike Pratt, Richard Bradley, Mike Worne, David Worne

Lily Griffiths, Grace Flynn, Debbie Ratcliffe

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Richard Jennis, Claire Thorpe, Naomi Worden, Rachel Ward, Jules Mackley, Matt Stringer

Danny Banthorpe, Adam Coulton

Shez Hopkins, Stephen Wyatt, Krystyna Smithers, David Rowe 88

Tommy Curry, Rachel Mitchell, Louise Richardson, Carla Wiggins, Richard Stewart

Andy Jarvis, Laura Hack, Tim Snook

Adrian & Jill Yates, Amy & Simon Evans

M Y S UF FO L K

My Suffolk Professor Chris Green formed Trianon Music Group in Ipswich in1959 and has been Artistic Director ever since. Chris was awarded the OBE in 1995 for services to communities in East Anglia. He was the Founding Director of Essex Radio FM and Breeze AM, Founding Director of the Chelmsford and District MIND Centre and was among the first academic staff appointed to the Open University

What was it like growing up in Suffolk?

I was born in Suffolk – Ipswich in particular – and although we were briefly evacuated to the North Yorkshire coast during the Second World War, growing up in Ipswich was a pleasant and sometimes, exciting experience.

It was possible to see groups of children playing in their streets with few thoughts of passing traffic and there were places like Ipswich Docks to visit, then a hive of commercial activity.

What’s special about the county?

I share my time between Essex and Suffolk.

Comparisons are easy to make but the pace of life in Suffolk is generally slower and the ability to get to the coast from Ipswich in about 20mins is something I miss when in Essex. I also miss the Suffolk accent (and particularly the Ipswich twang) which has a richness which the Estuary drawl of Essex does not have.

Why did you set up Trianon and how have you celebrated your anniversary?

I and two friends formed a youth group which included some musicians. They started meeting in holiday time and Trianon evolved from that. It really emerged rather being set up. It was never intended to last especially when most of us left home. But it did and now 60 years later has become part of the musical landscape of the region. We have celebrated 2019 as our Diamond Jubilee year with major concerts, smaller-scale concerts in

local communities across Suffolk, a tour of the West Midlands, the production of a book, six new commissions, many former members journeying back for a weekend of events and more.

Why are the arts such an important part of Suffolk life?

Actually, I think the arts are vital to any community because gradually people are realising that they not only provide entertainment, but also participation is a way of combating poor mental health and loneliness. Certain forms of art – especially music – bring people from different backgrounds together and creates a sense of community. Our activities also have economic value because of the business passed on to local companies, and bring visitors into Suffolk.

Do you have any hobbies?

There is a simple answer to this. No hobbies, because music has been and still is that hobby. I also lecture a great deal and write.

Do you support any charities?

Through Trianon we have supported many local charities besides which I am Chair and or Trustee of at least three local charities, so we have to maintain our own activities.

If I was to single out any cause it would to support those charities concerned with mental well-being.

What one picture would you choose to represent the county?

Well this is difficult because I have recently been presented with a portrait of myself painted by a talented local young Suffolk artist, Ania Hobson, winner of the 2018 youth national portrait prize. I really ought to choose this, but I do not think that level of self-indulgence is appropriate. Instead I would choose one of the lithographs of the Suffolk coastline by Glynn Thomas.

If you had to take newcomers on a tour of Suffolk where would you take them?

I have had to organise so many of these tours, but on this occasion I would start at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery at Shotley Parish Church to remind us that the United Kingdom has embraced its enemies – albeit in death – for here in the graveyard lie the bodies of British, Commonwealth and German service personnel, but the setting is so peaceful. We would have to take in two or three places in Ipswich: Christchurch Park as a great example of a great green space in the heart of a town and then the Unitarian Meeting House, an oasis of calm and a reminder of so much history. A visit to Snape is a “must”, and we could have access to the Concert Hall then I could recount many of my experiences conducting there, and also of the many people I have interviewed for radio and the press, and then rounding off the visit with a brisk walk along Felixstowe prom.

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