Stubborn limescale and scum is the residue left behind by using hard water, which is prevalent across all of East Anglia
We install water softeners, drinking water systems and boiling water taps. We also deliver water softener salt and undertake all repairs and maintenance
Welcome the latest Eye Magazine, it’s one year since I took over as editor of the magazine and Sharon designed a fantastic new look. The year has flown by, we finish one issue it goes to print and we are onto the next!
HLast year I was attending a
eating is on, jumpers and coats out and November has definitely arrived. With it we have the beautiful autumn colours and sparkly, frosty morning and starry nights.
from United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. We will remember them.
Sunday 10th November
In this month’s very full Eye Magazine we have lots of lovely ‘save the dates’ coming up in December, ready for Christmas and lots on in Eye in November too.
This March it’s 5 years on since the first lockdown, we had to stay home, learn to social distance and we stood on our doorsteps and clapped for the NHS. We are looking back, reflecting on an unprecedented time, a slice of history.
at something very decorative behind the alter. I kept wondering how in 40 plus years had I ever not noticed what I thought at the time was marble. So I spoke to Jackie Church who explained what I had seen and kindly asked Peter Linsell-Fraser to write about it for us. You can find the article on page 36, I’m sure I can’t be the only one who had wondered where it came from.
Meet at fire station at 10.30am if in parade. Set off at 10.45am, march to town hall. Service at the memorial and last post and minutes silence at 11am. Then set off to the church for service till about 12pm.
At The Bank Arts Centre for 4 weeks, there is a chance to see an exhibition of photographs taken in the Lockdowns 5 YEARS ON, LOCKDOWN IN EYE please come along and support it and you may see a few familiar faces. If you have never been in The Bank it’s a great chance to pop in and have a bite to eat and a drink, see the exhibition maybe even go with some friends.
Many thanks to all the regular contributors and those who have written in this issue. We have some really interesting articles for the lead up to Remembrance Day. Eye always has a great turn out for the Remembrance parade and church service, where we can all come together and we unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces Community
Please email the editor at editoreyemag@gmail.com by 5 November for content to appear in the December / January issue. Entry to the regular events listing is free, don’t forget to include date, time, location, event description, contact information and a photo if you have one.
Please email the editor at editoreyemag@gmail.com by 5 March for content to appear in the April issue. Entry to the regular events listing is free, don’t forget to include date, time, location, event description, contact information and a photo if you have one.
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To book an advert please email our accounts department at acceyemagazine@gmail.com. For new adverts please ask for our Rate Card. All adverts must be paid for in advance. Advert artwork should be sent to advertisingeyemag@gmail.com by 5 March for content to appear in the April issue.
without notice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure
Photography by Wendy Aiken | Magazine design by Sharon Teague, Outflux | Printed
Photography by Wendy Aiken
Eye to star in BBC’s ‘Extr
Eye is set to play a starring role in the latest series of Extraordinary Portraits, currently showing on BBC1 and available on iPlayer.
Hosted by Bill Bailey – a keen artist and art lover himself – the programme pairs six ordinary people who have extraordinary stories with six leading British artists. Each episode follows the growing relationship between artist and sitter, while taking viewers behind the scenes to witness the creation of a striking portrait.
Multi-award winning artist
Karen Turner, based in Eye, was approached last May to feature in the new series. She’s known for her bold and evocative portraits that explore how societal expectations constrain identity and ambition.
Karen was paired with Millie Anna Prelogar, a Windsorbased advocate for people with Down syndrome, Instagram influencer and actress.
Their journey began in June of last year, when Bill introduced them on camera for the first time. Over the following months, as Karen worked on the portrait in her Eye studio, the pair developed a natural bond. The filming brought Millie to Eye, where she and Bill explored the town with Karen, stopping at Caféye and using the Castle as a backdrop for a photo shoot to capture images to inform the portrait. A visit to The Fabric Shop provided props for their creative collaboration.
“Working on the show has been a brilliant opportunity to bring my work to a wider audience,” says Karen. “Millie’s commitment to challenging perceptions made this an incredibly special project, and being able to bring Millie, Bill and the cameras to Eye was a real thrill.”
Karen returned to painting during the pandemic after a 25 year break, focusing on bold portraits that challenge perceptions of larger bodies. Her work has earned multiple awards, including the VAA Professional Artist Award and the Institute of East Anglian Artists President’s Prize, and has been featured alongside artists like Cindy Sherman on Double Dutch, the platform curated by photographers Inez and Vinoodh.
Karen left her day job in 2024 to paint full time and launch Go Large, a business helping other artists increase their visibility
aordinary Portraits’
and create sustainable careers. “Being part of Extraordinary Portraits shows how powerful it is when your work connects with the right opportunities,” says Karen. “Through Go Large, I’m sharing the strategies that worked for me, and helping other artists align their vision with meaningful recognition.”
Karen’s episode of Extraordinary Portraits, featuring scenes filmed around Eye including the Castle, Caféye and The Fabric Shop, will air on BBC1 on Friday 14th March at 7:30pm, and will be available afterwards on iPlayer. All six portraits from the
series will be exhibited together at Loading Bay in Bradford, as part of the Bradford City of Culture celebrations. The exhibition opens to the public on March 13th.
To see Karen’s work, visit karenturnerfineart.com
Artists interested in learning how to stand out and attract opportunities can find out more at go-large.com
“Working on the show has been a brilliant opportunity to bring my work to a wider audience”
to know. It is like a lot of things, you never stop learning.
My mother used to paint pictures for her own pleasure and I am sure that I must have inherited some talent, which helps me deciding how a picture should be framed with the correct colour mount etc.
Q. What’s the hardest thing you’ve had to frame?
A The most difficult job I have had was a couple of years ago when I was asked for frame 24 Formula One driver’s passes which were all signed and from several years ago, one was the pass of Michael Schumacher. This job took ages to do and get it right but in the end, the customer was so pleased that I have had several jobs as a result.
Q. Can you share what you love about working and living in Eye?
A. As for what attracts me to living in Eye, I struggle to give you an answer on that . I guess that I have not known anywhere else but things have just happened which have decided my fate and I have just gone along with them. When the shop downstairs became empty in 2018, I knew that I would have a job letting it, but then the Charity Shop which was next door in a tiny shop were looking for a bigger shop, it just happened.
Q. You’ve been instrumental in ‘The 5 years since covid exhibition’ framing all the photos. Looking back to the first lockdown, how was it for you?
A. During Covid, I did wonder what I was going to do with myself and then on the day before lockdown, I had a customer bring in 40 pictures he wanted framing and this kept me going. I didn’t see anyone for a few weeks, but Helen in the Chocolate Shop kept sending me texts and that kept me occupied.
Andy Culyer, Pyefinch Picture Framing, ?? Broad Street
Council news
By the time you read this, Eye Town Council will have welcomed two new councillors to the team: Brian Lewis and Jackie Hunt. Both volunteered in January and were co-opted at the February council meeting. Please be aware that we are all volunteers, unpaid and very often rely on expert opinion outside the Council as we are not all experts in every area the Council covers.
Which segues nicely to the issue of Phase 2 of the Persimmon development on the airfield. We are still not happy with the application and do not accept a return to the original plan as a concession from the applicant. It should also be pointed out that the negotiations covering bricks for the cemetery rose garden and a grant of £5000 from Persimmon for the cemetery is not illegal or indicative of backhanders. These agreements were made under previous Council administrations but were/ are acceptable. ETC opposed certain changes to Phase 1 (which were upheld) and continue to oppose aspects of Phase 2. If it isn’t right, we will say so and continue to do so. But, equally, Persimmons
has upheld their promised obligations despite opposition from the Council to parts of their building plans.
We are currently opposing the development of two battery storage units (one technically in Yaxley but on Castleton Way and one on Progress Way). Your opinions would be helpful on how we move forward. Get in touch. Are you in favour of these units or not? We need to know what you think.
On a serious note, despite some articles in the local
newspapers, we have had the Police conclude there is no transphobia or other related discrimination occurring in Eye town, on Eye Town Council or by any councillor and the case was closed in January.
But most of all, as Mayor, I would like to acknowledge how great our town is. We have all rallied together to help our primary school when their heating oil was stolen. We have helped in solving the shoplifting at the Handyman. We came together in 2024 to help a non UK resident find her great uncle’s grave and saw how she finally was able to visit his grave which had been looked after by residents after the appeal for help was made. I know that between writing this and it being published some other amazing things will have taken place.
Keep an EYE out for our VE day party on 10 May and our (only slightly) smaller VJ day party this summer.
We are very blessed to have a community full of talent willing to donate time and effort to make these celebrations possible.
Our self storage warehouse on the A140 at the Brome Business Park offers palletised wooden crate storage, the highest quality storage crates available.
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The Eye Town Moors Woodland Society
PHILLIP WILCOX-MOORE,
CHAIR, EYE TOWN MOORS WOODLAND SOCIETY
Wow, it’s now March and we’re well into 2025! So, as it’s my first article of the new year all at the ETMWS would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year.
The new year is a time for new beginnings, and for many the setting of goals for the months ahead. It’s the perfect time for me to reflect on the progress that has been made at the woods over the past twelve months and to look ahead to an exciting future. Our small team, which has long been dedicated to preserving and enhancing this unique community space, has been busily preparing the ground for what we hope will be a year of action in 2025.
Last year was a time of transition and renewal for the ETMWS. We established a new trustee group, bringing together individuals with deep knowledge of the site and fresh expertise to drive the charity
forward. This dedicated team is committed to ensuring the woods continue to thrive as a space for nature and the community. Alongside this, our fantastic group of volunteers has been growing, with many bringing essential skills that will help us maintain and improve the site for all to enjoy.
One of our biggest steps forward has been engaging more closely with the local community. We recently completed a community survey designed to better understand how people use the woods, what they value most about it, and what improvements they’d like to see. If you haven’t yet taken part, we’d love to hear from you—just scan the QR
code at the end of this article to share your thoughts. The more feedback we receive, the better we can shape the future of the woods to meet our needs.
Collaboration has also been a key focus for us. Over the past year, we’ve built strong partnerships with specialists from the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, and local authority biodiversity teams. Their expert guidance has been invaluable in shaping our action plan, which includes vital work on woodland management, natural flood resilience, habitat improvements, as well as essential long-term upgrades to paths and bridges that will dramatically improve accessibility to the woods.
Are you ‘speed aware’?
Quite recently I got caught by the police cameras pootllng along at 34mph, but it should have been 30mph.
The consequence - I had to attend a speed awareness course which cost me about £90 and 5 hours of my life. Had I been going much faster it would be points on my licence and fines.
You may say you always spot the mobile cameras, but eventually you will miss one and they won’t miss you, which brings me round to speeding in Eye and particularly Magdelen Street.
The police have recently run a survey on vehicle speeds in the 30mph zone of Magdelen Street. This is a stretch of about 200 metres between the Chicken Factory and the southern end of the Town Moors Woodland. They put a radar scanner at
the entrance to the Community Centre and found over 70% of cars and vans were exceeding the 30mph limit going out of town and about 50% on the way into town. Nearly 40% of lorries going out of town and 30% going into town were over the limit.
Not all of these ‘offenders’ were so much over 30mph as to incur prosecution, but even small increases in speed dramatically affect braking distance.
16% of cars were over 40mph on the way out with a max of 63mph, with about 13% over 40mph and a max of 58mph on the way in.
So the boys in blue will be back with their camera vans to discourage speeding and encourage observance of speed limits.
You have been warned.
So what did I learn on the speed awareness course? The Highway Code quotes typical braking distances (ignoring the distance take to react) as 6, 14 and 24 metres for a car travelling at 20, 30 and 40mph.
So think about it - could you stop if a pedestrian steps out from behind a parked car or a car pulls out from the Community Centre?
Exceeding speed limits in Eye saves very little time for the 200 metres of 20mph limit driving at 30mph could save you about 10 seconds, with a similar saving for 40mph in the 30mph area. As my wife says when we are overtaken by a speeding motorist “should have got up earlier”.
I am consciously trying more to keep to speed limits, perhaps we all should.
Chris Willoughby
Wood flooring, Amtico, Karndean, LVT, Carpets, Runners and Sisal
We have moved to – 19 Church Street, Eye IP23 7BD 01379 870190 / info@eyeflooring.co.uk 01379 870190 07850573366 www.eyeflooring.co.uk info@eyeflooring.co.uk
OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 10AM – 4PM AND SATURDAY 10AM – 1PM
SUSAN WHYMARK Funeral Director
My experience in the Covid 19 pandemic was one of the most terrifying things I had to face.
As the owner of a business, particularly a funeral service, your role is constant caretaker of families, their loved ones and friends and your staff.
The day I heard about lockdown I had no idea how or if everyone and everything I knew would survive. I learned another level of resilience and was honoured and humbled to witness the resilience of very bereaved people coping with their world being turned upside down when the whole world was turned upside down.
Personally I lived in my conservatory for 5 months alone to keep my family safe as I worked frontline. Words will never express my feelings about that time, needless to say, all I saw, did and lived through will never leave me.
JANICE PYM | Local resident
WMELISSA GOODERHAM | Fleurs Artisan
“Give
Five years from Covid
e had the idea of the ‘Teddy Bear’ stories when we were all asked to put Teddies in our windows to give the children something to look for on their daily walks.
The only teddies we had were small ones and wouldn’t have been seen if we had put them in the window, so we decided to dig out the teddies we had and make up a little story each day.
It was lovely to see the children stop, search for the teddies and then read the stories. One mum even said it had helped her little boy to keep up with his reading. We had a lot of fun doing it and I am glad that other people enjoyed it too.
years on Covid
NATALIE DUKE | Local
Lockdown was a tough time for everyone and a few years we will remember for our own personal reasons. As a self-employed mum I found it a massive challenge that I wasn’t equipped for.
I’m a local Slimming World Consultant for four towns and villages so to move such an in person and sociable business to a virtual one came with countless difficulties, financially, mentally, technical issues and emotionally for me and all of my members.
Keeping people motivated was not easy. With the power of zoom we got through it together. Home schooling was by far one of the most challenging of all, with my eight-year-old daughter Angel who really did not want to do school work at home, she just wanted to play and enjoy the sunshine. It really did have an impact on the mind set of everybody and our mental health. But we got through it with daily walks lots of calls with friends and family and making our own fun, we found a new love for Diamond art and many other crafty things.
One day my daughter and my neighbours daughter Ellie decided to start drawing and chalk on our connected driveways, my next door neighbour Zoe was an NHS worker herself so we were in a bubble together as I looked after her daughter whilst she was at work, we decided what we were facing with the pandemic was just a touch on what our NHS workers were dealing with and facing every single day. So we wanted to do a tribute to them, something on top of the clap of gratitude that bonded Oak Crescent together each week.
SUE ELSDEN
Families Together
“Monday 12th April 2021, we finally reopened as did, pubs, gyms and hairdressers. It was lovely to see the shop busy again. Many customers remarked how they had missed coming in and it made me realise how important our shop had become as a big part of the Eye community”
So the NHS rainbow ‘Muriel’ started, with the four of us working as a team over five days this was our gift to them to say thank you and how amazing they are. It certainly attracted the attention of all who passed by. We are so proud of our girls, Angel and Ellie for wanting to show their support and thanks to all our NHS workers, a memory we will always have with a smile through such a hard time, but a time we all came together to help and support each other in a new way. We used a lot of chalk!
EYE HANDYMAN
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Strength training
THE INCREDIBLE BENEFITS OF STRENGTH TRAINING FOR WOMEN - SO WHY AREN’T MORE OF YOU DOING IT?
By Faye Castle, Personal Trainer and Nutritional Therapist
Ladies, you need to be lifting! If you’re searching for an anti-ageing ‘product’, then strength training is the one for you.
SO WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF STRENGTH TRAINING FOR WOMEN?
As we age we naturally lose muscle, usually from our midthirties and the rate of muscle loss increases with age - unless you do something about it!
Unfortunately, women have been brainwashed with the idea that we should be thin and therefore cardiovascular exercises and low fat diets have been the focus. Sadly, this type of eating and exercising only exacerbates muscle loss and does not promote overall good health.
Instead focusing on eating more absorbable protein and adding strength training into your regular routine will bring about far greater health benefits.
Our muscles provide cushioning for our joints, so it’s no surprise that with muscle loss comes joint pain. Improving your muscle mass will help support joints and of course whilst it’s never too late to start lifting weights (everyone can build muscle), the earlier you start the less likely you will experience joint pain.
With the loss of muscle comes the loss of bone density. This can lead to osteopenia and
osteoporosis. Lifting weights will increase your bone density and reduce your risk of breaks and fractures.
You may have heard the term ‘metabolic health’. This simply means having a healthy metabolism. This is how your body responds to food (managing blood sugar spikes), how you exercise, your sleep and your stress levels. It’s important for overall health.
Strength training improves metabolic health by improving metabolic efficiency, reducing your risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart disease and dementia.
What you may find surprising is that strength training has also been shown to reduce anxiety, depression and overall mood; so good for your mental health too.
Neglecting strength training will lead to weaker bones, reduced metabolic efficiency, and an increased risk of injuries. But, regular strength training has been shown to reduce mortality
in women by nearly 20%*.
We must make time for ourselves, even if it’s just fifteen minutes per day.
Muscles can be built but they can also still be lost if regular strength train cannot be maintained. It takes just two weeks of not strength training to start losing muscle again. So consistency is key and ideally should be performed at least twice a week for the rest of your life.
There is help available; whether a class or a personal trainer, make sure that the program is suitable for the point at which your are starting and allows for progression. Without progression your body will not reap the benefits of strength training. A good trainer will know what weight you should be lifting and will correct you if the weight is too heavy or too light. Good form is paramount if you are to avoid injury and train the right muscles.
So what are you waiting for? Strength training is your ‘silver bullet’ for longevity!
*Journal of the American College of Cardiology
I am a Personal Trainer and Nutritional Therapist. Educating women and older people about the benefits of lifting weights is my passion. Classes, small groups and Personal Training available.
Contact me on 07885 659360.
A reredos rediscovered
A REREDOS IS A USUALLY ORNATE SCREEN OR WALL BEHIND THE ALTAR IN A CHURCH BY
At Ss Peter & Paul Church in Eye, there wasn’t one! Instead, there was a huge curtain hanging from just below the Great East Window and right down to the floor – a sort of dark yellow/ochre colour. It was fine insofar as it went because one’s view fell onto the High Altar and the black marble gradine (on which are placed the Altar candles) just behind the Altar.
During the course of 2024, the Church embarked on a major project of internal restoration including high-level cleaning and repainting – some may recall that the whole building was occupied with scaffolding. It was a huge project that took several months to complete.
As part of the process, the large curtain behind the Altar had to be removed so that the contractors could work around that area unimpeded. In the event, it was discovered that the curtain, having been in place for many decades, almost removed itself – it literally fell apart at the seams!
But what was discovered behind it – hidden from view for many decades – was a beautiful and elaborately carved reredos, mounted on a marble backing.
It shows the figure of Christ, Ascending into Heaven, attended by His eleven disciples.
Subsequent research shows that this was erected in 1908 in memory of Major The Honourable Edward Reginald Bateman-Hanbury (1858–1907) by ‘His family and many friends’. The carving was designed by the then Vicar, Revd. John Pritchitt (incumbent 1904–1907).
RE-ORDERING
Many older churches have been re-ordered over the years – Eye church several times. But one of the most significant was that by the architect Sir Ninian Comper (1864–1960), one of the last of the great Gothic Revival architects. His work almost entirely focused on the design, restoration and embellishment of churches.
Comper re-ordered much of the Eye Church interior in the late 1920s/early 1930s. Part of this work was to redesign and replace the Great East Window (above the High Altar). It seems that this replacement necessitated the trimming-off of part of the uppermost decoration of the reredos in order to enable the new window to be put in place from the inside. Whether this spoiling of the upper section precipitated Comper’s desire to cover the whole with a curtain remains a matter of speculation.
Anyway, from this point in about 1930, the 1908 reredos disappeared from public view - until 2024!
FAMILY HISTORY
Edward Batemen-Hanbury was a son of William, Lord Bateman and Lady Agnes Bateman (née) Kerrison, and one of eleven siblings. He was a Major in The Rifle Brigade (his cause of death isn’t known).
In the nave of Hoxne Church is a wall memorial to Agnes Burrell Bateman-Hanbury [1831-1918] who was the daughter of Sir Edward Kerrison [1776-1853] and his wife Mary Martha Ellice [17931860]. She was married to William BatemanHanbury [1826-1901] 2nd Baron Bateman. The Bateman family was seated at Shobdon Court, Herefordshire and married into the Hanbury family of Kelmarsh Hall, Northamptonshire.
Agnes inherited the Oakley Park Estate from her brother Sir Edward Clarence Kerrison [1821-1886] who was married to Caroline Fox-Strangways [d.1895] but had no issue. As we have noted, William and Agnes had eleven children.
The Estate itself was large and included much of Oakley, Brome, Eye, Hoxne and Denham. By 1921, the Estate had become financially unviable having in place large mortgage debts, presumably to meet previous Death Duties (Lady Agnes died in 1918). Eventually, The Oakley Park Estate was sold and segmented for diverse purposes.
LEGACY
There is little doubt that Eye Church is one of the finest examples of a medieval church building in Suffolk with its magnificent interior and imposing tower – now made even finer by the rediscovery of the beautiful reredos.
The Church is open to visitors most days between about 10 am and 4 pm – it’s well worth a visit!
Peter Linsell-Fraser
Dove River Church
THOU SHALT NOT SPEED
Iregularly drive long distance journeys and often find a queue forming behind me, even though I’m driving at the speed limit. It seems the majority of people are happy to drive faster than the limits set on the roads.
In-car navigation systems tell you where the speed cameras are and often you will be warned by other drivers if there is a mobile camera unit out on the roads. We understand that there are consequences for breaking the rules, but perhaps we think we shouldn’t face those consequences.
In discussions with people there are a number of reasons why they think it’s ok to break the speed limit.
‘The speed limit on that road isn’t correct anyway’, ‘I’m a really good driver, even at high speed’, ‘I’ll be able to react if there’s a problem, my car has really good brakes’, ‘Speeding isn’t one of
the really bad crimes’. Some people believe Christianity limits your fun. There are so many rules in place to stop you from doing things you might enjoy. As a society we are diving deeper into concepts that sound like freedom but are actually restricting us by keeping us away from God. ‘You can be whoever you want to be’, a phrase that sounds like freedom, but actually leaves us following our feelings, not the truth of God’s word. In that style of living, we become more lost than we were before.
‘I know how to look after myself’, ‘I’ll be able to sort it if things go wrong’, ‘I know what’s best for me’, ‘It’s not like I’m hurting
“God sets limits to protect us and those around us”
anyone else’. Just a few of the things we tell ourselves.
Jesus knew that to live abundant life is to live as close to God as possible. We need to learn to trust the limits that God has set for us because inside those limits is true freedom.
Think of it like this; You are free to jump off a cliff without a parachute. But your freedom will last only as long as it takes for you to hit the ground.
God sets limits to protect us and those around us. We need to return to God’s truth, his word, as we navigate a world today where we have access to more information than ever before, but yet the truth seems increasingly elusive.
I recently watched the documentary ‘I’m Tim’ following Tim Bergling, aka Avicii, as he rose to success in the music industry but struggled with his mental health resulting in his death in 2018. The fame and fortune had brought him everything he wanted, but meant that he lacked what he needed, which was an anchor in the midst of all the ‘life’ he was living.
Maybe it’s time to consider the speed at which your life is moving. Sometimes you need to drop anchor and take a moment…and an anchor needs a solid ground to hold onto. To realise you need an anchor point is to admit that you don’t have all the answers, and to trust in God as the firm foundation is true liberty.
Joe Aiken
Regular events
MONDAY
1st Eye Cub Scouts
Every Monday during term-time from 6.30-8pm for boys and girls aged 8-10½ years old at Scout Headquarters on Wellington Road. Juliet Grimes juliet@eyescouts.org.uk
Eye and District Cricket Club
Coaching young players (girls and boys) during the season at our ground in Ludgate Causeway. Mark Willowe 07927 286600
Ladies Fitness Football
6-7pm at Eye Community Centre. No need to know anything about football, just the ability to kick a ball and have fun. Any questions contact Kev Crispin on 07857662528
Multiple Sclerosis Society Coffee Mornings
Every second Monday in the month at the Michael Burke Centre 10.30am-1pm, £1. Just drop in. Share experiences and learn more about MS. Contact Sue.Childs@groups.mssociety.org.uk tel 07518 288378
Strength Training
At Eye Community Centre. 9.30am: Over 60s Strength Training. 6.30pm: Women’s Strength Training. Contact Faye on 07885 659360.
TUESDAY
1st Eye Scouts
Every Tuesday during term-time from 7.30-9.15pm for boys and girls aged 10½-14 years at Scout Headquarters on Wellington Road. Juliet Grimes juliet@eyescouts.org.uk
Carers Café at Hartismere Place
Starting on the 7 January 2025. First Tuesday of the month from 11am-12.30pm. Free monthly support group to meet other carers in a relaxed and friendly environment, whilst enjoying complimentary refreshments including soup and a roll. For more information or to book a place please call Angela at the home on 01379 873950
Dove Social Club
Over 18s Tuesdays in term-time only come in for a chat and relaxing afternoon in the Dove Hall, Dove Lane from 2-4pm. Jonathan and Jenny Pooley 01379 870173 / 07816 090857
Elderflower Club
Last Tuesday of the month at Eye Community Centre 2-4pm. Time for chatting, laughter, tea and cake. All welcome - friends and helpers. Local lifts available. Tricia Brown 01379 871959
Eye Bridge Club
Weekly duplicate sessions on Tuesdays in Eye Town Hall. Please arrive by 1.25pm for a prompt 1.30pm start. Mike Barr 01379 870853
Eye District Badminton Club
Badminton at Hoxne Village Hall, Tuesday mornings 9.30-11.30am, for beginners/ intermediates & returners of all ages. John or Steph Dakin on 07904910284.
Eye Garden Club
Every second Tuesday in the month at 2pm. The venues vary, but they are usually at the homes of our members. Tricia Brown, 01379 871959..
Little Doves Toddler Group
Baby and toddler group for parents/grandparents in term time 9.15-11.15am in Dove Hall
Sing for Wellbeing
1st Tuesday of the month, 7.30-9pm The Hexagon. 01379 678483, clare@theblossomcharity.co.uk
Teresa Marsh Dance Classes
For beginners at the Community Centre 8-9pm
Well-Being Walks (Onelife Suffolk)
First Tuesday each month 1½ hr easy pace walk. Meet 10.30am Pennings Nature Reserve, IP23 7NH. Book online: onelifesuffolk.co.uk search well-being walks. Maryanne Henderson. Email: outdoorseye@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY
1st Eye Beaver Scouts
Wednesday during term-time from 5.30-7pm
for boys and girls aged 6-8 years old at Scout
Headquarters on Wellington Road. Contact Juliet Grimes 01379 668088 or juliet@eyescouts.org.uk
1st Eye Brownies
Wednesday during term time from 6.15-7.30pm at The Stoke Ash Centre. Helen Soper helenj.soper@talktalk.net
1st Eye Guides
Wednesday during term time 7.15-8.45pm at The Stoke Ash Centre. Louise Clifford eyeguidessuffolk@gmail.com
1st Eye Rangers
Wednesday during term time 7.15-8.45pm at The Stoke Ash Centre. Louise Clifford eyeguidessuffolk@gmail.com
2nd Eye Rainbows
Wednesday during term time from 5:30-6:30pm at The Stoke Ash Centre. Helen Soper helenj.soper@talktalk.net
Art Group at The Bank
Every Wednesday 10am-1pm. Weekly drop-in group. Bring your own materials and meet likeminded creatives!
Barclays Bank
Here to help at Eye Library 10am-4pm (no cash or print facility)
Box Fit by R Fitness
Wednesday 6.40pm (term time) at Dove Hall. Contact Richard Balaam 07970 328052.
Busy Bees Knit & Natter at The Bank
Fortnightly on Wednesdays at 1.15-3.15pm. July 3rd, July 17th &July 31st. Friendly drop-in group. All abilities welcome. £2 per person. 07931 538548 busybeesknitandnatter@gmail.com
Eye Country Market
Every Wednesday in Eye Town Hall (excluding January), usual hours 10-11.30am. Everyone welcome. Sally Sparrow 01379 873315
Eye Karate and Fitness Club
All ages and abilities welcome. Juniors 6-7pm, adults 7-8pm
Eye Saints Community Boules Club
Come and join us on Wednesday and Sunday between 10am and 12noon on the playing fields at Eye Community Centre Contact. Ian 07528 907114 or Eira eirajane@btinternet.com 07974 420206
Families Together Suffolk
‘Chill, Chat and Play’ group in The Michael Burke Wellbeing Centre each week 1.30-3pm. This group supports parents to be and parents with young
babies up to walking age. Free, register before coming call Lauren on 07925 138383 or email lauren@familiestogethersuffolk.org.uk
Folk Night at The Bank
Monthly 2nd Wednesday 7.15-10pm. Bring your own instruments and take part, or enjoy listening. £3 contribution requested.
Kettlebell Training by R Fitness
Wednesday 9am at The Pennings. Contact Richard Balaam 07970 328052.
THURSDAY
Diss u3a
1st Thursday monthly at URC on Mere Street, Diss. Guests welcome. www.dissu3a.org.uk or contact Tony Callender 01379 651259
Eye Arts Guild
Every Thursday at Eye Bowls Club 10am-12.30pm for practice and tutored sessions with outdoor sessions in summer. Contact Harriet Bowes hb.challinor@gmail.com
Eye Women’s Institute
2nd Thursday of month at 2pm, Eye Community Centre. Lynn Clark (Secretary) 07736 407195
Friendship Group
Every Thursday 10am-12pm. Michael Burke Centre. Contact Joan Gilbey 07855191471
Poetry Evening at The Bank
Monthly 3rd Thursday from 7pm ONLINE. Online meet up to enjoy poetry. Read, contribute or just listen along. Voluntary donation appreciated. Please book online.
FRIDAY
Cinema at Eye
4th Friday of each month except December. 7.30pm at Eye Community Centre. Kit Brinkley 07947 414968
Citizen’s Advice Mid Suffolk
Face to Face Advice Sessions Drop-into Eye Library
Free every Friday morning 9am-12.30pm. 01449 676060 or advice@midsuffolkcab.org.uk
Dance with Jane
Dance! Stretch! Well-being! 2-3pm £5 Eye Town Hall. Please use back door. Enquiries 07714006470
Explorer Scout Unit
Every Friday during term time from 7.30-9.30pm
for boys and girls aged 14-18 years old at Scout Headquarters on Wellington Road. Emma Tamsett emma@eyescouts.org.uk
Regular events cont.
Eye Archives
You are welcome to come to see the archives at the Michael Burke Wellbeing Centre on a Friday. Contact Anne Willoughby 01379 870298 for details.
Eye Bach Choir
Rehearsals every Fridays during term time 7.309.30pm. Eye Town Hall. New members welcome. Enquiries: membership@eyebachchoir.co.uk
Eye Cricket Club Seniors
Seniors nets Fridays from 6:15pm until dark starting on Friday, May 3 and subsequent Fridays. New members welcome to come along. Contact Ross Stannard 07590994001
Eye Karate and Fitness Club
All ages and abilities welcome. Juniors 6.307.30pm. Adults 7.30-8.30pm
Hartismere Hospital League of Friends
Coffee and Chat
2nd Friday in the month, 10am-12noon and 1-3pm.
Coffee, Craft and Chat
Last Friday of the month, from 1.30pm-3.30pm. The Michael Burke Well-being Centre. Beverley Goddard 01379 388682
Printmaking at The Bank
Learn collagraph polyblock printmaking with local artist Emily Procner. Booking required. Sessions are from 10-1pm. £13 for two hours, £16 for three hours. Contact: emilylady44@hotmail.com
SUNDAY
Ballroom and Latin Dance
Eye Community Centre 7.30-10pm once a fortnight. Theresa 01379 308516 or mobile 07709565875
Bereavement & Support group
2nd Sunday of the month from 2-4 pm at The
Hexagon. Presented by Susan Whymark Funeral Services. 01379 871168.
Bootcamp by R Fitness
Sunday 9am at Eye Scout Hut. Contact Richard Balaam 07970 328052.
Eye Plodders Walking Group
3rd Sunday of the month. A well-established walking group that meets at 10.30am for a six mile walk in the surrounding countryside.
Ray Pattenden 01379 678432
Eye Saints Community Boules Club
Come and join us on Wednesday and Sunday between 10am-12noon on the playing fields at Eye Community Centre. Contact Ian 07528 907114 or Eira 07974 420206
Eye Town Moors Woodland Society
Volunteer Day 3rd Sundays at Eye Town Moors and Woodlands 10am-12noon. Meet by car park. Chris Willoughby 01379 870298.
Ss Peter & Paul Church
Sung Mass is held every Sunday at 10.45am at Church Street, Eye. Please check the website: www.eyeparishchurch.org for additional services.
Waveney Wanderers
First Sunday of each month usually setting off at 10.30am from a local meeting point and cycling at a fairly gentle pace, usually includes a pub lunch. Any prospective new members are welcome to discuss arrangements. Contact: georgie.lopham@ gmail.com
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YOUR WHAT’S ON GUIDE VIA EMAIL
If you would like to be kept informed of additional events or changes to existing ones between magazine issues sign up to receive Eye-to-Eye an email service that offers information about events or incidents of potential interest to residents of Eye and surrounding areas. To sign up email your name and postcode to join-eye-to-eye@outlook.com
Eye teen takes on Borneo expedition
AND YOU CAN HELP!
Local student Libby Bowyer, 16, from Eye, is embarking on the adventure of a lifetime this summer.
With other local students, she will travel to Borneo for a four-week expedition with Camps International. The trip will involve personal development challenges and crucial charitable project work, including community development, environmental conservation, and a demanding four-day jungle trek.
To fund her journey, Libby has been working hard to raise money by working as a coach for Academy of Movement in Bury St Edmunds and holding special events. Following the success of her recent casino night at The Bank in Eye, her next fundraiser is a pub quiz at The Queen’s Head in Eye on Tuesday 11 March, from 7.30pm.
Entry to the quiz is just £3 per person, with teams of up to six. Optional hot food will be available at half-time for £12 per head. There will also be a raffle, and local businesses can sponsor quiz rounds. Tables should be booked in advance by calling 01379 870153.
Speaking about her upcoming adventure, Libby said: “I’m so excited to take part in this trip. Not only will it be an incredible experience, but we’ll be making a real difference to
I’m really grateful to everyone who has supported me so far.”
The expedition’s core mission is to raise educational and living standards in rural Borneo and support conservation projects to protect its biodiversity. Libby and her fellow students may help with classroom improvements,
infrastructure projects, and environmental initiatives that benefit both people and wildlife.
If you’d like to support Libby’s efforts, you can attend the quiz night, sponsor a quiz round, or donate via her GoFundMe page using the QR code.
local communities and wildlife conservation efforts in Borneo.
