Hadleigh Community News, March 2025

Hadleigh Show Triumphs Again: £25,000 Raised for Local Good Causes

Following the 2024 Hadleigh Show, the committee were delighted to once again give £25,000 in donations to the following fourteen local charities: Hadleigh Elderly Peoples Project, Hadleigh Porch Project, Hadleigh Rugby Club, Hadleigh Football Club, Hadleigh Men’s Shed, Shelley Centre for Riding for the Disabled, St Mary’s Church, Hadleigh, Hadleigh and Brett Valley Young Farmers Clubs, East Anglian Air Ambulance, SERV Blood Runners, Su ol Accident Rescue, Royal Agricultural Benevolent nstitution, Farming Community etwor and he Rural Co ee Caravan

The Hadleigh Farmers Agricultural Association’s ey aims are to promote agriculture and where

our food comes from, to support educational projects within our local community and use the surplus made from the show to support local charities with the focus on local charities and/or those supporting rural and agricultural communities

As part of further charitable giving, the Hadleigh Farmers Agricultural Association (HFAA) also funded local school trips to farms, with St Mary’s Hadleigh visiting Par Farm, Shimpling to learn about food production, and St Mary’s Hadleigh, Bildeston Primary, Kersey Primary, hat eld Primary and Beaumont Primary also visited Hollow Trees Farm for a learning day n addition, the association funded

Buy Direct from your local manufacturer Installing locally for over 40 years

Continues p2

the transport for our local schools to visit the School Farm and Country Fair at the Su ol Showground

17100 Community News Magazines are delivered during the first week of each month to homes and businesses in Hadleigh, Sudbury, Bildeston, Boxford, Chelsworth, Milden, Edwardstone, Groton, Hitcham, Kersey, Monks Eleigh, Long Melford, Whatfield, Elmsett, Hintlesham, Polstead, Lavenham, Newton Green, Holton & Raydon

We warmly welcome contributions of articles, letters, sports reports, events and photographs, just email or send to the address below and it will appear in the next issue.

for copy is the 18th of

Tory Lugsden, HFAA Secretary said, “We are delighted so many young people from the Hadleigh Pyramid can experience agriculture during their schooling with our support, we do love to see the schools feedback on what they have learnt and are happy for this element of our charitable giving to be our highest priority for the local area

The Hadleigh Show is run by a volunteer committee and the 2024 show was, once again, hugely well supported by our visitors, despite some di cult weather in the days before the show Tory continued “Without our visitors and sponsors from the local area the show wouldn’t be what it is today, and we were delighted that the sun came out - along with the visitors

In 2024, the HFAA also held a 185 Year Celebration Ball with two local charities were chosen as bene ciaries A fabulous evening was had by all and generated donations of £4,300 each for Cancer Support Su ol (who provide wellbeing and counselling support for anyone with a cancer diagnosis in Su ol and their families) and the Farming Community etwor (who support farmers through di cult times - of which there have been many recently)

Wor is in full progress for this year’s show which will ta e place on Saturday 1 May at the beautiful Holbec s Par by ind permission of Mrs E Holden The showground will be springing bac to life once the sun starts to shine, and the committee are loo ing forward to being bac in Hadleigh for the 2025 show nce again, tic ets will only be available to buy before the show via the website hadleighshow co u or through Keith Avis ewsagents, Hadleigh, Hollow Trees Farm Shop, Semer or the Post ce in Boxford

Growing for the Future

Since the Second World War we have seen a revolution in the food we eat, where it comes from and how it is made We have come to expect a huge variety of plentiful, cheap, ready-made food from all over the world, throughout the year

At the same time fewer families have the time to prepare meals and we have more ill health due to poor uality food verall, food prices in the UK are 25% higher than a few years ago Today climate change, wars, increasing costs and the continuing decline in the insects we need to pollinate plants, means that food supplies are more at ris We will have to loo closer to home for our food, support those who grow our food to help soil and nature to recover and prepare for an uncertain future HEAT Food Group wants to see more food grown locally in and for the community We recently completed one of our rst projects, the creation of a small orchard on a plot at Bridge Street allotments by the river in Hadleigh We chose to begin with an orchard as fruit trees need less input than growing vegetables Volunteers wor ed together, rst clearing the site, then building a dead hedge to encourage wildlife The local robin moved in before it was nished The group learnt how to plant and loo after fruit trees, so that the new orchard will be properly cared for Twelve valiant volunteers turned out in the rain and had a happy and satisfying morning planting 13 apple, pear, plum, greengage and uince trees We are grateful to the Town Council for allowing us to use the land for the orchard, to Babergh Council for donating the fruit trees and to Su ol Food Security Fund for a grant for tools Growing more food locally is only part of the answer and this is a small start f you’d li e to help email us at hadleigh heat hotmail com

Theatre Review: Save

The Date by The Brett Valley Collective

As managers of Hadleigh ld School it was a treat to have a date-night in someone else’s venue, namely Pasta Paradiso, more usually nown as the United Reformed Church The word immersive is banded around for live experiences, yet in this instance it was entirely appropriate as we were handed menus and seated at a dining table in an Italian restaurant We were then invited to eavesdrop on four couples, in four very di erent acts, yet each troubled by some sort of relationship uandary

The players of the Brett Valley Collective performed their fourth and most ambitious yet production: boasting a cast of a luc y 13 actors and, scripts by three of their number ( ohn Lovett, Sarah icolson, and Wal Callaby) Directorial duties were adeptly handled by Beth Baldwin and Rachel Bennett Having hosted previous BVC shows in our own venue, we new we were in for a lot of laughter; part of the fun is seeing people you normally now in their more serious day jobs such as a teacher or vicar, ta e on outrageous personalities, notably ohn Lovett’s macho lout and Tom Hindson’s louche lounge li ard Special mention must also go to the two waitresses, played by Debs Carter and Mandy Vince, who breezily hosted the encounters between diners who were becoming increasingly fraught as their personal stories unravelled

In the best tradition of British farce, we were presented with a range of facades which gradually crac ed to reveal struggles and anguish beneath the surface A notable strong script was Pre-Loved’ by Sarah icolson, in which a seemingly long-married couple of Cheryl ( icolson) and Colin (bewigged o Delfgou), revealed star ly di erent attitudes to their transexual o spring As nerves frayed and tempers boiled-over we were moved to both love and hate in equal measure – full credit to the Collective for both playing with our emotions and tac ling a topical issue of identity and self-worth The other courses were tasty morsels too – sometimes a little slapstic , but it was icolson’s menage a trois, with interloper Laura played by an empowering Rachel Bennett, that presented the main course As well as providing us with rst class entertainment, the Collective were fundraising for the Ansell Centre and St Mary’s Church Pop-Up Volunteer contributions added to a full-bodied experience – the menu we were handed on entry was in fact a programme, expertly designed by the team at Keith Avis Printers – and an extra round of applause to behindthe-scenes maestro Stuart Service It isn’t the job of a review to than everyone, but we should mention that the cast also included the talent of Claire Bunting, onathan Moore, Bec y rist and Andy Manning All in all a great night out

Save The Date 20.2.202 Reviewed by an Grutch eld Matthew Hodges, Hadleigh Old School

Hadleigh Evening WI

ur amble ( rst Wednesday) at the beginning of February started out from Kersey Mill when we went on a very pleasant rectangular wal on the outs irts of Kersey, nishing up in Millers Kitchen for a very welcome hot drin with ca e/scones - delicious gluten and dairy free chocolate and Victoria sponge ca es also available This month we plan to visit Flatford Mill on 5 March and ta e one of two wal s before returning to their very good cafe/restaurant The Lunch Bunch (second Thursday) met at the Brewers Arms and plan to revisit the restaurant at Su ol S i later this month Boo worms (fourth Thursday) read Tony Parson The People ext Door with variety of reviews - the boo for March is ne ood Thing by Alexandra Potter ur next meeting is on Tuesday 18th March when a representative from Citizens Advice in Sudbury will come to tal about scams We meet on the third Tuesday at 30pm in the Seminar Room of the Library If you would li e to come for a taster’ contact the secretary lenn Abbassi on 07870 312409 or the president Sheila Webb on 01473 827554 and we will loo out for you

HEAT TALK:

The Song of the Soil: Tuning Up with Helen Bynum

Soil is our richest habitat where over half the world’s biodiversity lives, and it ma es music Come and hear about pioneering research into listening to the soil in Martlesham Wilds Thursday 27 March 7.30pm Guild Room, Guildhall

The Grand Hall, Hadleigh Guildhall Doors open at 7pm • Balls drop at 7.45pm Enquiries: stuart@wooltowncottages.co.uk • 07982 911452

A Love Letter to Mulch

When anyone as s me what I thin is the single most e cient way of maintaining a healthy and beautiful garden I always say the same thing: mulching Mulching is the act of covering the soil with a layer of material to protect its surface –it can be homemade compost, green waste, mushroom compost, manure, woodchips, gravel, etc The amazing bene ts of mulching your borders include the retention of water in the soil, protecting its surface from erosion, increasing soil biodiversity and weed suppression The most visible and satisfying e ect of mulching will be in terms of weed management because covering the surface of the soil with a thic enough layer (around 10cm) will act as a blan et, preventing light from reaching the seeds thus dramatically reducing weed germination –assuming we are starting with a border where perennial weeds are not present (nothing can stop bindweed )

Some of you might be thin ing that it seems li e hard wor , physically and nancially, but thin of it as a year-long investment that you ma e once a year because, besides all the bene ts I mentioned in terms of soil health, it will save you hours and hours of weeding on your nees throughout the growing season It is also a good thing that mulching is best done during winter as it is an excellent wor out to ght the cold days

Deciding what material to use as mulch is another interesting topic I always prefer to use compost (homemade, green waste, multipurpose, mushroom) because I nd it easier to manage throughout the year: a sharp hoe will slice through any small annual weeds that dare germinate on the surface and will easily glide on the surface of nely textured compost A quic hoe every other wee , on my feet, is all that is needed to eep garden borders weed free and loo ing sharp

However, I feel li e there are still a lot of misconceptions regarding what type of material to use as mulch in ornamental borders Classic horticulture has taught us that plants thrive on high fertility and this might be true for very hungry plants li e shrubs, roses and vegetables, but it is not necessarily the case for herbaceous perennials In fact, it might have a negative e ect: when herbaceous perennials (achilleas, salvias, ornamental grasses, nepetas, etc) grow in highly fertile soil they tend to invest heavily in the growth of stems and leaves, resulting in very tall and soft plants, which not only will promptly op under those late spring/summer rains but are also highly desirable to pests n the other hand, if herbaceous perennials are grown lean they will develop sturdier, more weather-resistant stems, invest more in the production of owers and seeds and be more resistant to pests and diseases So, this means that a lower nutrient mulch (composted bar , green waste, leafmould) is the most suitable for perennial borders For those who have mixed borders, the best solution would be to mulch the base of shrubs and roses with manure or mushroom compost and use a di erent lower nutrient compost for the rest of the border

Whatever the material you decide to use, mulching is the single best investment that you can ma e in your garden and you won’t even have to go to the gym that wee

For consultancy, border design and specialist garden maintenance work, please contact thesolegardener@gmail.com or call 07464 856750 for a friendly chat about your garden needs.

Brett Valley Lodge No. 9479

Meet and Dine at The Town Hall, Hadleigh Fourth Friday in September, November, January, March and May

Bates Wells & Braithwaite: Book in Advance for the Successful Pop-Up Law Service in Hadleigh

Bates Wells Braithwaite’s Pop-Up Law initiative in Hadleigh has quic ly become an essential service for the local community, o ering accessible legal advice to residents who may struggle to access law rms out of the area Held every Tuesday at Hadleigh Library, the service provides dropin consultations (in the afternoon) alongside pre-boo ed appointments (morning), ma ing it a exible and approachable option for those see ing legal guidance

The popularity of the Pop-Up Law service has been remar able, with the team assisting an increasing number of clients each wee While the dropin service remains available for those who need quic advice, the rm strongly recommends boo ing an appointment in advance to ensure a guaranteed spot, particularly as demand has steadily risen The ability to secure a pre-boo ed appointment ensures clients receive dedicated time with a solicitor to discuss their legal concerns thoroughly

The Pop-Up Law service has also been particularly successful in helping clients navigate challenges such as retrieving important documents, including deeds, wills, and other paperwor from previous rms in the area Many clients have found this service invaluable in overcoming obstacles that might have otherwise delayed or complicated their legal matters In addition to this, the team at Bates Wells & Braithwaite has been providing expert advice in all areas of law, from family issues and wills to property disputes and employment matters

The success of the service has led Bates Wells & Braithwaite to expand the o ering even further, providing free 30-minute appointments for anyone see ing advice These free sessions aim to provide local residents with the opportunity to receive initial legal guidance iven the growing demand, the rm continues to advise clients to boo in advance to ensure they can ta e advantage of these valuable sessions

Bates Wells & Braithwaite’s commit to providing high-quality, communityfocused legal services With demand continuing to grow, the team is eager to expand the o ering even further, helping more residents in Hadleigh access the legal support they need

To book an appointment contact the team on 01473 219282 or email mail@bates-wells.co.uk

A

In a tough sales market, an experienced estate agent can save you both time and money. Correct market valuations, appropriate marketing and careful negotiations with suitable buyers are essential to secure a prompt sale.

Here at HIZZY we have more than 50 years experience – essential for guiding you and your property to a successful conclusion.

If you’re looking for personalized and heartwarming care, look no further! ur highly uali ed and e perienced carers are here to support you roudly registered with a stellar omecare e iew with scores ased on independent e aluations out of Discover Care That Puts YOU FIRST!*

City on a Hill Care UK visit

St.

Mary’s Church Craft Fair

A Hug-Filled Welcome from Hadleigh

! Telephone: or

2

February was a big moment for City on a Hill Care UK - our very rst local event We set up shop at the St Mary’s Church Craft Fair in Hadleigh, not quite sure what to expect but excited to meet the community, chat about the care services we provide, and maybe even snag a homemade item or two

HIDDEN GARDENS

From the moment we arrived, we new we were in the right place The warm buzz of conversation, the scent of fresh ba es drifting through the air, and the endless displays of handmade crafts made it feel li e a scene straight out of a cozy novel And let’s not forget the peopleHadleigh, you welcomed us with open arms (and, in some cases, actual hugs, which we fully approve of)

ur stand became a little hub of conversation, laughter, and shared stories Some visitors stopped by just to say hello, while others opened up about their own experiences with care, whether they needed support themselves or were loo ing out for a loved one We had some truly touching conversations, the ind that remind us exactly why we do what we do

It wasn’t just about us, though The fair was pac ed with talented crafters, local businesses, and friendly faces, all coming together to create something special It was a joy to be part of it, and we owe a huge than you to essica anas and St Mary’s Church for putting on such a fantastic event Their hard wor and dedication to the community are nothing short of inspiring, and we’re so grateful they let us be part of it

And guess what We’re coming bac We’ll be at the St Mary’s Church Craft Fair on the rst Friday of every month, so if you missed us this time, don’t worry you’ve got plenty more chances to pop by Whether you want to chat about care, as questions, or just come for a really good hug (seriously, we give the best ones), Mercy and Ann will be there, ready to welcome you

Can’t wait until the next fair? No problem - give us a call on 07513 856 786 or 03300 1335 492 Also do stop by at our o ce 59 High Street, Hadleigh, same building with the sweet shop if you fancy a face to face chat

Hadleigh, you made us feel right at home Than you for the love, the indness, and the conversations We can’t wait to see you all again soon

WORLD-CLASS JAZZ FORTNIGHTLY AT STOKE-BY-NAYLAND HOTEL CO6 4PZ

Doors open 7.30 pm - Music 8.00 pm - Ends 10.30 pm approx. WED 12th March 2025     8pm      Price £25

TIM KLIPHUIS TRIO

Tim Kliphuis  – Violin, Nigel Clark – Guitar, Roy Percy – Bass  WED 26th March 2025     8pm      Price £20

DEAN STOCKDALE QUARTET

CELEBRATING OSCAR PETERSON’S CENTENARY

Dean Stockdale – Piano, Tim Williams – Guitar

Gavin Barras –  Bass, Gaz Hughes – Drums

ZOR Boutique

AT KERSEY MILL

Stunning jewellery, scarves, bags, purses & clothing.

All at affordable prices.

07969 525859

www.zoronline.com zoronline.sales@gmail.com

Kersey Mill, Stone Street IP7 6DP Open Mon-Sat 10am to 4.00pm

Get ready for Summer with ZOR Boutique

With Summer on its way we can all start loo ing forward to warmer, and hopefully brighter days

We currently have a great selection of clothing perfect for the transitional weather Including nitwear which is ideal for layering and more lightweight linen and cotton pieces for those sunny days We realise many of you have abroad holidays to loo forward to, therefore we have received many of our summer clothing lines and accessories early These consist of dresses, blouses and trousers as well as ra a bas et bags, sandals, sunglasses and much more I am excited to announce we are now stoc ists of the wonderful Lunar leather St Ives trainers These are available in white, navy and taupe They feature a slip-on design and are now for being lightweight and super comfortable These will pair with any out t

Proving popular with our customers is the Bra eburn navy pinstripe wide leg trousers These come in sizes 8-18 and are made from 50% cotton and 50% viscose ma ing them breathable and having minimal creasing

We had a great time visiting the NEC in Birmingham We placed many orders of beautiful Spring/ Summer wear as well as many lovely gifts and accessories, including the wonderful vibrant tropical scarf and the oral embroidered velvet pouch with are always great for gifting We hope to see you in the shop soon www.zoronline.com zoronline.sales@gmail.com

Kersey Mill, Stone Street IP7 6DP Tel: 07969 525859 Open Mon-Sat 10am to 4.00pm

How is your emotional wellbeing?

When you feel overwhelmed by anger, grief, anxiety, low self-esteem or any other emotion, each day can be daunting, frustrating and exhausting

Emotional wellbeing is closely lin ed to the way you thin , which can feel li e it’s out of your control – but it’s not You can ma e lifelong changes to how you feel by learning new emotional s ills, so you spend less time in turmoil and more time feeling calm and con dent Few of us are taught good emotional s ills but it’s never too late to learn and increase your wellbeing A simple rst step to ma ing changes, is to notice when your thoughts become increasingly anxious or angry, and say to yourself, stop’, then ta e some deep breaths

Research shows that slowing down your breathing when you’re in a highly agitated state improves brain function This helps your brain become more receptive to developing healthier thin ing habits and s ills with which to ta e control of your emotions

I provide support while you explore how you feel and, guide you through developing an emotional tool it, which builds your resilience, so you bounce bac quic er when life pushes your buttons if this resonates with you, and you’re willing to wor for the positive changes you deserve, contact me on 07702 454491 or sarah@ emotionalsupportforyou com

Turning Men’s Lives Around

When the members at Hadleigh Men’s Shed got together to design their rst logo they wanted it to o er an insight into what the shed is all about, so they included some special features

Prominent on the logo are some woodwor ing tools which are a nod to the activities that are carried out The shed is very well equipped and has some great woodwor ing machine tools and training is available ne of the most popular machine tools in the shed is our wood turning lathe, which at rst glance loo s quite daunting But with some expert guidance and training from one of our experienced turners, you can quic ly turn a bloc of wood into a beautiful object Wood turning is extremely satisfying It is a real hands on activity and it allows you to connect with your creative and artistic side Also in the logo is the hand shake over a cuppa. This sits in the heart of the logo because this is at the very core of what the shed is all about etting together to create stu in the wor shop is all great fun, but what is really important is that we do it in a spirit of friendship and camaraderie If you fancy trying your hand at wood turning or just want to join us for a brew and a chat then you would be most welcome We are open four times a wee , two day time sessions and two evening sessions

For more info please email us at hadleighmensshed@gmail.com or nd us on Faceboo A warm welcome awaits

Hadleigh Garden Club

Sunday 30th March

Mother's Day

Five courses £40 with champagne on arrival

Full Sunday menu also available

Booking advised!

Brian Partridge saved the day at our anuary meeting by standing in with a tal on “Trees as our original spea er was ta en ill at the last minute Many than s to Brian a member of the club for many years The tal was illustrated by some excellent photography ta en by Brian along with exhibits he has turned in wood a hobby he has practiced for many years There were also some fascinating photographs of di erent trees and their wood and the special e ects that can be achieved from a burl (an unusual growth on a tree) also the nishes that can be made with certain tool techniques and wood oils This tal was something di erent and very enjoyable ur next meeting will be on Monday 17 March at 7 30 pm in the uild Room opposite St Mary’s Church The spea er will be Helen Chen tal ing about “Bamboo The competition will be a vase of spring owers There will be the usual ra e, tea/co ee and natter Members £2 per meeting and visitors are welcome for a fee of £4 per meeting

For more information contact: Tel: Angie on 07946 744457 or hadleighgardenclub@gmail.com

SIX NATIONS FINAL DAY

Saturday 15th March

Disco from 9pm

Raffle Prizes: England Shirt, England Supporter's Coat, England Official Kitbag

Check our Facebook for full list of prizes

£1 per ticket

All money raised goes to Hadleigh Parkside Pre-school

SUPPER CLUB

Every Wednesday

Two courses £21 – Three courses £26 £10 off any bottle of wine

Live Aid Re-Lived

40 years ago, top roc stars of the day came together in London and Philadelphia to put on two fabulous concerts; yes it was LIVE AID and it thrilled the world, raising large amounts of money and awareness of the plight of famine in Africa

Now it’s Hadleigh’s turn n 12 uly and 13 LIVE AID RE-LIVED, performed by Hadleigh Community Choir, will feature dozens of favourite songs from both of the original concerts Come and re-live hits from ueen, Elton ohn, Status uo, David Bowie and many more The choir is busy rehearsing, and musicians are being recruited ready to entertain and thrill audiences If you are over 50, you will have your own cherished memories of Live Aid If you are younger, LIVE AID RE-LIVED will be your chance to nd out just how brilliant it was and ma e your own memories If you would li e to be part of the fun and perform with us, you would be most welcome to join in and become part of the choir

Tickets will go on sale nearer the time, contact Hadleigh Community Choir at contact-us@hadleighcommunitychoir.org.uk with any questions.

Repair Café

Repair Caf will be bac on Saturday 15th March, 10 am to 12 30 pm in The Dining Room of the Town Hall (entrance opposite The Ram)

We have had some very interesting items in already this year, with some great stories to go with them Don’t forget the items we can loo at are electrical, woodwor , paintings, toys and ornaments If you are unsure if your item is repairable please call 01473 823884 (or email assistant@hadleightowncouncil gov u ) for advice, or pop in and see us on 15 March, for a chat We have boo s and DVDs available for a small donation

The Cock Inn

The Cock Inn

The good news, fol s, is that the evenings are getting lighter, and we will gladly welcome the Spring Equinox on Thursday morning, 20th March, at 9:01 am It’s always a great feeling loo ing forward to spring as the greyness oats away, replaced by blue s ies, chirping birds, and owers li e snowdrops and early da odils beginning to bloom Small things, but big motivators, as we start preparing our garden later this month for those early-bird customers who li e to sit outside on chilly days We have had some terri c ales available throughout February, and this will continue in March Those old enough to remember the delicious older cas ales, such as Wadworth 6 , Bass Bitter, Brains Reverend ames, Fuller’s London Pride, and Blac Sheep Blonde, will be happy to see these all ma ing a comebac Blac Sheep Brewery, based in Masham, Yor s, was founded by Paul Thea ston, who was the “blac sheep of the T&R Thea ston brewing family When the family brewery was ta en over by Scottish & Newcastle, then a national brewer, Paul opted to move down the road and start his own The rest, as they say, is history You will nd a range of his ales available through March and April, along with other delicious ales from Blue Mon ey, Exmoor, Haw shead, ssett, and more There are hundreds of brewers scattered across the UK, and we hope that in 2025 you can sample a fair number of them Chec us out on the realale nder com website and download the app wonderful We have received a great response to our new craft ale, Brixton Reliance, so please call by and give it a try March wouldn’t be the same without Paddy’s Day, and here at The Coc Inn, we always turn it into Paddy’s Wee end This year is no di erent, as we welcome bac the superb Irish fol band reat Craic on Saturday 15th at 8:45 pm If you love The Pogues, you’ll love these guys n Sunday 16th, we have two separate entertainers Bear & Witch will play great tunes for the occasion, along with the duo Whistler’s Mother from 3 pm To add to the wee end’s entertainment, you can buy two pints of the Blac old ( uinness) for just £10 and sup away to your heart’s content The uinness o er runs from Saturday 15th until close on Monday 17th St Patric ’s Day proper March is a great month for music, and on Saturday 1st, we welcome bac Band of Mold These guys are rst-class, so please arrive early n Sunday 2nd, the guys return in the shape of Word & Music, a duo playing all the best of The Beatles and other similar classics from yesteryear Sunday 9th sees Rob Lewis hosting the afternoon soiree, and if you’ve not listened to Rob before, you’re in for a treat The wee end of the 15th and 16th accommodates our Paddy’s wee end, (see above for details) Lets tal The Kic s Their social media says they are the South East’s leading roc and pun cover band, and I thin we agree Watch them here on Saturday 22nd March as they return for the rst time this year Covers include The am, The Kin s, The Specials, The Clash, and more To complement Mother’s Day on Sunday 30th, we will once again be entertained by ohn Pipe and his band, Blaze n They played here last year, and it was pac ed to the rafters, so be warned be early and be happy Saturday gigs start at 8:45 pm and Sundays at 3 pm

Hadleig h Suffolk

The Cock Inn

Traditionally run freehouse

Hadleigh’s largest selection of Cask Ales, Gin, Vodka, Whiskies and Wines plus a super glass froster for chilled lagers!

MARCH OFFERS

Early Bird Offers every weekday from 12 noon to 7pm. Double up on selected branded spirits only £1.70 extra, all day every day. Paddys Weekend Promotion 15th to the 17th March 2 pints Guinness for £10. (purchase together)

The Cock Inn, 89 George Street, Hadleigh Tel 01473 941049 • FB: The Cock Inn Hadleigh Gang

You can nd our list of Premier League pic s within our advert, but as you now, we show all televised Premier League matches and can show three separate games at the same time nly we can do this, so don’t be misled by social media If Ipswich hang on to their Premier League status, they will have done it the hard way When all loo s lost, they turn up and do something interesting—li e their recent draw away at Villa At the other end of the table, I still thin there’s a twist to the title this season Liverpool loo certain and will ta e some stopping, but never write o Pep The sting in the tail there could be PSR, the newer version of FFP (Financial Fair Play) rules, as there could be points deducted as part of a punishment if they are found guilty

You can watch all the xtures of the Six Nations Rugby Tournament nale in March, and England games are always live on the giant screen What a tournament it is turning out to be I did say it would be a close thing It’s all to play for between England, France, and Ireland, though at the time of penning this article, Ireland are in pole position, having not yet lost England recovered bravely against the French and are starting to loo good, with their nal three matches against opposition they are very capable of beating The banana s in may be Wales in Cardi with head coach Warren atland having departed and a new vision in place, they may well respond It’s always a huge xture for the Ta es too Beware

Turning to football, we have an entertaining month, including a Carabao Cup Final on Sunday 16th, as Newcastle play Liverpool at Wembley with a 4 30 pm ic -o Arsenal meet Chelsea on the same afternoon at 1 30 pm, ma ing for a great day of footy FA Cup xtures at the beginning of the month provide a few interesting ties, with Ipswich travelling to Forest and Man City at home to Liverpool illers Plymouth Argyle—who would have thought?

Reduced Premier League xtures are a result of both the FA Cup 5th round and, of course, England’s Euro quali ers versus Albania on Friday 21st and again on Monday 24th, when we ta e on Latvia Both games are at Wembley, ic ing o at 7:45 pm Both are live at The Coc Inn

There’s lots of social media gossip surrounding car par ing charges in Hadleigh, and it will be interesting to see how and if it a ects traders and residents Early days, though—I note that Portman Road matchday car par s have seen far fewer cars par ed up since they hi ed the matchday par ing fee from £7 to £15 That’s a big jump Are they cashing in on the advantage of the town’s Premier League status? While the government’s 1p-per-pint tax reduction came into force in January, most suppliers introduced their annual price increases in February We have not increased our prices at this time, as most will be aware that there is a big increase to NI and Living Wage payments in April UK Hospitality is rather worried that increases at the proposed levels will impact the sector and jobs Let’s hope we can all survive If you have a local pub and it’s well-run with reasonable prices, please use it—or lose it

Enjoy the start of spring, fol s And remember—the three-hour free par ing at the Leisure Centre (40 minutes gym, 20 minutes changing, two hours of refreshment at the said inn) Jo ing, of course—but please drin responsibly

Looking for an old friend

I am loo ing for an old friend that I went to Hadleigh High with I thin she stayed in Hadleigh as I went o to join the army Her name was Karen Upson, she did marry but I don t now her married name If found could someone let her now how to contact me 07983694167

Kevin Pattison

Chair Yoga

Discover the gentle power of chair yoga. Ideal for older adults and those with various health conditions. Boosts strength, flexibility and balance while nurturing your well-being. No experience or equipment required. Tailored for all abilities.

Mini Movers

Join us for a fun and interactive class where your little ones can move, groove and embark on magical adventures through dance and storytelling!

TUESDAYS 9:15 - 10:15

Hadleigh Library, 29 High Street, Hadleigh IP7 5AG

COST: £5 per adult and child // £2 per additional child

FRIDAYS 11:00 - 12:00

Ansell Centre, Market Place, Hadleigh IP7 5DL

COST: £7 per class // £25 per block of 4 classes Booking required

Bond Together: Strengthen connections through shared fun and movement

Spark Imagination: Dance and stories that fuel your child's creativity

Ignite Fun: Lively music & colourful props that bring everymoment to life

Photos © Mikaela Jade Photography // Kezia Tan Media

Paddy & Scott's Cafe Celebrates 10 Years of Brewing Joy for the Community of Hadleigh

Award-winning Paddy & Scott’s Cafe rst opened its doors on 28th March 2015 Fast forward 10 years, the warm and welcoming team continues to serve delicious sweet treats, an extensive menu of hot and cold drin s, and lunch o erings to suit most taste buds

Joanne, a lifelong resident of Hadleigh, vividly recalls the grand opening day, which also happens to be her birthday Re ecting on what the café means to her, Joanne shares:

“Paddy & Scott’s is the hub of the community—a happy place with a personal touch. I can’t believe it was 10 years ago. I remember arriving on the morning of my birthday with eight family members in tow. We sat at one of the large tables and were made to feel incredibly welcome. Diane, an original team member, still serves drinks with a smile today.” Café manager Jo, who recently celebrated nine years of service, expressed her pride in the café’s journey, stating:

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built here. It’s all fuelled by our amazing customers, who’ve been our biggest supporters from the very start.”

Last year, Paddy & Scott’s Hadleigh Cafe was honoured with three awards from Restaurant uru—a testament to the delicious food, drin s, and personalised customer service that de ne the café

Customer loyalty remains unwavering Paddy & Scott’s is much more than just a café, hosting a diverse customer base that spans from newborns to a 92-year-old regular This family atmosphere is what ma es the café so special Manager Jo is often seen pulling up a chair to chat with customers who have become her friends over the years For some, this might be their only personal interaction of the day ne charming daily tradition involves a group calling themselves The Hadleigh Gentlemen’s Club Meeting each morning, they occupy the famous aviator chairs which have become synonymous with Paddy & Scott’s Positioned by the window, they watch the world go by while chewing the fat ’ raham, a daily visitor and honorary member of the team, was even gifted his very own Paddy & Scott’s t-shirt by the sta ; he will also be celebrating his 70th birthday this month East of England Co-op Branch Manager, Damian Johnson, added: “Jo has been very welcoming and supportive, along with the rest of the team. They are a real credit to the Paddy & Scott’s brand. I look forward to developing our partnership further to ensure the site at Hadleigh is a great destination for our community.”

The Paddy & Scott’s team would love you to join them and raise a brew on Friday 28th March

Situated within the East of England Co-op Supermar et Monday – Saturday: 8:30am – 4:00pm Sunday: 10:00am – 2:00pm With easy access for mobility scooters and prams, all are welcome

INDOOR and GARDEN ‘CAR BOOT’ SALE

Saturday 7th JUNE  2-4pm

Hadleigh United Reformed Church, Ansell Centre and Garden

Like to sell your wares? £5 a table, bookings taken from 1st May. Fundraising for Blythswood Care Christmas Shoebox Appeal Call Hilary 822208

Jazz Star Pete Letanka Inspires St Mary’s Cool School Concert

Following a series of music wor shops at Hadleigh St Mary’s C of E Primary School, some of the school’s children and The Pete Letan a Trio performed a special concert for invited guests at the pac ed Town Hall

The talented Pete is the real deal for jazz piano a cionados, having graced the stage at Hadleigh Jazz Club and many other UK Jazz venues and concert halls Not only is Pete a top-notch pianist and composer, he is also an educator who has run projects worldwide

Explaining the purpose of the wee -long project, Pete told the audience that the aim was to instil With his charisma and talent for communication with young people, the results of his inspiration radiated from the children when whole-heartedly engaging with the programme of songs

Pete’s mixed South African/Su ol bac ground was to the fore for two of the show’s songs pening with a South African song of welcome, Kalele was given a rousing and action- lled rendition, eliciting an enthusiastic audience response, particularly from the many parents in attendance A nice way to positively introduce the children to another culture

Inspired highlights of the afternoon were the children’s original compositions Year 4 pupils sang their lyrics for The Rain, and Year 5’s creation was for The Sun. This was a lovely part of the programme, their delightful singing being performed while they accompanied themselves on an extensive range of percussion instruments, including xylophones and gloc enspiels

Reinforcing the show’s theme of gaining con dence, the setlist included three classic upbeat numbers: Du e Ellington’s jaunty I’m Just a Lucky So-and-So; a Jazzy version of Pete Seeger and Lee Hays’ Civil Rights Freedom song If I Had a Hammer; and Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer’s catchily optimistic Accentuate the Positive reat for the children, and maybe some audience members, to be introduced to these standards’ of the popular repertoire

Pete con ded to the audience that he is somewhat of a procrastinator So, as a prompt not to postpone his jobs to be done, he composed The Nudge as a reminder to himself A fun, upbeat number performed with enthusiasm by the children

Returning to the African continent for inspiration, the Swahili language song Oh Na Sasa was an exuberant conclusion to the show A parent told me how excited her son had been about it all, and I spotted him participating with gusto

Responding to Pete’s promptings, the children grew in con dence to provide a positive example of what can be achieved in such a short time Pete’s Trio was splendidly completed by Hadleigh Jazz Club’s eorge Double on drums, together with club favourite Joe Pettitt on bass

Review: Robert Carr Pictures: St Mary’s School

Saturday 8th March 2025

The Salvation Army Hall, Duke Street, Hadleigh 10am - 11.30am – Cakes & Bric-a-brac

Hadleigh and District

Flower Club

ur February meeting saw the committee hard at wor under the title “A Night for Romance The arrangements depicted various stages of love, from engagement, weddings, and anniversaries to enjoying life together in later years We were treated to some beautiful oral displays created by our very talented committee members—well done to you all n 26 March, we will be holding our annual luncheon at Mon s Eleigh Village Hall Tic ets are £20, which includes lunch, a drin , and a tal by Ann Reeder about hats A donation from this event will be made to the Samaritans charity Tic ets are available for anyone interested— please contact Jenny Lee s at 01473 822971

ur next club meeting is on 11th March at 7:30 PM at the URC This month’s meeting will be a bit di erent from our usual format, featuring a tal by Ruth oudy from Kiln Farm Nursery, Kesgrave All are welcome

Speed Watch

Community Speed Watch were on Angel Street last wee and are pleased to say that everyone was within the speed allocation ur volunteers do a great job and are out for an hour each session eeping our roads safe It’s not about catching people speeding, it’s about awareness of your speed We do need more volunteers, and if you thin you could o er your services for an hour every other wee we would love to hear from you Call the o ce (01473 823884) or email (assistant@hadleightowncouncil gov u ) for more information

Hadleigh Mayor’s Diary

Hasn’t the year started with a blow? According to the weather forecast, we are in for a blustery, wet, and windy February, all due to the jet stream All I now is that I am longing for brighter evenings and warmer days, as I’m sure we all are My garden loo s so forlorn at the moment History surrounds us, if we ever doubted it I was invited to join the celebrations in Ipswich when St Mary-le-Tower became a Minster 2025 mar s the 825th anniversary of Ipswich being granted its Royal Charter by King John, with the election of the town’s rst o cials ta ing place in the churchyard of St Mary’s It is a very active parish at the heart of Ipswich, playing a ey role in supporting local communities ur Town Cler , Wendy Brame, Cllr Brian Loftus, and I attended a very interesting meeting regarding the river in Hadleigh ur MP, James Cartlidge, together with the Environment Agency, brought together all the groups a ected by the river for an open and fran discussion In addition to us, there were representatives from HEAT, the Hadleigh Action Flood roup, the anglers, the scouts, a landowner, and Cllr Mic Fraser from Su ol County Council, who chaired the meeting until James arrived James was unavoidably delayed as a tree had fallen on the line while he was returning from London to join the meeting due to Storm Eowyn He had to nd an alternative way home, a star reminder, if we needed one, of the perils of our changing environment

The Environment Agency con rmed that the gates were not in great wor ing order and that the site is low on their priority list for maintenance or repair However, they are willing to help Hadleigh nd a sensible solution that allows all residents to enjoy the bene ts of the river while also being mindful of the ood ris It was a very productive meeting, bringing all sides to the table and wor ing towards a solution that suits everyone

I attended my very rst Burns Supper at the invitation of Cllr Elisabeth Malvisi, Chair of Babergh District Council ne of her chosen charities is the Men’s Shed in Long Melford Elisabeth followed the amusing de to the Lassies with an de to the Laddies, spea ing movingly about the bene ts of men tal ing and sharing their feelings It was poignant and hilarious in equal measure

I have to confess, I was all set to try haggis, determined to embrace the experience But when the moment arrived, I chic ened out and opted for the veggie version instead It was very nice, incidentally apologies to all ye Scots out there When dessert arrived, a lovely fruit shortbread dish there was a small thimble of whis y on the side At my table, we weren’t sure what to do with it, so most of us poured it over our dessert It later transpired that it was meant for the toast to the lassies and laddies D H I’ll now for next time (Did you notice I used the Scots spelling of whis y?)

Hadleigh Town Council is wor ing hard to understand the push for devolution and the creation of unitary authorities What impact this will have on us at a local level remains to be seen, but rest assured, we are wor ing with others to get a clear

understanding of what is involved This is a major government initiative, and more details will be released in due course Big changes lie ahead History noc s on our door again The Aldham Common Charity recently mar ed the 470th anniversary of Rowland Taylor’s death with a service at St Mary’s Church in Hadleigh He was the third Protestant to be burned at the sta e, with his execution ta ing place on 9th February 1555 at Aldham Common I understand his curate met the same fate, being ta en from Hadleigh to Norwich n the same day, the United Reformed Church held a service to welcome Hadleigh United Reformed Church to the Ipswich and East Pastorate

It’s funny how history seems to repeat itself, it felt to me as though we were celebrating history in Hadleigh on the same day that we made history

Deputy Mayor Cllr Brian Loftus and I split the events Brian attended St Mary’s for the Rowland Taylor service, while I attended the URC celebration, led by Revd Lythan Nevard, which was warm and welcoming After the service, we enjoyed a lovely tea in the Ansell Centre and welcomed members of the Ipswich and East Pastorate who had come to Hadleigh from other member churches

To round o February, I was invited to attend the Con dence Through Creativity event, held by KS2 (ages 9–11) children of St Mary’s Primary School in the rand Hall of the Hadleigh Town Hall Complex Pete Letan a, a premier league jazz pianist, composer, and educator who has performed all over the world, wor ed with the children to write songs and perform them with instruments Together with two other musicians, including Hadleigh’s own eorge Double, they were outstanding The music made you want to dance in the aisles, and Pete was truly inspirational in bringing out the best in the children h, to have had a teacher li e Pete I was woo-hooing li e a demon, and the children received a well-deserved standing ovation I only wish I could do that loud whistle If you see me and now how to do it, please stop me and try to teach me

Headmaster Andrew Frolish gave a wonderful speech, saying that the experience had been life-changing for the children I can well believe that Website:https://visithadleighsu ol co u Take care of yourselves and each other - Sue

MP’s Fair – where opportunities are just the job!

James Cartlidge, Member of Parliament for South Suffolk, will be holding an Employment and Careers Fair on Friday 4th April, following three previous successful events in Great Cornard in April 2022, Hadleigh in 2023, and Sudbury last year. These fairs each led to a number of positive real life success stories, for example, several businesses have reported employing valued and permanent staff as a result, and one attendee left last year having found their ‘dream job’ in the NHS.

Last year’s event included more than 50 exhibitors and over 900 people attended looking for new opportunities. Many of the businesses were optimistic about taking on new employees following the fair which led to multiple positive outcomes for both local people and employers.

“We found the event very useful and it was a good opportunity to help people understand the job opportunities. From an ‘exhibitor point of view’ I wanted to congratulate you on the organisation and engagement on the day. We were impressed with the number of companies who attended and the steady flow of people looking for employment. We look forward to future events.” – Sudbury employer, 2023

“There was a good selection of different businesses on offer, both local employers and national organisations. Everyone I spoke to was very friendly and I feel positive after speaking to the different employers. I am hoping to get a call back for an interview!” – Attendee, 2024

“I came along because I want to go back to full-time work. I have just found my dream job in the NHS!” – Attendee, 2024

“Our first candidate that came along, I’ve actually employed him” – Hadleigh manufacturer, 2022

Letters to the Editor to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Please write to: Jason Holder 68 High Street, Hadleigh, Ipswich IP7 5EF or email: comnews@keithavis.co.uk

I’m one of the regular volunteers for Hadleigh’s Repair Cafe, held at the uildhall on a Saturday morning every 2 months I o er sewing repairs, and we have a few other wonderful people who o er electrical, furniture, doll/teddy, art and sculpture repairs We also have a lovely volunteer who ma es tea and co ee for us and those waiting for repairs

We do not charge a fee but you can ma e a donation if you wish, which goes towards allowing the Repair Cafe to continue However, as well as people needing repairs to attend, we also need more volunteers o ering similar and di erent s ills, as we are not all able to attend every time

If you are interested in joining our very friendly band of repairers and have a s ill or nac of xing things, its just 3 hours on a Saturday morning, do come along to our next one at 10am on 15th March and see what we’re about We’ll even give you a free cuppa

Nicki Richardson

Nifty And Thrifty

At the Hadleigh Thrift Shop you can be both We have an interesting selection of furniture, clothes, household items, nic nac s, boo s, puzzles, games and toys plus a crafty corner over owing with wool and material Not only will your money go much further in this Aladdin’s Cave of pre-loved goodies but it will also support local good causes You could even a ord to treat yourself in time for the Easter brea ur friendly volunteers loo forward to welcoming you anytime between 9 30 a m and 4pm from Monday – Saturday at 45 High Street, Hadleigh 01473 829 292 (Shop)

Hadleigh Physiotherapy Limited

Clinic, 111 George Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk IP7 5BP Telephone: 01473 810185 Email: enquiries@hadleighphysio.co.uk www.hadleighphysio.co.uk

E JO CULTURE, COFFEE FRIE DS on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m at Long Melford Village Hall CO10 9QJ (opp The Bull Hotel)

WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH 2025

THE MAYAN CIVILISATION OF CENTRAL AMERICA

The Maya lived in Central America 2,500 years before being conquered by the Spaniards in 1528. In addition to vast monuments, they produced many items of great beauty and developed a sophisticated calendar. Recent advances in deciphering their hieroglyphic script enable us to understand their achievements more fully.

Contact: info@tasstourvalley org u quoting CN simply clic the R code which will ta e you direct to our website www tasstourvalley org u

On

behalf of the many people who use the River Walk in Hadleigh, I would like to thank Mr John Cunningham for sharing his snowdrops. They are

a joy to see.

Churches Together in Hadleigh – Praying for Hadleigh

The people of Churches Together in Hadleigh are committed to praying for our town ver the course of each year we plan to pray for every street in Hadleigh During March we will be praying for the following streets:Week Commencing 2nd March :- Mary Clar e Ellen Aldous Ave

Week Commencing 9th March :- Matilda room Road, Alice Par in Close, Ann Strutt Close, Emma irling Close Week Commencing 16th March :- Sarah Rand Road, Alderman Wal , Cardman Drive, arman Way

Week Commencing 23rd March :- Hudson Way, Harrison Drive, Painter Close Keele Close

If you now people who live in these streets, we would be very pleased if you also would pray for them If you live on one of the streets being covered during a particular wee and would welcome prayer, please get in touch

Hadleigh Baptist Church - pastorchristodd@hadleighbaptist.org.uk

Hadleigh URC - Barbara Robinson 828352 barobi1506@gmail.com

St Joseph’s RC Church - Anna McCrae 823041 annamccrae@btinternet.com

St Mary’s CoE - Jessica Janas 822671 jessicanevard@btinternet.com

Hadleigh Walkers

ur wal on Saturday 8 March will be a circular one of 10 miles starting at Holbroo We will meet at Holbroo Village Hall (IP9 2P ) ready to depart at 9 30 am For interest, the what3words address is ///pardon period bounding This is a really interesting 10 mile wal via reat Birch Wood, Freston, Woolverstone, Chelmondiston and bac into Holbroo around 2 00 pm

We will aim to maintain a not-too-demanding 2 5 mph (4 m/hr) Wal ers should be aware that any weather is possible so strong shoes or preferably wal ing boots should be worn as the ground will be muddy or rough in places Everyone is welcome, including well-behaved dogs As usual, route maps can be requested from the website For further information about these walks go to www.hadleighwalkers.com or email hadleighwalkers@gmail.com

Solicitors, Expert Advice

Gudgeons Prentice, Buttermarket, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1ED

Hadleigh And Boxford Patient Particpation

Group (Ppg)

Out of Hours Doctor:- Need a doctor when the Health Centre is closed, including wee ends? Call 111 for advice and details of your nearest out of hours’ duty doctor

Have you registered with ANIMA?:- Patients can register with the online triage system Anima via one of the website addresses below or by using your NHS app You can create your own unique Anima username and password If you do not have access to a computer or the internet or you are unable to register yourself you can telephone the surgery a care navigator will complete the form on your behalf It would be wise to register asap before you need to use it when you are unwell

All requests for an urgent on the day appointment, a routine P appointment, home visit or a mediation review should be submitted via Anima However, appointments for nurses and blood tests etc can still be arranged over the telephone

nce a month Communities Together o er helpful IT advice in the upstairs room of the Hadleigh Library The next session will ta e place on Tuesday 4th March from 10 a.m to noon. Booking is essential as places are limited. Please call Tracey 01449 707031 or email info@communitiestogether-ea org

Parking for Patients:- If you have to use the Babergh’s Toppes eld Car Par when you have a Health Centre appointment you can register your car inside the Practice and have two hours free par ing The relevant machine is inside the Practice near the medical memorabilia cabinets This concession only applies to patients visiting the Practice for an appointment or medication Blue badge holders do not have to pay but must clearly display their badge At the time of going to press the machine was not functioning Babergh Council is trying to address its IT related problems promptly

Art Display:- Chrissie Scott’s artwor is now on display in the waiting area Enjoy her restful pictures when you next visit All are for sale with some of the proceeds going to the Practice’s Charitable Trust

Both Practices: 01473 822 961

Out of Hours: 111 also online www 111 nhs u

NHS App: www nhs u /nhs-app

Practice Dispensary: www hadleighhealth co u /opening-hours Website: www hadleighhealth co u Facebook: www faceboo com/Hadleigh-Boxfordroup-Practice102959274690621/ Anima Links www hadleighhealth co u /anima or www animahealth com/patients

PPG Chair/ Art Work: Jan Devey deveys@btinterenet com 01473 827091 or 07881 798999

Do You Love Sewing?

Mon s Eleigh Village Hall, 17 April 2025 7 00 For 7 30pm

We will be raising money for a Motor Neurone Disease charity

During many years Lynne has collected a stunning array of pieces from people she has nown and admired These have formed the basis for a guided tour of the movers and sha ers of the quilting world This event will be a unique opportunity to enjoy these beautiful creations with Lynne and hear the stories behind them before they are moved on to new owners

Visitor fee £10 including refreshments

All money raised on the night to be donated to the Motor Neurone Disease Association (we are collecting on behalf of their West Kent Branch)

Come and join us and support a good cause - we’d love to see you.

With

is here to help

Surviving Against the Odds: My Journey with an Ileostomy

Four and a half years ago, I nearly died and underwent emergency surgery that left me in intensive care for ten days At one point, I had 14 di erent tubes in me, couldn’t even lift my phone, and relied on TPN nutrient supplements to stay alive I battled daily pain, pneumonia, sepsis, MRSA, and other hospital infections, along with growing bilateral idney stones At that time, I weighed only 35 g, I was s in and bone Now, I’m nearly 90 g

However, this drastic change has brought struggles with body dysmorphia I was also on morphine, just wanting to escape the constant pain Living with an ileostomy since then has been a journey of highs and lows Traveling around Asia has shown me that my ileostomy doesn’t have to limit my adventures, but there are still challenges that go beyond the physical I now the battle isn’t over I need another surgery soon, a proctectomy which scares me Many people my age haven’t undergone this, and the ris of complications is high My ulcerative colitis is still very active, and sometimes, I struggle to accept that reality rather than address it

The stigma surrounding having a stoma can be di cult to navigate, with people staring and ma ing comments that remind me I’m di erent

Some days, I hate it and wish things were di erent The daily routine of remembering to ta e loperamide every few hours and the constant struggle of never feeling full are ongoing battles

Yet, despite these struggles, I now that I wouldn’t be here without my ileostomy It has given me a second chance at life, and for that, I’m grateful—even on the tough days I continue to push myself—I completed an Ironman triathlon just a year after my surgery Now, I’ve developed a stoma support belt to aid in sports, tness, and everyday activities

My journey has been anything but easy, but I refuse to let my condition de ne me

Mr Colitis

Hadleigh Crime Review

11/01/25 – 02/02/25:

Within this period, Hadleigh residents have su ered the following crimes 1x Criminal Damage to a residence, 1x Business

Burglary, 1x possession of Class B cannabis

(following a police stop search), 7x non-crime incidents including domestics or adult/child referrals, at least 1x fraud, 2x public order o ences, 1x ta ing a motor vehicle without consent, 1x theft of parcel from doorstep, 5x assaults, 3x stal ing or harassment o ences, 1x controlling/coercive and 3x anti-social behaviour incidents

The evenings are still pretty dar and during winter months, houses and outbuildings are still susceptible to being targeted for burglary at a much earlier hour than normal This month I have some general tips on how to spot suspicious behaviour, when and how to report and what to loo for

Some common examples of suspicious behaviour include:

•A stranger loitering in your neighbourhood or a vehicle cruising the streets repeatedly

•Someone peering into cars or windows

•High volume of tra c going to and coming from a home on a daily basis

•Someone loitering around schools, par s or secluded areas

•Strange odours coming from a house or building

• pen or bro en doors and windows at a closed business or unoccupied residence

•Someone tampering with electrical, gas or sewer systems without an identi able company vehicle or uniform

•Sounds of brea ing glass, gunshots, screaming or ghting

•Strangers removing license plates or loading valuables into vehicles from a residence

Call at least 101 at the time, don’t leave it until later, use 999 if you thin a crime is about to ta e place ccasionally 101 is exceptionally busy, if this is the case and you thin the issue is urgent, report suspicious behaviour on 999 (explain there have been burglaries in the surrounding area)

When it comes to ma ing the report, start with the basics and then get more speci c, a tip to get good suspect descriptions is to start at the head and wor your way down Try to ta e note of as much of the following as possible : ender, race, age, height and build, hair colour and style, complexion, speech (accent etc), scars/mar s/tattoos, facial hair or lac of, whether they are wearing glasses and what clothing they are wearing including the colour and style It will li ely be di cult to remember all of this so loo for at least the main points that stand out and loo for something distinctive

When it comes to vehicles, try to get a registration plate if possible and also note the colour, ma e and model Also loo for something about the vehicle that is di erent, such as stic ers, dents or lettering

Ta e note of the direction of travel and if in a vehicle and how many occupants in the vehicle

Kind Regards, PC 1293 Johnson – Hadleigh Community Police O cer.

ALB-Framing

If your picture needs framing, contact me!

I’m a member of the Fine Art Trade Guild, who themselves created the standards and guidelines for art framing together with picture printing. I continually work to these requirements.

Home or office visits are available.

Following discussions about your requirements, in situ you’ll see the various framing options.

Please contact me: 07769 858076 www.alb-framing.co.uk info@alb-framing.co.uk

visitingfootpractitioners

I CALLUSES I CORNS I NAILS CLIPPED I INGROWN I VERRUCAS I ETC for your home visit phone 01473 822902 or

Sally A. Mowles MCFHP MAFHP 07923 266940

Gary J. Mowles MCFHP MAFHP 07803 401042

Registered member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals

Above the Parapet

Devolution Priority Programme – Unitary Council for Su olk Last month the overnment announced that Su ol would be included on its Devolution Priority Programme along with other authorities: Cumbria, Cheshire and Warrington, Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Su ol and Norfol , Sussex and Brighton This means that the 2025 county council elections will be delayed and the rst mayor of Su ol and Norfol will be elected in May 2026 In the rst instance, they will lead a Mayoral Combined County Authority (Su ol & Norfol ) – which will eventually transition into a Mayoral Strategic Authority Capacity funding in 2025/26 will be o ered to help the council prepare for establishing this new Mayoral Authority and prepare for the inaugural mayoral elections Su ol County Council (SCC) will now start wor on a detailed business case for local government reorganisation in Su ol – which must be submitted by September 2025 An outline plan must be submitted in March 2025 The overnment has re-con rmed its preference that any new unitary authorities should serve communities of 500,000 or more iven that Su ol ’s population in 2022 stood at 768,555, a strong case would have to be put forward for have more than one unitary authority within the county’s boundary

I am looking for 20-30 acres of grazing land with outbuildings. If you have or know of anything like this for sale, please contact me.

07999 051401

KERSEY VILLAGE HALL

Are you looking for a venue to hold an event,family party, committee meeting, exercise class etc?

Kersey Village Hall is a beautiful venue, with a large main hall including stage, a fully equipped kitchen and a committee room ideal for meetings and small events.  Contact Natalie Blyth for more information: 01473 827805  /  07487 816966  / nablyth1@gmail.com

SCC Budget 2025/26 The council’s budget was approved at a meeting of all councillors on 13th February, with an emphasis on meeting rising demand for children’s and adult care services The council’s budget will increase by 6 7%, from £752 9 million in 2024/25 to £803.7 million in 2025/26 77% of the budget will go directly toward services that support the health and wellbeing of people in Su ol The remaining 23% will fund other critical areas such as re and rescue, highway maintenance, climate initiatives, waste management and bus services, as well as the infrastructure, sta , and technology required to eep services running e ciently

Despite a slight uplift in overnment funding for local authorities, rising costs and growing demand have required the council to set signi cant savings targets to balance the boo s £10 9 million in new savings have been made by restructuring and transforming how services are delivered This follows £17 5 million in savings approved in the previous year, bringing total savings for the 2025/26 nancial year to £28 4 million

SCC’s share of Council Tax will rise by 4.99% next year, which includes a 2 99% general increase and a further 2% Adult Social Care Precept This means households will see the following changes in their wee ly Council Tax payments:

Band B property: £24 67 per wee , a £1 17 increase from 2024-25

Band D property: £31 72 per wee , a £1 51 increase from 2024-25

River Brett Sluice Gates At short notice on 30th January, I chaired a meeting organized by James Cartlidge MP to discuss the future operational management of the River Brett sluice gates (James had been delayed by a parliamentary matter) Along with Hadleigh residents and landowners, many local groups were represented including: Sea Scouts, HEAT, Angling Society, Town and District Councils, Hadleigh Flood Action roup The Environment Agency (EA) were invited to deliver their report on how the river is best managed so that it can be enjoyed by all local groups and how potential future ooding might

be prevented, and how the operation of the sluice gates should be managed

Mick with James Cartlidge MP

It was a very constructive meeting resulting in a consensus that we wish to control the sluice gate locally with advice from EA There remain challenges with respect to sourcing funding for gate repairs and engineering modi cations to the weir Con rmation will be required legally responsible if a community group too on the tas of opening and closing the gates in response to ood ris

Aldham Mill Hill Roadway Widening I’m glad that the recent roadway widening wor s have been carried out on the lower stretches of Aldham Mill Hill by contractors of the uarry operator These road widened wor s are to allow H V to pass one another when accessing and leaving the quarry onto the A1071 and were a condition of an earlier planning application submitted by the operator and form the Tra c Management Plan I campaigned to have the road widened as a matter of safety especially regarding the many [military] cyclists and other road users who use this route for their commute to Wattisham Councillor Surgery – I hold my surgery on the third Saturday of the month with the next one at 12:00 on Saturday 15th March 2025 in the anti-room of the Royal British Legion Club, eorge Street Contact me at: email: mic fraser@su ol gov u ; Tele: 0793 551 2591

Editor’s Apology

“In our previous issue, the subtitle of the article was incorrectly published as Local Highways Budget. The correct subtitle should have been evolution P io ity P og a e nita y Council o u ol “We apologise for this error and any confusion it may have caused.”

Old Hadleigh Picture Show

By popular demand, we are running two more illustrated tal s in The ld Hadleigh Picture Show series by local historian Sue Andrews Sue will cover more about the history of Hadleigh through old photographs The tal s are put on by The Hadleigh Historian magazine in association with the King uthrum roup The dates are Friday 21 March and Friday 9 May, both at 7 30pm at the Ansell Centre Tic ets are £5 per tal , available from Avis newsagents, the Little inger Bee shop, and the Idler boo shop et them early to avoid disappointment We hope to see you there Huw Roberts Chair, King uthrum roup

MOBILE HAIRDRESSING SERVICE (EST. 1988)

PROFESSIONAL HAIRDRESSING in the comfort and convenience of your own home Stuck inside? Find it hard to go to the hairdressers? Been in Hospital? OFFERING OAP RATES

Ladies: Cuts, Blow-dries, Sets, Perms and Colours. Manicures available. Gentlemen: Classic cuts and beard trims.

Contact Danielle - Tel: 07890 186065

THIS MONTH – A PERIOD THRILLER AND A COMEDY Friday 14th March at 7.30 pm

A powerful London theatre critic lures a struggling actress into a blackmail scheme with deadly consequences. Starring Ian McKellen.

Friday 28th March at 7.30pm THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE (15)

A heartwarming comedy set in beautiful Irish countryside about two estranged cousins. Please note this film is rated 15 for language. £4.50 (cash) on the door. Doors open at 7pm. There will be a short interval for refreshments

CONTACTING HOLLYWOODINHADLEIGH Call Jan 01473 823413 or email Jan at janetmdicks@gmail.com Take a look at our website - www.ansellcc.org.uk WHERE IS THE ANSELL CENTRE? Next to the United Reformed Church and behind the Ram Public House in Market Place. Access through the church garden.

Energy on Tap Limited

Installing

Ed Seeley Gardens & Grounds

Get your garden ready for Spring! Offering all garden aspects including:

•Large and small scale mowing

•Fencing and decking

•Hedge trimming

•Garden clearances

•Bed cultivation

And much more!

Get in touch today!

Phone: 07704 589350

Email: edseeley.gardening@gmail.com

Over recent months, the Layham Road football pitch has seen large amounts of dog poo. This is unacceptable and we ask all dog owners to pick up after their animal.

Fly Fishing Club

Hintlesham Fly Fishing Club, situated in the Chattisham area nr Hadleigh has two acres of fresh spring-fed clear water, exclusively lled with Brown, Rainbow and Steelhead trout

Membership is limited, but there are one or two vacancies this season starting on 12th February 2025/

The surrounding area is idyllic, and there is good y life, ma ing it very successful for dry y, as well a nymphs

You would be welcome to visit with your rod, free to explore for half an

Five Things You May Not Know

Sudbury and South Su olk Citizens Advice

•Citizens Advice is a registered charity and D ES N T receive any government funding

• ur advice is available to everyone, no matter what the problem, and if free, independent and con dential

•We have dedicated sta who support people with Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance and Blue Badge forms

•In the year 2023/2024 we helped 1,870 people

•In the same year, we supported people to write o £229,000 worth of debt

Call us anytime, leave a message and we will get back to you. 01787 321400 or www.sudburycab.org.uk Tel: 0

CryoPen & Vitamin

Injections

Pain Free, Non Anaesthetic Cryosurgery

Art In Practice

When Chrissie and her husband retired they went to live on the Maltese island of ozo During her ten years there her love of art ourished Not only did she learn the art of restoration but she also had time to develop her own artistic talent; painting Joining forces with her husband, Andy, they had an exhibition of their art and sculpture Recognising her air and natural ability, it wasn’t long before Chrissie was as ed to ta e on private commissions The Maltese National Trust soon recognised the couple’s talents and enlisted their help with their art projects They were also both appointed as wardens for the Knight’s Tower at the island’s Dwejra Bay The beauty of Mediterranean scenery tempted many artists to ta e a holiday on the island Wor ing with Chrissie, the Kempins i roup of hotels were able to o er their guests art tuition and the opportunity to capture the magni cent scenery on canvas

After ten happy, eventful years on ozo, Chrissie and Andy decided to return to the UK Chrissie assembled and submitted a portfolio of her restoration and artwor to the UK’s British Restorers Association She was delighted when her membership of this prestigious, respected organisation was approved Hadleigh has also been a fortunate bene ciary of their s ills and talent For many years Chrissies and Andy were part of the organising team for an ambitious art exhibition at St Mary’s Church which was much enjoyed by many art lovers It was Chrissie’s een, experienced eye for a masterpiece that St Mary’s received the appropriate price for one of their hidden wor s of art Chrissie is now an enthusiastic volunteer at the Hadleigh’s Repair Café relishing the treasures, challenges and surprises of that worthwhile initiative

ABOUT US

Hadleigh Parkside pre-school is an Early Years provider for children aged 18 months - 4 years, currently. We are a charity run setting and pride ourselves on providing an enriching ‘home-from-home’ learning and social experience for all children in our care. Hadleigh Parkside pre-school is a place where children thrive, and learn skills ready to equip them for life transitions and into their education journey.

The setting is open 50 weeks of the year, between the hours of 8am - 6pm.

SUPPORT PLEA

We need our surrounding community to support our expansion plans, and join us in raising funds for this upcoming project. We aim to invite the public to fundraising events - please watch out for these dates on our social media page

We aim to secure a business sponsor - if you are a local business and able to support this expansion, please contact Chloe Bambridge 01473 827702

PLANNING PERMISSION

We have been granted planning permission and are in the process of expanding the setting to add a modular building to our existing building. This will create an additional room for babies. We will have the capacity for 12 babies. This additional space will also create extra space for 2-4 year olds in the pre-school room.

Pictured: Left - Erika Fletcher (Committee Chairperson) and Right - Chloe Bambridge

Ken’s SESAW News

Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare Reg charity no 1124029

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING SESAW ANIMALS

Su ol & Essex Small Animal Welfare is closed and in the process of winding down We no longer have any animals but need to trace anyone fostering a SESAW animal If you are one of our Foster Carers and have not yet been contacted, please text or phone 07720 079370 as soon as possible and ideally, by 31 March 2025 Please D N T surrender an animal to anyone purporting to represent SESAW If in doubt, contact the above number immediately

NOTICE TO ALL PET OWNERS

All cats and dogs must now be microchipped by law and their details ept up to date ther small animals may also be microchipped

Please as your vet to scan your pet and chec the registered details are correct They will be able to tell you which database to contact or you can chec here: chec -a-chip co u If you have a SESAW pet you can email info@sesaw co u with your details and the chip number and we can chec for you until 31 March

We than all past and present friends and volunteers for their support and dedication to animal rescue over the years They all contributed towards the charity’s reputation and success story SESAW could not have existed without them

News from your Babergh Councillors

Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

As we mentioned in our last column the government are introducing major changes to local councils across England which will change the way our county is governed

Two things are happening Firstly, a new Mayoral Combined County Authority covering Norfol and Su ol is li ely to be set up in the government’s drive to devolve power from central government to regional administrations n 5th February the government announced that Norfol and Su ol are on the Devolution Priority Programme This means that Su ol County Council (SCC) elections which were due to be held in May this year have been postponed We don’t now at the time of writing in mid-February whether they will ta e place next year or not

There are li ely to be mayoral elections on May 7th, 2026 An eightwee public consultation by the overnment, on devolution and the election of a regional Mayor in Norfol and Su ol started on February 17th and runs until April 13th It can be accessed online here: https://www gov u /government/consultations/norfol -and-suffoldevolution/norfol -and-su ol -devolution-consultation

This document provides more detailed information about the process with the opportunity to comment It doesn’t cover proposals for local government reorganisation though Apparently views on this will be sought separately A nal decision as to whether mayoral elections go ahead next year will be ta en by government once they have considered this public consultation

The elected Mayor, who would have a four-year term, would initially lead the Mayoral Combined County Authority (which will be called a Mayoral Strategic Authority once the English Devolution Bill becomes law) along with two councillors from Norfol County Council and two from Su ol County Council There will be some government funding available to Su ol and Norfol County Councils to help with the transition to a Mayoral Combined County Authority

The other change is the reorganisation of local government All district councils, Ipswich Borough Council and the county council will be replaced by one or more unitary councils, while town and parish councils will remain the same

The existing councils in Su ol are wor ing together to decide the best way forward regarding unitary councils with the aim of producing one joint proposal to present to government An interim plan including the li ely options for the size of new unitary councils, the proposed boundaries, the number of councillors, and the potential costs and savings needs to be presented to government by March 21st A full proposal must be submitted by September 26th which will then be considered by Jim McMahon the Minister of State for Local overnment and English Devolution

At the time of writing the timetable for the transition to unitary council/ councils from district, county and borough is unclear It is li ely that a shadow’ unitary council will be elected, probably in 2027 which would wor alongside existing councils until the unitary council/councils are set up Current county councillors may have to serve a further two years, while district councillors may have to serve an extra year to cover this transition period

Babergh and Mid Su ol District Councillors are going to have a chance to debate devolution and local government reorganisation at a meeting which should have ta en place by the time you read this article

If you have any questions or concerns about all of this, please get in contact with us using the details below We are receiving regular updates and will do our best to answer any questions As district councillors we recognise that all this uncertainty is unsettling for residents and that it must be stressful for council employees who continue to wor hard for our communities

Dog fouling

There seems to be an increase in dog fouling on pavements and elsewhere in Hadleigh Comments have been posted on social media and at least two shops on the High Street have had to clear up dog poo from outside their premises before opening Not a pleasant way to start the day

Jane Carruthers Simon Dowling

We now that most dog owners are responsible and pic up their dog’s mess, but some are clearly not It is not only unpleasant to wal in dog poo, especially if it ends up on your carpet or in your car but it is also a health and potential slip hazard (not a pleasant thought) So, please, please clear up after your dog There are several red bins around town for the collection of dog waste which are emptied by Babergh regularly If you nd an over owing bin, please report it at https://www babergh gov u /report-dog-fouling If you witness dog fouling ta ing place this can be reported on the same page It is an o ence under the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996 with an on the spot ne of £50 The council could also choose to prosecute leading to nes of up to £1000, plus considerable embarrassment on the part of the owner Please get in touch if you have any issues you would like to raise. jane.carruthers@babergh.gov.uk Jane 07514 951196 simon.dowling@babergh.gov.uk Simon 07514 951185

A ‘Hug’ For Everyone.

Happily the ladies nitting for the national charity, Linus UK, are able to meet every request the charity receives, from neonatal units to care homes and many more When the charity’s area rep, Philippa Knight, recently came to collect the latest Hadleigh contributions, she was amazed and delighted to nd over 100 blan ets waiting for her Not only do the woolly ’hugs’ vary in size but also in colour, stitches, shapes and formation The group of home nitters is growing with over 30 ladies beavering away at home on their own imaginative creations The ladies were invited to join the residents at Canterbury House to nit and natter over co ee and a stic y bun As all participants enjoyed the morning this has become a monthly xture If you would li e more information please contact Jan Devey devey@ btinternet com or call 01473 827091 or 07881 798999

We’re a founder-led team passionate about combinin and knowledge to provide a high standard of pet Hadleigh and the surrounding areas

We’reafounder-ledteampassionateaboutcombiningourexperience andknowledgetoprovideahighstandardofpethealthcarefor Hadleighandthesurroundingareas.

As a new veterinary practice, our ambition is to earn client at a time We pride ourselves on building genu with our clients – because taking the time to get to k their pets is the key to delivering truly personal

Asanewveterinarypractice,ourambitionistoearnourreputationone clientatatime.Weprideourselvesonbuildinggenuinerelationships withourclients–becausetakingthetimetogettoknowpeopleand theirpetsisthekeytodeliveringtrulypersonalisedcare.

Our practice is equipped with state-of-the-art facilit endoscopy, and orthopedic surgery capabilities, allo complex cases onsite and provide the best possible o pets We also offer overnight care for hospitalised needed, ensuring they receive round-the-clock atten during their recovery.

Ourpracticeisequippedwithstate-of-the-artfacilities,includingCT, endoscopy,andorthopedicsurgerycapabilities,allowingustohandle complexcasesonsiteandprovidethebestpossibleoutcomesforyour pets.Wealsoofferovernightcareforhospitalisedpatientswhen needed,ensuringtheyreceiveround-the-clockattentionandsupport duringtheirrecovery.

Experience exceptional veterinary care where your happiness are at the heart of everything

Experienceexceptionalveterinarycarewhereyourpet’shealthand happinessareattheheartofeverythingwedo.

g our experience healthcare for our reputation one ine relationships now people and ised care ies, including CT, wing us to handle utcomes for your patients when tion and support pet’s health and we do

Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9 am to 5.30 pm

Tuesday 9 am to 7.00 pm

Thursday 9 am to 8.00 pm

Saturday 8.30 am to 4.00 pm

Hadleigh Community Forum 55

Tuesday 11 February 2025

CHAIR: Very Rev’d Jo Delfgou Notes: Jess Janas

1 WELCOME: The Chair welcomed everyone

2 REPORT OF THE LAST MEETING: Accepted

3 MATTERS ARISING: None

4 STANDARD UPDATES POLICE STATEMENT

PC Johnson provided a full report for the meeting, the details of which will be in his regular column in the Hadleigh Community News

INSPIRE – THE PORCH PROJECT

Friday sessions now 3pm-5pm for years 7 & 8 and 5 30pm-7 30pm for years 9 New timings are being trialled for 6 wee s, hoping to extend opening hours to further promote cohesion and socialisation utreach wor in t Cornard has been paused temporarily to consider the best way to better serve the needs of the community A new member will join the team at the end of February, and she will focus especially on young women’s issues Comments/feedbac from the wider community are always appreciated

HFLAG (Hadleigh Flood Action Group

Sta eholders had a collaborative and positive meeting with the EA, Mic Fraser (County Councillor) and James Cartlidge (MP) attending The main purpose was to encourage the EA to allow the community to have more input in managing the gates so they can be proactive, rather than reactive EA to revert Minutes of that meeting will be circulated There was a river clear-up which was well attended and future clearups will be noti ed in advance

BENTON END

There is a pilot Learning programme running from February to June wor ing with East Anglian-based schools and community groups covering horticulture, ecology, painting & drawing and food This is than s to a grant from a supportive Trust, aiming to help Benton End A new Project Director joins the team in March and will, inter alia, focus on fundraising with the major funding sources An pen Day is planned for April – dates will be announced when nalised

HEAT(Hadleigh Environmental Action Team)

A series of tal s have been boo ed starting with 27 Feb 7 30pm at the Baptist Church, eorge St with Wild East – the East Anglian nature recovery movement Then 27 March 7 30pm in the uild Room at the uild Hall with Su ol Wildlife Trust on eco-acoustics, The Song of the Soil, by Helen Bynum and 10 April 7 30pm at St Mary’s Church with a tal by Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England 150 conversations have ta en place helping people decarbonise their homes & lower their energy costs If any group wishes to have a spea er, contact heatenergy@gmx co u Traditional Su ol apple and pear trees have been planted at the Bridge Street allotments with help from Hadleigh Town Council and Babergh District Council

St MARYS CHURCH

The Faculty Notice expires next wee and it is hoped to receive our Sealed Faculty in early March The focus now is on UKPN’s preparatory wor for upgrading the power supply to the church to accommodate the new units Discussions have ta en place regarding the siting of internal exploratory archaeological digs in preparation for laying a new oor in the Nave External digs were also discussed at the site of the planned new extension Consideration is now being given to moving the font to its planned new area where the old wooden structure was, ma ing an attractive and practical Baptistery area as one enters the church Following an invitation to do so, St Mary’s has re-applied to become a Demonstrator Church and will now the result in April A memorial service to commemorate the 475th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Rev’d Rowland Taylor, organised by the Aldham Common Charity, too place on 9 February and was well attended The uinquennial ( ve-yearly) Inspection will ta e place on 24 February For the Pop-Ups, everybody is welcomed from 2 30pm-3 30pm and then 3 30pm–5pm is reserved for children with their carers

HADLEIGH BO FORD PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP (PPG)

A report was given to the meeting, the full version of which can be found in the PP ’s monthly column in the Hadleigh Community News

VISIT HADLEIGH

The main focus remains on planning the year ahead For any future events, Clubs roups and Societies please remember to inform Jane (as far ahead as poss) and chec the website regularly so as to avoid tra c accidents Contact snowdonjane@hotmail co u The

VisitHadleigh website is moving from WordPress to a new system and will be accessible via Instagram and Faceboo The Wool Towns lea et is still available via the website

BABERGH MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCIL (BDC/MS)

Funding: A variety of community group and capital grant funding opportunities are available and assistance with external grants can also be given For full details on all grants, and any questions, contact the rants Team bmsdcgrants@baberghmidsu ol gov u

Devolution: n 5 Feb the overnment announced that Su ol & Norfol will be on the Devolution Priority Programme so Su ol County Council elections, due in May 2025, have been cancelled A Mayor for Su ol & Norfol will be elected in May 2026 It is undecided as to whether there will be one or two unitary councils covering Su ol Existing councils need to wor together to form an interim plan which is to be presented to overnment by 21 March 2025 with a full proposal to be submitted by 26 September 2025 The decision to accept the proposal, or not, will be made by Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local overnment & English Devolution A “Shadow unitary council will be elected in due course (possibly in 2027) which would wor alongside existing councils until the unitary council(s) is/are set up Town Councils will not be closed

HADLEIGH TOWN COUNCIL

(HTC):

rants Budget 24/25 still has £5,525 33 remaining until 31 March 2025 Mayor’s Charity Fundraiser – this year for irl uides and Sea Scouts, is a uiz in the rand Hall starting at 7 30pm on Friday 28 February Teams of up to six @ £5 per person For tic ets, email Jac ie Kir : assistant@hadleightowncouncil gov u or 01473 823 884 or call into the Town Council o ces

Hadleigh’s Neighbourhood Plan nally has a referendum date of 25 February 2025 having been in preparation for the last four years, after some 25 consultations with residents, businesses and visitors to the town. Voter ID will be needed for the referendum and it is vital that our community respond to the one question, being yes (I accept it) or no (I don’t). Accepting the Plan is particularly important where planning matters are concerned and it is imperative that BDC can see the Plan is backed by the community. If more than 50% vote “yes” BDC are legally bound to adopt this as part of its development. Please visit: https://www.babergh.gov. uk/w/hadleigh-neighbourhood-plan

A O B

Hadleigh ld School has two upcoming shows: 13 March 7pm The Search for Cedric Morris’ Irises by Sarah Coo , the Horticulturalist Detective and her plantsman husband, Jim Marshall which is sold out 22 March 7 30pm Sophia – a new play by Hannah Kumari, performed by The Eastern Angles Based on real life story of Sophia Duleep Singh, Princess and oddaughter to ueen Victoria Exiled with her father to Su ol , she became a su ragette and Indian revolutionary Tic ets from https://easternangles co u

The ld Hadleigh Picture Show Following the huge success of last year’s show, two more dates have been added with new content 21 March and 9 May, both at the Ansell Centre, 7 30pm Tic ets £5 each from Avis & The Idler

Schools’ news: The Headmaster of Hadleigh Community Primary, Mr Pil ington, is retiring at the end of the academic year and the headmaster of St Mary’s School, Mr Frolish, is moving to Capel St Mary at the end of this term

The Brett Valley Collective is performing a new play “Pasta Paradiso” on 20, 21 and 22 February at 7 30pm in the URC church Tic ets £8 50 from the Little inger Bee in the High Street A donation from tic et sales will be made to the Ansell Centre and St Mary’s Church Pop-Ups There will be some very familiar faces in the cast

The meeting closed at 5 26pm NE T MEETING: Tuesday 11 March 2025 @ 4:15pm @ Hadleigh Pool and Leisure

Chair: Jane Snowdon

St Mary’s C of E Primary School

Are you new to Layham?

“Children

“Adults

“Children

“Children

“Pupils

“Pupils

If you have recently moved to the village and would li e to now more please visit the Parish Council website at www layham org

Are you linked to our Community

e-mail?

If you are not registered to receive local information via our local Community e-mail system, please log on to our website and read about the bene ts We now from several years of experience how valuable it is for you to be ept informed about what is happening locally

Layham Playing Field 120 Club

Winners for the February draw were:

£25 Tic et No 43 liver

£15 Tic et No 9 Riches

Social Club

We meet at Layham Village Hall on the rst and third Monday of the month from 10 am until 12 pm We have a tal /demonstration, refreshments and a quiz All good fun and all are welcome A small charge of £2 for hall hire

Recent Meeting:

February 3 We were fortunate to welcome Bill Baston, award winning photographer to the club In his illustrated tal Bill, currently using a mirrorless lympus camera, demonstrated the quality and range of photographs of birds he has ta en We were treated to pictures and information about a variety of Brett valley birds, including owls, ing shers, buzzards and ites Close up shots of more common birds such as blue tits showed the shimmering, attractive plumage, rarely appreciated at a casual glance Bill has photographed swifts very successfully nesting atop local churches, including St Andrew’s Bill explained that the cuc oo, often heard but rarely seen, has mar ings similar to a sparrow haw that serves it well in scaring nesting birds so that it can lay in their nests We listened to bird song and attempted to identify the nightingale, another local bird, heard best in the evening

Some rarer visitors such as the bee eaters seen breeding in Norfol last year were depicted as well as migratory oc s seen at Languard Point reserve Bill’s tal was thoroughly enjoyable and we loo forward to another visit from him later in the year

Next Meetings:

A swift wheeling around St.Andrew’s Church last year

March 3 Michael Shade will give a tal entitled Hearing and Hearing Loss March 17 A return visit of Reverend Keith Lovell on the theme of sea shanties with audience participation

French’s Care Haven

Hello to our readers, I hope as always you have all been eeping well

We are having a local dog wal on 29 March setting o at our animal sanctuary in Castlings Heath The wal will start at 2pm, £4 pp which will include refreshments

Join us and our therapy dog Lucy who is in one of our photos (alongside a rescue itten Mia) Even if you do not have a dog, you are welcome to come and join us

As some of you will already now Lucy has a heart of gold and loves all animals and people and our small rescued or injured animals have had her give them companionship and reassurance in their time of need

French’s will be starting a Sunday Pony Club, on 2 March, which will ta e place once a month 5 to 16 year olds can join, meet our animals and learn how to ta e care of a pony

This will be £8 pp each visit and will include refreshments

To boo or for any more information on the Dog wal or Pony Club

please contact Sharon at Frenchs 100club@gmail com or call her on 07999051401

In our photo we have our three helpers who come in twice a wee , they empty trailers, move hay and straw and x anything that is bro en There is always a fence to mend or wee ly chec s on our water hoses and troughs for the horses In the photo we have Richard, Dr John Flather and Paul John has been part of French’s for years now and then Paul came along 2 years ago and last year Richard found us They all do a great job and I am blessed to have them as our maintenance helpers and part of our team I would li e to say a big than you to the wonderful lady Cherry for her regular donation that helps our don eys and to Lorna and Chris who gave a donation and wrote a lovely letter saying what great wor we do and than ing us for re-homing and giving good care to Lady, a pony that came to us four years ago when dear Maggie from Sesaw lost her land For all our readers please consider ma ing a personal donation to us if you can, your help will eep us going in our time of nancial struggle and would be very much appreciated by our team and of course our dear rescued animals Also contact me if you would li e any information about becoming part of our small team, caring for our lovely horses and don eys, by either helping hands on with our animals or with our Fundraising

Frenchs is a charity on your doorstep, can you help, either with time, donations, or sponsorship. You are welcome to come along and meet our animals. Call me for an appointment. Jann on: 07747755556 or email: jann.turner@hotmail.co.uk Website: FrenchsCareHaven.org.uk

ST ANDREW’S CHURCH LAYHAM

In the Benefice of Hadleigh, Layham and Shelley Services for March:

Sunday2 March 9.15am: Morning Worship

Sunday9 March 9.15am: Sung Eucharist

Sunday16 March 9.15am: Morning Worship

Sunday23 March 9.15am: Joint ‘Layham with Shelley’ Eucharist at All Saints’ Morning Prayer is also every Wednesday at 8.30am

The church is open daily, and you are very welcome to visit.

Bug Club - Sunday March 2nd normal time of 3.00 – 4.30pm! Join Glenda and the gang at St Andrew’s Church for more adventures exploring God’s creations. Please book your child’s place by contacting Glenda at glendahall@ymail.com Churches Together Lent Course – Starting Tuesday 11th March, please see separate poster for all the details with dates and times

If there is anything you wish to discuss, please do contact Fr Jo on 01473 822218

Alys Mererid Roberts (soprano)

Siân Cameron (mezzo-soprano)

Richard Symons (tenor)

Owain Browne (bass)

Colchester Symphony Orchestra

Christopher Phelps (conductor)

Saturday 5 April 2025, 7.30 p.m.

St Mary’s Church, Hadleigh

ROSSINI: Stabat Mater & Overture, The Barber of Seville MASCAGNI: Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana Agnus Dei arr. Phelps from Albinoni’s Adagio in D minor

TICKETS: £18. Free for those in full-time education

Available from: The Idler, 37 High Street & The Little Ginger Bee Company, 99 High Street, Hadleigh, from choir members, the website below 01473 823 791. www . hadleighchoralsociety . org . uk

Second Saturday Events

Saturday 8th March, 10am - 12 noon

Elmsett & Aldham Village Hall, IP7 6PA

Homemade refreshments

Free parking and entry

Elmsett & Aldham Village Hall, IP7 6PA Co ee Mornings 10-12pm Craft Fairs 10am – 1pm

8th March – Community Co ee Morning

12th April – Easter Craft Mar et EE hunt 10th May – Community Co ee Morning 14th June – Indoor Craft Mar et 12th July – Community Co ee Morning 9th August – Community Co ee Morning TWAM 13th September – arage Sale around the village

11th ctober – Indoor Craft Mar et 8th November – Indoor Craft Mar et 13th December – mas Community Craft Mar et

Raising money for the new Elmsett & Aldham Community Shop and Cancer Research UK Look out for more details of each event in your Village Magazine or on Facebook

Hadleigh Choral SocietySpring Concert 2025

Fantastico Splendido All are invited to the Hadleigh Choral Society Spring concert, when we will perform Italian opera-in uenced choral masterpieces including Rossini’s Stabat Mater, the Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni, Agnus Dei by Albinoni, along with additional orchestral interludes The choir will perform along with the Colchester Symphony rchestra and professional soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, conducted by Christopher Phelps The concert will ta e place Saturday, 5th April at 7:30pm, at St Mary’s Church in Hadleigh Tic ets are £18 or free for those in full time education, and are available online, at The Idler boo shop in Hadleigh, or through choir members

For more information visit www.hadleighchoralsociety.org.uk

Leading Hadleigh church joins others

“to turn up the light of hope to full beam at a time of growing darkness

A Christian fellowship that has been at the heart of a Su ol mar et town’s life for nearly two hundred years hosted a well-attended and hope- lled service Sunday (9 February) celebrating its closer cooperation with ve other fellowships in the Ipswich and coastal areas Hadleigh United Reformed Church (URC) is located in the town’s Mar et Place and occupies a number of early nineteenth century buildings that includes the Ansell Centre, which is used by dozens of community groups

The United Reformed Church (URC) was founded in the early 1970s through the merger of a number of longstanding denominations, including the Congregationalist Church, which was Hadleigh URC’s predecessor fellowship

The URC is part of the worldwide family of Reformed Churches, with over 70 million adherents worldwide

Hadleigh URC is now part of the URC’s Ipswich & East Su ol Pastorate which also includes Castle Hill, St John’s (both in Ipswich), Felixstowe URC and Leiston & Saxmundham United Church

Whilst Hadleigh URC will continue to retain its unique identity, decision-ma ing and focus on serving the people of the town and the surrounding villages, it now bene ts from the additional guidance and leadership of the Pastorate’s ministerial team: Revd David Rees and Revd Adam Earle, as well as being able to cooperate more closely with everyone in the other fellowships on projects aimed at helping others, especially the most vulnerable and with a focus on the environment, as all the churches in the Pastorate have achieved the bronze level Eco Church Award

Revd David Rees said: “Central to the URC’s spiritual DNA is a desire to bring Christians together to work in witness to the love of Jesus Christ for all. The communities we serve, in Felixstowe, Hadleigh, Ipswich, Leiston and Saxmundham, are facing unprecedented challenges –everything from the housing, jobs, mental and physical health crises to worries about the environment and world peace.

“By working more closely together across the towns, we believe we have a bigger impact in both helping people and showing them that a real alternative way of life is possible.”

Claire Coster, secretary of Hadleigh URC, added: “This new arrangement means that we can better share our combined knowledge, skills and energies to turn up the light of hope to full beam at a time of growing darkness for the communities we love and serve.”

The 9th February service brought together members from across the Ipswich and East Su ol Pastorate plus many residents of the town, including the Mayor of Hadleigh Town Council, Councillor Sue Mon s and Su ol County Councillor Mic Fraser The service was led by Revd Lythan Nevard, moderator of the Eastern Synod of the URC

Orchard Barn News

Learning from the past how to build a greener future

ur wonderful new Education Building (the reinstated 1580s Longhouse) has been a long-term project for all of us at rchard Barn

Although not yet complete, we were able to hold our rst get together inside just before Christmas, with the new Masonry Stove providing warmth Below left shows all that was left standing of the Longhouse in 2010

It’s quite a thought that the 1580s Longhouse was rst built using timbers which may have started life locally as acorns in the early 1500s It feels very satisfying that some of the 500 year old timbers have been repaired on training courses and put bac where they used to be in the new building, to continue the job for which they were originally felled

The craftsmen from the 1500s would certainly recognise the traditional tools and methods we have used in reinstating the Longhouse Here Brian is repairing one of the original corner posts

If you would li e to try wor ing with old timbers, we have a Timber Frame Repair Course on o er on 27 June ur Volunteer Wor ing Parties continue on Wednesdays and Fridays 9 am to 1 pm New

Volunteers welcome

To nd out more about us and what we do, or to volunteer with us, ta e a loo at our website http://www orchardbarn org u , call Sarah on 07766 054042 or email sarah orchardbarn@gmail com

Orchard Barn, Ringshall, Stowmarket, Su olk, IP14 2LY

St Mary’s Renewal

RT: Renewal Team CofE: Church of England

Heating and Lighting: The Notice for the Heating and Lighting units has been displayed on the church door for the required 28 days By the time this magazine is circulated we hope to have received a Faculty with the C of E approval for the installation of the heating and lighting units nce this has been received, we can then order them and instigate the groundwor needed for their installation

Overtheyears,ourlocalcommunityhascome torecogniseusasa'celebrationvenue'and whilewelovehostingspecialevents,weare alsoopensevendaysaweektothepublic! Whetheryou'relookingtoenjoyadelicious lunchordinner,indulgeinanafternoontea, unwindwithaspatreatment,orsimplysavour acoffeeorcocktail.

Over the years, our local community has come to recognise us as a 'celebration venue ' and while we love hosting special events, we are also open seven days a week to the public! Whether you ' re looking to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner, indulge in an afternoon tea, unwind with a spa treatment, or simply savour a coffee or cocktail

Money Matters: The PCC is currently holding £97,490 44 for the heating and lighting project Than s to the generosity of donors the team was able to claim and received £12,026 50 in ift Aid which has been included in the total ur grateful than s to all who made this substantial free’ addition to the fund possible

The Diocese has awarded St Mary’s £2,500 under their Minor Repairs & Improvements rant programme

Babergh and Mid Su ol District Council has given the initiative a grant of £4,791 97

Throughouttheyear,we’rethrilledtohost avarietyofexcitingevents,fromComedy Dinners,MusicalNights,tovibrantsummer celebrations.Wealsotakegreatpridein offeringspecialoccasionlunches,including ourpopularMother’sDayandEasterSunday events,aswellasourseasonalgardenmenu andfestivefayre.

Throughout the year, we ’ re thrilled to host a variety of exciting events, from Comedy Dinners, Musical Nights, to vibrant summer celebrations We also take great pride in offering special occasion lunches, including our popular Mother’s Day and Easter Sunday events, as well as our seasonal garden menu and festive fayre

With the RT’s ambitious plans to decarbonise the Church and ma e it a more comfortable place for future community use, the inclusion of a respectful archaeological survey plus the success of seven of our eight grant bids, the team is cautiously optimistic that the eighth grant application will also be successful

Ta ing into account all the promises from grants to be realised and unclaimed individual donations the war chest’ amounts to £112,787,41

As ever it is never too late to ma e a donation David Hoyle is the man to help you See below for details

Heritage Lottery Fund: Following helpful advice from HLF experts, the Finance Team are wor ing on the next steps

Ourexquisitemenusareavailableto everyone,notjustourhotelguests!We’re opendailyofferinghotandcolddrinks,light snacks,lunch,afternoontea,anddinner. Besuretocheckoursocialmediapages andwebsiteforexclusiveoffers throughouttheyear!

Our exquisite menus are available to everyone, not just our hotel guests! We’re open daily offering hot and cold drinks, light snacks, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner Be sure to check our social media pages and website for exclusive offers throughout the year!

Demonstrator Church Status: The end of April is the earliest we should now if St Mary’s has been granted this signi cant status Archaeological Dig: Internal trial holes will be dug to determine what lies below the surface of the oor and give the architect a better understanding of its construction It may also reveal any vaults and their level The archaeological implications for the proposed extension will also be discussed Worship will not be a ected during the dig uinquennial Inspection: The results of this inspection were not available when this column went to print It is expected to reveal the true state of the roof

We’reoneofthefewvenuesintheareathat canaccommodateweddingsofallsizes,from intimateceremoniesfortwotogrand celebrationswithallyourlovedones.Witha varietyofpackagesavailable,wetailoreach weddingtosuittheuniquevisionofevery couple.Nomatterthesizeorbudget,our dedicatedeventsteamiscommittedto makingyourbigdayunforgettable.

We’re one of the few venues in the area that can accommodate weddings of all sizes, from intimate ceremonies for two to grand celebrations with all your loved ones With a variety of packages available, we tailor each wedding to suit the unique vision of every couple No matter the size or budget, our dedicated events team is committed to making your big day unforgettable

AtHintleshamHall,wetrulylovethemagic ofChristmasandthejoyitbringstoour guests.Eachyear,wehostavarietyof festiveevents,includingChristmasparty nights,aluxuriousthree-dayChristmas break,delightfulfestivefayrelunches,and, toendtheyearinstyle,ourspectacularNew Year'sEveGalaDinner.

At Hintlesham Hall, we truly love the magic of Christmas and the joy it brings to our guests Each year, we host a variety of festive events, including Christmas party nights, a luxurious three-day Christmas break, delightful festive fayre lunches, and, to end the year in style, our spectacular New Year's Eve Gala Dinner

Regular Gatherings: Apart from the special one-o events, Café Church o ers a warm welcome and a drin to all ages every Friday morning Come for a chat and treat yourself to one of Andrew’s delicious brea fasts or some other homemade naughties There is an added attraction on the rst Friday in every month when a variety of craft stalls appear laden with lots of attractive treasures Happily, our relaxing lunchtime music recitals are bac This month The Awesome Strawsons will be playing for your enjoyment on Wednesday 12th March at 1pm ther family orientated get togethers are advertised in the colourful St Mary’s entry elsewhere in this magazine We hope you will support St Mary’s whenever you can and enjoy the company of others at the same time

David Hoyle (Donations)davidhoyle1967@gmail.comOR

Emma Fleming-Ovenso ce@stmaryshadleigh.co.uk01473 824 987

Jess Janas (Craft Stalls)jessicanevard@btinternet.com01473 822 671 Church Websitehttps://stmaryshadleigh.co.uk

Backs For The Future

www.backsforthefuture.co.uk

Brick Barn, Kersey Mill, Hadleigh IP7 6DP

Lucinda A. Salway DO Registered Osteopath

info@backsforthefuture.co.uk

Tel: 07818 420029

Hadleigh Town Council

Thursday 16th January 2025 at 7pm held in The Guild Room at Hadleigh Town Hall, Market Place, Hadleigh, IP7 5DN

Minutes

Present Councillors Bayliss, Beggerow, ower, Howlett, Loftus, Miller and Shearly-Sanders

In Attendance Town Cler and 6 members of the public (1 via oom)

Welcome The Chair welcomed everyone and advised that the Council, members of the public and press may record/ lm or broadcast the meeting, when the press and public are not lawfully excluded Any member of the public who attends the meeting is advised that the Town Council cannot control third party recording The Town Council will record the meeting

Apologies Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Elliott, McLeod, Minns, Mon s, Taylor, Wilson and Wright and Babergh District Councillor Carruthers

Approval of absence Proposed by Councillor ower, seconded by Councillor Howlett the absences of Councillors Elliott, McLeod, Minns, Mon s, Taylor, Wilson and Wright were approved Vote = 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain

Declarations of Interest Councillors Beggerow and Shearly-Sanders declared an other registrable interest in HTC24 310 as they are trustees to the Hadleigh rand Feo ment Charity Dispensations There was no consideration of dispensations

Minutes 12th December 2024 Proposed by Councillor Bayliss, seconded by Councillor Beggerow the minutes of Thursday 12th December 2024 were approved Vote = 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain Minutes19th December 2024 Proposed by Councillor ower, seconded by Councillor Howlett the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on Thursday 19th December 2024 were approved. Vote = 6 For, 0 Against, 1 Abstain

Reports The reports from Su ol County Council & Babergh District Council Ward Councillors were noted Councillor Fraser read from his report and spo e about Devolution Councillor Dowling spo e from his report about a unitary across Norfol and Su ol

Public Forum A member of the public had sent in a copy of a letter he sent to the EADT regarding the condition of the road surface at the top of Du e Street which was read about the Town Cler The same member of the public had also sent in a letter regarding water usage at the toilets on Magdalen Road and suggested water saving measures which the Town Cler brie y spo e about

A member of the public spo e about the tenancy management of Cemetery Lodge and the drainage at Layham Road Sports round A Councillor spo e in the public forum about the publication of the draft minutes in the Community News Finance-Payments Proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor ower, the schedule of invoices was noted and payments over £5,000 that have not previously been agreed were approved. In alignment with the adopted Financial Regulations, all payments under £1,000 are approved by the RF , as are items between £1,000 and £5,000 with clearance of the Chairman of the Council or Chairman of the appropriate committee Vote = 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain Budget 25/26 Proposed by Councillor ower, seconded by Councillor Beggerow version 4 of the budget for 25/26 was agreed. Vote = 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain

Precept 25/26 Proposed by Councillor Beggerow, seconded by Councillor ower the precept for 25/26 at £463,401 which represents a 3% increase (a 35p per month increase for a Band D property) was agreed. Vote = 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Proposed by Councillor Loftus, seconded by Councillor Beggerow it was agreed that the Town Cler would register as a campaigner on behalf of the Town Council for the Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Vote = 7 For, 0 Abstain, 0 Against Councillors Beggerow and Shearly-Sanders left the room at 7 34pm Hadleigh Grand Feo ment Charity Trustee Proposed by Councillor Loftus, seconded by Councillor ower, it was agreed to elect Councillor Mon s to become a nominative Trustee for Hadleigh rand Feo ment Charity Vote =5 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain Councillors Beggerow and Shearly-Sanders returned to the room at 7 36pm

Policy Updates The schedule for policy updates was noted.

Exclusion of the press and public Proposed by Councillor Beggerow,

seconded by Councillor Howlett it was agreed to exclude the press and public in pursuance of Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 the Press and the Public shall be excluded for the next items of business on the grounds that it is li ely to be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the con dential nature of the business to be transacted due to commercial sensitivity

Meeting was suspended at 7 41pm

Meeting reconvened at 7 45pm

CONFIDENTIAL SESSION: E CLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC Minutes (Con dential Session) Proposed by Councillor Beggerow, seconded by Councillor ower, the minutes of the con dential session held on 21st November 2024 were approved.

Vote = 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain

Layham Road Sports Ground Drainage The drainage at Layham Road Sports round was discussed and actions agreed.

Vote = 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain

Layham Road Sports Ground Solar Panels The Solar Panels at Layham Road Sports round were discussed any actions agreed

Vote = 7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstain

Future Meetings The next scheduled meeting will be on 20th February 2025

Close of Meeting The meeting closed at 9 04pm

HADLEIGH NATURALISTS SOCIETY Winter Programme 2025

Monday 3 March - 7.30pm

‘Ladybirds’ - Adrian Knowles Meetings held in the Seminar Room upstairs in Hadleigh Library. Visitors £3.

Saturday 12 April - 10am - noon

Annual Spring Fayre at Ansell Community Centre, Hadleigh Stalls, homemade cakes, plants, books, bric-a-brac, raffle and refreshments Proceeds in

Wendy Brame, Town Clerk

Ebony’s Blog Life at The Shelley Centre

CHECK

With over 150 riders coming for therapeutic sessions every wee in term time, twelve horses to care for every day of the year, maintenance on the building, fences, etc and raising funds to do our wor , our 90 volunteer team are ept very busy I ma e no apology for again appealing for volunteers to join our merry band of helpers A few extra hands would be very welcome and I can assure you, it will be rewarding and fun Please get in touch with the Centre if you’d li e to now more about how you can help

As well as our regular therapy sessions we also run Tea with a Pony’ on Tuesday afternoons A select team of helpers welcome participants to the yard where they can spend time petting or grooming a pony, often our very sociable, miniature Shetland, Chocolate, followed by tea and ca e (photo of Chocolate in the itchen ) These sessions are aimed at people struggling with mental health issues, living with dementia or long term illness

If you, or anyone you now, would bene t from this interaction with horses, please get in touch with the Centre

As a Charity we rely on fundraising, donations and legacies to be able to deliver our wonderful therapy Riders pay a very small fee, but the remainder of the circa £80,000 that is needed to eep the Centre running has to be raised each year Anyone who has ever had horses will now just how costly they are – food, tac , farriers and vets fees, etc, etc, plus we have a Stable Manager to pay along with the stables and paddoc s to maintain Your support for our fundraising events would be very much appreciated and I now you will enjoy them

Last month a group of our volunteers went to The Fleece at Boxford to test our nowledge on their quiz night A brilliant and fun time was had by all and to top it o an amazing £460 was indly raised for the Shelley Centre

This will go towards a new saddle for one of our newer horses, Monarch Massive than s go to The Fleece and the other quizzers present for their donations Future fundraising events that you may like include:Race Night 5 April at What eld Village Hall

Stride out for Shelley Sunday 4 May A spring wal from The Shelley Centre in the wonderful Brett Vale countryside followed by homemade refreshments

Hadleigh Show, 17 May. We run a ca e and plant stall at the Show and would welcome any donations to the stall as well as buyers on the day Details on the above events and online boo ing on our website, or contact fundraisingshelleyrda@gmail com

And Stratford St Mary Institute are holding a uiz Night on 12th April

This is a Who Wants to be a Millionaire’ style quiz and light supper, with 50% of the pro ts coming to The Shelley Centre (contact ssminstitute boo ings@gmail com)

www.shelleyrda.com Facebook@ Shelley RDA Centre

Telephone: 01473 824172

Phone: 07823

Hello from Hadleigh United FC!

At this time of year, the Club ta es a moment to assess what we have done so far this season and starts to plan for the next Within the physical boundaries that we have, we continue to expand we now have three girls only teams and are ma ing arrangements to have a ladies team These new teams join our hugely successful Minis & Diddies, the non-league girls only Wildcats, our 17 mixed Youth teams, U18s, U23s, the First team, SIL “Dragons” and of course our Vets ur aim is to provide football for everyone in our community ne of our successes this year has been to tap into our U18 and U23 talent to support the First Team These are often local Hadleigh boys, who have been through our Youth set up to U16 and have continued on through ur senior team managers wor together to identify and develop players in the hope that they will eventually become regulars on the First team squad list We call this our Player Pathway It has been a few years in development, but we now feel we have a good, wor able set up in place and are reaping the bene ts of having local talent playing for us You’re welcome to come along to a home game and watch our boys in action f course we have to have premises to play on and our Mill eld premises have to wor hard ur Facilities team wor tirelessly to ensure that they are ept in the best condition, ready for all the play but we would really li e to have some more volunteers to help us with thisif you have some spare time, we’d really appreciate it How is it all paid for? f course, we have well over 100 volunteers across all our activities, sel essly giving their time and e ort to the Club but we need actual money too, so our Treasurer eeps his eyes and ears

open to funding opportunities Recently this has resulted, with help from the Football Foundation, Babergh District Council and Hadleigh Town Council, in the installation of LED oodlights; better for play and better for the environment However, we are see ing sponsors and donors for the Club ur running costs, just li e everyone elses, are rising and we resist, as much as we can, raising tic et prices to ensure that the Club is as accessible to as many people as possible If you can help us with sponsorship, donations or want to advertise at the Club, please contact hufcexecutivecommittee@gmail com or call me on the number below for a chat

In fact, we are on the loo out for new Committee members too, in particular a Commercial Secretary to help us identify sponsors, donors and commercial opportunities

During the summer, we hope to be hosting festivals for the Minis & Diddies, the girls and the development age groups (U8-U11s) to eep their hands’ in We also host Cup competitions for our senior teams’ league, Thurlow Nunn Anyone can come to watch these, you don’t have to be a member - just cheer gustily for Hadleigh Loo on our socials for all events

ur Presentation wee end will be in May, this is when everyone gets to re ect on the past season and celebrate their e ort and successes, it’s a fantastic wee end, full of fun and laughter n the Sunday of that wee end (25 May) we’ll be hosting an evening with medium, Stephanie Carr - loo out for the tic et adverts if you’re interested in attending that and on the Ban Holiday Monday (26 May), we have a Food and Craft fair during the day, pop along for co ee, ca e and other goodies ur Clubhouse also wor s hard to support the activities of the players and we also ma e it available to hire, for events, other club’s activities and parties It’s recently had a tidy up and a lic of paint, so it’s in great condition If you have an upcoming party or need a venue, come along and have a loo Contact Jo at enquiries@hadleigh-mill eld co u or on 07597 906167 to arrange a viewing Wishing you all a Happy 2025

Tracy - Chairwoman (07429 514740)

ST MARY’S CHURCH, HADLEIGH

St Mary’s Church is open every day.

The church is a beautiful and peaceful space, and you are most welcome to visit.

Service Times

POP UP AT ST MARY’S ~ March dates are Wednesday’s 12th & 26th 2.30pm – 5.00pm (from 3.30pm onwards is reserved for children and their carers only). Free food, drink and activities for all ages. EVERYBODY is welcome and we are looking for more volunteers!

LENT COURSE ~ Tuesday 11th March sees the beginning of Hadleigh’s Churches Together Lent course. Please see the poster for all the information. Lunchtime Recital ~ Please join us for our free Lunchtime Recital at 1.00pm on Wednesday 12th March where we will be joined by The Awesome Strawsons! Please see the Church notice boards for information on this month’s services or search us on “A Church Near You” website.

The Benefice Office at St Mary’s is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10-12 noon. Our Administrator is Mrs Emma Fleming-Ovens

Hadleigh Cricket Meadow –A Brief History

Hadleigh Cric et Club is one of the oldest cric et clubs in Su ol Records show that the Club rst existed bac in 1779 ld scoreboo s reveal that Hadleigh Cric et Club played Ipswich and East Su ol at Portman Road, Ipswich on 10th June 1859, when Hadleigh won by 94 runs to 70 Cric et has been played on the current ground in Friars Road since 1893

The Cric et Meadow came up for sale in 1938 and Messrs Dixon, Eaton, Letts and Sainsbury as Trustees of the Club purchased the land, the money being raised by the Club by means of a Ban loan A Declaration of Trust made at the time declared that the Cric et Meadow, for many years used by the Hadleigh Cric et Club for the purpose of playing cric et should be used as a recreation ground in perpetuity and that the Club, while it exists, shall have the use of the ground ’

12th March 14th May 9th July 10th September 12th November

At the request of the Hadleigh Urban District Council (UDC) and as agreed by the Hadleigh Cric et Club in May 1952, the Cric et Meadow was transferred by the Trustees of the Club to the Trusteeship of the Hadleigh UDC for the purpose of developing a sports and recreation centre Financial restrictions prevented the UDC from proceeding with the proposed development Both the Hadleigh UDC and the Cric et Club sought ways of transferring the Trusteeship bac to the Cric et Club, but the Trustees legal counsel gave opinion that the UDC, because of the pen Spaces Act 1906, did not have the power to do so

In the 1960s the Club raised money and with the aid of various grants a new bric pavilion was built and opened in 1965 In order to obtain grant funding for the pavilion, a 22-year lease was agreed between the Club and the UDC for the whole ground (including the existing children’s play area) This was at a peppercorn rent

At the request of the Hadleigh UDC, in January 1968 a sub-committee of the Council met representatives of the Cric et Club, namely President R I Sainsbury, Chairman Sydney Brown and Secretary Peter Ryder, to discuss the use of part of the Cric et Meadow as a children’s play area It was subsequently agreed by the Cric et Club Committee that the Cor s Lane end of the Cric et Meadow could be used by the Council as a children’s playground The Council agreed to erect a six foot fence in green plastic covered chain lin with concrete posts to separate the area

In 1974 new dressing rooms with showers were added to the rear of the Pavilion in what was the rst extension at a cost of £4,000, this being double the cost of the original building In 1978 the out eld was levelled

The new Babergh District Council o ces were opened in 1980, considerably changing the scene in that part of the Cric et Meadow

Hadleigh cricket meadow pictured in the early 20th

There was good co-operation during the building of the o ces between the Cric et Club and the District Council, and in subsequent years when drainage pipes were laid underneath the out eld and a new council building erected

In 1987 a new lease between the Hadleigh Town Council and the Cric et Club was agreed At this time, a proposal had been made by Hadleigh Bowling Club for an indoor bowling green on the children’s play area There was much discussion about who had authority over that piece of land, and the Cric et Club obtained legal opinion that the Declaration of Trust held precedent over any lease Leases were seen as necessary to obtain grant funding to further develop the club’s facilities The lease between the Club and the Town Council was renewed in 2009, and included a clause con rming a further 25-year extension when it expires at the end of 2033

In 1990 the pavilion was once more extended, providing a separate itchen and bar and larger social area In 2011 the existing nets were installed with support from the local councils and others More recently, in 2017 the Pavilion was extended again with a separate changing room bloc allowing for a larger and much-improved social area for meetings and functions With a new dec ing area, and the installation of solar panels on the pavilion roof in 2024, the Club continues to develop its facilities both for members and the local community oodwill and co-operation with local authorities and our neighbours remains a priority, and as the Bowlers Croft’ housing development nears completion we loo forward to wor ing closely with our new neighbours

By Tim Ryder former Treasurer and Life em er of Hadleigh CC

Interested in Woodturning ??

…then Chestnuts Woodturning Club in Hadleigh is the place for you!

Chestnuts is a well established club in Hadleigh, meeting every third Thursday of the month throughout the year We gather in the community room of the Hadleigh United Reformed Church at 7 30pm (please ring number below in case of late changes)

Approximately every alternative month we have visiting demonstrators or club members helping to increase or improve our techniques and to provide inspiration for future projects

You are very welcome to join us whether you are just interested and not yet a turner, are a “learner” or an experienced turner there will be something there for you

We are a friendly bunch and look forward to welcoming you soon. For more information, please contact Geo Harris on 01473 828194 or gsnjharris@gmail.com

Know Your Garden Birds

Saturday 22nd March, 7 30pm in Hitcham Church IP7 7NR

What is the bird photographed? Can you tell a green nch from a sis in? What is a ring ouzel? Which rare birds can you spot in Su ol ? Adam Fairs, formerly of the BT and now manager at Hollow Trees Farm Shop, will show how to identify the birds that come into your garden, how best to feed them and where to spot the rarer birds in Su ol Lots of illustrative photos

Tickets £5 inc a cuppa and cake, at Hitcham Post O ce or on the door (where it’s cash or card). In aid of church funds. Signed car park o Fen Lane at What3Words: inner.occur.tomb. Contact Nicola Currie on RNFCurrie@gmail.com

Telephone & request a brochure or book a free demonstration

Community Shop

Co ee Morning

In order to support the fundraising for our new local village shop and enhance the community spirit in the village, we will be holding a monthly co ee morning at the Elmsett and Aldham Village Hall from 10am -12pm on the Second Saturday of the month

The rst of these will be on March 8th, and you are invited to join us for homemade refreshments and catch up with the latest development and o ers in the shop By then the shop should have been opened a month, so please come and visit if you’ve not already been down, and celebrate our rst month of trading If you have any ideas or items you have made and would li e to sell to raise money for the shop, please get in touch and we will create a community table oing forward we will be open to your excess cuttings, plants, fruits and vegetables to sell on our reen Community table – to share with our neighbours whilst cutting down waste in the village

There will be an event every Second Saturday, but the next Village Shop Co ee Morning fundraisers will be on May 10th, July 12th and August 9th

We will also be holding Indoor Craft Mar ets on 11th April, 14th June, 11th ctober, 8th November and 13th December – to continue our support for Cancer Research UK, where we will also serve homemade refreshments as well as having amazing hand-made gifts for you to peruse, from local artisan crafters

At all the events, we will continue to collect for the “Toiletries amnesty” as well as recycle batteries and “Jan’s Jams” jars, and I can announce we will also collect spectacles again – as Specsavers will recycle the various elements to repurpose the materials and save them going to land ll

Than you for your support and let’s help to grow our much needed Village shop

Jan, Pauline, Tina Sue (Second Saturday committee) 07712424901

SUNDAY, 9th MARCH2025

It’s nearly that time again fol s time to polish up your bowls and get out on the green where the sun always shines Except when it doesn’t, of course But never mind all that nonsense, the new and very stylish shirts have arrived and everyone who ordered one can pic it up at the Co ee Morning along with your handboo Ah, it feels li e the season has arrived And as though meeting up with all the other club members and new shirts aren’t enough there will be ca e galore Imagine Ba e on steroids So, loo ing forward so seeing you all there Co ee Morning on Saturday 22 March 2025 at 10am at the Clubhouse. And if you’re pic ing up your new shirt it would reduce the wor load on our heroic Treasurer if you could pay £10 in cash, but loo ing round at those of you with your yachts and o -shore accounts, a BACS transfer will do if you really don’t now what a tenner is Be there or be square

DELIVERER REQUIRED

To deliver ‘The Village Edition’ Magazine to Holton St Mary and Raydon d ring the r t ee o ea h onth or detail ring Matt ar er on

And for anyone who’d li e to come and see if bowling is for you, there will be two Open Days on 27 and 28 April 2025 from 10am-4pm when you’d be very welcome to just turn up and have a go with the help of an experienced bowler All we’d as is you wear at soled footwear to protect the immaculate green grass So apologies to those of you ladies and gentlemen (well, we want to be inclusive these days ) who usually wear high heels, I’m afraid they’ll have to stay in the cupboard If you fancy a try and can’t ma e the pen Days, do contact either of the members below who will arrange it for you:

Graham Jones 07890 624708 or Bob Fletcher 07866 769668

Hadleigh Bowling Club, Stone Street, Hadleigh IP7 6DN

Hares Cross Country Report

Cross country was still very much on the racing calendar, and on 19 January, we headed to Horseheath point to point racecourse

This varied course too us through woodland, up and down hills, along trac s, over jumps (albeit small ones), and into the splash

For every runner who ran into the freezing cold water, a massive cheer erupted from the supporters It was no mean feat trying to run up a hill afterwards with freezing cold feet, and it had to be done twice

Aden Bell, who has consistently improved over the season, did not disappoint and stormed across the line in 8th place Richard Cowley, Steve Cox, Ryan McNeill, Nathalie Hooper, Neil Holloway, Fiona Holland, Joanne Sargent, and Sarah Wat ins made up the rest of our fabulous team After this fourth xture, the women’s team crept up the leaderboard, nding themselves in 6th and 7th place

n 9 February, Bury Pacers hosted the penultimate cross country race at Pa enham With it being a bit closer to home, we had more Hares turning out for the race, including some rst timers

It was a beautiful course with varied terrain and a couple of short, steep inclines Even the sun made a brief appearance Aden raced across the line in 7th place, and newcomer Kevin Long nished an amazing 35th Fantastic running by the rest of the team: Belinda odbold, Dami Bastos, Fiona Holland, Joanne Sargent, Neil Holloway, Nathalie Hooper, Paul Lacey, Ryan McNeill, Stuart Hunt, and Sarah Wat ins

The last cross country race of the season, held the following wee end in Corton, Lowestoft, required quite a journey, but we still managed to muster a small team For all runners, it was a new course, so no one new what surprises lay in store To say it was cold was an understatement, and the easterly wind was biting Huddled together li e penguins at the start line to eep warm, runners were een to get going The terrain was good, with the obligatory ups and downs, but to ma e things more interesting, part of the course followed a mountain bi e trail, ta ing us through the trees and up and down several bumps

Neil Holloway was the rst male Hare across the line, achieving his personal best for cross country this season Hot on his heels was Nathalie Hooper, with Fiona Holland, Jo Sargent, and Ryan McNeill not far behind Luc ily, there was a fabulous café on site, and to celebrate the end of the season, they stopped for lunch and a chance to warm up

The Hares have thoroughly enjoyed their rst season with the Su ol Winter Cross Country League It has ta en them to some beautiful locations, and they were warmly welcomed by the other clubs We loo forward to the season restarting in November If you would like to join a friendly and supportive running club, you can nd out all about us and how to join at www.hadleigh-hares. co.uk. If you are interested in coaching, we would love to hear from you.

HAPPY DIAMOND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Hazell and Paul Smith and a Happy 80th Birthday Hazell

Love Mark, Vicky, Justine, Carl and all the Grandchildren and little Axel xx

SELECTED USED CARS

Paste Paper Paint

M S L Plumbing and Heating

Mark Carey

Plumbing & Heating Engineer

General Plumbing including Bathrooms, Showers, Radiators, Toilets and Taps No job too small

Friendly, reliable service Over 15 years experience

Tel: Mark 07979 288844 info@mslplumbing.co.uk

Architect

Franklyn Nevard 07515 351894

One Group ............... 01473 807754

Accountants / Financial Services

Thompson Financial Consulting 01473 828973

Walter Wright 01473 822143

Su olk Ta ccountants...01473 657000

Bathrooms, Plumbing and Heating

Gallagher 01473 828806

Plumbmate 01473 810088

Roundhouse Plumbing 07939 082630

Spear .................... 07775 690158

GJ Watts 01473 829644

MSL Plumbing 07979 288844

CJ Plumbing eating 01473 822775

M nstallations 01473 206918

uddha Plumbing eating.07710 081745

ndre Pipe 07766 311575

Blinds for windows conservatories

Ventanilla Blinds .......... 01787 313677

Caribbean Blinds ........ 0344 800 1947

Builders / Property Maintenance

MMS Plastering 07767 211336

C. . Builders 01473 824404

Simon Farthing 07823 333451

One Group 01473 807754

nglia Lime 01787 313974

Butchers

ndre s Butcher 01473 827720

Carpentry

Dick Bushell .............. 07717 474672

Cards, Gifts, Stationery

eith vis Ne sagents 01473 823131

Carpets / Flooring

.J. Carpets 01473 822240

Your local business DIRECTORY

For

Car Sales, Servicing, Repairs Valet

inger olbro 01473 823286

Complete Car Services....01473 828991

Crockatt Garage 01473 824342

nvicta Garage 01473 823172

Chimney Sweep / Fireplace Services

TL Chimneys 07733 420611

Clements Chimney S eep .07810 616837

Clothes

ZOR Boutique ............ 07969 525859

Marst gri................ 01473 455205

Computer Repair IT Support

ome Computer Services..01473 829552

Doors and Windows

ndy Grimsey.............01473 823584

Tim llen Windo s........ 01473 827086

Sure 01473 827004

B Glass 01787 880099

Electrical Goods and Supplies

icks TV udio Solutions07968 686035

Electricians

S Co le lectrical 01473 823179

Estate Agents

Frost Partners...........01473 823456

Chapman Stickels 01473 372372

i y.................... 01473 875101

The Letting Department...01473 372222

Farm Shops

ollo trees.............. 01449 741247

Funeral / Grave Services

R. G innell 01473 824440

W. . Deacon ............. 01787 248282

Garden Machinery / Repairs

W. J. Green............... 01473 823839

Marst gri................ 01473 455205

Steve Blake 07813814623

Garden Services

4 Life Landscapes 01473 828117

The Landscaper 07737 272341

Green Star Gardening 07939 226117

Hair and Beauty

adleigh airloom ........ 01473 822191

lice Capriotti 07517 874342

Health and Fitness

adleigh Bo ford Practice .01473 822961

adleigh Dental Surgery..01473 823092

Sally Mo les Foot ealth Care 01473 822902

adleigh Physiotherapy...01473 810185

Body Mind s One...... 07506 350 455

inetic ealth 01473 806240

Backs For The Future 07818 420029

Mung Bean ............... 01473 829998

Lavenham Dental Practice .01787 247058

House Moving / Removals

Todds Removals 01787 377489

Laundry Services

Press Gang ............... 01473 558448

Locksmiths

Key Locksmith Services...01206 431440

Newsagents

Keith vis Ne sagents....01473 823131

Nursing Care Services

La eld ouse...01787 247340 / 247495

City On ill Care ....... 0330 1335 492

Green Rose Care 01269 850150

Opticians

Dunstone Optometry 01473 823755

Painting Decorating

Simon Farthing ........... 07823 333451

W Painting Sealing....07856 833104

Paste Paper Paint 07429 612344

Pest Control

Lister Countryside Services07919 287656

Felt Roofing

Specialist with 40yrs experience

•Flat Roofing including re-decking

•Guttering, Fascias, Soffits and Bargeboards uPVC

•Pitched Roof & Chimney Repairs

Call Brian today for a free quote Mobile: 07860 775509

Picture Framing LB Framing 07769 858076

Printing Publishing Keith vis Printers ........ 01473 823366