SUDBURY & LONG MELFORD
Community News April 2026
Friendly donations boost four Sudbury charities
Friendship group Sudbury Oddfellows has donated a total of Tomorrow, The Community Depot and the Kernos Centre. The money was raised by members over the past 12 months through their regular meetups and events, including a Christmas Members also voted on which local causes would receive the donations.
Louise Smith, Social Chairperson at Sudbury Oddfellows, said:
“Supporting local charities and good causes is one of our core values, and I’m proud to hand over this money on behalf of Sudbury Oddfellows to help these organisations continue their brilliant and necessary work.
“Thank you to everyone who helped out and donated over the last year. You’ve helped to improve the lives of many people – which is what the Oddfellows is all about.”
“I would like to extend our sincere thanks and heartfelt gratitude to Sudbury
Oddfellows for supporting our charity. Your kindness and community spirit truly make a
“Contributions like these have a real and lasting impact. Each donation helps us place and are always accessible when they are needed most.”
A cheque was presented to Patrick by Louise on Wednesday 25 February during a ‘Bingo with Fish and Chips’ event at Sudbury
Each of the other three causes received £250 from the friendship group.
cancer care unit which brings treatment to patients. A bus which
The Community Depot, which provides isolated and vulnerable people in the area with furniture and other household items, was presented with a cheque on Wednesday 11 March.
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A cheque will also be handed over on Thursday 2 April to the Kernos Centre, which provides professional counselling and support for children, young people and adults with emotional and
In addition to charitable giving, Sudbury Oddfellows hosts a range are older or retired adults, in and around the town. Upcoming events, which are open to all, include New Age Kurling
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The friendly society also organises around 60 online events every month which are free and open to anyone, including a monthly about the organisation.
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SUDBURY & LONG MELFORD
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We warmly welcome all your 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.
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care and welfare support and a travel club, as well as take up opportunities to volunteer.
For more information about Sudbury Oddfellows and its activities, call Social Organiser Helen Patel on 07761 202092, email Helen. Patel@oddfellows.co.uk or visit www.oddfellows.co.uk.
Do
you like being outdoors? Enjoy meeting people? Fancy doing some volunteering?
Then the River Stour Trust would like to hear from you!
We welcome new members, volunteers and potential skippers, anyone with a love of the countryside and the great outdoors. If you like the idea of training to become an Inland Waterways accredited skipper, taking people out on trips, or being a banksider at Flatford, liaising with visitors and selling trip tickets, we’d like to hear from you.
Our skipper training programme begins in the spring each year and is open to both men and women. After training you are free to give as much or as little time as you would like between Easter and October and would join a friendly group of people dedicated to conservation and the health of the River Stour and its wildlife. But it’s also fun, and enjoyable to be doing good in such a beautiful and historic area.
For more information and contact details, visit the Trust’s website: riverstourtrust.org, or ring Kevin Taylor on 01206 322122. Registered Charity No. 257806 A passenger trip on
Community News magazines are produced by Keith Avis
the Stour Trusty II and Maria Constable moored for trips at Flatford
HADLEIGH COMMUNITY NEWS
Sudbury Speakers Club
Mastering the Art of Communication in the Heart of
In an era where digital screens often replace face-to-face dialogue, the ability
conviction has never been more valuable. At Sudbury Speakers Club, we provide a "relaxed, supportive space" where members can "learn, practise, and laugh together". Unlike formal or intimidating corporate training, the club emphasises a friendly atmosphere where nervousness is seen as a shared, natural starting point rather than a barrier.
A Proven Pathway to Excellence
As a proud member of the Association of Speakers Clubs (ASC), programme. Members work through a series of speech assignments designed to build fundamental skills:
•Speech Construction: Learning how to structure a narrative for maximum impact.
•Impromptu Speaking: helping members think on their feet—a crucial skill for job interviews or social gatherings.
•Evaluations: A hallmark of the ASC, this involves providing constructive feedback to fellow speakers, a skill that translates directly into leadership and management roles.
Award-Winning Success
approach is evidenced by the club's triumphs last year, when members of the Sudbury Speakers Club won all three trophies at the ASC East Anglia Area Public Speaking Competition. More recently, in February 2026, club member with a Diploma in Public Area President and now holds the title of Distinguished Speaker of the ASC. Why not give us a try?
unique culture without any initial commitment or pressure to speak until they feel ready.
is fully wheelchair accessible, with free parking. Our meetings usually take place on the third Tuesday of the month at 6.45pm, ready for a 7:00 pm start.
Please email Sudbury@easc-speakers.co.uk, telephone 07305164457, visit our website easc-speakers.co.uk/ ourclubs/sudbury/or Facebook page for further information.
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Local Solicitors, Expert Advice
E:
Writing from the Rectory
After a long wet winter it’s easy to see why sun worship has been popular in some cultures. start and the wonder of new birth.
In ancient Egypt many gods were worshipped, including the Egyptian god of creation called Khnum (known otherwise as “the divine potter”), who was believed to create humanity from the clay of the Nile. In the book of Exodus, some of these gods can be linked directly to the famous plagues sent upon
slavery. These plagues pointed people to the identity of the one true God.
The night before their famous departure from Egypt, God intervened and told his chosen people to daub their doorframes with lamb’s blood as a sign to the angel of death to pass over them
mandated his followers to love one another, and people of all faiths, as he had loved them.
But if the plagues were highly symbolic of God’s power surely the
god of creation, Knumh, is being ceremonially killed by the slaves as a sign of the power and authority of the one true creator God. At Easter we celebrate our freedom at Passover from the slavery of sin and hardheartedness. This new life became possible because
well by many thousands of people.
Recently some famous atheists are seeing their friends come to faith. Why not watch an episode from the YouTube channel ‘The Diary Of A CEO’ (hosted by Stephen Bartlett from Dragons Den) entitled ‘The proof that Christianity is true’?
£2 per child- booking essential at ticketsource. Happy Easter! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Revd Andrew
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Sudbury Choral Society
art and science of music in all its aspects. We are the only choir in Sudbury which performs with a professional orchestra of freelance players twice a year, with young soloists from the Royal Academy
during the COVID pandemic.
perform four concerts per year. We sing standard choral repertoire alongside more contemporary works in our Autumn and Spring concerts, carols and seasonal music at Christmas and lighter, more ‘popular’ music in our Summer concert.
SCS is an inclusive community choir, supporting all those who wish to sing. There are no auditions, so we are accessible and welcoming to amateur singers of all ages, abilities and experience. We frequently work with the community, singing with children from local primary schools, holding free concerts to encourage a
more diverse audience and Come and Sing events to recruit new members from all sections of the community.
unique piece of music to be written by Amy Bryce, an exciting writes music with collaborators across the UK and Europe. She is interested in the role contemporary music can have within the community, and in local lived history which will be used as inspiration for the commission. Amy is also working with the
hear stories from local people.
The world première of the new commission will take place at Sudbury
orchestra; we are planning a second performance on Sunday 7 November 2027. Tickets for the world première performance will be free, to attract as diverse an audience as possible; we will encourage other local and regional choirs and music directors to attend, to promote interest in future performances of the piece.
This project is a big undertaking for a small organisation; however, we have a very enthusiastic Committee which is focused on fundraising, and the project has the complete support of our organisations but are hoping that some of our larger funding applications will bear fruit. We are also looking for those in the
please contact me at carolyn.robert@btinternet.com or phone me
Carolyn Silberfeld, Chair of Sudbury Choral Society sudburychoralsociety.co.uk
Sudbury Choral Society’s next concert is being held at Sudbury Arts Centre on Sunday 19 April at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Sudbury Town Hall, Juniper Flowers, Ticketsource, and on the door.
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News from The Christopher Centre
Welcome from Linda and Kathy, Centre Coordinators.
At last we can begin to feel the weight of the long dreary winter slip away.
Easter eggs and hot cross buns will get us all motivated, we’re sure! As usual we have lots going on here this month including Giovanni the Travelling Baking Teacher, returning with his Focaccia Bread Making Workshop on Thursday 23 April. To book either visit his Facebook page, The Culinary Adventures of A Travelling Baker or email giothebakingteacher@gmail.com
Thursday throughout April 2 pm-3.30pm. Meet in the Christopher Centre car park.
Learn to Fix Bike Workshop will be back on Thursday 30th April
Whats on
Our Regular groups are free to attend; no need to book and refreshments are served.
The Bereavement Group ‘Passing Conversations’ Bereavement Counsellor Kaye Riley every second Monday of the month 2.30pm-4.00pm.
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Shredders and
Tuesday of the month 2.15pm -3.45pm supporting those dealing with cancer and those supporting friends and family.
Our Menopause Support Group facilitated by Ruth Bescoby is a
This month we will have guest speaker Sarah Turnner, Navigating
The Monday Drop in is also a very friendly group, meeting every meal.
We will be attending the Sudbury on Show event on Saturday
and what goes on here.
News from the Sudbury Community Depot
Since merging with the Christopher Centre last year, we have been busier than ever. So much so that our space at The Christopher Centre is bursting at the seams.
We need more space, and a local business has come to our rescue. Daro of Sudbury have made a building available for us to use. So,
site.
Whilst our stock and the day to day running of the Depot will be from the Ballingdon site, we remain under the umbrella of The Christopher Centre and will continue working with them for the
The Monday Drop in and community lunches, will continue at The Christopher Centre as usual.
Thank yous
As always we like to thank our wonderful team of Volunteers and Trustees.
There is always lots going on here, just take a look at our website or call in to have a chat with our friendly team of volunteer receptionists who will be happy to talk about upcoming events.
our website including our main large room, that can be hired along with the modern kitchen for events, groups and parties. We also have smaller rooms ideal for one-to-one counselling and meetings.
Clean air milestone reached in Sudbury as Cross Street pollution zone revoked
After years of sustained improvement in local air quality, Babergh (AQMA) in Cross Street, Sudbury, has been formally revoked, marking
congestion along the street.
At that time, annual average concentrations of NO2 reached 64 quality objective of 40 micrograms per cubic metre.
To address this, a range of measures were introduced through the council’s Air Quality Action Plan. A key part of this plan came into sets of on-street parking bays in Cross Street, helping to improve
Since then, air quality has greatly improved in the area. The last
removal of the parking bays has helped to ensure that levels have remained well within the standard ever since.
Five years later, in 2024, the highest annual average concentration recorded was 30 micrograms per cubic metre – comfortably below the national objective.
This means that pollution levels have remained compliant minimum three-year period recommended by the Department for be removed.
quality zone – a decision also endorsed by Defra through feedback on the council’s 2025 annual report.
2026, inviting residents and stakeholders to comment on the proposal.
nature recovery and biodiversity, said: “Thank you to all those that provided feedback through our public consultation. We have carefully proceeded with the revocation.
“Reaching this point marks an important milestone for Cross Street and is the culmination of many years of monitoring, partnership working and practical action to reduce pollution in the area.
“Clean air is vital for the wellbeing of our communities, so this sustained improvement is extremely encouraging and helps to ensure that our residents can lead healthy lives.”
Although the AQMA designation has been removed, the measures taken to improve air quality remain in place and monitoring will continue in Sudbury, as well as the wider district, to ensure air quality remains within national standards. This work forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to protecting public health and supporting cleaner, healthier communities.
Babergh District Council is also preparing a new local air quality strategy, due to be published in the coming months, setting out its plans to continue improving air quality in the years to come.
The Sudbury Service Team
Green Growth: Nurturing Sustainability
Baines is the founder of Green Growth Limited, a sustainability and energy consultancy supporting businesses and public sector organisations demands of climate change, rising energy costs and environmental accountability. Becky’s career spans education, private enterprise, charity operations, local government and business ownership, experience that has given her a holistic understanding of how change happens across manager with Carbon Literacy status, she is known for her ability to translate complex sustainability challenges into clear, practical action.
Before establishing Green Growth in late 2024, Becky served as Climate Lead for a local authority in Essex, where she led the development and delivery of climate strategies, action plans and greenhouse gas reporting. Working closely with senior
organisations to navigate decarbonisation, energy use and longterm resilience in ways that were both credible and achievable. Today, through Green Growth, Becky works with a wide range of
energy procurement, boiler and heating system optimisation, carbon reporting and wider sustainability planning, helping organisations reduce costs, cut emissions and make informed decisions in an increasingly uncertain operating environment.
At the heart of Green Growth’s approach is the principle that the environment should be treated as a key stakeholder in decision-
Becky supports organisations to build transparency and accountability into their environmental, social and governance practices, helping them understand what is being asked of them, what genuinely matters to stakeholders, and how to put proportionate and meaningful systems in place that stand up to scrutiny without unnecessary complexity.
Alongside her own expertise, Becky draws on a trusted network of specialist collaborators, allowing Green Growth to deliver tailored, high-impact solutions across sectors.
sustainability is not about ideals alone, but about foresight, resilience and making change work for organisations, people and place, now and for the long term.
Facts and Figures
I have recently been investigating some of the words and phrases that we use, where they originate from and why. I didn't know that the saying “To rest on your Laurels” meant to were imitating a complacent Roman general.
I started with the sports sayings in golf, football and cricket. A hat trick which now applies to a footballer scoring three goals in the same match, or a competitor winning three consecutive medals, or any other three-in-a-row successes. It was an original cricket term. In the nineteenth century according to the legend, if a bowler took a wicket with three successive balls, he either won a hat or passed the hat round the ground to collect donations and
was suggested that because it seemed like a conjuring trick. A hat trick is a rare event- there have only been forty-four of them in one hundred and forty years of test cricket- so perhaps achieving this feat was likened to pulling a rabbit out of a hat. Being hit for six is used as an expression for losing control of a situation, however doing something meant you were successful using your own initiative. To be stumped came from 1250 when it meant to be confused. In the early nineteenth century American settlers used the term to describe the stump of a tree or bush when they were trying to cultivate the land.
Birdies, eagles and bogies. The story behind a Birdie, was according the ball landed close to the hole, Crump remarked that it had been a bird of a shot, and with his companions agreed that if he holed out on the next shot scoring one under par he would double his Birdie. There is a plaque at that hole to commemorate that day.
Within a few years of this incident, going one better than Crump had done - completing a hole in two under par-became known as an Eagle, being more impressive than any old bird. The rare achievement of going three under par is known generally in the USA as a double Eagle, but elsewhere goes by the name of another spectacular bird an Albatross.
Bogie bizarrely comes from an old music hall song about a bogie
called Major Wellman. Realizing that he was falling short of the ideal and thinking of the song is said to have exclaimed ‘This player of yours (the imaginary one who set the standard for the course) is a regular bogie man’. This term caught on, it became a synonym the widely accepted meaning today. The description of a regular television programme such Eastenders or Coronation Street as a Soap Opera came originally from the early radio serials in America that were sponsored by washing powders and soaps that were advertised between these popular domestic, melodramatic situations. The saying that someone is Three sheets to the wind, meaning they are drunk comes from sailing when sheet is wobbling around inebriated. Finally, was the term Apple of your eye, and that from as far back as King Sue Ayres
CAN YOU HELP?
We are looking for a volunteer cleaner to come in, once a week. Times to be agreed. If you are interested, please email us admin@kernos.org
The Kernos Centre, 32-34 Friar Street, Sudbury Tel: 01787 882883
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Oddfellows April Events
My Journey with Stained Glass - Wednesday 8th April at 2:30pm
Venue – The Masonic Hall, North Street, Sudbury, CO10 1NA
We are delighted to be joined this afternoon by Michele Russell for her talk which will include her history with the hobby, a short history of the subject and descriptions of the three variants, being leaded,
Venue – The Masonic Hall, North Street, Sudbury, CO10 1NA
All members and guests are welcome to come along for a chance to
members and those interesting in joining the Oddfellows although we will ask for donations for refreshments if you are able. Croquet
Tuesday 21 April at 10 am Venue – Unity Croquet Club, Quay Lane, Sudbury, CO10 2GA
Orchard Barn News
Learning from the past how to build a greener future
now that the snowdrops are past their best, here at Orchard Barn
If spending time in nature is something you enjoy, we’d like to invite you to join our Volunteer Working Party 10 am – 1 pm on Saturday 11 April. We’ll be carrying out conservation work in the old orchard - no experience necessary!
Secrets and Spies - Wednesday 29 April at 10:30am
Venue – The Masonic Hall, North Street, Sudbury, CO10 1NA
This talk is a fascinating insight into spies and spying and how
and will tell many intriguing stories about Nazi Germany's spies
For more information on any of these events or if you would like some more information about The Oddfellows, please contact
Barn, then we are holding a Drop In Session 2 pm – 4 pm also on Saturday 11 April. Everyone is welcome.
be making a show, and the apple and greengage blossom should be quite spectacular.
orchardbarn.org.uk, call Sarah on 07766 054042 or email her sarah.orchardbarn@gmail.com
Learning from the past how to build a greener future
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All rooms are well appointed with en-suite facilities
Nurse Call System: Passenger Lifts: Various Public Rooms:
High standard of 24 hour personal care.
Enquiries to: Matron: Mrs Judy Carne RGN, RMA
Proprietor: Mrs. E. P. Knight RGN, RM
Telephone 01787 247340 / 247495 www.laxfieldhouse.co.uk
MEMBER OF THE REGISTERED NURSING HOME ASSOCIATION
Hidden Support for Pensioner Carers
Many people are unaware that Carer’s Allowance may still be relevant to them even after they have reached state pension age.
or more of care each week to someone with a disability or health condition. Caring responsibilities can include a wide range of everyday support, such as helping with washing or cooking, taking the person you care for to medical appointments, or assisting with household tasks like shopping or managing bills.
To qualify, the person you care for must be receiving a disability-
component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at either rate. There are also residency requirements. To claim Carer’s Allowance, you must normally have lived in the UK for two of the last three years and meet the relevant residency rules.
normally be paid Carer’s Allowance if their pension is higher than this amount. This is where confusion often arises. Even though pensioners may not receive the payment itself, they can still make a claim and may be awarded what is known as an “underlying entitlement.” This underlying entitlement can be would otherwise not be available.
For example, it could help someone qualify for Pension Credit, which in turn may lead to additional support such as:
• Council Tax Support
•A free TV licence
•
• Anyone living within the Babergh local authority area who
contact Sudbury Citizens Advice for information and support. Contact us on 01787 321400
Adventure starts here!
Sudbury Scout Group is where adventure really begins!
Our Cubs are full of energy, curiosity, and fun. With two lively packs meeting each week, there’s always something exciting going on. From learning new skills to tackling challenges with friends, Cubs is all about trying new things and having a great time doing it.
One of the things that makes 3rd Sudbury so special is the amazing activities available right on our doorstep. Our Cubs have the chance to climb our very own climbing wall, paddle kayaks and canoes on the river. They can also try their hand at archery and shooting, and of course we have tents and all the gear needed for brilliant camping adventures. It’s the perfect place for young explorers to discover what they’re capable of.
During the colder winter evenings, when it’s dark outside, our Cubs they’ve been working towards badges including DIY, Disability Awareness, and Money Skills, all part of our Skills for Life programme. approach, so activities are always hands-on, practical, and fun. And with Easter at the end of term, there will be plenty of seasonal excitement too. Expect Easter crafts, egg hunts, and maybe even a little chocolate along the way!
Behind every great Cub adventure is a team of enthusiastic volunteers. We’re always looking for friendly adults who would like to help deliver the fun and exciting programme we run each week. You don’t need any previous Scouting experience just a willingness to get involved and help young people have amazing experiences. If you’d like to join our team and help make the magic happen on Monday or Tuesday evenings, we’d love to hear from you. Why not
News from RDA Shelley
(RDA) is being celebrated at The Shelley Centre for Therapeutic
qualify to work solely with riders who use a mechanical horse. Carol, who is a retired physiotherapist, had RDA experience elsewhere before joining the team at Shelley but it was here that she developed her interest in working with riders who ride Ebony, the mechanical horse. Ebony is used for a variety of reasons but there are a number of regular riders – some of whom may have previously ridden our horses and ponies – who now only ride Ebony because their conditions mean their balance and mobility make this the safest way for us to deliver therapeutic riding.
For riders who use a wheelchair a hoist is available to assist with those of a real horse and some riders are able to control it using their hands and heels.
One of the regular riders Carol coaches is Alexander (pictured). Although he’s been attending Shelley for some years and had previously ridden one of the ponies, he now only rides Ebony supported by volunteers and family members. Carol said: “The to a greatly improved posture and more hand and arm control.” To qualify, Carol had to undertake the same training as RDA coaches who work both with Ebony and the horses and ponies – but without some of the modules relating to horse care. She added: “I’d certainly horses but want to use their skills to help riders, to consider this coaching what a valuable addition to their coaching pathway this is. I’m very proud
Our 2026 season of fundraising events has recently been launched. We have our annual quiz at Stratford St Mary on Saturday May 2 and we’re grateful to everyone who supported our Race Night at tickets for them as well as details of our work by visiting shelleyrda.
Website: shelleyrda.com Facebook: Shelley RDA Centre Telephone: 01473 824172 Charity number 1113636
Acton Garden Club
Thursday 9th April
A talk on perennials by Jade of Perywoods Come and join us at 7.30 pm in Acton Village Hall
New members are always welcome, as are visitors, £4 Further details 01787 371 893
Group. There are no walks in April after the 15th due to the Sudbury Weymouth (no they are not walking all the way there!).
Where A circular rural walk from Waits Farm via Gestingthorpe,
Start point and parking Waits Farm, Belchamp Walter CO10 7AR
Distance 5.5 miles
Contact
When Where
start. No stiles, no facilities on route
Start point and parking Gravel parking behind Bulmer Fox car park, Bulmer on A131, CO10 7EB
Distance 5.5 miles
Contact
When Wednesday 15 April 10am Where
Some stretches of road walking, no stiles.
Start point and parking
donation
Distance 5.5 miles Contact
Rotary Club of Sudbury Rotary Round-up
Volunteers from Sudbury Rotary Club helped run a very successful quiz evening at the
March. The event was highly successful, with eighty-four teams. Many attendees were quiz night would take place! April sees the annual celebration of the formation of Sudbury Rotary Club, which
Rotarians and their guests will hear from a guest speaker on the
Sudbury Rotary meets at Newton Green Golf Club (midday for can be ordered from the Golf Club bar. More details of our meetings, speakers, time and place are on the club website (www. sudburyrotary.com).
Recent speakers have included presentations on the work of Campaign, a superb slide show of a holiday in Antarctica and
As 6 April is Easter Monday there will not be a Rotary meeting. There will be a business meeting on 20 April and a fellowship event on 27, details to be announced.
Membership of Rotary is open to men and women from all backgrounds, ages and interests, coming together to support their community, here and through overseas projects, and to enjoy friendship and social activities while doing so.
Visitors are always welcome to attend meetings of Sudbury Rotary Club, but please telephone 07341 290415 to let us know, so that we can reserve a place for you.
Hive quiz evening, photo Philip Richardson
News from the Hive Community Hub, Sudbury
very quickly and participants enjoyed the variety and fun of the funds.
planned for 31 March, as Roger was unwell. Guitarist Robert Ford
The series of free concerts now continues on Tuesdays, with doors opening at 12.15 pm and the concerts running from 12.30 until 1.15 pm.
While there is no charge for entry, audience members will be encouraged to show their appreciation by adding to the donations buckets as they leave!
More details of both Tuesday and Saturday concerts will be available
Running alongside the Tuesday concerts there is a series of ticketed events on Saturday evenings, beginning on 11 April with ‘Under the Bridge’, a four piece band with double bass, washboard and other percussion, as well as ukulele and vocal harmony. They play regularly at local pubs, village events and community spaces and guarantee tapping toes and smiling faces. Tickets, priced £15, will be available from Clinic (Friars Street) in Sudbury and on the door.
with outstanding acoustics, a Bluthner grand piano and a superb Conacher organ. Although some comfortable seats are now available, seating is still largely in pews, and capacity is currently limited to 60 people, so we suggest buying tickets early to avoid
look forward to welcoming our visitors yet again this concert season.
French’s Care Haven
always you have been keeping well. For our photo this month we have two of our lovely donkeys, Badger and Frankie, they are wishing
At the moment we are struggling and those who have hay are asking ridiculous money, one quote for a long hay bale was £200 each bale and he would not deliver less than 6 with a £200 delivery on top of that! Crazy money when you’re a charity depending on donations. The hay was only coming from Sudbury, let’s hope we get plenty of grass this summer, so we do not run short next year. If you know of someone who has any hay we could have, please call me. As some may already know we have been working with Essex university students for over a decade now, they started with us a Saturday morning since we moved to Boxford area and the students do well helping with jobs, at the moment they are helping us pack and sort out things that we no longer need and before they leave they give the horses a groom and some TLC. Thank goodness we have a lot of spare wellies, because even though they are told they are coming to a farm in the winter, in mud, a lot of them turn up in white plimsolls, which makes me laugh. Recently and donkeys and interviewing me ready to put it on screen for a the work that is evolved, in hope they can get the odd bit of fund raising from the students to help us.
I am still in need of a company who does ground work, when we do with our move that would be brilliant. I will be going back on BBC and Face book page when we have our land in place, I would be happy to promote your business in return for your help. We have opened a Go Fund me page to try and raise some much needed
put in www.gofundme-urgent-appeal-relocation – support. Or go onto our website and click on the go fund me link or go through our PayPal.
We need an army of volunteers and professionals to help with the move and new set up, as of yet not one person from our community has come forward, which is really upsetting.
Please call me.
Jann on: 07747755556 or email: jann.turner@ hotmail.co.uk. website:frenchscarehaven.org.uk
Sudbury Scouts raise over £1,000 toward World Scout
Jamboree trip
3rd Sudbury Scout group and Quay Explorer’s four intrepid scouts have now completed two joint ventures to begin their quest
Thanks to the support of the amazing people of Sudbury, they held an incredible jumble sale raising close to £1000 and they teamed up with the wonderful folks at The Strawberry Teapot to host a
Katen Turner Floral Designer, adding just under £200. We will be bag packing in Waitrose on 4 April, where they have kindly been given permission to have a loose change bucket. Please support us if you can.
DIARY DATES April 2026
Regular Events
Every Monday
Meet-Up Mondays
Adult social group. Pop along for a hot drink, nibbles and a natter. From 10am
Every Monday
The Christopher Centre
Support & a friendly listening ear for those that need it. 10am – 12pm hot drinks & refreshments
12-1.45pm homemade hot lunches
All welcome, no charge
The Christopher Centre, 10 Gainsborough St, CO10 2EU
Every term-time Tuesday CLIP Wave
years old
4 – 5 PM, no experience or booking required
Clipsoundandmusic.uk
Every term-time Tuesday CLIP Frequency
years old
5.30 – 7.30 PM, no experience or booking required
Clipsoundandmusic.uk
Every Wednesday
The Sudbury Chess Club
7.30pm
Sudbury Institute Club ,The Old Press Rooms, 54 Station Rd, Sudbury CO10 2SP info@sudburychessclub.co.uk www.sudburychessclub.weebly.com
Every Wednesday
Shared Reading Group 2pm, free
Every Wednesday
Sporting Memories Club
2.15pm – 3.45pm Free weekly club for people to reminisce
Walking Groups
about sport.
Every Thursday DECAFE
10.30am-12.30pm, Dementia café, free
Thurs 2 October (every Thurs)
"Every First Thursday of the Month Clare & Sudbury PROBUS Club
A friendly social luncheon club for retired and semi-retired gentlemen. Contact Ken Farrow, Secretary, on btinternet.com;"
Until October 11 2026 Gainsborough House
Gainsborough Street, CO10 2EU
gainsborough.org
Every Thursday
Grow Your Community Sudbury & Gt Cornard
Sudbury & sometimes at other sites. Tel: 01473 345350, e: susannah@ activelives.org.uk
Every Thursday Wordplay/Stay & Play
Rhymes and books followed by free play for Under 5’s. 10:30am
Every Thursday and Friday C’art (Cake and Art) Art & craft group but not an art class. 10am – 12pm, £3, all welcome
The Christopher Centre, 10 Gainsborough St, CO10 2EU
2nd Monday of the month Passing Conversations Bereavement Group
group support 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Sudbury Ramblers will be conducting walks throughout March, both locally and Sudbury Ramblers sudburyramblers.org.uk Every Tuesday Health Walks – Clare
Surrounding villages…
Every Monday Teen Chill
Ages 10-16 years (year 6-year 11)
A safe environment for young people to socialise. Sports, music, computer games www.abbeycroft.org.uk
Kindly supplied by Sudbury Town Council
The Christopher Centre, CO10 2EU
Every Saturday National Saturday Club Free art classes for 13-16 year olds 10am-12pm
Every Sunday Prado Lounge Quiz Night £1 per person 7pm
Events
2nd April | 6.30pm
Izzy Broom in Conversation with Cressida McLaughlin Waterstones, Sudbury, CO10 1RB sudbury@waterstones.com
3rd & 4th April | 10am – 12pm Easter Fun Sessions
info@littleoaksplaycafe.com
3rd – 5th April | Midday – 8pm Sudbury Beer Festival Sudbury Arts Centre, CO10 2EA www.sudburyartscentre.com
8th April | 7pm – 9.30pm Charity Fashion Show – Sudbury Gainsborough WI
contact-us 8th April | 7.30pm
The Quay Theatre, CO10 2AN www.quaysudbury.com
10th & 11th April | 7.30pm
Nothing But A Good Time – The Rock Anthems Show
The Quay Theatre, CO10 2AN www.quaysudbury.com
11th April | Doors 7pm
Gavin Fairhall Lever Live Music - Folk Sudbury Arts Centre, CO10 2EA www.sudburyartscentre.com
Third Thursday of every month
1 – 6 April | 11am Easter Egg Hunt at Melford Hall
Acton Garden Club
25th April | 10am – 2pm Great Acton Book Sale All Saints Church, CO10 0BA
Winston’s Wheels Chairty Tombola
12th April | 10am – 3pm
Stour Valley Business Park, Sudbury, CO10 7GB
15th April | 7pm
Club Mistero – Drama
The Quay Theatre, CO10 2AN www.quaysudbury.com
18th April | 7.30pm Diva of the Decades
The Quay Theatre, CO10 2AN www.quaysudbury.com
19th April | Doors 6.30pm
Sudbury Choral Society Spring Concert
Sudbury Arts Centre, CO10 2EA www.sudburyartscentre.com
20th April | 7pm – 9pm Sip & Paint Night
Prado Lounge, CO10 2EA prado@thelounges.co.uk
22nd April | 7.30pm
Titanic Tales
The Quay Theatre, CO10 2AN www.quaysudbury.com
24th April | 9am – 3pm Sudbury Farmer’s Market
25th April | Doors 7pm
Live Music – Folk Sudbury Arts Centre, CO10 2EA www.sudburyartscentre.com
25th April | 7.30pm
Pub Tales – Musical Comedy
The Quay Theatre, CO10 2AN www.quaysudbury.com
25th April – 11th October | New Gainsborough, Turner & Constable: Inventing Landscapes Land, Sky, Light: New Landscapes By David Dawson Kate Giles: Remember Tomorrow www.gainsborough.org
Sudbury Independent Parkinsons Group 2pm The Stevenson Centre, Great Cornard www.parkinsonsudbury.org.uk
Vote Adrian Stohr for Sudbury in the County Council Elections
I’m Adrian Stohr, your LOCAL, Labour candidate for Sudbury in the County elections. I grew up locally and Sudbury has been home for 25 years. My wife and I were married in St Gregory’s Church and
always doing your very best for people.
Over recent months, I’ve watched with real concern as some parties resort to desperation and empty promises. Sudbury deserves better. You deserve honesty, accountability and policies that will actually deliver real change for
Now some other parties are pushing agendas that would take us backwards, with fantasy policies and economics or the failed approach of the Tory years. Either way they’ll damage local services and economies, undermine our
• Cutting NHS waiting lists to their lowest in over a decade and delivering millions more appointments with doctors and dentists.
• and-rehire.
• Nationalising railways and giving local authorities more control over buses, routes, and fares.
• Giving more power and cash to local areas, so communities like Sudbury can make decisions based on local needs.
undermining them. And giving you back real control.
I’m proud to stand for Labour, as a trade unionist and someone who has consistently spoken up for working people. And I am really proud of Sudbury. Together, let’s build an even better Sudbury.
