Living in Suffolk Coastal - Issue 28

ISSUE SUMMER 2016 2021 ISSUE ONE… 28 ... JULY / AUGUST

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'())*!+ The move … London to Suffolk Localbig home owners… throw open their doors Vintage bargains … where to go Child free zones?… meet the couple with the Parent Pod! Is grey just so last…year?…

Jojo Humes Brown on colours Suffolk punch “boxing saved me”

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ON THE COVER

ISSUE 28 ... JULY / AUGUST 2021

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'())*!+ London to Suffolk … moving on up!

Vintage gems … best places to shop Suffolk punch … “boxing saved me”

GET INVOLVED? If you’ve got a heartwarming story to tell, an inspiring home or business to show off or an exciting event you’re planning, we’d love to hear from you!

The copy deadline for our lovely autumn issue of Living In … Suffolk Coastal is early September. Hit us up with those ideas! l For advertising info and to tell us your stories, email info@livinginsuffolk.com

Here at Living In ..., we love a collaboration. After featuring the work of talented photographer Daniel Ruffles in a past issue, we asked him to photograph Sally-Ann Elliott’s stunning pad for this edition.

The cover shot features her funky living room. See pages 20 and 21. Go to www.danielianphotography.com

16 26

HAVE YOU GOT AN AMAZING PHOTO OR PAINTING WE MIGHT LIKE? Send a hi-res version to us at info@livinginsuffolk.com

!"#"$%&"$ Editor: Angela Hagan 07930 184773, info@livinginsuffolk.com Designers: Craig Drever and Lewis Webb Writer: Abygail Fossett abygail@livinginsuffolk.com www.livinginsuffolk.com Due East Media Ltd: Soane House, 4 Soane Street, Ipswich IP4 2BG. Registered in England number 10242873

Disclaimer: Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor the editor, nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. All artwork is accepted on the strict condition that permission has been given for use in this publication. Living In … Suffolk Coastal does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, without prior permission of Due East Media Ltd.

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COASTAL

NEWS

It’s official: the Suffolk countryside is good for your health, folks!

According to YouGov, over half of the people in the UK turned to the nature around them during the pandemic.

And now the RSPB has chosen Minsmere nature reserve as one of its ‘top ten destinations’, stating it’s not only a fun place to go during a staycation, but it’s a real tonic.

The RSPB’s Becca Smith says the hope is that this connection will grow “with more people seeking time in nature to refresh, relax and look after their wellbeing”.

In a recent survey, the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) revealed that out of 4,000 UK adults, six in ten people said nature led them to experience positive emotions such as calm, wonder and joy.

Indeed, Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the MHF, says: “Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health that it’s almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world. For most of human history, we lived as part of nature. It is only in the last five generations that so many of us have lived and worked in a context that is largely separated from nature.”

Recently, RSPB Minsmere received its highest ever score

by VisitEngland, putting it in the running for a Gold Accolade for visitor welcome.

Returning to breed this year are 170 pairs of avocets plus lots of ‘booming’ bitterns and singing nightingales. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot an otter around the reedbed pools. Enjoy! l Visit RSPB Minsmere, Sheepwash Lane, Saxmundham IP17 3BY. BY BY. l Go o to www.rspb.org.uk

Pictures by Ben Andrew rspb-images.com

RSPB Minsmere, home to wildlife including otters and bearded tits, has received plaudits for being an outstanding nature reserve

THE CALL OF THE WILD

SAVE OUR ‘PRICKLEBOTTOMS!’

Suffolk hedgehog rehabber Niki Fowler, is urging coastal residents to help protect these prickly little wonders.

Photographer Niki says: “Since the millennium, over half of the rural hedgehog population has been decimated by loss of habitat; road kill; garden machinery; garden poisons such as slug pellets and insecticides; starvation; and dehydration. It’s all avoidable if only we humans just took a little more care.”

Niki says we could all help “pricklebottoms”, as she calls them, by making small changes. “Create small gaps in fences or hedges so they can find water, food and shelter,” she suggests.

Picture by Niki Fowler

l If you find an injured or weak hedgehog, contact Suffolk Prickles on 07469 177090 or the Suffolk Hedgehog Hospital on 01638 500295. l There’s more information on Niki’s Facebook page, Wickham Market Hedgehog Help.

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ON THE

MARKET Your latest local property news from around the region …

something we’re all craving after months of being tethered!

Chris says: “We are delighted to have been instructed by Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club to market these showstopping contemporary homes, with phenomenal sea views in a truly unique setting.”

As if that wasn’t incentive enough, the buyers who snap up these gorgeous houses will have the opportunity to work with award-winning architects Wincer Kievenaar to complete the bespoke interior design of their new home.

HOUSEBOAT HEAVEN! Woodbridge couple Roland Mann and Martine Oftedal tell us they are selling their unique houseboat to relocate to Norway.

One of just a handful in the country that offers a garden (a 340ft one at that!) Constancie has proved a wonderful home to the couple, who have three children. Indeed, they welcomed their third – baby Nathaniel – into the world just five months ago.

Roland tells us the couple plan to move to Martine’s native Norway to be nearer relatives.

“They already have a large piece of land with a lot of potential for us to create a sustainable smallholding, and it will be a brilliant environment for the children to grow up in.”

He reckons Constancie, from which the couple once ran a cafe,

will make its buyers a very happy home to live in.

“This is a really special place,” he says. “From our living room, we see the winter sun rising over the Sutton Hoo mound across the Deben – this great Saxon highway to the sea. Many believe this was the real-life setting that inspired the epic poem Beowulf.”

A two-bed detached cottage on land is also part of the deal.

“There is magic in the landscape here,” says Roland. “We have always felt like custodians, discovering and solidifying the foundations that our successors will build on.

That’s how we want to feel, as we move on to our next adventure and hand over to someone who can see that magic too.”

We wish them all the luck in their ongoing journey.

They guarantee a property to be proud of, finished to an impeccable standard, providing contemporary living, nestled snugly amongst a wealth of history.

Buyers of these prestigious homes will also receive two full memberships at the club for two years!

Prices start from £1,150,000.

Prestige property: the new three and four-bedroom homes at Balfour Place on Felixstowe’s Ferry Road

l For more details, call Rachel Hamilton or Peter Ruddy at Fenn Wright’s Woodbridge office on 01394 333346.

Picture by John Ferguson

BESIDE THE SEASIDE We’ve always thought of Felixstowe as one of Suffolk’s best-kept secrets – until now, that is!

Surrounded by lush countryside and swathes of sumptuous coastline, with everything you could want from a seaside town, it’s no wonder properties are now selling fast. Chris Jessup, partner at Fenn Wright, agrees: “Felixstowe is fast becoming the next sought-after area to enjoy coastal living!”

So we’re excited about the unveiling of five unique new properties on the newly built Balfour Place on Ferry Road, close to the historic Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club. (Balfour is named after the former captain of the club – or, as others might think of him, the Prime Minister from 1902 – 1905!)

These stunning new houses create their own distinctive skyline, with their clean angles and slanted rooftops. The sea views buyers find will be unparalleled, and with ample balconies and wide windows to enjoy them from, the sense of openness and freedom is immense –

l For further details on this one-off four-bed property, which is moored along the river path on the way to Melton, go to www.yopa.co.uk/ properties/details/238837

An impressive barge, owned

by Roland Mann and family, is up for sale

7

Picture by Rachel Oakes

THE HEALING POWER OF ART!

Picture by Gary Broughton

Creativity has been a shining beacon through the darkest of times for local artist Thea Cutting …

T

hea Cutting is an outstanding illustrator and ceramicist – it seems she has the Midas touch when it comes to her work.

Based in Southwold, she says her biggest inspiration is the beautiful coastline, which is reflected in her stunning art.

From her studio and shop, she produces bespoke hand-painted ceramics and paintings that are so eye-catching and unique. So unmistakably her!

It’s no wonder she’s been the official artist for the RNLI’s acclaimed calendars and diaries for the past five years. Or that she’s created a range of personalised gifts exclusively for John Lewis.

Friendly and down-to-earth, Thea, who also sells on Etsy and Not On The High Street, is as cheerful and engaging as her artwork. She will tell you she’s been very “lucky in life”. Indeed, her pieces evoke a joie de vivre throughout.

But 20 years ago, her life was rocked by tragedy after she’d moved back from London to her home county of Suffolk with her boyfriend, a trainee solicitor.

Sadly, he was killed in a waterskiing accident in Brightlingsea in front of her.

They were only in their 20s, with their whole lives ahead of them …

“So I went back to live with my mum who was, at that time, running The Bell Inn pub at Walberswick,” says Thea, who’d previously studied ceramics and glass at De Montfort University in Leicester before

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

8

working in ceramics in London. “I had my year of grieving and not knowing what to do, and then one day I said to Mum: ‘I’d really love to buy a kiln.’ So she lent me the money and I started putting Walberswick on mugs!

“It definitely helped with the grieving process. I lost myself in drawing. I took over the barn behind the pub and painted it blue and pink. It was an idyllic place to be.”

Word soon got around and people started asking for commissions and before she knew it, a business had blossomed.

“I think it’s always in the back of my mind that I don’t ever want to stop doing

it,” she says, “because I was in such an awful place in my life when I started. It was almost like my tribute to him. For a long time I kept thinking: I’ve just got to keep going. But it was also a healing, uplifting process.

“The customers kept coming and they were always so happy to visit me in the barn. Suddenly I had to take on extra help because my order book was full.”

Thea has remained busy since then – she takes commission work, which is very successful. She says she’s had some extraordinary requests in her time – too many to mention here.

Nowadays she lives just outside of Southwold with her beloved partner Duncan, whom she knew from school, and their two sons, Joab, 16 and Rufus, 13.

“I kept thinking: I’ve got to keep going”

Picture by Rachel Oakes

She opened her delightful shop, Gallery Thea, in Station Road, Southwold, after Rufus was born, and enjoys a steady flow of customers – some old, some new. She admits, she’s flat out!

“It can be really scary to take a day off,” she smiles. “And if I take a week off, I have to draw constantly night and day for a week to catch up!

“But I’ve started doing paintings and cards and wrapping paper. The next thing

I want to do is textiles and fabric.”

About seven years ago, Thea suffered breast cancer. “I had to have chemotherapy and radiotherapy following a lumpectomy,” she says. “But I was very lucky because they’d caught it early. It was a real wake-up call. I realised I had to slow down and listen to my body a bit more.

“Now I exercise every day – I swim, go to Pilates, or play tennis – and make sure I get a good night’s sleep. Being a pescatarian, I’ve always eaten healthily. But when my body starts to tingle with tiredness, I listen to it and think it’s time to stop.

“Along with a change in my pace of life, I also got involved with Art for Cure, which was a real privilege – I exhibited with them last year and the year before.”

It’s hard to believe Thea has been through so much – more recently, she had a hip replacement. But she remains cheerfully buoyant.

“I just feel lucky to be here,” she smiles.

“I love living where we live – it makes me happy every day when I walk the dog with Duncan and our boys along the beach. It’s a privilege.” l Check out Thea’s lovely new website at www.gallerythea.co.uk

This picture: Thea Cutting creates bespoke ceramics and art pieces Main picture: She says running her pretty Southwold shop, Gallery Thea, is very rewarding Far left and bottom left: The shop on Station Road

Picture by Steve Hodgson

“My work helped me with the grieving process. I lost myself in drawing”

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This exciting prospect is launching from July 7th and Woodbridge cannot wait.

“There will be a contemporary feel to our dishes as well as some Spice Bar classics,” says Vernon. “More details to come but, importantly, I have a great team and we are raring to go!”

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MOVERS & SHAKERS Multimillion bestselling author Adele Parks tells us why she loves writing … and Woodbridge!

Main picture: Adele is one of the UK’s top-selling women’s fiction writers Middle: She took to the stage at 2019’s Primadonna literary festival, and is set to return to this year’s event in Stowmarket Left: Her new novel, Both of You

Twenty-one books in 21 years ... how did you do it?

I think the real answer is: I just keep getting older! I didn’t set out to write a book a year, but I can’t bear being idle. I’d always rather be busy than not.

When I was a child, I remember my father saying: ‘If you can change your hobby into a profession, you’ll never work a day in your life.’ At the time, he was rather enviously watching a professional golf game on TV. I love my job, so every day I get up and want to write. I am disciplined and organised. I think all these things combined have meant I’ve managed to produce such a large body of work.

How does writing compare to your past careers?

My previous careers in advertising were much more about representing other people’s creativity, and communicating to clients or bosses. As a writer, I’m now able to express myself and explore my own ideas; I communicate and make connections with literally millions of people, which is an incredible privilege.

My career as a writer is wonderfully fulfilling, flexible and fun. I look back and think of my past careers as training grounds; I learnt so much about timing plans, independent research and responsibility, managing big projects, presenting and marketing.

All these skills have been transferable into my writing career. Writing is, however,

much more solitary. I miss making friends in an office.

Do you ever get writer’s block?

I certainly have days where I feel less ‘on fire’ than others – days where I’d rather see friends or sneak back under the duvet.

But I don’t allow myself that indulgence.

I write a solid 1,000 – 2,000 words a day when I am in the creating part of my process. If I later find those words are not up to scratch and need to be dumped then so be it, but my philosophy is to write through and write on!

I think writer’s block comes from fear because you don’t believe you are good enough, or from a lack of direction because you don’t know what to write next. I am confident that my writing is good enough (or at least will be after redrafting!). Twenty-one years in a career and all my novels reaching the bestseller lists has given me that confidence. I plot and structure my novels with extreme care before I start writing so that means I don’t lose direction.

Tell us about your latest novel, Both of You. It’s a twisty psychological thriller about two seemingly happily married women that both go missing in the same week.

Leigh Fletcher, a loving and conscientious stepmum to two gorgeous boys, goes missing on Monday. Her husband Mark says he knows nothing of her whereabouts and that she simply went to work and

never came home. Her family are devastated.

Kai Janssen is married to wealthy Dutch businessman Daan. She vanishes the same week. Kai left her luxurious penthouse and glamorous world without a backward glance. She seemingly evaporated into thin air. Daan is distraught.

The DC in charge of the case knows people disappear all the time – far too frequently. These women are from very different worlds, their disappearances are unlikely to be connected. And yet, at a gut level, the DC believes they are and is determined to find out the truth, no matter how shattering.

This novel is a dark, domestic noir that I hope people will find addictive, provocative and relatable.

You’re appearing at Suffolk’s fabulous Primadonna Festival.

Yes! I’m incredibly excited about that. I appeared at the inaugural event in 2019 and had the most wonderful time. I met such tremendous people, heard interesting talks, took part in stimulating discussions, ate gorgeous food and was constantly entertained by live music and various readings. Literally my idea of heaven!

Do you have a favourite haunt in Suffolk?

I once spent a perfect weekend at Woodbridge: a combination of bobbing on boats, striding along the nearby coast and mooching around the arty, independent shops. I ate well! It’s a gem of a place.

l Both of You You by Adele Parks is out now in hardback, ebook and audiobook, published by HQ HarperCollins. l Tickets to the 2021 Primadonna Festival (Friday, 30th July – Sunday, 1st August 2021), which celebrates writing, music and ideas, are available at www.primadonnafestival.com. It takes place at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket.

11

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VINTAGE SHOPPING WITH LIVING IN ...

YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST PLACES TO FIND A BARGAIN THIS SUMMER IN SUFFOLK …

Pictures of Whizzy Wallop by John Ferguson

L WHIZZY WALLOP VINY

Woodbridge and Marlesford Buying vintage vinyl has so many advantages. It’s good for the environment, the sound quality is far superior to modern reissues and the value of your purchase goes up rather than down.

Whizzy Wallop Vinyl is based in two fabulous Suffolk antique centres: Vintage 49 in Woodbridge and Marlesford Mill on Main Road in Marlesford.

Whizzy founder, Amanda CaswellRobinson, tells us: “Since our outlets reopened, the response from customers has been overwhelming.

Sales have doubled.

“I think people realised during lockdown how bleak and boring our world would be if we just relied on companies like Amazon.” l 07597 366711 l www.whizzywallop.com

NO6 Southwold Up next is No6, owned by Jenny Cook, whose family has lived in Southwold for generations.

Jenny says, of the shop on Pinkney’s Lane: “We collect original retro pieces from the mid-century Modern aesthetic, popular with people who love minimalist interiors. Personally, I have a passion for Modern British art, original painted furniture, and vintage textiles, so these feature heavily! We also have two cabinets stuffed full of vintage watches and jewellery.” l www.instagram.com/no6south wold

THE-BARN.CO Saxmundham Filled to the rafters with vintage and artisan delights, everything in the-barn.co on Friday Street has been carefully curated by owners Tony Knights and his partner Lucy Daykin, ensuring a unique shopping experience.

Not only can they make fabulous bespoke, handmade furniture, crafted using recycled and reclaimed materials, they also undertake commissions, including kitchen and garden projects, rustic greenhouses, and garden offices, with top quality craftsmanship and one-off design. l 01728 652 159 l www.the-barn.co

LEISTON TRADING POST Leiston “Our catchphrase is: ‘New and old, bought and sold!’” smiles Bob Smith. Together with partner Lisa, they run the fabulously quirky Leiston Trading Post. Specialising in full house clearances and professional probate valuations, Lisa has been running the Post since joining mum, Ann, in 1977.

With daughter Molly’s Trading Post just down the road, this is a three-generation family business! l 01728 830081 l www.instagram.com/leiston_ trading_post

13

SNAPE ANTIQUES CENTRE

Snape Situated opposite the concert hall within the gorgeous Snape Maltings complex, Snape Antiques Centre holds a diverse selection of antiques from across all periods.

Spread out over two floors, this treasure trove is jam-packed with vintage men’s and women’s clothing, pictures (both prints and originals) and stylish mid-century lighting. l 01728 688465 l www.snapemaltings.co.uk/shops/antiques

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VINTAGE ANGELS

Aldeburgh If you’re looking for a fabulous new look with a story to tell, the place to go is Vintage Angels. Owned by Hilary Lightfoot, this dressing-up box is bursting at the seams with ballgowns, wedding outfits, fur coats and menswear from labels such as Laura Ashley, Armani and Chanel – at a fraction of the original price! As Yves Saint Laurent once said: “Fashions fade; style is eternal.” This place could give Imelda Marcos quite a run for her money, with its huge selection of designer shoes. l 07879 630461 l www.vintageangelsclothing.co.uk

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With more than 40 years’ experience in the antique and trading business, Geoff and Margaret Reade and family have been at this lovely sprawling site for more than five years.

Darsham Station Emporium is a vintage gem with everchanging stock, boasting unusual items from reclaimed building materials to jewellery, collectibles, antiques, and garden items including gates and gargoyles. l Go to www.darshamstationemporium.com

UES

THEATRE STREET ANTIQ

Woodbridge With more than 2,000 sq ft of antiques, vintage and collectibles, owners Teresa and Jamie Potts say Theatre Street Antiques is a traditional antique shop “with a twist”.

“Run over two floors and six rooms, we offer a wide range of vintage items from the 1980s right back to the Georgian period and beyond,” says Teresa.

Newly opened, this is well worth a mooch when you’re next in Woodbridge, and they also have an Etsy shop online called PottsVintageTraders.

There is limited space for parking at the back of the building or park at the nearby Theatre Street car park. l 01394 366787 l www.instagram.com/ theatrestreetantiques

WOW VINTAGE

YOXFORD ANTIQUES CENTRE Askers Hill, Yoxford For the past decade, Nigel and Margaret have strived to ensure when you visit Yoxford Antiques Centre, you come for an experience.

They have an eclectic array of some 70 independent traders selling everything from furniture to soft furnishings, ceramics to silverware, pictures to plants, and plenty more besides. While you’re there, visit the Flying Goose Cafe. It’s fully licensed, so you can have a cheeky G&T all in the name of bargain hunting!

Southwold Anyone shopping in Southwold can’t help but notice the wonderful Wow Vintage, based right in the heart of the town and overlooking Market Place. Owner Tina Crisps’ expertly curated shop is a riot of colour and style. Tina tells us she’s always loved the culture of pre-loved items, especially iconic designs and shapes.

The shop offers a cross-section of styles from all eras, including 1950s ceramics and 1970s and 1980s leather jackets and bags. There’s also an enormous selection of vinyl as well as jewellery, all manner of unique gifts, and some exquisite hand-painted cards. We love the huge selection of vintage tin signs which make a great present for those hard-to-buy for teens!

This lovely shop, which started life as a pop-up, is now very much a firm fixture in the town. l Find ‘Wow Vintage Southwold’ on Insta or Facebook.

SARAH’S ATTIC Monk’s Eleigh For a lovely day out, head to Sarah’s Attic, located between the two historic towns of Lavenham and Hadleigh. It boasts two floors of vintage heaven with items ranging from larger pieces of furniture to small collectables and jewellery.

Sarah’s passion for all things vintage started in the 1990s “from the need to furnish a house on a shoestring”.

She set up this treasure trove of loveliness in 2013 and has never looked back. l 01449 744014 l 07747 313490 l www.sarahsattic.co.uk

l 01728 668844 l www.yoxfordantiques.com

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INCOMING! With so many Londoners moving to rural Suffolk, we meet one family who may well have found their spiritual home … Pictures by Daniel Ian Photography

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

16

t was the creative pull of Suffolk that saw Sally-Ann Elliott and her family move from London in the middle of a global pandemic.

“It was in between lockdown two and three that we decided: That’s it, we’re outta here!” she smiles, as she shows us around their beautiful farm just outside Framlingham.

Sally-Ann, husband Yan and their two children came from a large terraced home in Crouch End which, she says, was starting to feel progressively cramped. To live in such a big property now – complete with its own pond – is an extraordinary game changer.

“We’ve done that typical thing that Londoners do, where you go for loads of space and then wonder how on earth you’re going to stay on top of it all!”

But it was a no-brainer for the couple to up sticks, after months of enduring lockdown in the capital.

“Suffolk is so beautiful, the countryside totally resonates with me,” she says. “It has such an amazing light. And I love the diversity of the architecture you see as you drive around the place. From black timber barns through to modernist houses, it’s such a feast for the eyes.”

Wash Farm in Dennington is a sprawling three-bed period farmhouse set in almost two acres of exquisite Suffolk scenery, with outbuildings that include a workshop, studio and two holiday lets.

The couple bought it last September and stayed in rental accommodation for three months while they had rewiring and redecorating work done to the main house.

“When we moved in back in January, during lockdown three, it was so liberating,” says Sally-Ann. “We’d always wanted somewhere our son could kick a ball outside without it going over the fence!”

Their home is testament to her unfailing creative flair – she works as an interior designer – and oozes style from its every corner with an expertly blended medley of vintage and contemporary furniture and artwork.

“From what has been a very strange time, this move has been nothing but an incredibly positive experience for us all,” she says. “We feel so settled and happy as we make more friends and bed down into life here. I’ve met so many artists here and like-minded people who also wanted the fresh air and coastline.”

She says the family are spending much more time outdoors than they ever did in London: “I sleep so much better here!”

Before meeting Yan and becoming a mum, Sally-Ann says she worked in “a million” different jobs in London. Perhaps her most glamorous was working in artist management, at one stage for Scottish rock band Travis.

“Suddenly you find yourself on the set of Top of the Pops thinking: How the bloody hell did I get here?” she laughs as she makes us a coffee. “I suppose it was cool and I met lots of famous people along

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the way, but it wasn’t for me.”

She says her itchy feet then saw her take off travelling around Thailand. On her return, she worked in various design jobs before ending up in event production for festivals such as Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds. “It was a huge amount of fun and probably my best job,” she recalls.

It was long after she’d married Yan – an executive creative director of a global advertising agency – and had their second child, that she embarked on a career in interiors.

“I designed a friend’s office, after he’d said he liked the way I’d styled our house, and then more work came along – that’s how my commercial interior design business, Wonder, started.”

It was her close friend, artist Hannah Ludnow who, early last year, suggested they combine skills and set up a new business supplying and designing gallerystyle walls in people’s homes.

“Art makes a space come alive and gives it both personality and individuality,” she says. “It’s what sets you apart and, to an extent, defines you.”

Sally-Ann says their unique selling point, unlike other art consultants, is the price tags. “We pride ourselves on sourcing affordable pieces along with investment pieces if required. Our combined knowledge of the art world can help kick off your collection with artwork from young aspiring artists as well as more established names.”

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“It feels like we’re on a permanent holiday” Indeed, her business partner Hannah (who runs Columbia Road Gallery in London), can also be commissioned to create bespoke pieces to suit certain spaces.

“We also only deal with original artwork, rather than cheap prints, ensuring all spaces have an authentic quality and a longevity to the pieces.”

The result is their burgeoning company Gallery Wall Projects, which really is worth checking out. “There’s an art to hanging art,” smiles Sally-Ann, who explains they use a professional picture hanging company to put their visions onto the walls of clients’ homes.

Sally’s own home is strewn with an eclectic mix of vibrant art – some vintage, some contemporary, always originals. It even includes some of her own work – which we decide should be described as ‘abstract graphic needlepoint’ – exquisite pieces and a real labour of love. “It helps me to unwind, it clears my mind. I never know what I’m going to produce,” she says.

In her studio outbuilding, which is waiting to be filled with some carefully chosen pieces, stands an original, eyecatching fine line drawing by Jessica Albarn (pictured right) – sister of Damon Albarn from Blur, and one of her good friends. “She’s an incredible talent,” says

Opposite page from top: The Elliotts left North London for Wash Farm in Dennington; the quirky snug; woman of the house, interior designer Sally-Ann; the living room looks out onto the sunny dining room This page from top: Sally-Ann with husband Yan on the deck; Sally-Ann’s desk; a fine line drawing created by her friend, Jessica Albarn – sister of Blur and Gorillaz singer Damon; a past success for the art consultancy she co-owns, Gallery Wall Projects ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

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The dining room

l For more information on Sally-Ann’s business, go to www.gallerywallprojects.com

Sally-Ann as she shows us around this newly decorated vaulted room, which may well double up as an art gallery one day.

“Jess’s fine line drawings are quite sought after. She uses glass, honey, clay and wax in her work and sometimes incorporates pressed flowers and insects – it’s unique.”

The family now love nothing more than relaxing in front of their pond on a summer evening on their new deck, designed and built by coastal craftsman Tony Knights (his vintage shop, the-barn.co, is featured on pages 14 and 15). “We’ve had friends come and visit and it’s so lovely to sit out here and watch the sun go down,” she says. “We still can’t believe this is ours.”

In the house, their lovely orangery-style dining room, which leads off the kitchen, overlooks a mature garden with rolling fields beyond. The family living room is a sumptuous riot of colour with pieces like their funky velvet Matthew Williamson armchair.

Outside, one of the holiday lets, known as Polly’s Yard, is now available to rent through Air Manage and Airbnb. With Sally-Ann’s fabulous interior touches, this stunning two-bed home is sure to be a big hit with tourists to the area – maybe Londoners like they once were, looking to escape the Old Smoke for a breather.

“It feels like we’re on a permanent holiday,” she adds. “Suffolk is such a lovely place, I don’t think we could be happier if we tried!”

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WE ARE Quay Street Collective Hairdressing offers a friendly and nurturing sanctuary to staff and clients. Co-owner Sophie Thompson says her role has transformed her life

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ou may have noticed recently that an acclaimed Aldeburgh barbershop and a successful Saxmundham hair salon hit the headlines after being selected as finalists for some pretty heavyweight industry awards.

Heavenly Hair & Amaya Spa, in Saxmundham, has been shortlisted in four categories at the prestigious Main picture: surrounded by supportive people, such as my British Hair and Beauty Awards. These include Hair Sophie Thompson husband and colleagues.”

Salon of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, Excellence Above: Janene Sophie says she was delighted to be offered in Customer Service, and Manager of the Year. co-ownership of the Woodbridge salon. “One of While SIR & Co barbers, based in Aldeburgh, has the barbers, Tris, is now a co-owner of SIR & Co too; been named as a finalist in the Best Business Leader, Janene is really into building people’s futures. She’s Best Apprentice, and Best Team categories of the very encouraging to all the staff. So if someone Modern Barber Awards 2021. ultimately wants to go on and run their own salon, And their barber, Alexander Sullivan, has been they will be given the tools to do so, with fantastic named as a finalist for the Best Apprentice award. training and support.”

You might not yet be aware that Quay Street Collective Hairdressing the superb SIR & Co offers guest “I owe a lot of my offers a wide range of hair services barbering days at the wonderful recovery to being from bespoke balayage to amazing Quay Street Collective Hairdressing ashy blondes. Services include a full in Woodbridge. It’s well worth surrounded by such range of hair cutting, styling and checking them out to see why they’re supportive people” colouring and bridal service. Its the talk of the town! brilliant brand new Saturday blowThe British Hair and Beauty Awards dry bar is a must for those getting ready for the are one of the most prestigious online awards for weekend. the hair, beauty, nail and spa industry. They recognise All its staff have different areas of expertise, so those who make a real difference and encourage whatever your hair needs, they will be able to development within their team throughout the year. accommodate. The team will also be introducing Among the staggering four nominations Heavenly the luxury Nanokeratin Smoothing System later Hair & Amaya Spa has received in 2021 are individual nods for owner Janene Hawkins Bush (Entrepreneur of this summer to help control frizz, protect against the Year) and Sophie Thompson (Manager of the Year). humidity and restructure the hair, providing an Sophie is also co-owner of Woodbridge’s Quay Street instant boost in condition lasting up to three months.

Collective Hairdressing, which is now following in the l Book your appointment now on 01394 386960 or footsteps of its successful sister salons in offering a go to www.quaystreetcollective.com unique approach in hairdressing for all.

As well as giving her that opportunity, Sophie’s role has helped her in so many more ways than just providing an income.

WANT TO JOIN THE TEAM? She says: “When I first joined, I’d been suffering Quay Street Collective Hairdressing is expanding and looking for new from insomnia and paralysing panic attacks. Janene individuals to join this forward-thinking team. Sophie says: “They must puts a lot of emphasis on mentoring and offering a have their NVQ Level 2, ideally Level 3, and the key thing is three years’ nurturing atmosphere for her staff – and that recent hairdressing experience. The starting salary for a full time role is warmth, of course, trickles down to the clients. £20k with a comprehensive commission structure on top of that – they “I was lucky, as I could talk about my problems quite could basically double their earnings. We are very flexible and could openly at work – I didn’t have to hide them like you even split this into two part-time roles.” might do in some workplaces. I had lots of support. In fact, I’ve used my experiences to help others who are Send your CV to info@quaystreetcollective.com or pop one into them suffering from mental health issues, no matter how at 12 Quay Street, Woodbridge. big or small. I’m fine now, and my anxiety and panic attacks have gone. I owe a lot of my recovery to being ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

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K L A T G N F I G H TI on Pictures by John Fergus

In a quiet corner of Martlesham, a fitness revolution is underway.

Living In … editor Angela Hagan meets those whose lives have been transformed by boxing …

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Regulars at Suffolk Punch Boxing Club in Martlesham include, clockwise from top left: UK heavyweight champ Fabio Wardley; pro Gideon Jonas; trainer Sam Crimp; Lauren Wark, whose specialist catering business operates from the same building; and charity boxer Holly Brookes, who’s also seen training at the gym ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

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© Holly Brookes

ome on now, give it all you’ve got!” shouts my trainer Sam Crimp as I surprise myself at how thoroughly satisfying it is to slam my gloved fists into his upturned boxing pads.

Any embarrassment at how bizarre this might look melts away as the adrenaline kicks in. Besides, no one bats an eyelid.

I only meant to have a few personal training sessions with Sam in a bid to knock out any remnants of the Covid-19 virus from my system, having contracted it earlier in the year. Not only did it do the job but I’m hooked now (excuse the pun). Which is why I find myself outside on a sweltering day, gloves on and up, dancing from side to side, left foot forward, poised for action …

But the real story here lies inside Grange Fitness & Performance Centre, home to Suffolk Punch Boxing Club, where Sam is one of the on-site trainers. Based on Betts Avenue in Martlesham, this is no intimidating place full of vacuous poseurs staring admiringly at themselves in wall-to-wall mirrors! Refreshingly, you will find all ages and types in here. It’s down-to-earth, fun and super friendly. And it seems to be a place that transforms lives …

Owner Matt Brennan, a professional boxing trainer, and the other trainers and staff will tell you that one of their most promising amateur boxing stars is a 16-year-old girl, but they also have aspiring mums, dads and even grandparents who have got the bug.

Then added to the mix are the professional boxers, such as flyweight Gideon Jonas and English heavyweight champ Fabio Wardley, and their top-notch boxing coach, Rob Hodgins, all training hard.

This place simply oozes inspiration from every corner.

So what is it about boxing?

“For me, it was a case of challenging stereotypes,” says Holly Brookes, who has just finished a degree studying graphic design.

“I’m a massive advocate of doing something that people don’t expect women to do. I used to do a lot of bodybuilding and that was what got me into fitness in the first place. I did that in gyms in Ipswich and then stumbled across GFP. Boxing was once a man’s world. I like to prove that no one can tell me what to be or put me into a box.”

Indeed, Holly is just one of the women and men who will be taking part in Lockdown to Knockdown, a live charity boxing event to be staged at Trinity Park showground this month (see overleaf for details). She’s been on one of GFP’s intensive 12-week courses, which culminate in a charity match – participants have to raise their own funds for their chosen charities. “It’s given me extra confidence,” smiles Holly. “Being female, you get used to being vulnerable when you’re walking around alone. Now I feel I can look after myself if need be – it’s empowering.”

All the charity boxers have to go through many rigorous training sessions before they can receive or give blows to the head, and obviously they have to wear all the latest protective headwear.

Holly says: “At first, pretty much everyone is worried about

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being punched. I’ve had a couple of bruises on my head and there have been a few times when someone gets you good and dazes you a bit. But I like sparring with blokes. For once, people aren’t segregating us.

“The confidence you get from being able to fight men … as women we ask for equality but it shouldn’t be just when it suits us. Last night I was sparring this guy who is 6ft tall!

“Because women are smaller we can dart around more and get in some good body shots. But I’m still fairly new to this and have lots more to learn.”

Fellow charity boxer Lauren Wark agrees that the increased confidence is a huge plus.

“But it’s also the level of training required to box,” she says.

“It’s so intense, it’s like nothing I’ve ever done before. Boxing has completely changed my shape and has also made me feel more energised than I have in years. It’s addictive! People who know me will say I’ve been so much happier since I started boxing.

“I started boxing at GFP in 2019 and I’ve taken part in two charity matches now. My mum was worried and wouldn’t come to the first match but by the second one she was screaming the loudest for me! The live charity matches are great fun. All this training means I’m able to achieve many other things too – I’ll be running the London Marathon this year.”

Joining GFP has changed Lauren’s life in more ways than one.

At the start of lockdown last year, she was working gruelling hours as an agency nurse for the NHS and was being sent to work in hospitals in Birmingham and Peterborough at the start of the pandemic to help out there, due to a lack of shift work at Ipswich Hospital.

“I was burnt out,” she says. “And I was missing my daughter as I was having to stay in hotels far away from home, and I was living off disgusting hospital food. I’m a good cook and I missed cooking healthy food.”

Not only did she enjoy the stress-busting health benefits and subsequent weight loss of boxing, particularly the uplifting oneto-one sessions, but she also stumbled across a gap in the market that led to a career change.

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“Now I feel I can look after myself if need be – it’s empowering” Charity boxer Holly Brookes

“A lot of the guys training here wanted to eat healthily to lose weight but didn’t have time to cook for themselves, so I started cooking healthy meals in return for one-to-one training sessions, and then more people asked me to cook for them. Before I knew it, a business had been born,” smiles Lauren, who has since opened the delicious Wark’s Kitchen at GFP with her mum Gillian helping to cook.

Not only does it offer healthy homemade smoothies, wraps, salads and pastas, but you can pre-order lovely macro-counted meals, catering for most diets, for one or all days of the week. In fact, her ‘28-Day Shred’ – breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared and delivered to your door all over the county and beyond, for those looking to kick-start or maintain weight loss – is proving incredibly popular.

“We’re seeing great results,” smiles Lauren. “One of the guys doing it has lost a stone in 28 days and one of the girls has lost an incredible 13 inches off her waist.

“I still can’t quite believe how much my life has changed for the best,” she smiles, though it seems that fitness and fortune might feature in her genes – some of an age might well remember her Scottish-born uncle, John Wark, an Ipswich Town footballer in Bobby Robson’s buccaneering squad, who also played in all of Scotland’s games at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

Talking of celebrity, GFP’s best known member is professional heavyweight boxer Fabio Wardley – ranked number nine in England and 38 in the world today. Ipswich-based Fabio says he gave up a good career in recruitment to pursue boxing, though he insists it might have even saved him … from himself!

“When I first got into boxing, I was working in a good solid job as a recruitment consultant in London, commuting from here,” ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

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he says. “Even though I was holding down a great job, I wasn’t living a healthy lifestyle. I was young and had a lot of money and had fallen in with the wrong crowd, and was doing a lot of things I shouldn’t be doing. Boxing probably saved me from going off the rails.”

He says he loved the competitive nature of the sport, and it quickly became clear he was an up-and-coming star making waves in the boxing world when he unexpectedly won a white collar match against an opponent who was training to be a professional. “Suddenly the spotlight turned on me,” Fabio says.

One broken rib, two displaced knuckles and a fractured orbital bone later, he reckons he’s never been happier than when he’s in the ring, and is far too laid-back to worry before a big fight.

“I’m just a very chilled person!” he smiles. “In the early days, my coach said: ‘You need to get gee’d up,’ as 20 minutes before a fight I was near-on napping! I said: ’Look, this is me, this is how I do it. If I’m the other way that’s when you need to be worried.’

“Partially it’s an inner confidence thing, but mainly I just don’t see the point in worrying. Boxing takes a lot of energy from you, so to panic and worry would deplete you further.”

Fabio says his hopes for the future are to make his hometown proud and inspire local youngsters to excel in whatever they’re good at.

“Boxing probably saved me from going off the rails” Fabio Wardley, Suffolk heavyweight pro, ranked number nine in the UK

This picture: Fighting star Fabio Wardley Top left: The club is based at Grange Fitness & Performance Centre, owned by Matt Brennan Below: Lauren Wark reckons boxing has changed her shape

l To join, book a trainer, or buy tickets to the charity boxing match, Lockdown To Knockdown, at Trinity Park on Saturday, 10th July, contact Matt at Grange Fitness & Performance, 23 Betts Avenue, Martlesham IP5 3RH. Call 01473 623277 or go to www.grangefitness.com l To order Wark’s Kitchen’s freshly made healthy meals for the week ahead, or simply grab a healthy lunch or smoothie, go to www.warkskitchen.co.uk ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

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© Angela Hagan

The owner of GFP, Matt Brennan, has clearly built a fabulous fitness empire in Martlesham, full of people with inspirational stories to tell.

“A lot of people have this preconceived idea of what boxing is like,” smiles Matt, whose credentials include personal trainer, sports therapist, football coach and CrossFit trainer, among others.

“And don’t get me wrong, sometimes when you walk in here and see some of the guys walking around with their tops off, it can look a bit intimidating. But likewise, you could walk in and see a 60-year-old woman up in the ring. Boxing is no longer a male dominated sport, it’s inclusive nowadays.

“Generally you will see people from all walks of life and all shapes and sizes here, and our job is to support them with the very best in health and fitness.”

As well as its Suffolk Punch Boxing Club, GFP also offers many more sporting activities including CrossFit, strength and conditioning classes, and Olympic lifting, to name but a few.

It really is worth popping down and giving it a go. And at the moment it’s offering a free two-week trial, so there really is no excuse now … See you there!

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JAKERY BAKERY OPENS IN SOUTHWOLD!

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l Pop into Jakery Bakery at 38 High Street, Southwold, search for ‘Jakery Bakery’ on Facebook, or find them on Insta: @jakerybakery4

t’s one of just a handful of gluten-free bakeries in the country and it’s taken Southwold by storm. Opened a few weeks ago, Jakery Bakery, which caters for gluten free, dairy free, wheat free, and vegan, is run by Charlotte O’Bryen and is the talk of the town, thanks to her incredible self-taught bakery skills.

“Some customers can’t believe this is all gluten free,” she smiles. “They tell us they love the pastry as it’s hard to tell the difference between it and ‘normal’ pastry.

“I think in the past it’s been difficult for people to find nice gluten-free alternatives.

Ours is very different to what you’ll find in the supermarkets – for a start, it doesn’t have the shelf life, as it’s all baked fresh every day.”

She says their custard tarts, raspberry Bakewells, brownies and millionaire shortbreads are proving a real hit with customers, as are her winning savoury tarts. Customers include coeliac sufferers and others who can’t, for many medical reasons, eat gluten.

But the bakery attracts all: “Some people buy them for relatives who don’t have a gluten-free diet but they want them to try

A good yarn …

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he’s called many places home, from her native Shetland Islands, Scotland to Australia, Papua New Guinea and now Suffolk. Elizabeth Williamson holds these places, on both sides of the equator, dear to her heart. Throughout, she’s maintained a constant link to her home with her love of the ancient craft known as Shetland lace knitting, creating intricately woven lace knitted with finely spun yarn.

“I’m told I was knitting by the time I was three,” explains the new Woodbridge resident, pictured, “but I can’t remember ever learning! It’s just something I’ve always been able to do, just like learning to walk or talk. Growing up in Shetland, everyone knitted – men, women, children.

We were taught the basics at school, and if you had enough skill, you eventually progressed to knitting lace.

“Sadly, that’s not the case any more, and the Heritage Crafts Association

it to show that it can taste just as nice!”

Jakery Bakery also serves a daily selection of delicious gluten-free bread, supplied by the Incredible Bakery Company.

Charlotte, who also offers catering services, juggles all this with being mum to four children aged seven to 16. In fact it is her 16-year-old, Jake, who the bakery is named after. “He helps in the shop now he’s finished his GCSEs,” she says. “He loves it when people pop in and ask if we have any gluten-free cakes and he can proudly say: ‘Everything in here is gluten free!’”

Her husband Fred helped Charlotte decorate the shop in its gorgeous vibrant colours, with a hint of vintage in the design.

“I’ve been lucky,” she says. “I’ve had lots of help from family and friends. I’m really proud of my husband for making the place look so lovely. And the welcome we have received in Southwold, from other business owners in particular, has been so warm and friendly.” recently added it to its ‘red’ list.”

Elizabeth continues: “After I met my husband and started our family, we moved to Australia and ended up staying for 13 years. We volunteered in hospitals, and moved on to Papua New Guinea, where my husband worked in obstetrics and emergency care. Moving around, you get used to living out of a 20kg suitcase – and I always found space for knitting needles and wool in mine!

“Wherever I was in the world, I kept knitting lace garments for myself – shawls, scarves – and it was a connection to home.

It’s soothing too; you have to slow yourself down and be conscious of what you’re doing, ignoring other demands on your time for a few minutes!

“When I arrived here shortly before Covid, knitting was a fantastic way to meet new people – in fact, it was a Shetlander who suggested I give lace-knitting workshops, although of course, these have had to be few and far between.

“I love sharing this piece of my heritage with others. I’d hate to see it forgotten. And it does seem to be gaining enthusiasm – people don’t see knitting as just an old lady’s hobby any more!

“Now I’m determined that, once it’s safe to do so, I’m going to start giving regular classes. Just watch this space!” l For news on any upcoming workshops, keep an eye on Elizabeth’s Instagram page @elizabethwilliamsonknitting

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Local home owners… throw open their doors Child free zones?… meet the couple with the Parent Pod! Is grey just so last year?… Jojo Humes Brown on colours

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DOG ABOUT

TOWN!

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“My name is Teddy and I’m a two-year-old deerhound / Bedlington whippet mix. I live locally with mum Sarah and my human brother plus two other dogs – my best friend Pearl, who is 13, and Luna, who is five. As you can see, I’m never happier than when Mum is driving me around in her snazzy vintage Fiat 600 which she had specially imported from Italy.

Mum’s really into her cars – she’s got a knack for spotting a vintage treasure. It’s a left-hand drive this one, so when I sit next to her on the right we get lots of funny looks from people who think I’m the one driving! They’ll smile and point when we’re sat at traffic lights. I like to think it’s my stunning good looks too.

Mum says I’m a good boy, although when she arrives home I do like to pinch one of her shoes and run off with it. She still doesn’t know where one of her sandals is, but I’ve got it safely tucked away for when she’s out and I’m missing her! I’m a real mummy’s boy.” l Have you got a lovely dog – or cat – and would like to give them 15 minutes of fame? Write to the team at info@livinginsuffolk.com and send us your best photos.

WHAT’S IN A Anthony Cobbold talks about a life’s work recording his family’s history By Living In … writer Abygail Fossett

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f you want to become well known in a town, you need to do two things,” laughs Anthony Cobbold, the keeper of the Cobbold Family History Trust. “Become involved in football and the local brewery. The Cobbolds never set out to do either, but we ended up doing both.”

Living In … had the privilege of chatting to Anthony recently about his tireless work in recording the history of this well-known Suffolk family and learnt there is far more to the name than beer and football. The Cobbolds are one of those sprawling families whose branches are creaking with notable members. Starting from the earliest known Cobbold born in 1529, Anthony can boast connections to a Governor of the Bank of England, a martyred bishop, and the first woman to climb Mount Fujiyama, to name but a few.

It’s been a huge project establishing and running the trust. He tells us: “I hear from people all the time who have a Cobbold connection and want to give us their family heirlooms for safekeeping – photo albums, marriage certificates, their memories as much as anything. It is truly an honour. Because, in the final analysis, family is all we have. It is by family that we are brought into this world; it is to family that we return each evening and it is family that we want at our bedside when our life is over.”

fiercely intelligent woman. A competent poet and prose writer, she also possessed a keenly scientific mind.

In 1810, her paper on liver fluke (a fatal disease) in sheep was read on her behalf before the prestigious Linnean Society – being a woman, she was forbidden to speak herself.

The members barely gave it a thought, and it was soon forgotten. However, her paper resurfaced years later, and was found to be absolutely accurate, right down to the diagrams.

Elizabeth was truly a woman in a man’s world!

Lady Zainab Cobbold 1867–1963 A Cobbold by marriage, Lady Zainab is often referred to as ‘the first Scottish Muslim’. Born in Edinburgh as Lady Evelyn Murray, she spent much of her childhood in Algiers and Cairo, being cared for by Muslim nannies and learning to speak Arabic.

She married John Dupuis Cobbold in 1891, and the couple settled in Ipswich, although the marriage ended in separation. She formally converted to Islam in 1915 (though she declared “I have always been a Muslim”) and took the Arabic name Zainab. Aged 65, she completed a lifelong dream and performed Hajj, the journey to Mecca. Zainab died at 95 and was laid to rest in her native Scotland.

MEET THE FAMILY: ‘Big John’ Cobbold 1746–1835 “We call him Big John, to distinguish him from his many other John Cobbold descendants,” Anthony told us. ‘Big John’ was the third generation to run the Cobbold family brewery, inheriting the business from his father at the age of just 22. John evidently had a real flair for business, and under his guidance the brewery expanded rapidly.

He was also busy expanding his family. He had 15 children with first wife Elizabeth Wilkinson, and then a further seven with his second wife, Elizabeth Knipe. Move over, Henry VIII!

Dr Thomas Spencer Cobbold 1828–1886 During his lifetime, Thomas was regarded as the chief authority in Britain on helminthology – the study of parasitic worms! The grandson of Elizabeth Knipe, it seems he inherited his aptitude for science from her. Thomas lectured at many respected institutes in London, including St Mary’s Hospital and the Royal Veterinary College.

An Ipswich-born man who lived quietly, Thomas’s contribution to his field was immense.

As Anthony, Thomas’s great-great-great nephew, adds: “The fact that the majority of people and animals in Britain today are free from harmful parasitical worms is largely thanks to Thomas.”

Elizabeth Cobbold (née Knipe) 1765–1824 The second wife of ‘Big John’, Elizabeth was a

l For more information, go to www.cobboldfht.com

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Living In … writer Abygail Fossett unearths all that our glorious region has to offer this summer and beyond …

FAMILY FUN AND SUMMER MARKET AT WHERSTEAD PARK, IPSWICH Sunday, 25th July, 10am – 4pm It’s one of those serendipitous moments when the stars align, with Wherstead Park’s Family Fun Day and Summer Market both happening at the end of July. While children can have fun with a Punch and Judy show, and burn off some energy at Just Jay’s dance classes and a treasure hunt around the grounds, adults can stroll around the market. This year it boasts an incredible range of vendors, including The Cheese and Pie Man, Lucy Lockets with her personalised jewellery, Cake & Catwalk and plenty more besides.

Children will need a £5 ticket for the Fun Day, but other than that, everyone goes free – could this day get any better? lY You will need a ticketed time slot for each event. Book yours at tinyurl.com/6p96fp95 THE MARSH DEMONS OF IKEN, ORFORD Friday, 9th July, 1pm and 6pm One of our favourite things about living in this gorgeous county is its rich history of folk tales. We can’t wait to see one of these stories brought to life when puppet theatre Rust and Stardust team up with local primary school children from Orford and Bawdsey for a performance of The Marsh Demons of Iken.

We wish the youngsters good luck as they work alongside professional actors and puppeteers in what promises to be a truly epic tale of magic, faith and furious battle, against the backdrop of Dark Age England. And we’ve even heard rumours about a 9ft Marsh Demon Queen!

Proceeds will go to the Thomas Marshall Education Fund, to be used in its work supporting school children in Mozambique. lT To buy tickets, email contact@tmef.org.uk FOLKEAST FESTIVAL, WOODBRIDGE Friday, 20th – Sunday, 22nd August It’s great to report that FolkEast festival is back! After the event was moved online last year, Glemham Hall will again throw open its gates for an incredible weekend of live folk music. Headlining are the wickedly talented Afro Celt Sound System (pictured), bringing their unique blend of electronica and traditional Gaelic and West African music for what promises to be an exhilarating, high-energy performance.

Tickets are selling rapidly, so book yours while you can! Children aged 11 and under go free, and you can also use any tickets you bought from 2020. l www.folkeast.co.uk/2021-tickets

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MOMENTS MODERN ART EXHIBITION, BURY ST EDMUNDS On now until Thursday, 30th September A little farther down the road, the Moments exhibition of Modern Art is the talk of the town, currently happening at Moyse’s Hall in Bury St Edmunds.

Many major names in the art world are taking part, including Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst (his 2009 Kate Moss portrait, above, is displayed), Kaws, Pure Evil, Connor Brothers, Blek le Rat, My Dog Sighs, Rachel List, and Banksy, who is showing eight original works, including the mural of a hula-hooping girl that first appeared on the side of a Nottingham residential building in October.

Moments is set to be the hottest modern art exhibition in the UK this year, and organisers are excited to attract cultural tourists from across the country. l Book tickets at www.moyseshall.org/whats-on or call 01284 758000.

HERS AND MINE, WOODBRIDGE Thursday, 29th July – Wednesday, 4th August It’s often said that opposites attract, and artists Louise Chapman and Ruth Simpson are testament to this.

“While our work is very different, we share a strong respect and enthusiasm for each other’s work – and a passion for paint,” Louise tells us. She creates vibrant abstracts (like ‘Pass the Port Please, Mary’, above), painting intuitively, meaning she paints freely with no fixed idea of the painting she will produce. “I aim to create a composition that will grab your attention, draw you in, intrigue you and please you,” she says.

In complete contrast, Ruth’s creations are finely detailed and totally realistic (such as ‘Gap in the Hedge’, above). Ruth explains: “The changing seasons of nature influence the transformation of colour, texture and light within my paintings.”

In this, the first exhibition for each of them postlockdown, the pair are joining forces, and cannot wait to display their work to the public again. l Visit their exhibition at Artspace Gallery, 64 Woodbridge Thoroughfare, and check out Louise and Ruth’s artwork on Instagram: @lovingpainting (Louise) and @ruth_simpsonart (Ruth).

BEYOND LANDSCAPES …

Friday, 30th July – Wednesday, 25th August Successive lockdowns have instilled in many of us an urge to unfurl our wings and seek out new places, after being tethered for so long. The vast expanses of sky in the landscapes of Kate Walker truly speak to this need, and will be on show at The Maltings Gallery at Snape this summer in an exhibition titled ‘Inscapes: Outscapes’.

Kate explains: “During lockdown, I was forced to rely more heavily on my imagination. My landscapes always originate from a specific place, but I found they became not just something but somewhere else.”

Kate is greatly inspired by her local landscape of the Waveney Valley in Redgrave. She says: “I’ve come to think of these paintings as ‘outscapes’: expansive, immersive and sometimes otherworldly vistas. Like most people, I was yearning to break free and these paintings are my attempt to express the infinite in the finite space of the canvas” l Admission is free. T To find out more, go to www.snapemaltings.co.uk Kate Walker’s dramatic landscape ‘Squall’, an oil and copper leaf on linen, features in her latest local art exhibition

TURNING TIDE Sunday, 1st August – Tuesday, August 31st Also at Snape this summer is local sculptor Roger Hardy, known for his hauntingly beautiful creations.

Hardy’s gnarled, ethereal figures are exquisitely carved from sea-worn wood, and evoke the decaying nature of wastefully discarded material but are also a reminder of our own human fragility.

Having returned to his native Suffolk in 2000 after a career in London as a designer, Roger is now preparing for his first solo exhibition, ‘Turning Tide’, at the unique Dovecote Studio at Snape Maltings (pictured above).

Roger works using elements he finds in nature and at local boatyards, and estuary-worn wood from the River Alde.

He says: “I feel that my work reflects the movement of cultures across the seas, whether though active migration or displacement. The wood washed-up on our shores is a metaphor for this. Many woods, not being native to our shores, have been on quite a journey to arrive. Each with a story to tell.”

The exhibition is staged by Britten Pears Art in collaboration with curator Devi Singh. l Admission is free. Go to www.brittenpearsarts.org and www.devisingh.com

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MATTERS! Creative students at Woodbridge School are learning so much more than what’s on the curriculum …

L

eonardo da Vinci once famously said: “The painter has the universe in his mind and hands.” For artistic pupils at Woodbridge School, they are not only learning to shape and mould their craft but to make a serious career out of it.

This year sees the school’s lively art department, led by head of art, James Hutchinson, roll out its successful annual Woodbridge Editions – the third in a series of fantastic limited edition prints made and sold by sixth form students. James, a successful artist in his own right, who goes by the name of Hutch (www.byhutch.com), explains: “Ross Holden, who is the technician here (www.rossholden.net), had this idea to get the students to think of themselves as working artists; to each design and submit a single image that will then be made into ten laser cut prints.

“We then sell them and the student gets 50% of the sales. It started in 2018, then the acclaimed Maddox Gallery, a big enterprise in London, started sponsoring it.

It’s been such a huge learning curve for the students. We have absolutely exceptional pupils here, and we want to make people feel at home with their uniqueness and oddity. It’s incredibly challenging to work in the art world, but it’s a growth industry and is hugely rewarding.

“So the students learn to prepare for it; we get them to make a website for their own work and think about how they’ll promote themselves. Meeting the exam criteria is one aspect but we like to help get them up to speed professionally.”

There are 11 new Woodbridge Edition prints for sale – here we have featured just a few of these wonderful pieces, which are available to buy direct from the art department (see details below).

Hutch is no stranger to success himself;

Black and white prints, clockwise from top left by Verity, Rob, Arina, Alex and Iona Bottom left: Liv’s piece, The Woods

a graduate of Central St Martins in fine art, he’s spent time as an artist-in-residence in Helmingham Hall Gardens as well as enjoying solo exhibitions in London’s Old Truman Brewery Gallery and North House Gallery in Manningtree, among others.

Soon the art department will be busy with plans to revive Woodbridge Visual Arts after it sadly had to be postponed last year due to the pandemic. It features myriad professionals working in the visual arts, who will share their experiences with the youngsters, offering industry insights.

“From film production and direction to ceramic artists, it’s very inspirational,” says Hutch. “We had about 300 schoolage people sign up to it last year and it was cancelled a week before.”

The project is open to all youngsters in the region. “Art isn’t just about one place, or one school, it’s about sharing resources and events for everybody,” adds Hutch.

“Fingers crossed it will happen next year.” l Go to woodbridgeschool.org.uk l To buy a wonderful Woodbridge Edition print, check them out at woodbridgeschoolartdepartment.com

Big Momma!

Congratulations to Woodbridge School’s talented Oliver Brown. His painting Big Momma! (above) will appear in the Royal Academy’s Young Artists’ Summer Show this year, after his work was one of those selected out of thousands of pupils’ entries from schools around the UK and British schools overseas. Hutch says: “His acrylic painting is very enigmatic.

We’re very proud of him.”

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

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BUSINESS BULLETIN All the latest from around coastal Suffolk…

CELEBRATE! Now summer is upon us, Southwold’s ninedeli is offering catering for events including parties and weddings. Owners James Scott and Lisa Partridge create wonderful dishes including charcuterie and cheese platters (pictured), ‘graze boards’, and dressed Cromer crab dishes.

Known for its lovely coffee, breakfasts and lunches, ninedeli soon celebrates its one year anniversary in the town. l Find them at 9 Pinkneys Lane or go to www.ninedeli.co.uk

TABA NABA

PHOENIX RISES

Felixstowe’s Michaela Sawyer has opened an online gift shop, Taba Naba, with plans for an outlet at Beach Street when the next phase of building is complete in December.

It offers carefully curated items for people of every age, and always with the environment in mind.

“I wanted to create something that brings people together, especially the different generations,” says Michaela, who has a degree in environmental biology.

We particularly love her children’s gift box based on British mini beasts.

It includes ‘bee bombs’ (bee-friendly seeds to plant), an identification and checklist booklet, a bingo game and a real-life caterpillar-to-butterfly kit.

A perfect present for grandparents to buy their loved ones!

As the events market starts to open up again, Phoenix Events East Ltd is dusting itself down and braced for action after the frustration of lockdown setbacks.

Director Adam Harding tells us: “With no funding for our industry in its second summer, we’ve had to adapt and fight hard. But we are seeing the signs of the hard work starting to pay off.”

Living In … promised we’d big up Phoenix Events East Ltd in the hope that some much-deserved contracts are put its way. This wonderful company, with its skilled and trusted workforce, offers support at all sorts of events and festivals including security and stewarding, Covid19 monitoring, construction security, night portering, mobile patrols services, key holding, traffic management and car parking help.

l Go to www.tabanaba.co.uk

FOUR-LEGGED FAVOURITES AT CARE HOME

Residents at Woodbridge Lodge care home were recently thrilled to greet VIP guests Saffron and Baby Jack.

Taking pet therapy to a whole new level, the four-legged visitors from social enterprise Mini Donkeys for Wellbeing make faces light up whenever they make their grand entrance at care homes across Suffolk and Norfolk.

But their visit to Kingsley Healthcarerun Woodbridge Lodge in Burkitt Road, Woodbridge, had a special significance, as five of the residents have contributed recipes to a high profile cookbook being launched to raise funds.

Sylvia Bennett’s recipe is for Victoria sponge; Irene Mulley, fruit jam; Rosemary Stammers, jam tarts; and Doreen Broom, steamed apple. Sheila Bush, who has sadly since passed away, leaves a delicious bread pudding recipe as her legacy. The book also

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l Call Adam on 07592 739928 or go to www.phoenixeventseastltd.co.uk

NELLY NOODLES IS BORN

features recipes from dignitaries such as Delia Smith.

The home’s award-winning chef Denise Rastrick prepared all the dishes in honour of the donkey visit which took place ahead of the official launch of the book – Maude’s Makes and Bakes – on 24th July.

Staff at another Kingsley Healthcare home – Allonsfied House in Campsea Ashe – tell us their new onsite ‘farm’ is blossoming. As well as growing their own fruit and veg, farm manager Mason Worsfield-Gregg says they’re also welcoming chickens, ducks, sheep, goats and even pigs! l For further information on these well-being centred care homes, go to www.kingsleyhealthcare.co.uk

The children of Grundisburgh are looking remarkably snappy lately – perhaps they have been buying from local seamstress, Eve Hughes, AKA Nelly Noodles!

“It started out as just a hobby,” says care worker Eve, who started making masks during lockdown and then moved on to children’s clothing.

Her online shop is now packed full of funky kids’ clobber – dresses, T-shirts, hoodies – all in bright, vibrant patterns. l Take a look at www.mademe.co.uk/ shop/nelly-noodles

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

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Vicki Michelle (also pictured right) stars as Lynnie in Hello Norma Jeane at Southwold Arts Centre this summer

Theatre on the Coast!

L

ast year, the future of Southwold’s Theatre On The Coast was looking somewhat stormy. With theatres across the country being forced to close their doors, its summer season moved online and there were real fears the 2021 season might not happen at all.

Its patrons, however, did not take this news lying down. They rallied together and launched a three-week Crowdfunder back in March, with the aim of raising £6,000 to save their beloved theatre. Happily, they exceeded this goal, raising an incredible £8,000, meaning the summer season will commence at the end of next month (July).

Matthew Townshend, the award-winning producer of Theatre

on the Coast, has been bowled over by the community’s generosity. He says: “We’re a mixture of emotions! This really proves beyond doubt that theatre audiences are hungry for the return of live performance, back on stage in the theatres they know and love.”

With that, Theatre on the Coast will be performing three productions at Southwold Arts Centre this season: Cleo, Camping, Emmanuelle and Dick from 21st – 31st July; Hello Norma Jeane from 11th – 21st August; and Tomfoolery from 25th August – 4th September.

Here at Living in … we’re particularly looking forward to Hello Norma Jeane, written by Dylan Costello. It tells the tall tale of Lynnie, an Essex granny who reveals her true identity as Marilyn Monroe, the American idol who, Lynnie claims, faked her own death many years ago …

The starring role will be played by Theatre on the Coast patron Vicki Michelle, MBE, who shot to fame in TV’s long-running hit series, ‘Allo ‘Allo!

Vicki tells us: “I performed this part at the Park Theatre, London and the show was voted one of the top three most popular plays staged there during the five years the theatre had been open.

“Now I can’t wait to return to this role for the third time, in a place that’s very dear to me. Regional theatres are at the heart of our lives; they are so important to our communities, now more than ever.”

Local home owners… throw open their doors Child free zones?… meet the couple with the Parent Pod! Is grey just so last year?… Jojo Humes Brown on colours

YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

l To book tickets, call the box office on 01502 722572 or go to www.mtproductions.co.uk/theatre-on-the-coast

burgess-group.com Notcutts Garden Centre Ipswich Road Woodbridge Suffolk IP12 4AF

8 Fornham Business Court Hall Farm, Bury Drift Fornham St Martin Suffolk IP31 1SL

Tel. 01394 386666

Tel. 01284 760222

10% off in our Summer sale throughout July

INTERIOR

LIVES Homely inspiration from around the coastal region …

CHOP CHOP! We are simply loving these handmade wooden serving boards from East of Eden.

Made in Suffolk, they’re available in different finishes including ash, elm and London plane, as well as four different sizes. Ideal for displaying and serving charcuterie and cheeses.

From £35. l Check them at out East Of Eden at Fromus Square, The Old Barn in Saxmundham. Or online at www.east-of-eden.co.uk

SCENT TO SLEEP! If you’re not sleeping well or your mind is racing when you’re trying to nod off, these may well be the perfect antidote!

The Neom mini pod diffusers, which come in pink or black, are now available from Barretts of Woodbridge.

At the touch of a button, they release the perfect amount of micro fine vapour from the replaceable bottles of Neom essential oil blends (sold separately).

One such blend is called Scent to Sleep, which has been created to work on a hormonal level; the essential oils are expertly blended to help you relax and prepare for deep sleep.

The all-natural, paraben-free organic product, which uses 19 essential oils including lavender, sweet basil and jasmine, is great to induce a feeling of wellbeing while filling your room with a gentle fragrance.

PSST! Brand new to Barretts, the Those talented people at mini pods cost £42.50 each.

Burgess Group are offering 10% off in their summer sale l Go to Barretts at throughout July. See the advert the Thoroughfare or opposite for contact details! Or check them out at go to www.burgessgroup.com www.barretts.co.uk

SUFFOLK COASTAL CROSSWORD 1

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ANSWERS WILL BE PRINTED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE ANSWERS FOR CROSSWORD IN ISSUE 27. ACROSS: 1 ALDEBURGH 6 VOTES 9 ROWEL 10 BOXING DAY 11 AIRFOIL 12 GALILEO 13 LEVINGTON 15 AMIGO 17 GERMS 19 FALKENHAM 21 TEARIER 23 DAY TRIP 25 INCOGNITO 26 INTER 27 GUTSY 28 SALT MARSH DOWN: 1 AORTA 2 DOWN RIVER 3 BALLOON 4 REBEL 5 HEXAGONAL 6 VANILLA 7 TIDAL 8 STYROFOAM 13 LIGHTNING 14 TAFFRAILS 16 INHERITOR 18 SHINGLY 20 ELYSIUM 22 ASCOT 23 DROLL 24 PERCH

ACROSS 1 Defunct projects not wanted in the River Deben (4,5) 6 What an iron-clad does (5) 9 Found east of Bawdsey (4,5) 10 Submerged glaciated valley (5) 11 The first silica makes biased print (7) 12 Maybe hardly a rope to raise a flag (7) 13 Handbag material, not wanted, as 1 Across (9) 16 Chaotic acronym (5) 17 American doughnut (5) 19 Needed by all, post lockdown (9) 21 Self-satisfying activity (3,4) 22 Idiotic (7) 25 Edition (5) 26 Possible result of not getting 19 Across (9) 27 Foe (5) 28 If no 19 Across then this to 26 Across (9)

DOWN 1 Jack Tar’s laundry (5) 2 Big dog/bitch to Cub Scouts (5) 3 Subterranean search for water, from unseen influences (7) 4 Whale constellation (5) 5 Additional payment (9) 6 Sir Thomas Stamford (1781 – 1826) (7) 7 Perhaps satay wows squatters aboard (9) 8 Marines’ rat-a-tatters (4,5) 13 Nobel Literature prizewinner 1947 (5,4) 14 Crustacean delicacy (9) 15 Perhaps she paints actors on the stage (9) 18 Sparingly said (7) 20 Contend (7) 22 Trope, perhaps, for imbiber (5) 23 Roman mountain nymph (5) 24 One with no winning ways (5)

Our website boasts digital versions of our past issues – including the previous crosswords:

www.livinginsuffolk.com ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

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Town or Country Your Choice?

5 Burkitt Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4JJ

Church Farm, Campsea Ashe, Woodbridge IP13 0PX

01473 851 957

01728 885 634

We are safely welcoming new residents. No isolation required. www.kingsleyhealthcare.co.uk

Inspected and rated

Part of the Kingsley Healthcare Group

L Y V!I"N ) ( " $ ' & % #$ ckley

By Carl Sti

T

he sun is here, hope is restored, and the county is awash with music events.

Proof positive is The Chemical Brothers confirmed as Latitude headliners. Result!

Meanwhile, other musicians are coming out of the lockdown woodwork. Local legend Jan Pulsford is producing Spirit of Place, a series of monthly live music/art/installation events at The Longshed in Woodbridge, promising your musical cups will spilleth over.

Indeed, Living In … is proud to be a sponsor of this superb production. Go to www.spiritofwoodbridge.com RHYTHM SECTION …

Marcus and Gemma Brown run Wooden Roots on The Base side of the former RAF Bentwaters, where they can make as much noise as they like without upsetting anybody. They play, teach, sell and repair djembe drums, pictured above, and pronounced ‘jem-bay’ (the ‘d’ is silent). Now you know.

They are the only people in the UK doing what they do. Before Suffolk, they operated out of Los Angeles and, before leaving, provided drums for Marvel’s Black Panther movie. Both are Brits (him, London, her, Durham) and in 2018 decided it was time to come home. Why Suffolk? Gemma says: “We dropped a pin in the UK where there was the least amount of rain and better temperatures – honest!” They drove 2,000 miles around Suffolk before settling on Rendlesham via Halesworth.

Lockdown obviously hit their regular drum workshops but, in amongst the inevitable Zoom sessions, it gave them a chance to revamp their website and sort stuff out. A chance encounter with Ipswich Museum who were, bizarrely, staging a Black Panther exhibition, brought the two entities together. Result? The Power of Stories – five months this summer of pop-up drum workshops and classes run by Wooden Roots at the museum and Christchurch Mansion, funded by the Arts Council.

Alongside selling drums (each unique), regular workshops, and the exhibition, Wooden Roots will also be at this year’s WOMAD Festival from Thursday, 22nd – Sunday, 25th July. It is sponsoring the World Rhythm Stage, with big UK names such as Seckou Keita and Mohamed Gueye, and with all kinds of genres of music, from samba to taiko drumming. www.woodenroots.com

JONATHAN RICHMAN AND THE MODERN LOVERS, ROCK ‘N’ ROLL WITH THE MODERN LOVERS, 1977 Released at the height of punk. Check out the cover. Either they didn’t get the memo, or didn’t care. In some ways this could lay claim to being the first World Music album. Recorded live in the studio, it feels like a campfire singalong.

The Sweeping Wind (Kwa Ti Feng) is a traditional folk tune with triangle and coconut shells. Afternoon is Mexicalitinged. Fly Into the Mystery, slow and hushed. You can hear the drum stool squeak. Coomyah, the old Desmond Dekker tune, stripped back but keeping the rock-steady feel.

Egyptian Reggae was the single, which everyone knows.

A reggae beat with Egyptian inflection. See: World Music.

RECLAIM THE BEATS …

And out of lockdown comes another local treasure. St. Orwell started as the solo project of Aussie-born multi-instrumentalist Henry Bismann (pictured in the middle, he with the hair), who decamped to his dad’s cottage in rural Suffolk in 2019. A firm believer in DIY ideals, Henry spent self-imposed isolation arranging ideas into fully fledged songs, learning the arts of mixing and music production along the way.

With bassist Edd Kirby and drummer Rich Collard, St. Orwell went to full-on band, with a self-produced EP, Reclaim, released this month (July). Melodic pop jangle with angular post-punk guitars and a smidge of psychedelia-inspired ambience. Nice.

Check ‘em out at www.facebook.com/storwellband

l Got a musical story or event? Email carl@livinginsuffolk.com

VINYL REVIVAL Marcus Neal loves music and is a busy man in Ipswich, running The Smokehouse, programming Sound City for October 2021 and having a day job running Hex Records, a treasure trove of deep-dive obscurities and reissued vinyl for your twirly-pop machine.

Fortunately, he had the online side of the business before Covid, so lockdown actually helped sales. Phew! The shop has now reopened on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am – 4pm. Give it a whirl: www.hexrecordshop.co.uk

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L

time – them trying to work, me with my homework – it was constantly crashing.

The whole thing was a mess.

And the hardest bit about lockdown was feeling trapped at home, isolated, homeschooled and unable to see friends or do the usual things teenagers do. Many of us turned to socialising online, which isn’t healthy. People can be meaner than in real life too, as I well knew.

I started performing my music online, but it’s not the same energy you get from a live audience. All you see are comments or mini emojis floating up on a computer screen you’re singing into from inside your home. So, after about six weeks, I stopped.

My mental health started to get worse as my anxiety increased. It was the same for my friends.

But the music kept me going and I wrote around 100 songs during the pandemic.

ockdown owdown

“I’m lucky that I have an outlet for my emotions”

Picture by Chris Silvester

Suffolk’s teenage singing sensation Roma Manteiga-Nicholson tells Living In … about how her music has steered her through some difficult times

“

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

I

was singing before I could even talk and began writing music when I was nine! By the time I was 11, I’d already performed in the West End (as Fiona in Shrek The Musical) and by 13 had released my own album, Teen Spirit and was busy performing around 10 gigs a month.

I never really knew why I was bullied – I suppose the bullies didn’t like my music or were jealous of me having a higher profile than them. They started sending me horrible messages online, telling me to kill myself, and sent death threats

36

aimed at my family. I poured a lot into my songwriting at the time – it was like an escape route for me. I’m a huge fan of Ed Sheeran and I know he suffered the same sort of experiences.

I’ve always found it easier to express my emotions through my music, rather than tell anyone. That was how my parents found out about the bullying, and they jumped in and saved me. They pulled me out of that school and put me into a much better one. Out of all this, I learnt that my parents are my best friends; they’ve always been there for me.

At the new school, things were going well and I was enjoying my music and performances, as well as attending the performing arts school Stagecoach.

But when the pandemic came, it affected me and my age group – I’m 16 now – quite badly. Our GCSEs were suddenly not happening, then they were being based on ‘assessments’, and we had hardly any time to cram in last-minute revision. Worse yet, with both me and my parents using the internet at the same

I asked people to donate money for charity when they listened to my music and in all I have made around £17,500 for my chosen charities, which I’m very proud of.

By the time lockdown lifted and I got back to school, I was so used to being alone that it took a while to get used to it again. At least at home, people can’t physically see you, and if they do say anything you can just block them online.

At school, I just wanted to block everyone in real life.

I think schools should do more to help young people at the moment, because this has been a big struggle.

I’m lucky that I have an outlet for my emotions, like songwriting. Many others don’t have that.

And I’m so pleased to be back doing what I do best – performing live. I’ve got a run of gigs lined up for the rest of the year.

I’m now volunteering for St Elizabeth Hospice and Zest, and it’s nice to support these causes. But it has also boosted my self-confidence to interact with new people.

And I’ve been offered a place at Access Creative College in Norwich, which is where Ed Sheeran studied as a teenager and he’s now a patron. Life is looking better but I’m just so thankful for my music. If it hadn’t been for that, I’d be trapped – like many others are – feeling constantly negative.

In all honesty, I wouldn’t come out of my bedroom if it wasn’t for my music.” l Roma is performing at the following events this summer: Suffolk Fun Day, Seaton Park, Walton, Felisxtowe on Saturday, 24th July, 3pm Suffolk Arts Market, The Tea Hut, Woodbridge on Sunday, 1st August, 12pm Brightlingsea Free Music Festival, Essex on Saturday, 7th August (with her band) l Go to www.romasworld.co.uk

FOOTSTEPS W WALKING WITH YOU

Counsellor Jo Ashton explains all about a new charity devoted to helping young people in Suffolk…

T

he pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health.

However, young people seem to have been hit hard, suffering major disruptions to their education, milestones that have gone uncelebrated, and isolation at a time in their lives when they would hope to be forming lifelong friendships.

Footsteps Walking With You (FWWY) is a Woodbridge-based charity providing counselling to 11 – 25-year-olds around Suffolk, and support for their families.

Sessions are provided face-to-face and, increasingly, online, for ease of access. “‘It was born out of an awareness of an increasing need to support young people,” explains one of their counsellors, Jo Ashton. “Christine Pinder and I belong to a church prayer group, and we noticed ever more requests for prayers for young

people struggling with bereavement, anxiety and other mental health issues.

“There appeared to be very limited resources available to help them – a particular issue in the South East, where waiting times were around 12–18 months, and remain similar to date. We decided to be part of the answer.”

Now, they have a team of experienced counsellors, dedicated to providing mental health support to young people, which they do on a donation basis as they believe money – or, indeed, faith – should never be a barrier to accessing the help you need.

Jo says: “We support clients struggling with so many different issues – anxiety, sexual identity, panic attacks, phobias and low self-esteem, just to name a few.

“What can be difficult is that sometimes, things get harder before they get better;

habits, depression, intrusive thoughts and other symptoms don’t disappear overnight, and are often part of ingrained thought processes that need to be understood and worked through. But things can get better, and much of counselling is an organic process that enables change to happen through a supportive relationship.

“We are passionate about what we do, and feel humbled and privileged to be walking alongside these young people.” l Footsteps Walking With Y You relies on donations to support Suffolk’s youth. They can be made through its own website or at www.give.net, or by adding it as your chosen charity on Amazon Smile. l www.footstepswwy.org.uk l www.facebook.com/footstepswalking withyou

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America!

Letter

In her second letter home, Felixstowe’s Angie Muldoon gets to grips with the wildlife on the other side of the pond ….

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hen we first arrived in California, I transformed into a benign version of that child Regan in The Exorcist … my head was like a spinning top as I craned to see yet another strange and striking novelty in our new hometown.

I was so entertained by it all that my husband – who is the epitome of cool and laidback – had to ask me, somewhat awkwardly, if I could possibly refrain from the involuntarily squeaking and pointing, as it was making him really uncomfortable.

For example – the wildlife …

On our first trip to the supermarket, we ventured out to buy cat food at the very swishy supermarket that served our temporary rental condo (flat, to you and me). We were jetlagged and emotional after too many goodbye gin and tonics in Suffolk and a ten-hour flight (complete with three caged cats stowed in the hold below). As we walked into the shop, my husband suddenly grabbed my hand, muttering: “Skunk! Keep walking.”

Obviously, I stopped dead – my face lit up. I’d been too busy rubbernecking at the palm trees in the parking lot to notice it cross our path. Clearly I had to go back and find it. My husband has met skunks before. He asked me very tiredly and very patiently if I liked what I was wearing. He also mentioned the possibility of having to take off absolutely all of my scent-stained

Angie moved across the pond nearly four years ago

clothes in public, and leave them in an outdoor bin. I have a pair of purple Doc Martens that I’m very Fun and games: hummingbirds frequent Angie’s garden attached to, so self-interest won the day. guard like their favourite seat at the pub, There’s good and bad wildlife here. I’m dive-bombing the others who dare to still traumatised by the black widow usurp their perch. spiders who live under the built-in And there’s the heart-lifting possums – barbecue in the garden – on first seeing little balding marsupials ranging from one, I screamed and ran around a lot, palm-sized to hefty cat, with flexible rat much to the amusement of my in-laws. tails they use as an extra arm to hang, There are also – whisper it – big, furry, monkey-like, from the bird bath, plus black jumping spiders with brilliant blue eyes, that move like remote controlled racing cars. They actually truly turn to look “Who knew – at you and stand up when you go near hummingbirds are them, and apparently are very friendly and don’t bite. I’m stopping now as I’ve come hooligans!” over a little bit faint. actual hands and a terrifying set of teeth.

We have coyotes who regularly roam up They are gentle and funny, and rub and down our little suburban street like noses when they meet each other, and urban foxes, snacking on cats as they go. leap out of garden beds like possum Also, who knew – hummingbirds are hooligans! On first acquaintance, I thought cannonballs at a circus if we don’t check first before watering. the Anna’s and Allen’s varieties who live in They are lovely – but then they invited our garden were ethereal fairies, flitting the raccoons, small dog-sized mammals among the flowers with their impossible who ate all the cat food and berries. They flashes of colour. I know better now. were watched by the possums, and our They remind me a cats weren’t too impressed either as they bit of my Glaswegian looked on from the safety of their ‘catio’ family; they’re the (yes, you read that right, an enclosed patio drunken riotous for cats) as these brawling creatures made party punk pixies a right racket. of the bird world, I’ve stopped feeding these early visitors bursting with fun and fight and anything to our garden, and the raccoons have moved on. A couple of possums have for a laugh. remained, foraging and nose-rubbing and If you sit in the garden, they zip up and lifting my heart when I’m up in the middle of the night. Four years in and I’m still on investigate your face Suffolk time! You can take the girl out of just inches from your Felixstowe …” nose, crap in your lap, and whizz off again – NEXT ISSUE: Driving them mad! Why laughing, I swear. We Angie’s in-laws feared her new car could have brightly coloured land her in serious trouble … glass feeders that they

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Campsea Ashe

Guide Price £290,000

Sutton

Guide Price £645,000

Woodbridge

Guide Price £585,000

Ashbocking

Guide Price £400,000

Woodbridge

Guide Price £340,000

Woodbridge

Guide Price £325,000

A charming three≠ bedroom period property that has been tastefully modernised and extended by the current owners and now provides light and spacious accommodation in the picturesque village of Campsea Ashe, which is well served by local shop, railway station, superb pub and playing fi eld. EPC: C

An attractive three≠ bedroom detached house in the centre of Woodbridge with garage and parking. Accommodation comprises: ent hall, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, cellar, utility, cloakroom, sitting room, three bedrooms and a bathroom. courtyard style garden, garage and parking. Grade II listed.

A very spacious four≠ bedroom detached house comprising: ent hall, kitchen, utility room, dining room, sitting room, fourth bedroom, study, conservatory, master bedroom with en suite, and two further bedrooms. Double garage and a very large rear garden surrounded by farmland. EPC: E.

A two≠ bedroom detached bungalow in a rural village. Accommodation comprises: entrance hall, sitting room, kitchen, shower room, conservatory, utility, two bedrooms, good sized plot and ample off≠ road parking. Sizeable plot with potential to extend or develop (STPP). EPC: E

le d ed Sa ree uir q ag re e or

M

A well≠ presented three≠ bedroom semi≠ detached house located within easy reach of the local shop, schools and bus services. The property comprises: entrance hall, sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility & cloakroom, con≠ servatory, three bedrooms and bathroom. Gardens front and rear and garage.

EPC: TBC

Sale agreed. More properties in need of modernisation are required in and around the Woodbridge and Melton areas. For the best rates and top quality service, contact the expert Mortimers team today ñ details below. We operate on a no sale, no fee basis. Demand is high and buyers are looking for local homes now ñ do get in touch!

FREE VALUATIONS! CALL: 01394 386688 EMAIL: INFO@MORTIMERSESTATEAGENTS.CO.UK

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Thomas Mortimer

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