Living in Suffolk Coastal - Issue 38

ISSUE ONE… SUMMER 2016

LIVING IN SUFFOLK

Siouxsie in Suffolk ... Latitude 2023

Local home owners… throw open their doors

FREE ... PASS ME ON WHEN YOU HAVE READ ME!

Child free zones?… meet the couple with the Parent Pod!

Windrush 75 ... “our memories”

Dream boat ... for better, for worse

Is grey just so last year?… Jojo Humes Brown on colours

YOUR BRAND NEW FREE HOMES & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

GET INVOLVED …

If you’ve got a topical story, an inspiring home or a business to show off or an event you’re planning, get in touch! The deadline for our August/ September edition, which hits the streets in early August, is 24 July.

l For advertising information or if you’d like to submit any collaboration ideas or stories for future issues, hit us up at: info@livinginsuffolk.com

ON OUR COVER …

This dramatic acrylic on canvas (91 x 183cm) by fabulous Cornwall-based artist Neil Canning titled, Atlantic Drift, is part of his wonderful exhibition running until 1st July at Gallery East, Church Street, Woodbridge. Neil is part of the new generation of St Ives artists who work out of Cornwall. His work features the coast and moors of this beautiful and dramatic peninsular. l Go to, galleryeast.co.uk

LIVING IN

Editor: Angela Hagan 07930 184773, info@livinginsuffolk.com

Designer: Lewis Webb

Writers: Charity Crewe and Carl Stickley charity@livinginsuffolk.com, carl@livinginsuffolk.com 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. LivingIn…SuffolkCoastal 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.

THE GOOD …

We all seem to be feeling the effects of constant price rises (whilst multinationals report record profits) so it’s heart-warming to hear about the kindness of others.

The Canteen, based at the Old Hospital Hub in Southwold, are giving guests the opportunity to obtain a monthly lunch based on what they can afford through a Pay-What-You-Can-Afford system.

Head Chef, Nicola Hordern, tells us, “Our Sunday Community Lunches have been a great success, with gratitude to Councillor Michael Ladd’s £500 locality grant and the heart-warming contributions of over £1200 through our Crowdfunder. Our team of devoted volunteers generously host these community-driven lunches on the last Sunday of each month, and guests are welcome to attend at a cost that accommodates their budget. The set menus are prepared by talented chefs who are passionate about making delicious food available to everyone.” This Pay It Forward scheme helps to subsidise individuals to meet up and socialise and for families to come together over great food.

“Our partnership with the Southwold Library brings a delightful surprise to our youngest guests after lunch, with children’s entertainment including films, crafts, and games,” adds Nicola. “We are humbled by the support we have received from the community and look forward to continuing to serve our guests with warmth and kindness.”

l To book a lunch spot, email sydney@southgen.co.uk, call The Canteen on 07916 173088, or visit in person, The Canteen, Old Hospital Hub, Field Stile Road, Southwold.

COASTAL NEWS

THE BAD…

The owner of Southwold’s ninedeli has warned that someone could end up being killed as motorists regularly drive the wrong way down his one-way road.

On an almost daily basis, James Scott, says he is forced to watch the regular “near misses” from his popular Pinkneys Lane eaterie, voted number one on Tripadvisor. He claims the road signage is poor but also there’s no need for cars to come down this well-used lane, popular with locals and tourists, as it serves no other purpose for “speeding” vehicles other than being “a rat run.” He claims Suffolk Police and Suffolk County Council as they are regularly tagged into his warnings his company’s Instagram page and have not reached out to him. As you can see from his photos here, he’s right to be alarmed… “It feels like no-one is listening,” he storms.

THE UGLY…

Toxic chemical cocktails have been found at over 1,600 river and groundwater sites across England including several in Suffolk, such as the Rivers Waveney and Gipping.

New analysis, from the Wildlife and Countryside Link and The Rivers Trust, of official Environment Agency data has revealed the worrying scale of chemical cocktail pollution in the county’s rivers and other freshwater sites. They found:

• Over half (54%) of the sites in the UK contained three or more of the five harmful chemical cocktails investigated, including forever chemicals such as PFOS, PFOA, PFBS and PFHxS, the pesticide 2,4 as well as the painkiller, Ibuprofen.

• Up to 101 chemicals were identified in river samples, with sites including the River Stour, containing the highest numbers of chemicals. A group of charities, including Surfers Against Sewage, The Wildlife Trusts and The National Trust have launched a ‘Chemical Cocktail Campaign,’ urging the Government to regulate these chemicals, monitor rivers more regularly and look at new legal protection.

Ellen Bradley, Co-Director of UK Youth For Nature, says: “It’s a recipe for disaster for nature and future generations.”

A spokesperson for Thérèse Coffey’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) says, “We are working closely with our regulators to assess the potential risks posed by unintentional chemical mixtures to our environment ... We will set out our approach to managing chemical mixtures in the Chemicals Strategy later this year.”

l The charities’ are urging the public to sign a letter to Ms Coffey demanding action here, theriverstrust.org/chemical-cocktail-campaign

“Will it really take the death of a small child before they do anything to resolve this dangerous road, and the dangerous junction that turns out into the High Street?”

A Suffolk Constabulary spokesman, says, “We want to reassure residents, we fully appreciate and understand the distress that anti-social driving behaviour causes to local residents. We want to encourage people to report specific incidents to us and will always endeavour to respond effectively. Members of the public can assist us by recording the registration details of the vehicles involved in inappropriate and anti-social driving, along with a description of the vehicles and its occupants.”

l Anyone with relevant dash-cam footage should contact Suffolk police by visiting, suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/ report-something.

The good, the bad and the ugly from around the coastal region …

© Julie Carpenter

© Ben Wicks

ON THE MARKET

Your latest local property news from around the coastal region …

ECO APARTMENTS ON WATER’S EDGE

According to Jackson Stops, Ganges Point offers a totally lifestyle focused way of living, perfectly suited to meet the demands of modern, flexible living. Whether you are commuting, working from home, or looking for a retreat with the opportunity for walking, sailing, river swimming, cycling and more with direct marina access, it has everything.

This development is well situated with a highly regarded marina at its fingertips and is connected to Ipswich and Manningtree, with direct links to London Liverpool Street.

Consisting of nine carefully designed residences over three floors with parking to the ground, designed by award-winning architect Wincer Kievenaar and finished to an impeccable standard.

Each apartment offers extensive balconies, panoramic views over the water and allocated car parking spaces. They also provide an almost carbon neutral property unit on a predicted EPC rating A. Price on application.

l For more details, contact Sarah Walsh at Jackson Stops on 01473 218218 or email, sarah.walsh@jackson-stops.co.uk Visit, jackson-stops.co.uk

If you dream about living by the water, you might have noticed this rare opportunity to walk the plank onto ‘the most popular property on the market this year.’ According to Dale from Mortimers Estate Agents, it’s an unusual home with, arguably, the best views of the River Deben in Woodbridge.

All 85 feet of the spectacular Inez have been stripped back, refitted and restored to provide all the luxuries of a modern home but with sparkling views of the River Deben peeping in through the portholes and wide galley windows (kitchen windows for non-sailors). Sitting proudly on Ferry Quay around the corner from the buzz of Whisstocks, Inez boasts her own post-box, precious parking space and a boarding ladder, making a quick dip in the river a very private affair.

A long way from the luxury lifestyle she now offers, Inez started life as an inland trading barge back in 1927. Registered in Groningen in the Netherlands, a vibrant trading city that was at the centre of the grain trade. Back then she sported an engine, a compact wheelhouse, a single captain’s cabin at the rear of the barge and a vast open cockpit for cargo. Remaining original until the 1940’s, her deck was then raised forward of the

LIFE IS BUT A DREAM …

- and she effortlessly crossed the channel to Suffolk.

The owners - Damian and Siobhan Horner from Woodbridge - spotted Inez lying in the docks on Ipswich. They immediately saw the potential to transform her into a family home. They weren’t complete novices - they once swapped terra firma to downsize aboard a 10-metre-long wooden boat named Friendship with two small children and wrote a fabulous book about their journey tackling the French canals. So Inez seemed

However, the Horners’ first thought was, could they really fit three growing children, a dog, cat and all the accoutrements of modern life into a rather dingy barge?

The key to the transformation from dark and cold barge to luxury family home came in the form of John Webb, of Webb Marine in Pinmill and master craftsman and all-round creative genius. Under John’s watch, Inez was stripped back to the hull and completely renovated. This included a new roof, a new wheelhouse, thick spray-foam insulation throughout, triple glazed windows, reclaimed oak flooring, new plumbing, septic waste tanks, a washing machine and dryer, fridge and freezer, oil fired central heating and an Aga/Rayburn oven.

engine room so that some 16 tons of additional cargo could be carried. Additionally, as decommissioned tank engines were in great supply after the war, she had a new engine fitted, a Henschel engine allegedly lifted from a Panzer tank.

Inez remained in service well into the 1960’s when demand for delivery barges dwindled. It was then that her life as a houseboat began. Changing hands a few times, in 2015 she was hauled out of the water and given a makeover - the bottom of the hull doubled using new 6mm steel

like the perfect way to continue a more relaxing life on the water in Woodbridge. Besides being wonderful for your well-being, they claim life on the water is a way to achieve a luxury lifestyle at a fraction of the cost of bricks and mortar.

Upon completion Inez took up residency in Woodbridge in 2019 and within short measure the family was settled in. “It has given the children great independence, being walking distance to town and school and having the river as their playground,” says author Siobhan, who has used the wonderful wheelhouse,

Damian and Siobhan Horner, who once chronicled family life aboard their first boat in best-selling book, For Better For Worse, have just sold a beloved barge …

“It has given the children great independence having the river as their playground”

with its 360-degree views, as her writing room.

Now that their children are starting to leave home however, it is time to move on … but not off the water. The Horners still have their 10m wooden boat, Friendship, immortalised in their hit book, For Better, For Worse, moored on the River Deben and all ready for more adventures.

l Fancy life on the water?

Or have a boat to sell?

Call Mortimers on 01394 386688.

FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE …

In 2009 Damian and Siobhan Horner quit successful London careers to navigate the French canals aboard Friendship, a 10m barge, with their tiny children in tow. They wrote about their experiences in this frank and, at times, hilarious coming-of-age story. Readers follow their epic journey through all the disasters and victories thrown up by life on the water whilst struggling to keep their children safe, dry and occupied. For mum-of-three and author Siobhan, better known to all as Shiv, she discovered her identity before it was sunk forever amid the relentless round of nappies and lattes that her London life had become. Their journey, punctuated by bickering and bust-ups, love, laughs and lessons, makes for a compelling read. “This adventure was about reawakening my wild side before it was lost forever,” she says.

For former advertising supremo Damian, it was nothing short of life-changing: “I never thought about the reality of us living in a space no bigger than the average bathroom,” he says. “This adventure was about slowing down and discovering I had a nice side!”

l Get your signed copy of For Better, For Worse from Woodbridge Books at 66 Thoroughfare.

IT’S ALL HAPPENING AT HENHAM PARK!

Dust down your sparkly glad rags, pack your sunscreen and wellies - it’s time for Latitude 2023 …

There are myriad reasons why we’re so lucky to live in this glorious part of the world, and one of them is that we have Latitude right on our doorsteps. For many, it means you can enjoy all that it has to offer just a few miles down the road (and even nip home for a crafty bath or snooze in the comfort of your own bed!)

For those who want to make a spectacular full-length weekend of it, Latitude has pulled out the stops this year with a smorgasbord of music, theatre, arts and comedy.

Music acts include Pulp, Paolo Nutini, George Ezra, Kiefer Sutherland (yes, that actor), Yard Act, Young Fathers, the Proclaimers and Kelly Jones of the Stereophonics with his new project, Far From Saints, to name but a few. We’re particularly looking forward to Sunday night’s performance by Siouxsie, of the Banshees fame, on the BBC Sounds Stage - it’s a far cry since her first unforgettable live performance at the 100 Club Punk Festival in 1976. Regardless of our age - we will be at the very front of this gig!

We have also reserved a dancing slot for the Beatles

Dub Club who last summer wowed Glastonbury crowds and finished the year with a personal invite from Fatboy Slim to perform at his All Back To Minehead Weekender. DJ Chris Arnold showcases Beatles covers, remixes and tracks with reggae, ska, Latin, hip hop, dub, funk, house and drum and bass. Talking of the Fab Four, the Bootleg Beatles will be performing on the Obelisk stage on the Sunday. Lots of laughs will be provided this year by a host of comedians from Bridget Christie, Ed Byrne, Sara Pascoe, Romesh Ranganathan, Marcus Brigstocke, Joe Sutherland to Russell Kane. We’ll be looking out for funny gal, Fern Brady who wrote Sunday Times best seller, StrongFemaleCharacter, in which she lays bare her experiences navigating the world as an autistic woman. Her heart-breaking, yet hilarious, memoir chronicles growing up in a working class family, moonlighting as a stripper to finance her uni studies and her mental health issues. Fern will be at the Listening Post discussing her work with fellow writer, Laura Lexx, who penned an outstanding debut novel, Pivot, celebrating female friendship.

As winners of the Best Family Festival award, Latitude has got it all covered for children - including Aardman Animations Model Making, a Greenpeace zipline and bushcraft trail, Okido science and art dome, author-led events as well as a whole host of other events.

For those looking to chill, the Zen Project will be offering a full range of wellbeing activities in support and celebration of all things mental health, including yoga, dance, sound and breath journeys, massage and ceremonies. See you there!

lLatitude 2023 runs from 20 - 23 July at Henham Park, near Blythburgh, postcode: NR34 8AN. For tickets, go to: latitudefestival.com

Fern Brady

Siouxsie

TALES FROM THE WINDRUSH …

Two Suffolk residents talk to Livingin ... about the promises of a better life …

This month marks the 75th anniversary since HMS Empire Windrush arrived from the Caribbean islands to help rebuild Britain after World War Two.

The Windrush generation were promised a wonderful new life full of opportunity - well-paid jobs in the newly forming NHS, a choice of professional occupations and a great standard of living to boot. Some achieved this but for others, the reality was far from it.

This month (June) sees a number of events locally including the fabulous Suffolk Windrush 75th Anniversary held at the Cornhill and Town Hall in Ipswich featuring an exhibition, stalls, speakers, food and live music, including Phaze II Steelband. The event will celebrate all the achievements of the Caribbean community in Suffolk.

On the Suffolk Windrush Select Committee is Woodbridge resident Doreen Pegg and Ipswich’s Charles Challenger who told LivingIn … of their own family experiences …

It’s not lost on Charles how fitting his surname has turned out to be. He got it from his father’s side of the family but his spirit and quest for knowledge and adventure he owes to his mother’s side, in particular his incredible grandmother, Gretta Otto (pictured, above right). A self-taught, trade unionist and fierce campaigner back in their homeland Antigua, Gretta was not afraid to challenge the system. She instilled in Charles and his nine other siblings the value of education. It stood him in good stead when he came to Ipswich in 1968

Doreen’s father, Nathaniel Baugh

Doreen Pegg

aged 12, in the footsteps of his parents, Glen and Hughlester.

Life in Suffolk was a culture shock at first.

“Especially the cold winters,” smiles Charles, who after college, went on to great success ultimately running his own shipping agency in Ipswich, Challenger Shipping. “But it was all a great adventure.”

Being in the tiny minority of black youngsters growing up in rural Suffolk at that time, he says he spent a lot of time socialising with school friends and their families in predominantly white towns, such as Leiston. “One thing I loved was their family roast dinnersparticularly apple pie and custard!” he smiles. Did he encounter racism?

“There was one gentleman early on when I worked in shipping, who once didn’t speak to me for four years,” he recalls. “My grandmother always taught me people were ignorant according to how well they were educated. It didn’t affect me, it strengthened me because I learnt from those things and progressed. It made me who I am today; I’m very confident!”

Charles believes that prejudice is far more insidious than racism. “If someone is racist they give off a sign but if they’re prejudiced, you can never identify it.”

Unfortunately Woodbridge resident Doreen Pegg (pictured on left page), was on the receiving end of bigotry as a child growing up in her birthplace in west London.

At school she was subject to racist

taunts and name-calling.

However, she excelled in sports gaining medals in high jump and almost taking part in running at the White City Stadium in the relay.

Life was especially hard for Doreen’s mother, Anora, who struggled to fit in as she battled the cold climate and the culture.

“She never really settled,” says Doreen, whose parents came over from Jamaica in the 1950s. “She remained homesick until the end.”

For her father, Nathaniel Baugh, he flourished in London; working his way up from a fire cropper on the trains to becoming station manager at Paddington. He spent a lot of his time helping other Windrush folk to get on the London property ladder. He made a good life for his family.

Despite Nathaniel’s optimism, it could not have been easy arriving here alone with nothing and having to work in hard manual jobs at first. It wasn’t quite the life that had been promised. Back home in Jamaica he came from a distinguished family (see him pictured in the 1930s), he’d worked in politics in the Labour Party and had once owned a banana plantation. He had famous relatives - his cousin, Kenneth Baugh, became Deputy Prime Minister of Jamaica and another cousin was internationally renowned potter, Cecil Baugh.

“It was very rough when my father first came here,” recalls Doreen, who herself went on to train in the NHS in occupational therapy and social work. “The Salvation Army helped him out at first. But he did well - he was very ahead of his time. He was outgoing and got on well with people.”

Does she think things have improved for the black community since those days?

“I think things are harder in some areas,” says Doreen, “especially for my friends in nursing - the struggles that some of them have been through. Seeing them being overlooked when they should have been promoted has not been easy. There’s room for improvement,” she adds.

Now everyone can see and hear more accounts from the Windrush generations at the forthcoming event held in Ipswich which Charles and Doreen have been busy working on.

“It should be a good day out for all,” adds Charles, “and chance to reflect on the relationship between England and the Caribbean.”

l Suffolk Windrush Anniversary at The Cornhill and Town Hall, Ipswich on National Windrush Day - Thursday 22 June, 12noon - 4.30pm.

WOODBRIDGE FESTIVALWINDRUSH 75

This wonderful community festival has announced an incredible programme of Windrush 75 events throughout summer. The highlight of the programme is ground-breaking British reggae band, Aswad, who will be performing in the town.

YOUR AT-A-GLANCE GUIDE …

• Sunday 18 June 11am10pm - Carnival Events and Light Projections on the Tide Mill at Woodbridge Regatta, Whisstocks Square. Featuring Steel Pan Band by Trevor Jones and Samba drum workshops by Adrian Wiggins. DJs include DJ Boppa Ranking (Freedom Sound System) - Caribbean street food and more. Artworks - inspired by the Windrush generations - to be projected onto the historic Tide Mill. Plus, a photo exhibition across the town.

• Thursday 22 June -National Windrush Day - flags will be raised across towns.

• Friday 23 June - London eventWoodbridge Festival of Art and Music & Deeper Into Movies presents Windrush 75 - a celebration of Soundsystem Culture in N16. Featuring Aswad debut 3D playback, DJs Ashley Beadle, Jo Wallace and Turner prize nominated Black Obsidian Sound System (BOSS). TICKETS: earthackney.co.uk 6pm-1am.

• Sunday 25 June - Caribbean Street Feast By The River at Whisstocks Square, Woodbridge, with Caribbean and Mexican street food. DJs include Ashley Beedle, from Shock Sound System in London and Nicky Rasta from Yard Sound System in Ipswich, plus drum workshops, stalls and more.

• Wednesday 30 August - Aswad will perform LIVE in Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road in the town.

l For tickets see, woodbridgefestival.com

Charles’s beloved grandmother Gretta Otto

Charles Challenger

Teen Charles in the 70s

Aswad

MOTORPOINT COMES TO IPSWICH!

It’s a bumper year for Motorpoint which has just opened a fabulous multi-million pound store in Suffolk on its 25th anniversary …

Good news for Suffolk drivers!

Motorpoint, the country’s leading retailer of nearly new cars and vans, has opened on West End Road in Ipswich - the 20th in its dazzling network - and it’s already a hit locally.

Stocking 120 vehicles at unbeatable prices, with thousands more available online, the store has created 30 new jobs in the town. Staying true to its community-minded roots, Motorpoint has chosen St Elizabeth Hospice as the store’s charity partner.

General Sales Manager at the Ipswich store, Simon Castle, says, “After months of hard work and preparation we are absolutely thrilled to have finally opened the doors of our fantastic new Motorpoint store and to become the 20th store in the Motorpoint network.”

Sales and Service Manager, Dean Vinyard, says, “I am super enthusiastic and equally excited to be part of the leadership team for this incredible new Motorpoint store. It is THE best place to buy a nearly new car and it is great to be part of the Motorpoint team and a retailer that is marking its 25th birthday this year.

understand that purchasing a car can be a big decision. Test drives are easy to arrange and a great way for customers deciding if it is the right car for them. They are committed to finding the right vehicle for you, whether it’s a faithful family car designed to travel long distances - with days out, holidays and road trips – or it’s a smaller car for urban driving, these knowledgeable sales staff can help customers around all the options.

“Our Price Promise ensures we can always provide unbeatable prices and we’ll refund the difference if the same car is found cheaper elsewhere. For customers who find the car they want at Motorpoint. co.uk we can arrange for delivery to our Ipswich store or deliver it straight to our customer’s front door.”

The stylish new store has plenty of space to showcase a selection of cars from up to 30 manufacturers. There is a wide range of makes and models to choose from in-store and online with vehicles to suit all budgets, lifestyles and driving needs for car buyers in this region.

With a huge range of engine types, including petrol, diesel, plugin hybrid and electric options – Motorpoint is sure to have the right car for you.

Offering a warm welcome, the team

To mark the store’s opening, Motorpoint donated funds to St Elizabeth Hospice giving a £1000 boost to support the charity as well as sponsoring the charity’s Midnight Walk 2023 which took place on Saturday 20 May.

Liz Baldwin, Corporate and Sponsorship Fundraising Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, says, “As we need to generate over 70% of our funding ourselves, we rely on the generosity of local businesses like Motorpoint to enable us to continue to provide our care, free of charge to patients and their families in your community, today, tomorrow and for years to come.”

Pop in and say hello to the team and check out the full range of stock on offer.

l Motorpoint Ipswich, West End Road, Ipswich, IP1 2DZ. Visit, motorpoint.co.uk/ipswich

“It is THE best place to buy a nearly new car” Sales and Service Manager, Dean Vinyard

Mark Carpenter CEO of Motorpoint (right, front) and colleagues present a cheque to Liz Baldwin (left, front) on behalf of St Elizabeth Hospice

Motorpoint in Ipswich

A GIANT AMONG MEN …

Born in 1934 into abject poverty in Toxteth, Liverpool, Terence Hagan was the oldest of eight children. His mother, Kitty, had already lost her first child and another died after she gave birth to Terry. His early family life reads like a chapter from the best-selling memoir, Angela’s Ashes. Tragedy was always just a whisper away.

Unable to cope with the grinding hardship, Kitty abandoned the family when Terry was ten and his distant and authoritarian father, Hugh, soon put up their baby brother for adoption. A decade or so later another of the siblings would disappear off the face of the earth; never to be seen again.

Terry would look out for his remaining siblings - a responsibility which stayed with him until his senior years. His only

sister once told me how his support got her through unimaginably bleak times. Despite the tough start, not once did he complain about a childhood where malnourishment was the only certainty. Where him and his siblings would regularly pick up and eat the ‘seconds and thirds’ of other people’s apple cores off the street.

Indeed, being a true scouser with a gallows humour, he was more prone to poking fun. “We were so poor,” he’d regularly tell his five beloved grandchildren, “that the pigeons fed us.” He never forgot his roots. The RAF gave him three glorious square meals a day, a smart uniform including his first ever pair of new shoes which “didn’t have holes in them.” There, he was trained as a physical training instructor and parachutist (in which he also discovered a

talent for basketball). Once stationed in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, he met his soulmate Patricia after a chance meeting on the phone (she worked for the Prudential insurance out there, and he needed a quote). After a whirlwind romance they married and back in the UK he earned a degree as a mature student and became a youth worker and later sociology teacher.

Terry devoted much of his working and personal life to helping young people from low-income families. Having moved to the east, he took over the youth club in Ipswich’s Chantry estate. He arrived there in 1979 when only a handful of white kids frequented it.

Never one to ignore injustice, Terry fought for those without a voice, no matter what their colour or background. Several times standing as a character

As Father’s Day approaches on June 18, Angela Hagan reflects on her ‘legendary’ father Terry who died exactly five years ago this month …

“At the age of 82 and with two dodgy knees, he was still teaching basketball - for free - to children in Chantry”

© John Ferguson

witness in court for young people who’d been let down by a prejudiced system.

Slowly but surely, he turned the youth club into a mecca for young people from all walks of life - it went on to spawn a successful roller hockey team as well as a fabulous basketball court which he fought tooth and nail to get built. The local kids still use it.

Walking through Ipswich with my retired dad was often like shopping with a celebrity which was strange considering I’d gone on to a job on a national

newspaper in which I interviewed ‘real’ celebrities for a living. People would stop him smiling, their arm outstretched ready to shake his hand as they told me; “Your dad was one of the few people back then who really believed in me. He’s a legend.” All those famous people I’d interviewed - from Hollywood A listers, pop stars to politicians - they didn’t have a patch on my dad.

Howard Goulbourne, pictured top right in the roller hockey photo, told us: “To many of us at Chantry Youth Club, Terry was a great role model ... he was like a second father and is truly missed.”

By the age of 82 and with two dodgy knees, he was still teaching basketballfor free - to children in Chantry. I remember one such session where a somewhat challenging child sheepishly thanked Terry for providing a safe, nurturing space in which he could just burn off energy like an ordinary child. I later found out that the child’s parent was in prison for a serious crime - his home life wasn’t easy.

Terry was just 5ft 6ins tall but, to us, he stood a giant among men.

He was never motivated nor seduced by money which, as I get older, have realised is about as rare as hen’s teeth! He taught his three daughters everything, from swimming, to driving, to arguing their corner and believing we stood equal in an unequal world.

Amidst the stories of endless greed and corruption which scream out of every headline nowadays, we long with all our hearts to still have him here, challenging the great injustices of our times (which only seem to get greater). We’d even put up with the terrible jokes.”

l Did you or do you have an amazing relative? Write in with your story to: info@livinginsuffolk.com

WHERE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

We have inside seating on high bars with comfy stools and low tables too. There is a beautiful, tranquil courtyard filled with plants and we grow seasonal strawberries, floral edibles and tomatoes for the kitchen.

We offer a fantastic selection of fine wines, cocktails, soft drinks, beers, coffees and loose-leaf teas. On our menus you will find our signature grazing platters, lunchtime Ploughman’s, sourdough toasties, open toasts, daily house made bakes and our delicious Afternoon Tea.

We work with local producers and suppliers and make in-house as much as possible. Each month we support the community by hosting events such as our Single Social, Spoken Word Open Mic, Open Mic nights and Karaoke. We also hold a monthly wine club and themed menu ‘Pop Ups.’ l You can purchase gift vouchers on our website, sign up to our newsletter and prebook our delicious afternoon teas at www.1975winebar.com. We are family and dog friendly and for your perfect celebration you can book the venue exclusively for private hire.

1975 is a wine, cafe and graze bar in the heart of Woodbridge just off the Thoroughfare in a quaint courtyard named Gobbitts Yard ...

All pictures by Cherry Bradley of Simply C Photography

OH WHEN THE SAINTS!

Situated between the town centre and the thriving waterfront and known as The Saints - St Peters and St Nicholas Streets - this fashionable suburb has everything you need to make a fabulous day out, just minutes away from several cheap car parks.

The Saints offers a very different vibe to the rest of the town - here you can shop for unique gifts, plants, cards, homewares, jewellery, Italian shirts, musical instruments, crafts, collectables, antiques and vintage interior items.

Foodies can take their pick from breakfast, lunch or dinner - from vegan, Italian, Chinese, Thai, even a 1940s nostalgic team room! You can drink award-winning coffee after you have a soothing beauty/hair/holistic or even physio treatment. There are estate agents, a mortgage service, art framing, travel agents or financial advice. You might like to grab an ice cream or a pint and later enjoy a stroll to the waterside. All this, without venturing into the wider town!

Steeped in history, many of the buildings in The Saints date back to Tudor times and all the shop owners work collaboratively to ensure

there’s plenty going on for visitors. Like their forthcoming Summer Street Market on Sunday 25 June, from 10am-5pm, there will be stalls galore celebrating all manner of artisan makers. Every year, they host these popular events on St Peter’s Street, this year it includes one in September as well as a winter market for Christmas.

The markets feature at least 30 local craft and artisan stalls, ranging from textiles, jewellery, printmakers, vintage items, upcycled products and candles. Many street food vendors have joined them over the past few years including several great cake stalls.

One of the directors of The Saints CIC, Cathy Frost, says: “The ethos of the market is to keep it local and for some it has even been a platform to develop and launch a business.”

Cathy, who runs the unique gift and homewares shop Loveone, adds: “ The markets have grown in popularity over the years and it is encouraging to see so many people attend the events.”

Merchants have been busily trading at this historic site for centuries and this year marks the 550th anniversary since the town’s most famous son and statesman, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, was born in The Saints.

The Wolsey 550 Project recognises The Saints as a Heritage Investment Zone stretching from one of the town’s oldest streets down to the waterside. As well as the buzz of the independent shops, visitor attractions include Wolsey’s Gate (an entrance to what would have been a school for boys) and the chapel at St Peter’s Church as well as a statue dedicated to the Cardinal who famously fell out of favour with Henry VIII after failing to negotiate an annulment of the king’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

l Check it out at: www.thesaintsipswich.com

YOUR SAINTS DIRECTORY ...

HAIR, BEAUTY & WELLNESS:

• Antonio Giovanni

• Aspects Health & Beauty

• Baiss & Co

• Foot Kandi

• Graceful Hair

• Lana’s Holistic Centre

• The Loft

• Paul Henri Botanical Studio

• Physio 7

• Purity Beauty & Wellness

• Modify Hair Lounge

FOOD & DRINK:

• Applaud Coffee

• Blitz 1940s Tea Rooms

• Café Myra

• Gandhi Pizza

• Hopsters

• Hullabaloo

• I Scream!

• Kwan Thai

• On The Huh

• St Nicholas Sandwich Shop

• Takayama

• Tavernetta

• The Grill @ 25

• Thomas Wolsey Freehouse

• Trong’s

• Zaika

RETAIL BUSINESSES:

• Crafty Baba

• Cromwell’s Vintage

• Fox + Bramble

• The House In Town

• The Italian Shirt Shop

• Little Bubba’s

• Loveone

• Maud’s Attic

• Rocket Music

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES:

• Frame Workshop and Gallery

• Ipswich Mortgage Centre

• Keystone Estate Agent

• Reed Digital Printers

• Travel Quest

• Idelo travel

• SG Wealth Management

In the heart of Ipswich lies a vibrant community of fabulous independent shops, cafes and restaurants offering a unique shopping experience particularly for art and culture lovers ...

AND … BREATHE!

All your holistic health and wellbeing news from around the coastal region …

Alison Green has opened her wonderful Wellbeing Shed in Woodbridge offering relaxing reflexology and Indian head massage treatments to her clients.

In her former role working for a mental health charity, Alison says she saw first-hand how stress can affect people.

“After making some life changing decisions, I moved to Suffolk in 2020 and now do my dream job from my therapy room, the Wellbeing Shed, in my garden,” she says.

Alison has a warm, intuitive approach and believes it’s so important we make time for ourselves and our wellbeing, particularly during these “challenging times.”

Reflexology is a complementary health therapy based on ancient principles that varying points of the feet, face and hands correspond with different areas of the body.

“The reflexology treatments used today were developed by Eunice Ingham in the 1930s, who mapped the zones of the feet in relation to the organs of the body,” she says. “It works alongside modern medicine, lifestyle and nutrition to promote positive physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. It helps the body to fight any imbalance brought on by stress by improving blood flow throughout the body and releasing tension from within.”

Indeed, here at LivingIn … we enjoyed a peaceful reflexology session with Alison in her tranquil treatment room, nestled in her lovely garden and can report we floated out of there feeling very relaxed! Likewise, Indian head massage is an equally effective complementary health therapy incorporating traditional Indian and Western massage techniques, using different pressures and massage strokes. Alison adds: “It increases blood circulation to the scalp face, neck and shoulders and releases accumulated stress in the tissues, muscles and joints of the head, neck, face and shoulders.”

l See: wellbeingshedreflexology.co.uk

Call: 07713 421251 Or find her: @wellbeingshedreflexology

HAPPY TALK!

Talented Reiki master and teacher, Sandra Jones, says she’s never happier than when she’s helping her clients.

“I was born happy,” smiles Sandra, who originally hails from Manchester and plays the saxophone in her spare time. “As a child I used to meditate without even knowing it. I had such a vivid imagination. I can remember sitting on my mum’s rug and closing my eyes and imagining me leaving the floor and going off somewhere. I was astral travelling at a very young age!”

Mum-of-two Sandra enjoyed a long career as a dental nurse after moving to Felixstowe in the 1980s. But in 1999, she says, she had “a spiritual awakening.” After studying Reiki and Hypnotherapy, she now specialises in a whole host of holistic treatments from the comfort of her home-based micro salon in Felixstowe. They include Hopi ear candles, full body massage (with or without hot stones) as well as laser tattoo removal and lash and brow treatments to name but a few.

l Check her out at: sandrajonesrelax.com

Email her on: sandrajonesrelax@outlook.com

Or call: 07895 691188

INTO THE TREES … Woodbridge resident, Julia McPherson, loves her bustling market town and riverside but spends many spring/ summer weekends hosting retreats at her woodland cabin in the Dedham Vale AONB.

“Bathing in nature, particularly trees, is a powerful antidote to a fast-paced, high-tech life style,” she says. “I devise retreats for groups, themed around mindful meditation, digi-detox and forest bathing. I took up meditation in 2011 after a difficult time and found it truly life-changing but typical retreats felt overly ‘spiritual’ and ascetic, so I started hosting my own. Soon I discovered that nature has an overwhelming urge to enhance and invigorate our souls, so my team simply facilitate while nature does its work - far more soothing and transformative.”

“We have places on our weekend of 30 June - 2 July when you can practise Mindful Meditation, Learn Qi Gong, experience Sound Baths and Laughter Yoga. We’ll dip into some light-hearted nature immersion challenges such as our torchless night walk. Evenings are chilled and hygge: with food, drinks and music around the campfire. More dates (incl. away days) available for group bookings. ”

l For all info and prices, contact:Juliammcp@gmail.com

UNWIND AT THE WELLBEING SHED

INTERIOR LIVES

GALLERY THEA

What better gift to give to your loved ones this Father’s Day than these gorgeous and unique plates from Gallery Thea in Southwold? Hand-drawn by talented illustrator and ceramic artist Thea Cutting, then painted and fired in her kiln, they are going to be flying off the shelves. You can order online or pop in and see the team at Hurren Terrace in the town.

The Dad’s Plate (20cm) is £37 off the shelf or £52 for a personalised one. l Visit, gallerythea.co.uk or call 01502 722433

BARRETTS

It’s all about cool colours and luxurious furnishings at Barretts this summer. And we are loving this pretty light blue Wool Throw - Seashells - made out of 100% wool (130cm x 190cm) and retailing at £109. It would make a fabulous gift (hint, hint anyone!) And it would beautifully complement any of the locally-made Alstons SoFo range, which is currently on offer.

l Pop in to see the team at 40 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge or visit, barretts.co.uk

BEE HAPPY!

Charity Crewe meets Stacy Cronly-Dillon who gave up a glamorous career to become a full-time beekeeper …

Did you know that bees taste with their feet and produce only a 12th of a teaspoon of honey in their lifetime? You will learn this and many other intriguing facts about honeybees if you sign up for a Bee Experience with Stacy Cronly-Dillon, beekeeper and owner of Sunnyfields Apiaries near Bungay.

Stacy switched careers, from a “glamorous but stressful job” marketing for large food and drink companies, to that of a full-time beekeeper just shy of five years ago. This was an unplanned move. Although Stacy had a love of nature from a young age - spending a lot of time exploring a beautiful wood in Essex, where her grandfather was the warden - she fell into beekeeping quite by chance. After having her interest piqued by reading Santa Montefiore’s novel, The Beekeeper’s Daughter, she signed up for a beekeeping course. Then, before the course even started, she witnessed her first swarm. “An enormous cloud of bees flew over our garden and settled in our neighbour’s orchard,” she remembers. Stacy

was awed by the sight, and felt it was a sign. The many beekeeping courses that followed had her hooked, and before long she had built her first two hives. By her second-year of beekeeping, she had twenty hives. At the same time, she was finding her corporate career increasingly stressful, “It got to breaking point on my 40th birthday,” she says. This led Stacy to some frank discussions with her husband, Mark, about turning her obsession with bees into a new career.

Stacy was keen to impart her newfound bee wisdom to a wider audience. I wanted “everyone to understand how amazing bees are,” she beams. “I also want to let people know how vital insects are to the health of our planet.” She could

frightened, Stacy is reassuring. “I had 226 visitors last year, and I was the only one to get stung!” she laughs. She will show you how to distinguish between different honeybees - including worker bees, drones and the queen - and explains their various roles.

After the hive inspection, there are refreshments and a chance to taste some of Sunnyfields’ own sumptuous honey. Stacy will impart more fascinating information about how the honey is produced. I was interested to learn that not only the taste of the honey, but also the depth of colour and how quickly it crystallises and goes hard, are dependent on the flower the bees have been feeding on. Two hives will produce roughly 60lb of honey in a year, and bees evolved from wasps millions of years ago.

Stacy’s Bee Experiences were a hit from the off. When she was still living in Essex, she featured in an episode of TOWIE, after the cast signed up for an experience. Although she enjoyed their visit, she didn’t know much about the programme. “I am more of an All Creatures Great and Small person,” she smiles.

see that not only was there an appetite for beekeeping courses, but also for learning about bees and seeing them at work in their hives. She hit upon the idea of the 2-hour Bee Experience. These experiences are perfect for people who don’t want to commit to a day-long course, and sit through a lot of technical detail, which Stacy admits can, “get a bit dull.”

During the experience, you get dressed up in a beekeeping suit and visit the hives. You are invited to handle the frames full of bees - if you want to. For those who are

As Stacy’s business grew, she needed more space, so she moved from Essex to Hedenham in 2021. Last year, she was shortlisted for the Experience of the Year at the Visit England Excellence Awards. This is not surprising given that the tours appeal to all age groups and take place in the beautiful setting of Woodhouse Farm, which is nestled beside a ninety-nine-acre ancient woodland and surrounded by fields and wildflowers. Another big draw is Stacy herself. She is a natural communicator and not unlike the teacher, Miss Honey, from Roald Dahl’s Matilda, “Some curious warmth that was almost tangible shone out of Miss Honey’s face when she spoke,” could have been written about Stacy!

Bee Experiences take place until the end of August. Visitors can either book onto a group experience for £65, or book a private session for up to 7 people for £165.

Stacy also offers beekeeper training courses, and gives talks about bees, being a beekeeper and, of course, honey to groups, businesses and schools.

l To book, go to: sunnyfieldshoney.com

© Ant Jones, Box River Studios

Charity tries her hand at beekeeping

© Ant Jones, Box River Studios

Stacy Cronly-Dillon in her happy place

BUSINESS BULLETIN

When the pandemic struck she says, “it went kaput.”

“By the end of the lockdowns I had no clients left,” she remembers. “I sat there one day and thought; ‘I’m going to make a candle.’ I’d studied ceramics at university and I just wanted to do something creative. So I did, and it was really bad!”

Soon, she says their home in Ipswich was filled with “really bad candles” as she set about learning as much as she could.

She was fascinated by essential oils and discovered they helped her enormously in her quest for good health.

“I suffer with chronic fatigue, so I started blending them,” she says. “It’s a very heavily regulated industry and you have to know what you’re doing so I went on a journey of discovery. I learned I could blend energising fragrances using citrus in my shower gel which gave me an extra boost, or if I wanted to just chill out I’d use one from my relaxing range.”

As with all great ideas, a company was born and named after her beloved children - Elsie and Tom Candles is now a lighting the way for luxury essential oil scented candles, wax melts and natural base reed diffusers. These wonderful fragrances are specifically designed to help you relax, sleep or get energised.

Now she’s busy launching a new body range of beautiful fragrances too including making her own soaps. Life is looking good and Emma admits that she’s never been happier. Looking back she can see she was very stressed running her marketing agency. “I don’t miss that life at all,” she smiles.

THANK GOODNESS FOR ELSIE AND TOM …

The day before her 42nd birthday marketing dynamo Emma Pratt’s world came crashing down when she collapsed in her front garden in front of her nine-year-old son.

“I managed to get the security code to unlock my phone and Tom called the ambulance,” she recalls. “At hospital it took them four days to discover I’d had a stroke after they found a clot on my brain, I couldn’t walk, talk or see. That was how I lived for the next few months.”

Luckily Emma received physio very early on and, along with the love and support of her family, she began the long and painful road back to recovery.

“The physio department started by getting me to learn how to put plasticine into a cup. I was fully aware but couldn’t communicate with anyone and my balance was bad. I had to walk with a Zimmer frame and learn how to use a toothbrush again. I once stabbed myself in the face with a fork as I couldn’t coordinate my eyes and movements. It was pretty tough on my husband and particularly on our children, Elsie and Tom. But they looked

after me and helped enormously.”

For her marketing agency though, it spelled the beginning of the end as it she couldn’t maintain it after her stroke.

TOP OF THE CLASS!

l To find out more go to: elsieandtom.co.uk Local stockists include Phoebe and Flo in Woodbridge, Coes and Flex Studio in Ipswich, Rachel Boutique in Hadleigh and Make Holt in Norfolk.

Huge congratulations to Woodbridge School including the Pre-Prep, Senior School, Boarding and Sixth Form for achieving a whopping ‘Double Excellent’ in their Independent Schools’ Inspection Report. Rating the school as excellent in all areas, and achieving full compliance, the inspectors spent three days back in March meeting students and staff as part of the ongoing cycle of inspection.

The report states that, ‘students embrace the many opportunities to improve the lives of others and make an excellent contribution to the community within and beyond school.’

A delighted Shona Norman, Head of School, says: “It provides real evidence of the standard of education, support and guidance our students receive, but it also goes further and evidences our values. From a teaching, academic, pastoral and spiritual point of view, the report demonstrates not only the incredibly high standards achieved, but the positive impact upon our students, staff, and in fact our whole community, in school and beyond.”

l You can read the full report here: woodbridgeschool.org.uk/about/inspection-reports/

All the latest business news from around the coastal region …

DOGS ABOUT

Hello, my name is Elsie and I’m a two-and-a-half year old Lakeland Terrier. Aren’t I gorgeous? I am a very lucky doggie having such a wonderful family to live with, especially my lovely mummy Jill Barrett. She brings me into Barretts of Woodbridge every day and I play with all the staff

before we open.

Another reason I’m so lucky is that my parents - Jill and Michael - love taking me on long walks and for days out in their caravan. This is one of my favourite pictures of me with mummy Jill (below left) enjoying a walk in the Peak District!

If you’d like to meet me, come to Barretts of Woodbridge in the Thoroughfare about 11am in the morning before I’m walked home, avoiding Mondays (which is my day off, of course).

RETURN TO SENDER!

My name is Elvis and I’m a 14-year-old border terrier who is never happier than when I’m with my humans Chris and Averill from Woodbridge.

At my age I have slowed down a bit but that doesn’t stop me having fun. My humans think I’m losing my sight and hearing which I use to my advantage so I can get my own way even more!

Recently we took a trip up north and walked into the hills and when I got tired, I had to be rucksacked off the mountain (pictured right). I loved every minute!

l Have you got a dog who would like his or her 15 minutes of fame? Email your best photos to: info@livinginsuffolk.com

What’s new in your lively local arts scene?

Angela Hagan has the lowdown …

MIGHTY FORCE!

Abstract paintings by Boo Compton and graphic needlepoints by Sally-Ann Elliott will be on show at the Aldeburgh Gallery, 143 High Street from 13-19 July. This talented duo has teamed up to bring a vibrant exhibition full of colour and energy.

Sally-Ann is a talented interior stylist and artist, who recently relocated her family to rural Suffolk from north London. She has combined her experience of interiors and textiles with her passion for art and now creates her own bespoke pieces inspired by textile patterns and her love of colour and graphic shapes.

Boo is an abstract artist, living in rural Suffolk, who creates distinctive abstracts which embrace strong visual dynamics, colour and often texture. Her work is regularly exhibited, and she has a worldwide collector base. l Find them on Instagram @thredwell @boocomptonart or Boo’s work at boocomptonart

BERTHA HITS THE ROAD!

Following on from the recent success of their ‘Pop-up & Draw’ session at Dunwich Beach, artist Samantha Barnes and her beloved caravan, Bertha, have more dates coming up.

The summer sessions will take place on Sunday 11 June at Dunwich Beach and Saturday 5 August in Southwold (exact location to be confirmed) in which visitors are provided with drawing boards, paper, pencils, a suggestion sheet of exercises and bags of inspiration. Sam says Bertha has been a real hit with clients, one described her as a “mobile beach hut.”

“She is a magnet for chat - perfect!” says the Woodbridge-based artist, who will also be running her popular Art Lunches at her magical studio on Saturday 12 August and Thursday 21 September from 10am-5pm. l Visit: samanthabarnes.com

FELIXSTOWE BOOK FESTIVAL

Launched in 2013 Felixstowe Book Festival at Harvest House is a celebration of ‘Books by the Sea’ where audiences meet authors in a welcoming atmosphere. This year, festival patron Esther Freud (pictured) will be in conversation with her sister, novelist Susie Boyt, discussing their most recent books, I Couldn’t Love You More, and Loved and Missed. Their talk will cover the themes of mothering, addiction, loss and love and the inspirations that lead them to become writers.

Authors include Terry Waite, Siobhan Daniels, Robin Ince, J.M Hewitt, Angela Harding and Lily Graham.

l To book, go to: felixstowebookfestival.co.uk

BACK TO THE BALLROOM

Barrie Houghton and Bill Pryde last held a joint exhibition in 2015 at what was the Peter Pears Gallery, now revitalised as Ballroom Arts in High Street, Aldeburgh. In ‘Paint Print Clay Wood’ they will be joined by Jon Warnes and Loesje Sanders in this wonderful show of talent, running from 29 June to 4 July, 10am to 5pm, across the two galleries; the Courtyard and the Ballroom.

l For more information, go to ballroomarts.org

FINDING FREEDOM

Gallery East is bringing a big splash of Cornwall to Woodbridge in an exciting new solo exhibition by Cornish artist Neil Canning called Finding Freedom. Neil is a leading UK contemporary artist, part of the new generation of St Ives artists. Originally from Oxfordshire, he spent seven years in Wales before moving to Cornwall in 1997. He lives and works in a small village outside Marazion, near Penzance. The coast and moors of this beautiful and dramatic peninsular give his work colour, space and a sense of drama.

“Neil carries the torch of Cornish abstractexpressionismonwards.His canvasesareperfectlybalanced:the coloursdisplayingthemoodand vibrancyoftheland,themark-making the boldness and flux of the atmosphere.Heexpertlyconveys Cornwall’sbouncinglight,capricious weather fronts and ocean thrum.This exhibition,FindingFreedomatGallery East,isamasterclassincomposition and emotion.”

KateReeve-Edwards,Art writer

l Finding Freedom runs until July 1 at Gallery East, 24 Church Street, Woodbridge. Contact the team for a catalogue on:  team@galleryeast.co.uk  Visit: galleryeast.co.uk

Pebbles by John Warnes

Boo and Sally-Anne

© Felixstowe Book Festival

TRAVEL COUNSELLORS

Like many others, Sarah Glyde made a big career decision after the pandemic.

“A year ago this June, I set up my own business as an independent travel agent, working from home in Woodbridge,” she says. “And what a year it has been for travel!”

Indeed, having to press pause on our travel plans for what felt like an eternity left many travellers on the lookout for exciting new experiences and adventures.

“And more off-grid and wildlife holidays, more authentic ways to experience local culture as well as more responsible ways to travel,” says Sarah, who admits she’s a self-confessed safari addict!

Having spent 20 years in Africa herself, it’s no wonder she’s a whizz at arranging all manner of trips “from city breaks to complex journeys all around the world.”

“When it comes to holiday planning, I do all the work, so all that’s left for you is to pack and get to the airport (I can even help with that too). What’s more I can offer some of the best financial protection in the industry, as I’m part of the award -winning Travel Counsellors network.”

Any tips for holidaymakers?

“For anyone wanting to travel in 2024, start looking now,” she says, “popular destinations from the Amalfi Coast to Masai Mara are already filling up in peak season. To pinch Nike’s slogan - just do it!”

l Contact Sarah on, 01394 480006 or, sarah.glyde@travelcounsellors.com

AWARDWINNING CAMPSITE!

Congratulations to the owners of Sunnyside Campsite near Halesworth after it’s been voted a top-rated UK farmbased site.

This lovely back-to-basics campsite, complete with a stunning natural pond, is run by former art teacher Sally Basset and her architect husband Richard.

Sally says: “We’re pleased we are bringing people to this very special part of Suffolk - helping to support other local businesses and our community owned pub ‘The Racehorse’ which is just a few minutes stroll away.”

l Check it out, sunnysidecampsite.co.uk

VINTAGE SISTER POP UP AT VANIL

17 Church Street, Woodbridge

Thursday 6th-Saturday 8th July, 10.30am – 5pm

The stylish, pre-loved clothing brand, Vintage Sister, are doing a three-day pop up in interior store, Vanil. Former fashion designer, Kim, and fashion buyer, Andrea, worked together for years with leading fashion brands before setting up Vintage Sister. “We are very particular about the look of our brand,” says Kim. “We go for pieces that are timeless and minimal, and mainly for the 1970s-1990s. We love cool shapes, and try to source a good variety of sizes.” Kim, who has a knack for “knowing how to make women feel and look good”, will be on hand to give styling advice.

l Find out more at, vintagesister.co.uk and vanil.co.uk

AND

ABOUT! OUT

Top tips for fun things to do in Suffolk … by Charity Crewe

SOUTHWOLD ARTS FESTIVAL

Southwold Arts Centre, Cumberland Road & St Edmunds Church

Saturday 24th June –

Saturday 1st July

A flock of famous faces is descending on Southwold for the annual Arts Festival, including Tony Robinson, who will be recounting tales from the set of Blackadder and his many years on Time Team. Also in the line-up are The Times gardening columnist and Gardener’s World presenter, Joe Swift, and retired cop turned comedian, Alfie Moore. There’s plenty of music on offer too, including an evening of jazz and blues with singer, Paul Jones, and acclaimed Soft Machine guitarist, John Etheridge.

l Tickets are available from the Southwold Arts Centre, 01502-722572, and at, southwoldartsfestival.co.uk

Food Museum, Stowmarket

Friday 28th – Sunday 30th July

The literary festival that puts women’s writing in the spotlight returns to the splendid grounds of the Food Museum. The impressive line-up of authors includes Adele Parks, Patrice Lawrence and Joanne Harris. Other highlights include pop star turned author, JB Gill who will be discussing his new career as a children’s writer, and actor, author and Celebrity Masterchef champion, Emma Kennedy is chatting about female strength and getting hench. There will also be plenty of music, comedy, creative writing masterclasses and workshops from publishing industry insiders.

l £50 for a weekend pass, with day tickets starting at £15. Further details and booking, primadonnafestival.com

WOLSEY’S IPSWICH EXHIBITION

Suffolk Archives at The Hold, 131 Fore Street, Ipswich

Friday 14th July - Sunday 29th

October

This year marks 550 years since the birth of Ipswich’s most famous son, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, and Ipswich has been marking the occasion with, Thomas Wolsey 550, a city-wide programme of events and activities. The Hold is doing its bit for Henry VIII’s right-hand man by hosting a free exhibition exploring Wolsey’s life and legacy. Alongside treasures from Suffolk Archives’ own collection, there will be some impressive loaned exhibits, including Wolsey’s Cardinal hat, which normally resides at Christ Church College, Oxford. Terry Hunt, chair of Thomas Wolsey 550, said: “we can use his story to inspire our young people to feel proud of their hometown’s rich history.”

l For details about the exhibition go to, suffolkarchives.co.uk/whats-on/

l Other events being organised for the Thomas Wolsey 550 celebrations include guided walks and concerts. Visit, thomaswolsey550.co.uk

WOODBRIDGE FESTIVAL OF ART AND MUSIC

Elmhurst Park, Woodbridge

Friday 1st September - Saturday 2nd September

The Soul II Soul frontman, Jazzie B, is once again headlining the Woodbridge Festival. The much-loved Elmhurst Park event is happening over two days for the first time in eleven years. Friday will celebrate top regional talent, while international acts will play on Saturday which will also see a new wellbeing area, as well as the Kids, Literary and Art Zones, and the local food and drink village. “We are hugely grateful to have been given funding to expand the festival,” says festival chair, Naomi Drown. “We are a not-for-profit community festival, set-up to put on high-quality acts and promote creativity in our local area.” The festival will also be staging several other events around the town from 30th August - 3rd September.

l For further information and tickets, woodbridgefestival.com

PRIMADONNA FESTIVAL

© Leo Cackett