In Touch News with Bramford October 2018

In Touch ™© ™©

with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham Volume 8 • Issue No. 12 • OCTOBER 2018

Aerial view of Bramford by Caroline Wolton

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With you every step of the way Ipswich - 01473 396 296

99-101 Penshurst Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8QB

www.marksandmann.co.uk

BRAMFORD & DISTRICT SOCIAL CLUB WHAT’S ON IN OCTOBER

71-73 The Street, Bramford IP8 4DX. Tel: 01473 745198

Thurs 4th Sat 6th Thurs 11th

QUIZ The RhyThm RockITs cabaReT nIghT

WITh The legendaRy JImmy Jones

sUppoRTed by adam haRRod

(TIckeTs noW on sale)

mel sTevens and The classIcs

Sat 13th Wed 17th

psychIc nIghT WITh Ryan goodIng

Thurs 18 Sat 20th Wed 24th Thurs 25th Sat 27th

QUIZ The skITTleZ kaRaoke bIngo Roy’s macmIllan nIghT

th

(TIckeTs noW on sale)

Our experienced personal injury lawyers handle accident claims arising out of incidents at work, home, on the roads, on holiday or in a public place in the UK or abroad.

WITh “shooT The dRUmmeR”

(TIckeTs noW on sale)

Sun 28

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any Raffle pRIZes oR donaTIons WIll be gRaTefUlly accepTed

Roy’s Jam sessIon

12-30pm - 4pm

For all food enquiries please contact Suzi Q on 07824830152

REGULAR DARTS, CRIB, KARAOKE, POOL AND SNOOKER NIGHTS DURING THE WEEK. MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE NOW.

You will receive professional dedicated support throughout every part of your claim to help you recover the damages that you deserve.

Contact us

First 3 Wednesdays of the month Line Dancing. Come along and have a go.

Every Sunday night Bingo at 8pm

We have a snooker room, pretty outside seating area and hot drinks available at the bar – so come and join us for coffee or beer.

www.prettys.co.uk

01473 232121 enquiry@prettys.co.uk In Touch online:

2 PR534 Personal Injury Advert (InTouch) v3.indd 2

09/05/2018 16:33

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Every parent strives to raise optimistic, happy children and we do all sorts to give them the best start in life and to be there to support them when they need us, and possibly when they don’t. Of course they don’t always appreciate our efforts, but I like to remind Jack quite frequently (i.e. every morning as we walk to school) how fortunate he is and I’m slowly teaching him the value of money and the practice of saving for the things he wants (as opposed to getting everything immediately). In doing so I’ve come to realise how little self-restraint I have myself and admit it’s quite a few years since I’ve actually ‘saved’ to buy something I’ve spotted in a shop window.

Nowadays I’m more likely to ‘stick’ it on a card, but the purchase is then laden with guilt and often hidden at the back the cupboard until I can pull it out and say “this old thing; I’ve had it for ages”!

I miss the ‘old’ days when finally getting your hands on the thing you desired was enormously satisfying, but it may be difficult to convince an eight-year-old growing up in today’s throwaway society. I’m also keen to impress on him how important it is to support local shops and local tradespeople. Local businesses, local retail outlets and local employers are the lifeblood of community. They rely on our support and it’s in our best interests to provide it. A vibrant local economy ensures we can buy the things we want when we want them, find people to provide services when we need them, find work experience and Saturday jobs for our teenagers, sponsors for local events and jobs closer to home, but also generates a sense of hopefulness, confidence and pride which benefits us all and stimulates further investment and growth.

I often write about how fortunate we are to live in this little corner of the world and have encouraged you to support local events, but as we gear up for winter and start to think about Christmas, take a look around your local ‘business’ community and I’m confident you won’t need to go very far to find everything you need. Every penny you spend with a local supplier or in a local shop is an investment in the future of your local economy and consequently in ‘community’ itself.

InTouch

with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

Send editorial copy to: bramford@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

Distribution Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

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01473 400379

Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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NEWS ST MARY’S CHURCH, NETTLESTEAD In August a bell themed flower festival took place at the church to raise funds for urgently needed roof repairs. We were blessed with beautiful weather and an exceptionally good turnout. The arrangements covered a wide range of themes, from nursery rhymes to the American War of Independence and wedding bells.

The festival raised £970. The PCC would like to thank all the flower arrangers who produced some beautiful displays, the team who provided a wonderful range of refreshments over the two days and the various musicians who travelled a long way to perform free of charge.

LORAINE VICTORY HALL AGM Tuesday, October 2 at 7.30pm in Bramford Parish Room

BRAMFORD COFFEE MORNING The coffee morning will be held on Saturday, October 20 from 10-11am at Bramford Methodist Church. This is a chance to sit and chat with fellow villagers in a pleasant atmosphere. Cakes, tea and coffee are available at very reasonable prices and a range of pickles and preserves are on sale for charity. Why not give it a try?

ALLOTMENT PLOTS AVAILABLE Bramford Parish Council is expecting to have a small number of vacant allotment plots from late October onwards.

If anyone is interested in renting a plot please contact the parish clerk: 01473 747433 / bramfordparishcouncil@btinternet.com

BRAMFORD CHRISTMAS BAZAAR This year’s bazaar will be held on Saturday, December 1 from 2pm in The Loraine Victory Hall Should you or your organisation wish to book a table, please contact Fiona: 01473 461780

In Touch with...

NOVEMBER DEADLINE 10 OCTOBER 2018

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/bramford

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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: September 2018 Road Works The road at Hackneys Corner is usable, but not to a good standard. The footways have still to be finished. SCC is fully aware of the issues and doing what it can to move the work by the developers forward.

Last month saw a great deal of poor communication and confusion and for some reason Anglian Water were allowed to re-start work in Claydon before the Bramford Road work was complete. Utilities and developers must do better and so must the county.

• The Children and Young People department is cutting budgets that have historically underspent • The Passenger Transport team is optimising routes and renegotiating transport contracts which transport hundreds of children to school • Corporate Services are reviewing budgets line-by-line • Suffolk’s ten Transformation Programmes are continuing to develop savings through reducing demand and changing the way we work

Mary Evans, Cabinet Member for Highways, will be visiting Great Blakenham Parish Council to be informed of their and your views directly.

• Suffolk Fire and Rescue has begun a project to improve levels of staff absence

On a more positive note, the persistent flooding on the Claydon side of the A14 bridge will be fixed this month by a new pipe and soakaways.

The work is planned to start on September 10 and continue for three weeks. SCC believes the flooding was due to damage done when the A14 was constructed. I have been trying to get it solved for some years, so it is good to have Highways finally realise they need to finance a solution.

• The council’s major projects programme is being reviewed

I have written to Highways asking for information on the issues on Chapel Lane and should get an update on the bus gate proposals which I can pass to you next month.

I have a letter from SCC to MSDC pointing out reservations about the cumulative effect of development in the area and proposing a meeting involving the county council, the applicants and Mid Suffolk to discuss options.

I have been asking for months for a professional attempt to propose actions that would address the problems we all believe the developments will cause. I hope we are getting somewhere at last.

Suffolk County Council’s budget challenge Last week, the council released its view of the scale of the financial challenge it is facing this year. They are projecting an overspend of £8.6 million this year. Based on the first quarter results, that’s 1.7 per cent of its £501 million budget.

Children and Young People’s Services, account for £5 million of the total.

This includes services for looked-after children, specialist social care for children and home-to-school transport.

Work is in progress to reduce spending and find new sources of income, including: • Adult and Community Services is strengthening its contract management

• The council continues to lobby Central Government for more funding as part of its Fairer Funding Review.

These are actions long necessary and reflect issues we have examined in Scrutiny and recommended for action. As always, the crucial issue will be to produce real increases in efficiency, not just service cuts to the most vulnerable, particularly where cuts produce increases in the budgets of other public bodies, such as the health service.

Staying Close Scheme Launched The Department of Education is funding a three-year pilot ‘Staying Close’ scheme to support young people leaving care in Suffolk. The aim is to help young people at 15 to start planning for independent living with the assistance and support of residential care workers. This planning too often occurs close to the time a young person is due to move to independent living, causing unnecessary anxiety and distress. Young people will also continue to receive emotional and practical support from their children’s home and residential workers after they have moved out.

District Council Issues This month we looked at the programme to reduce the delay between a council house becoming vacant, or ‘void’, and the time it has been refurbished and is again occupied. The delay, which has been up to 71 days, costs the council rent and people a home. It is now down to about 20 days and should improve further.

If you have any queries, please phone me on 01473 831306 (you will need to say your name and press #) or 07545 423808 or email me at: john.field@suffolk.gov.uk I do have Twitter (@JohnFieldjd) and Facebook (fieldjd) accounts and my website is at: www.johnfield.suffolk.libdems.org

BRAMFORD & DISTRICT SOCIAL CLUB A great deal has happened at the club this last year. A huge amount of effort by many has seen the club introduce new ventures. The biggest achievement has been the renovated kitchen facilities to allow us to make meals available for our members and guests.

We also have more dart boards available to use as well as our pool and snooker tables.

Our new membership year starts on October 1 for existing members to renew and we welcome new members to join.

It’s so easy to join; just pop in a pick up a form across the bar or call the club on 01473 745198 for details For all food enquiries contact Suzi Q: 07824 830152 See ad on page 2 for details of upcoming events.

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ST MICHAEL’S HARVEST MARKET The next market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, October 13, 9am-12.30pm. We will also have all your favourite market stalls; fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items.

East End Butchers are pleased to be the market’s resident meat supplier.

If you would like to place on order with them it can be collected at the market each month. Their number for orders is 01206 392190.

Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue.

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

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NEWS

ARMISTICE CENTENARY EVENTS 2018 ADVANCE NOTICE

2nd/3rd NOVEMBER Stage show—Victory Hall 8th NOVEMBER Suffolk Royal British Legion War Graves Event—Churchyard 11th NOVEMBER Remembrance Day &Exhibition Full details to follow

GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB Open to anyone living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding areas, the club meets every Monday other than bank holidays in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite the Chequers PH) from 2-4pm. The building is fully accessible. Members pay £2 per meeting to cover hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. If you prefer to bring your own project the charge is £1.50.

Our September workshop was entitled No tune on This Accordion and we made accordion files, ideal for all those odd bits and bobs which need a safe place till they are thrown out!

SnOasis PARISH ALLIANCE (SPA) In the autumn of 2016, Onslow Suffolk Ltd put in an application to Mid Suffolk District Council for SnOasis Reserved Matters to be considered – Planning Application no. 4494/16. Full details can be found at: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning It’s important to be aware that this is not a renewal of the original planning approval for SnOasis, which remains in place. Reserved Matters cover the detail of such topics as design, appearance, transport, drainage and ecological mitigation.

Our questions and comments about Reserved Matters were summarised in a document which was submitted to MSDC in the summer as the comments from the SPA and all its member parishes, giving the comments extra weight because they come from a significant number of local communities, representing over 11,000 registered voters. The SPA member parishes are Baylham, Barham, Bramford, Claydon and Whitton, Great Blakenham, Little Blakenham, Needham Market, Nettlestead and Somersham.

As you know, the SPA held a meeting with representatives from SnOasis and their planning consultants to discuss our concerns and queries about Reserved Matters. We received their response, but noted that many critical areas still remain unclear. The SPA sought clarification on this from the developers at the end of May. As I write this there has still been no response whatsoever from the developers. I am sure you all share my concern about this lack of response to the genuine concerns of the local community and this concern only increases as yet another month has passed without any contact from the developer, despite their claims that they wish to engage with the local community.

We also contacted BMDSC Planning to raise our continuing concerns and to establish the timescale for progressing Reserved Matters.

The response we have had from Planning indicates that they share our frustration with the lack of progress on resolving the outstanding matters for this development which has such big implications for so many local residents. A number of deadlines for the required details for Reserved Matters to be presented have come and gone and the SPA believes that the developer’s commitment to this process is in serious doubt.

The SPA fully supports Planning in their efforts to progress this application. We have and will continue to urge them to set a final unmoveable end date for this to be finally resolved so that we can all move forward.

Our remaining programme for 2018

For further information, please email the SPA clerk, Janet Gobey: snoasispa@icloud.com

October 1: Christmas Stockings

SnOasis Parish Alliance Chairman Steve Plume

November 5: Christmas Card Making December 3: AGM and Christmas Party If you think this all sounds interesting there is currently room for new members so please get in touch if you would like to join us. Although the club is all ladies at present, gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome.

Unfortunately I can’t accommodate children.

Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

BRAMFORD CRAFT AND CHATTER GROUP In October we meet on Tuesdays 9 and 23 in the Parish Room from 9.30am-noon. If you have any more crafty items to go on our wreath for the exhibition in December could you please bring them along?

Look forward to seeing you then. Visitors welcome; £2 per session.

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SPROUGHTON SENIOR CITIZENS’ CLUB As you will have read from John’s article last month, he has handed the chair over to me. I hope I can do justice to the position as he has over the last many years, and would like to thank him for his devotion and enthusiasm he has given over that time.

In August we had our usual weekly meetings each Wednesday where members met to play cards, drink tea and coffee and natter, finishing with our usual bingo session. Each month we have tried to bring a little variation to our meetings. In August we had a very interesting talk from St Elizabeth Hospice, and in September we enjoyed a fish and chips lunch in the hall. As mentioned by John, lunch has been arranged at the Chequers Inn at noon on September 26.

More comments and information of our activities will follow next month.

Eunice

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT

SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY SHOP A community shop for the local community, run by the local community The Playing Field, Princes Gardens, Somersham / 01473 833416 OPENING TIMES: Monday to Friday: 8am-6pm / Saturdays: 9am-1pm Hooray for the volunteers who did extra shifts and kept the shop well-stocked and running during the summer holidays. We are now looking at our autumn/ winter schedule and a warm welcome will be there for all.

Nowadays it’s up to local communities to keep the traditional village services such as the shop and pub alive. Much hard work, but gives heart and soul to the community and saves our villages from becoming just dormitories for local towns. And, as usual, we are always happy to have new volunteers join us for even a couple of hours when you can fit it in. So, if you are newly retired, just moved to the area, or would like to meet more people, please do come along to talk to somebody who already volunteers to see how we work.

Our community-led afternoons in Coffee Corner are proving to be very enjoyable events. Tea & Chat afternoons will be held again this year on the last Wednesday of each month from October to March, excluding December.

So come along in the colder and darker weather and meet up with others for a cup of tea, a piece of cake and a chat between 2 and 4pm. The first Tea & Chat will be on Wednesday, October 24 and we look forward to seeing you then.

Golden Link has meetings in Coffee Corner every other Tuesday afternoon and Petrolheads meet on the first Wednesday afternoon of the month. So lots of time to socialize at the community shop as well as the opportunity to purchase anything you need from our wide selection of products on sale.

At the time of writing the Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning was still being organised for Friday, September 28, but by the time you read this it may possibly have taken place. Lucy organised the event again this year and if past years are anything to go by, our very generous customers will have raised a good amount for this worthwhile cause, while enjoying a very social morning and delicious cakes baked by our local residents.

Looking ahead, we will also be participating in the Somersham Parish Church’s Flower Festival – our aim is always to play a big part in the life of our local community as well as providing a well-stocked local shop for the benefit of all residents.

You can keep up-to-date with events in the shop and new lines available by joining our email list. To do so email: somershamshop@btinternet.com We also have a Village Diary so events can be listed for all to see and to ensure that dates don’t clash. Do come along and put any dates you have into the diary We are now ordering more seasonal products as well as our usual everyday household goods and produce. We always offer an excellent range of fresh local produce – eggs, bread, pies, etc. and the whole range of other household goods. Orders can be taken for our fresh produce, either as a oneoff or regular placement.

Our other services are there for all to use, please come in and see what’s on offer: Village Diary, Coffee Corner, book exchange, dry-cleaning service, newspapers and magazines which can be ordered for collection and a delivery service for those with mobility problems.

SCOUT JUMBLE SALE The 24th Ipswich Scout Group is holding its monthly jumble sale on Saturday October 6, 1-3pm at 24th Scout HQ, 330a Bramford Road, Ipswich (beside the railway bridge). Come and bag a bargain.

JIGSAW EVENING We are holding a Jigsaw Evening in Bramford Church Room on Tuesday, October 16, 7pm for a prompt 7.15pm start.

This popular event will include refreshments and a draw. Entry is £3.

Come either as a team of four or as an individual; we can make teams up as necessary.

Proceeds go towards the upkeep of the church building.

Stewart McGinty, Bramford Church

WREATH FESTIVAL AT ST MARY’S Later this year we are having a wreath festival and welcome entries from clubs, businesses and individuals.

For instance, if you belong to a whist club, how about one made from playing cards? If a book club, one using books?

I’m sure there are a lot of other brilliant ideas you could come up with.

We want to display your creations in the church over the weekend of December 1-2 when we have our sale of traditional wreaths and decorations.

Get your thinking caps on and look out for further notices later on.

Stewart McGinty, St Mary’s Church

BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB The club will meet every Wednesday in October (10am-noon) except for Wednesday 24 which is in the half-term break. Membership is £1 for the school year plus £3 for each two-hour session.

There is no set programme. We are here to help you to get the most out of your computer, so why not give us a try? We meet in the upstairs room at the rear of the Methodist Church in Bramford. Refreshments and broadband available.

BRAMFORD LOCAL HISTORY GROUP October sees the start of our 25th season. Who would have thought we’d still be going strong after 25 years – not my husband for one!

Our first speaker will be Edward Martin who will be telling us about Haughley Castle. Who’s seen it? I don’t think there’s much to see nowadays, but we will find out. The talk will be in the Church Room, starting at 7.30pm as usual on Thursday, October 18.

As this is the first meeting of the season I’m afraid membership fees will be due at £10 per person. If you could put the cheque or cash in an envelope with your name on that would be a great help to Hazel. But if you would just like to come to hear the talk and not join the group our visitor’s fee is £3.

BOOK SALE Saturday, October 13, at Bramford Church Room, 11am-2pm Paperbacks 30p; Hardbacks 50p; Large books 50p Refreshments available

MANAGEMENT TEAM Lucy Barrett – 831890; Sue Browne – 831321; Terry Fordham – 831529; Peter Jousiffe; Natasha Leach; Anne MacFadyen – 831288; Steve Woolhouse – 831080

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OUT & ABOUT BRAMFORD WI Our next entertaining evening will be on Monday, October 8 at our usual venue, the Loraine Victory Hall. We will be starting at 7.30pm.

This will be an open evening for members and non-members; please invite your family and friends. There will be a charge of £3.50 for non-members.

The talk will be given by Liza Jones and it will be the history of cosmetics entitled A Painted Face.

The competition for members is ‘A face on a paper plate’.

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Probus clubs are for retired or semi-retired business gentlemen. The primary objective is to provide fellowship between members and to share similar interests in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

We meet monthly at the Masonic Hall in Soane Street, Ipswich on the last Wednesday of each month for lunch, followed by talks and lectures on a variety of subjects. In addition we hold social events including outside visits when we invite our spouses, partners and friends to join us. If membership appeals to you, please contact our secretary, Ken Stanley, for further details: 01473 274898 / probus174@gmail.com

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s CLUB Open to anyone over-50 living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite the Chequers PH) on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The building is fully accessible.

The cost per meeting is £2 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and the raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each.

At the time of writing we had not reconvened after our summer break so more on our September activities next month.

FORTHCOMING PROGRAMME October 10: Social Afternoon October 24: A visit from the Rural Coffee Caravan November 14: A visit from Wiltshire Farm Foods November 28: Call my Bluff with Sandra December 12: Our Christmas Meal, this year at the Best Western Hotel in Claydon New members are always welcome; if you would like to come along to see what goes on we will be pleased to see you.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

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BRAMFORD TREFOIL GUILD We last met on September 3 when Ted Wheatley was our speaker. His talk was entitled Overland to India which had him travelling the whole way on a Vespa Scooter in the 1960s. That was just a small part of his talk and he told us of his 52 years of speaking in Speakers’ Corner, Hyde Park, London and its many highs and lows.

Our next meeting is on October 1 at the Guide and Scout Headquarters in Bramford at 2pm and our speaker is talking about military medals. If you are interested and would like to come along, please telephone Linda on 01473 462317. Bring along medals if you wish.

SOMERSHAM WI By the time you read this in October we hope to have had a successful September meeting with lots of guests from local WIs and our community joining us to hear Sean Hedges-Quinn speak.

Our October 15 meeting is right up the WI street with a cake decorating lesson from Lucy Abbott from the Little Cake Place in Ipswich. She will be teaching us how to make a Christmas cake topper in sugar-paste.

As you probably know, we do welcome guests but if you wish to attend this meeting please let us know so materials can be provided. Contact Hilary Bridger on 01473 831552.

Somersham WI generates a lot of interest as we like to keep our meetings light-hearted and fun. The president does cover WI business at the start of the meeting, but this is kept short and sweet and we make time to socialise over a cuppa as well. This has drawn in many visitors, so we have now created our own website to promote the great meetings we have and what we get up to.

Community is at the heart of the WI so we would like to extend an invitation to you all to join us on Saturday, November 3 to celebrate World Kindness Day, which is held later that month. Free tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided at Somersham Village Hall between 10am and noon. There will also be table-top sales of cakes, crafts and home produce and a raffle. www.somershamwi.wordpress.com www.facebook.com/SomershamWI

ST MARY’S CHURCH GATHERING Every third Tuesday in the month, 2.30-4pm in the Church Room.

Do come and join us; we will be very pleased to see you.

If transport is required please contact Janet: 01473 741331

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT gARDENING CLUB We next meet on Monday, October 8 when Tony Callum will be coming to give a talk on Sutton Hoo. This will take place in Offton and Willisham Village Hall at 7.30pm. We have had some really interesting speakers so far this year, so why not give us a look? For any further information please ring: 01473 2544941/830600

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL We have welcomed many new children and their families who are all settling in well. This term we have got lots of exciting things coming up including stay and play sessions, Halloween, Bonfire Night and Christmas activities and crafts.

Also, our Christmas Nativity will be held at Barham Church in December. The children will be learning lots of songs and performing them to their family and friends.

UPCOMING EVENTS – OPEN TO EVERYONE Photographer Our photographer is coming on Saturday, October 20, 9am-1pm. If you would like a slot for your family, even if they don’t attend the pre-school, please contact Lisa on the details below. Sitting fees are £2.50 per slot payable at time of booking.

Halloween Family Fancy Dress Disco Saturday, October 27 in Claydon Community Centre from 6.30-10.30pm and is open to everyone. There will be a disco, BBQ, games and fancy dress competition. Tickets are £5 per adult and £2.50 per child, with a party bag for under-12s. Please contact the pre-school to purchase your tickets.

Christmas Fayre Saturday, November24, 10.30am-1.30pm in Claydon Community Centre.

Entry is free and there will be lots of stalls, as well as Father Christmas, wrap a gift and a prize draw. Refreshments will be available. Everyone is welcome.

As we are now open all year (except bank holidays and the Christmas period), we can take children up to five years old for additional sessions during the school holiday weeks, subject to availability.

If you would like to book any days during the holidays, please contact the administration assistant for more details.

We can take children who are entitled to 30 hours funding. Simply register at Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible.

If you would like an application form or any further information please contact Administration Assistant Lisa Read at Claydon Pre-school, Old Scout Hut, Thornhill Road, Claydon IP6 0DZ: admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk / 01473 831648

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CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL Another excellent year of GCSE results Students of the class of 2018 have been awarded an excellent set of GCSE results, rewarding their hard work over the last two years.

Of the 148 students in Year 11, 73 per cent achieved Grade 4 or above in English and Maths; 54 per cent of them achieved Grade 5 or higher.

Pass rates in both of these two subjects at Grade 4 and above, needed for future employment, education or training, were over 80 per cent.

Congratulations to all of our students, some of whom overcame some personal challenges to achieve some excellent GCSE grades.

We ask students at Claydon High School to ‘be the best they can be’ in all aspects of their lives and these results reflect their commitment to achieving that and are a fitting recognition for a year group who also impressed us with sporting, musical, performance and debating skills over their five years with us.

There were successes in many areas across the school including pass rates at Grade 5 and above in the following subjects: Biology at 77 per cent, Chemistry and Physics at 72.4 pre cent, Food Technology at 83 per cent, Music at 67 per cent, PE at 67 per cent and Business Studies at 85 per cent.

Pass rates at the highest grades of A-A* or Grade 7 and above were achieved in the Sciences, History, Spanish, Business Studies, PE, Food Technology and Further Maths. Over 20 per cent of all grades were awarded at this high standard.

A huge thank you to all the teaching and support staff who have worked alongside our young people to achieve these outcomes, our governors and the South Suffolk Learning Trust for supporting our work, and to the families and parents/carers who have been part of the journey.

As our students move onto further education or employment with training, we wish them all the very best of luck.

I would like to extend a very warm welcome to our new staff and Year 7 students and their parents/carers.

We have had a very busy start to the autumn term and I am delighted at how well our new students have settled in.

Starting high school is an exciting time and it is pleasing to see how brilliantly they have adapted to the big changes in their school day and environment.

If you would like to know more about our school and were unable to attend the recent open evening, please telephone Ms J Saunders on 01473 836110 to book a place on one of our open mornings in the autumn term.

The next two are on Monday, October 1 and Wednesday, October 10.

Headteacher Ms M Taylor

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Sport BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB Terrifying Tennis: Are you ready for our Monster Smash?

By the time you read this, the final Grand Slam of the year, the US Open has concluded. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be for Andy Murray or Jo Konta, but it’s good to see Murray playing again; with his determination he might be back winning tournaments again soon.

BRAMFORD BOWLS CLUB The end of the season is unfortunately fast approaching – where has the time gone?

The club pairs were held on September 1 in glorious sunshine. We had 20 people on the day playing three games of eight ends. The two sets winning all three games were Tony Fisher and Chris Illman and Les King and Jason Smith.

They will play the final on finals day.

We also had our own annual tournament between Sproughton and Bramford for the Maureen Sillett Memorial Trophy. Maureen was a popular and well-known figure in both villages, being a teacher at Bramford Primary for many years, and regularly playing for Sproughton. There are more opportunities to continue to play tennis over the autumn/winter period so keep reading and feel free to get in touch.

Monster Smash Festival Our next tennis festival event is a parent and child Halloween-themed doubles event using short courts, mini rackets and red balls. The event will take place on Saturday, October 27 at 2pm and the emphasis will be on fun rather than serious competition.

The entry fee is just £2.50 per child payable online in advance or in cash on the day (accompanying adults free). Halloween costumes are encouraged, the scarier the better, so come along and play if you dare! Rackets and balls provided, all you need are trainers, comfortable clothing and a willingness to have some fun! For details contact Carl: 07553 966380 Winter Doubles Delight We are delighted that with membership levels on the rise we have been able to enter four men’s and one ladies team for the Ipswich and District Winter League. The winter league is a doubles competition starting in October 2018 with men’s matches played on Sunday mornings and ladies on Saturday mornings.

If you are a member of the club interested in playing for one of the teams, or if you are a non-member considering joining the club who would like to play some team tennis, please contact Graham for details: 07981 842517 To find out more at about any of the items mentioned above please visit: • www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub • www.facebook.com/BramfordTennisClub • Monster Smash: www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/ CarlDouglasCoaching/Events

The last of the BE county mini-finals were held in August and Jean Taylor, Rachelle Barber and Mary Saunders came out winners in the Benevolent Triples. The final of the BE Ladies Top Team was held on September 5 at Sudbury Bowls Club against Framlingham. This proved to be an exciting game.

Despite determined efforts, Jean Taylor lost the 2-wood singles and Ruby Rudge lost the 4-wood singles, so 0-2 to Framlingham.

However the triple’s rink of Linda Fairs, Sue Keeble and Rachelle Barber came out winners 20-11 and the pair’s rink of Ann Thaine and Mary Saunders finished up winning 25-14. At this stage two rinks apiece.

The stage was set. The fours rink of Shirley Palmer, Joyce Thompson, Jo Whiting and Jean Hughes were having a close encounter with their opposition. It went right to the wire as they finished level after 21 ends.

An extra end was then played and when skip Jean Hughes went to bowl her woods, Bramford were down at the head. With her last wood she picked up the jack and dragged it through to hold shot. The opposing skip went wide with her last wood and the watching Bramford crowd went wild. We therefore won three rinks to two. What a finale! Many thanks to our supporters on the day who gave wonderful encouragement throughout.

Our annual derby match against Sproughton, the Peter Taylor Cup, was held on September 9 in lovely warm sunshine.

There was much friendly banter throughout the game, but Bramford managed to win overall by 41 shots. We all retired to the clubhouse or veranda for a glass or two or three, or even a cup of tea and biscuits for some. A good afternoon was had by all.

Mary Saunders

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In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD, ST MARY NETTLESTEAD, ST MARY THE VIRGIN LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER BAYLHAM Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Jenny Seggar The Vicarage, Vicarage Lane, Bramford 01473 748914 / revjseggar@outlook.com www.stmarybramford.co.uk Quiet Reflective Communion Service: Wednesday, 9.30am

We hope that through this God will act in people’s lives, giving them strength, courage and recovery in body and mind and peace.

If you would like to find out more, please don’t hesitate to give me a ring or drop me an email. The services at the Methodist Church are open to all and we would also be happy to add anyone to the prayer list.

Thursday, October 4 3pm: United Service at Cherryfields

The Rev Jenny Seggar

Sunday, October 7: Trinity 19 10am: Communion with Healing, Bramford 6pm: Harvest Festival, Baylham

Baptisms August 19: Darcy Isla Jasmine Brill, Bramford May she grow in grace and the knowledge of God.

Wednesday, October 10 11am: Communion from Reserved Sacrament, Baylham Care Centre

Weddings August 18: Kristoffer Lynch and Kathryn Wright, Little Blakenham September 1: Robert Barker and Chloe Foulger, Bramford May they grow in their love for each other.

Thursday, October 11 7.30pm: Healing Service, Methodist Chapel Saturday, October 13 11am-2pm: Book Sale, Church Room Sunday, October 14: Trinity 20 8am: Holy Communion, Bramford 10am: Parish Communion, Nettlestead 5pm: Five o’clock Service, Church Room

PARISH REGISTERS

Funerals August 28: Pamela Lay, Bramford August 30: Ron Bugg, Bramford We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers.

Cleaning Rota: W and S McGinty Flower Rota: 13 & 20 – W McGinty / 28 – H Breitsprecher

Tuesday, October 16 2pm: The Gathering, Church Room 7pm: Jigsaw Evening, Church Room

Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church September 29: In memory of Phil Sawyer 0n the 11th anniversary October 7: In memory of Amy Fillis on her birthday

Sunday, October 21: Trinity 21 10am: Parish Communion, Bramford 10am: Parish Communion with Baptism, Baylham

If you would like to have the spire floodlit please contact Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week

Saturday, October 27 10am-noon: Coffee Morning, Church Room Sunday, October 28: Bible / Dedication Sunday 8am: Holy Communion, Bramford 10am: 4th Sunday Service, Bramford Dear Friends, The work of the parish priest is wide and varied and I have dealt with some really interesting things since I came into the parish.

Some of the more interesting in the course of this summer have included sheep in Bramford churchyard and an odd legal query about some ex-glebe land (land which was once owned by the church).

LECTIONARY Bible Readings for our Sunday Worship taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. It is good to share the reading of Scripture with Christians – both Catholic and Protestant – across the world.

October 7 Job 1: 1; 2:1-10

19th Sunday after Trinity Heb. 1:1-4; 2:5-12

Green Mark 10: 2-16

October 14 Job 23: 1-9, 16-17

20th Sunday after Trinity Heb. 4:12+-16

Green Mark 10:17-31

October 21 Job 38: 1-7 (34-41)

21st Sunday after Trinity Heb. 5:1-10

Green Mark 10:35-45

October 28 Genesis 28:11-18

Simon and Jude 1 Peter 2:1-10

Red John 10: 22-29

One of the most fascinating things I deal with on a regular basis is healing ministry. This is probably the least understood part of our ministry, which has only really become truly mainstream over the last 30 years or so, although it has always been offered in one way or another.

In Christian terms healing is not about medical cure, and it is not a substitute for modern medicine. It is about helping the whole person, often in difficult circumstances. It always involves prayer of some kind, it may involve the laying on of hands in prayer and blessing, and occasionally can involve anointing with Holy Oil. Healing prayer has been a part of our joint ministry with the Methodist Church for a long time, and we have taken part in a Service of Prayer and Healing once a month on a Wednesday evening for many years, often praying for the same people.

Often, we simply pray through the list of folk who have asked for prayer.

Sometimes, when needed, we pray with people when they seek us out.

So, if we are not trying to cure people what are we actually doing? Healing prayer brings us closer to God’s love and grace, and allows that love and grace to work in our lives.

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NEW SOUND SYSTEM INSTALLED By the time you read this we should have a new sound system in the church which is the cumulation of several years’ fundraising.

So, thanks to all who ran events to this end and especially to all who donated, such as Barry Earthy who raised a lot of money by selling plants for this from his front garden and Val Mather and her team who ran the monthly coffee mornings.

These acts of kindness have made a huge difference for everyone’s benefit, enabling us to install the system earlier than expected.

Stewart McGinty

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CHURCH NEWS BRAMFORD METHODIST CHURCH At the Heart of Community Minister: The Rev Derek Grimshaw 01473 805486 / dkgrimshaw@msn.com Steward: Ms R Palmer, 01473 831117 Please feel free to contact either of us with any queries. Baptisms, marriages and funerals by arrangement with the minister, who will also arrange Holy Communion for the housebound.

Sunday 10.30-11.30am*: Morning Worship with Holy Communion (every second Sunday) 10.30-11.30am: Lighthouse Club for ages 5+ (term time only). Bible stories, painting, card making, biscuit decorating, etc. plus free leaflet to take home.

4-6pm: Families@4, an informal get-together with afternoon tea and a children’s activity; come and go as you please (once a month – please check diary). Not a service but our minister usually joins us.

Monday 2-3pm: Bible Study, an informal look at issues that those present wish to discuss (every third Monday) Tuesday 2-3pm*: Network/MWiB, our ladies meeting, but gentlemen are always welcome (second and fourth Tuesdays from October-April and second Tuesday from May-September)

Wednesday 10am-noon: Computer Club (term time only) 7.30-8.30pm: Prayers and Laying on of Hands for Healing (second Wednesday) Thursday 3-3.30pm*: United Service (very informal) at Cherryfields (first Thursday) Saturday 10-11am: Coffee Morning at the Methodist Church or at Cherryfields (see below / third Saturday of month *followed by tea/coffee DIARY FOR OCTOBER Thursday 4: United Service at Cherryfields Sunday 7: Morning Worship, Mr R Theobald, 10.30am Tuesday 9: Network/MWiB AGM and Social Afternoon Wednesday 10: Prayers for Healing, 7.30pm Sunday 14: All-age Harvest Parade Service, The Rev P Wright, 10,30am Monday 15: Bible Study Saturday 20: Coffee Morning at Church, 10am Sunday 21: Morning Worship, The Rev D Grimshaw, 10.30am Tuesday 23, 2pm: Network/MWiB, Julia Hausserman – update on Global Peace Retreat Sunday 28: Morning Worship, Mrs M Finbow, 10.30am Sunday 28: Families@4, The Rev D Grimshaw, 4-6pm

SOMERSHAM BAPTIST CHURCH What was life like for Jesus?

You are welcome to join our regular meetings of worship and fellowship:

The New Testament writers of the Bible reveal a life of rejection, temptation, hunger, miracles, fame and abandonment. But we also learn that Jesus faced false accusation, betrayal, injustice, beating, crucifixion and disbelief about who he was and why he had come. So goes the life of the perfect man sent by his Father God.

Sunday 10-10.30am: Prayer and Share 10.45-11.15am: Bible Study (Communion on the first Sunday) 11.30am-12.30pm: Worship Service

Life as we know it can be bittersweet and this not always in equal measure.

But for some, myself included, this reminds me of Jesus’ motivation that led Him to the cross: “For the joy that was set before Him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down on the right hand of the throne of God.” It follows this by asking us to ‘consider Him who endured such opposition, so that you do not lose heart.’ (Hebrews Chapter 12, verses 2&3).

Jesus can empathise with us and tell us not to lose heart because it is through His suffering and death that we can have new and everlasting life. If you want to read more about Jesus about who he was and why he came then a good place to start is by reading Johns’ gospel.

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Refreshments are served between meetings, come when you can and leave when you want.

Weekdays at the Chapel Lunch and Listen: Thursdays, October 4 and November 1, noon Friends and Neighbours: Monday, October 15, 7.45pm CONTACTS Mark Newcombe, Pastor 01473 831940 / 07958 830103 m.newcombe940@btinternet.com Edwin Mayhew: 01473 658100 Baptist Chapel, Chapel Lane, Somersham IP8 4QE WORSHIPPING AND FOLLOWING JESUS TOGETHER

In Touch online:

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