In Touch News with Copdock – May 2017

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with Belstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook Volume 7 • Issue No. 6 • MAY 2017

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’m having guitar lessons at the moment. In fact it’s a family guitar lesson, though Jack seems to chit-chat most of the time which is more than a little annoying. I’m not naturally ‘musical’ and have no immediate plans to join a band, but decided to do this to give my brain a bit of a work-out. It’s proving to be a challenge. I spend so long trying to recall each chord I doubt if I’ll ever produce anything which resembles music, but it has been interesting to explore my mental back catalogue to find pieces I want to play (eventually).

NEWS BROOK INN CHARITY GOLF DAY

Different types of music and different artists have accompanied me through various stages in my life. Johnny Cash was my first love, then Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Bob Dylan, U2, The Stunning, The Pale, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Snow Patrol, Regina Spektor, Nick Cave, Ed Sheeran… and always Johnny Cash.

One song I go back to again and again is U2’s Stuck in a Moment. The following words have helped me through some difficult times: “And if the night runs over, And if the day won’t last, And if your way should falter, Along this stony pass, It’s just a moment, This time will pass” Another which reduces me to tears every time I play it, and I play it a lot, is Johnny Cash’s version of Hurt. His video is regarded as one of the saddest ever produced, but on their own the opening lyrics are, in my opinion, the most powerful description of loneliness I’ve ever encountered: “I hurt myself today, To see if I still feel, I focus on the pain, The only thing that’s real” Right now these lyrics make me sad for those who are alone with little or no prospect of human contact. The days may be longer and most of us are getting out and about, but not everyone. Spare a thought for those who are isolated through illness or age and consider what you might do to provide a distraction. In Save Myself, Ed Sheeran sings “...human beings are destined to radiate or drain…” Let’s try to radiate more than drain – and I promise to never, ever, ever play guitar in public.

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with Belstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook

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(l-r) John Craddock, John Barnett, Andrew Burl and Louise Amphlet Lewis

The fourth Charity Golf Day was held at Seckford Golf Club on Monday, April 3 with a record 63 players entering the stableford team event. The weather could not have been kinder and throughout the round we all enjoyed brilliant sunshine.

On everyone finishing their round we all enjoyed a delicious twocourse meal followed by Louise Amphlet Lewis, chair of Copdock with Washbrook Church Heritage Trust, conducting the raffle and presenting the prizes to the winners.

A successful day was complete on hearing that £998 had been raised and that will go towards repairs to maintain St Peters Church, Copdock.

The winners were as follows: Team event: Andrew Burl, John Barnett and John Craddock Longest drive for ladies: Patsy Grimsey Longest drive for men: Deb Outer Nearest the pin: Richard Sivyer

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

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Send editorial copy to: copdock@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

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

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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 Belstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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• NEW Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge

CALLING ALL DOG OWNERS – KEEP THE DATE On Saturday, September 9, the Tattingstone Fete will be held between 11.30am and 4pm and this year we are including a fun dog show sponsored by Gladwells Pet and Country Store. There will be plenty of rosettes up for grabs and loads of freebies for your dogs to tuck into.

There will be a first, second and third prize for every category.

Dog show categories will include: Prettiest Bitch Handsomest Dog Dog with the Waggiest Tail Dog Who Looks Most Like Its Owner Cutest OAP (dog over eight years old) Best Dog in Fancy Dress Child’s Best Friend Dog the Judges Would Most Like to Take Home Dog Handled by a Person Under 12 Years Old

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You can register on the day, £1 per dog per category, so get those paws preened and tails groomed and we’ll see you there. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times.

10 MAY 2017

Support/home help needed for elderly couple living in Bentley.

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HOME HELP REquired Part-time, flexible working hours.

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NEWS THE COPWASH EYE THE FALLEN OF THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE MAY 1917 After the slaughter near Arras in April, the month of May sees fewer fallen from the Benefice, two – Leonard Cutting and Charles Churchman – from Sproughton and John Stebbings from Copdock, though all three died in the Arras area.

Private Leonard Cutting of the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment was born in Raydon but his parents moved into St Matthew’s Parish and his name is on the Sproughton War Memorial. He died from wounds on May 2 and was buried in the Warlincourt Halte Military Cemetery 15 miles from Arras.

Captain Charles Churchman of the 6th Battalion Suffolk Regiment was the son of Arthur Churchman of the tobacco company. Born in Ipswich in 1895, he was killed in action on May 3 and has no known grave. He is remembered on the Arras and Sproughton Memorials.

Pte John (Jack) Stebbings of the 5th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment was born in 1896, the eldest son of Fredrick and Rachel Stebbings of Washbrook. He was 20 years old when he was killed on May 10 and has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the Arras Memorial and on the one in Copdock Church. His name is also on the Copdock and Washbrook School Roll of Honour of former pupils.

CONTINUING THE STORY OF THE HEWITT FAMILY OF WEST HILL PART TWO: WILLIAM HENRY HEWITT VC’s STEP-SIBLINGS The children of his father William Henry Hewitt Senior’s first marriage to Mary Shipman

painter Matisse. Living most of her life in London she died there in 1958 leaving the not inconsiderable sum for those days of almost £6,000.

This marriage took place in London in 1868 when W H Hewitt Senior had returned to London to be a butcher with his father after a time farming a small holding near Harrow. The small-holding was part of a farm owned by his sister Phoebe’s father-in-law John Elmore who bred race-horses. Two of Elmore’s horses had won the Grand National in 1839 and 1842 and a hoof of one of them, Gaylord, is still in the possession of a member of the Hewitt family. Mary died in 1879 and in 1881 Hewitt married again and the family moved to Copdock in 1882.

Sadly their brother George Robarts Hewitt (born in Paddington in 1872) was killed in the second Boer War. Arriving in Copdock with his father, sisters and step-mother in 1882 he became a boarder at Ipswich School in 1884. The school archivist has very kindly sought out some information for us (ironically there is more about him at Ipswich School than there is about his brother at Framlingham College). Seemingly he was a keen sportsman and aged 19 at the time of the 1891 Census he was still at school. At some point he went to South Africa, joined the Cape Mounted Rifles and Ipswich School magazine records his death: We regret to record the death of G.R. HEWETT (sic) (O.I.) of Copdock, who was killed in action while serving with the Cape Mounted Rifles. He was one of only seven men killed at the skirmish at Labuschagne’s Nek (corner) on 4 March 1900. His death is remembered on the plaque below his cousin’s in Copdock church and on the Suffolk Boer War Memorial in Christchurch Park.

His eldest child, Maud Mary, was born in Paddington in 1870 and moved with the other children and her father and stepmother to West Hill by 1882. After the death of her brother in 1900 she went to live with her widowed Aunt Hannah Robarts in Hove.

There in 1902 at the age of 31 (relatively old for the time) she married Quinton Waddington who had been the tutor to her cousin George Harben Robarts. George had always been sickly and in 1900 he died of pneumonia. His memorial plaque is above that of George Robarts Hewitt in Copdock Church. Quinton Waddington later became the Curator of the Guildhall Museum in London and there they lived until they retired to Ditchling in Sussex.

Quinton died in 1942 aged 82 and Maud in 1957 aged 86. It appears they had no children.

Helen Annie was born in 1874 and never married. After moving with Maud Mary to live with Aunt Hannah she became an artist with some moderate success. It appears she moved in the circles influenced by the

From the identical style of adjacent memorials it seems likely that William Henry Senior wished to have the two cousins, his son and his nephew, remembered together.

Most of this information and the pictures have been researched by Dr Ian Gordon of Bournemouth, great grandson of William Henry Senior, and generously given by him to the Copdock archive.

Village Recorder Jennifer Jones (See WI advert on page 17)

WATCH OUT – THERE ARE THIEVES ABOUT IN COPDOCK AND WASHBROOK A number of incidents have been reported lately so please take care and report any suspicious behaviour.

IT’S TIME TO LOOK OUT FOR STAG BEETLES I would be very pleased to receive reports of stag beetle sightings to add to the growing Suffolk database for this endangered species. All records of sightings will be copied to the Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service (SBIS) and the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), the organisation responsible for the conservation of stag beetles in the UK. Reports can be emailed to me at c.hawes@homecall.co.uk, posted to 3 Silver Leys, Bentley, Ipswich IP9 2BS, or via a note dropped through my letterbox. Please report where the beetle was seen, what it was doing

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and the date, for example: ‘June 11, clinging to a tree in my back garden at 500 Bailey Road, Copdock’ or ‘July 13, crawling on road outside the village hall in Tattingstone’.

If you are able to include a photograph of the beetle this will confirm its identity. Please include your name, address and contact number, which will be a great help should there be a question I need to ask.

A big thank you to all who reported their 2016 stag beetle sightings, these are now on the SBIS and PTES databases.

Colin Hawes, Lead for conservation of stag beetles in Suffolk

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NEWS THANKSGIVING SERVICE There will be a short Thanksgiving Service for the life of our friend and villager, Albert Collins, at St Mary the Virgin, Tattingstone on May 11 at 3pm.

All welcome. Parking at the playing field.

SURGERY TRANSPORT If for any reason you are unable to get to the doctors for your appointment and need transport, remember to tell the receptionists and they will contact the scheme to ensure that you are picked up. We welcome any new volunteers especially in the outlying villages.

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Now the clocks have sprung forward for spring, the weather is getting better, days are getting longer and people are spending more time enjoying the outdoors, we would ask that you remain vigilant to crime. Before you go out and leave your house or car, check those windows that you opened to allow the fresh air through the house, check that door that you left ajar and check those garden tools or toys that you left out. Have you made it easy for that chance criminal and left any insecure items as an open invitation for a chance burglar.

Contact Chris Yule: 01473 310992

The reason we ask you to STOP, CHECK, LOCK, is that over recent weeks some of our smaller villages have been targets for thefts from sheds and other out buildings.

GREAT BLAKENHAM WEDDING FESTIVAL

With this in mind, Hadleigh Safer Neighbourhood Team is holding Community Engagements in various villages throughout Babergh with the aim in offering crime prevention advice and reassurance.

We will be advertising these events on Twitter and Facebook and in parish magazines so look out for one near to you.

Wedding fairs are usually held in grand country homes or large hotels.

We are bucking the trend and holding a church-based wedding fair. We want couples to have their dream church wedding, so we are teaming up with local businesses to run our very own wedding festival.

Over the weekend of May 27-29, from 10am-4pm daily, St Mary’s Church, Great Blakenham, will play host to one of the very first and only churchbased wedding fairs. The unique event will be held in the church, the Chequers Free House and Church Hall opposite.

Join us for prosecco and canapes at our preview evening at 7pm on Friday 26 with Bishop Mike (tickets are £5). On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28, the church will be open to view show-stopping flower arrangements from various local companies and flower arrangers, beautiful wedding dresses throughout the ages, as well as dresses for sale. Hear wedding music on the organ, and chat to local vicars who can advise you on matters about your special day, and can also support you as you begin married life together.

At 4pm on Sunday 28, there will be a Renewal of Vows Service which will also enable unmarried couples to experience a church wedding, and there will be plenty of favourite wedding songs to sing.

On Monday 29 there will be over 30 local exhibitors and stall holders to give you ideas how to make your wedding day special – from photographers to wedding cakes, dresses, entertainment and music, jewellery, beauty, cars, clothing and so much more! There will also be goody bags for wedding couples.

The Chequers Free House will be open all weekend, providing a great wedding menu to try.

The Rev Carl Melville, Vicar of Great Blakenham Church, writes: “This is such a unique and exciting event. If anyone can do weddings well, it’s the Church of England. We can be traditional and formal or contemporary and quirky and we want to show couples that a church wedding is the perfect choice for them. A church wedding ceremony is a similar price to other venues, and much more personal and meaningful. By teaming up with local businesses and bespoke exhibitors, I hope people can catch a glimpse of how a church wedding can make the most special day of their lives perfect.”

So, if you’re thinking about marriage, if you’re getting married soon or if you’re been married for 40 years, come along and have a great day.

Admission is free, donations are welcome.

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Last month we were in Shotley for several hours with our mobile police station at the village vall. Colleagues patrolled the village on foot and incorporated speed enforcement during the day. We spoke to local residents, listening and responding to their concerns and issues.

While I have this opportunity, I would like to give you all updates on recent crimes that have occurred in our area and the work that has been carried out: •

Operation Fireside: Burglaries around East Ipswich and Shotley. A detective inspector has been appointed to oversee this, two people arrested, one warrant executed for stolen goods and enquiries ongoing.

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Burglaries in Bentley: One person given a 10 year prison sentence.

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Holbrook Burglaries: One person on Court Bail until March 30.

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Series of ram raids on February 8, including Hadleigh and Capel. One person has been arrested and is on bail, two others are being sought.

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Anti-social behaviour in Hadleigh: Four young people have been dealt with and referred to the Youth Offending Service.

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Pinewood Burglaries: One person on bail waiting for a charging decision from the Crown Prosecution Service.

As you can see, Suffolk Police in our area have been very busy dealing with incidents with positive outcomes.

I would encourage all readers to: • Follow us on TWITTER @HadleighPolice • Join up to POLICE CONNECT at: www.suffolk.police.uk/policeconnect •

Obtain statistics from: www.police.uk

As always, Hadleigh SNT is at Hadleigh Police Station and can be contacted at: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk Emergency: 999 Non-Emergency: 101 Until next time, PC1220 Garrod, Hadleigh SNT, Magdalen Road, Hadleigh IP7 5AD

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Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number

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NEWS CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE – APRIL 2017 GP+ Service Suffolk GP Federation provides out-of-hours services on behalf of the majority of practices in Suffolk. It operates from a number of sites, the nearest to the practice being Stowmarket (Stow Health), Ipswich (Riverside) and Felixstowe (Felixstowe General Hospital). Typically, services are offered from 6.30 to 9pm during the week and through the day on Saturday and Sunday. Fifteen minute GP and nurse practitioner appointments are available but can only be booked by the practice or other healthcare organisations. At the time of booking, patients will need to provide their consent to share their medical notes with the clinician they see. This service is proving to be very popular as it relieves pressure on the practice on busy days and also provides patients with alternative options for addressing a medical problem.

You may be offered an appointment with GP+ or you can ask the receptionist for current availability.

Repeat Prescriptions Please note that it may take the practice up to 72 hours to process a repeat prescription. When issued they can be sent immediately to the patient’s nominated pharmacy but it may take up to 72 hours for the pharmacy to have your medication ready for collection, depending on workload and the availability of the items required. In the majority of cases your prescription will be processed and ready for collection much sooner, but please allow ample time by ensuring the practice receives repeat prescription slips a week in advance of when the items are required.

Nurse Practitioners I’m delighted to announce that we have an additional nurse practitioner joining the practice. June will be joining us at the end of April. She is an experienced nurse practitioner who also specialises in the treatment of diabetes. Our two nurse practitioners, June and Sarah, are able to address a wide range of medical conditions. On contacting the practice our reception team can advise patients whether it is appropriate for them to be seen a nurse practitioners or if they need to see a GP. Wheelchair The practice has wheelchairs available at both Capel and East Bergholt to assist patients with mobility problems getting in and out of the practice. Unfortunately, one of the chairs at East Bergholt has broken and is not repairable. If you have a wheelchair you no longer need, and it is not on loan from the NHS, the practice could make very good use of it.

Training Days A reminder that in 2017 the practice will be closed from 1pm on the following dates for staff training: Thursday, May 18 and Wednesday, June 7. On these afternoons the doors will be closed so please ensure any prescriptions are picked up well beforehand. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day.

Practice Manager Pete Keeble

CONSTABLE COUNTRY PATIENT PARTICIPATION GROUP Annual General Meeting Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, June 1 at Capel Methodist Church in The Street. There will be light refreshments from 7pm and the meeting will start at 7.30pm. We’ll be reporting back about our activity in the last year and there will be an opportunity for you to talk to us on an individual basis about your experience with the practice.

We have invited a number of organisations to the event including : • ActivLives, which runs exercise classes for the over 50s • 4YP which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of 12-25 year olds in Suffolk • OneLife which provides stop smoking services, adult and child weight management and NHS health checks • Sue Ryder to talk about their new dementia service • Capel Parish Nursing Scheme • Everyone is invited and we look forward to seeing you.

Men’s Health Talk We enjoyed a fascinating evening listening to Professor Chris Booth, a retired consultant urologist. He said men were particularly bad at seeking medical help when there was a problem. Poor diet, excess weight, smoking, alcohol and poverty all contributed to lower life expectancy for men. He talked in particular about the need for a national screening

programme for prostate cancer. Early diagnosis has made a huge difference to survival rates in other European countries where they have routine screening. He also said that ‘plumbing problems’ can be a sign of cardiovascular disease. You can ask for a PSA test if you are between the age of 50 and 75.

Professor Booth’s charity is called CHAPS. It aims to raise awareness of health services directly targeted at men’s needs to enable them to take care of their own health and wellbeing. You’ll find more information at: www.chaps.uk.com Collection for Sat Shergill (former pharmacist at Capel St Mary) Thank you for your generous contributions to this collection and to Drayton Insurance (formerly Mallwood) for hosting the collection box.

The total in loose cash came to £305. We didn’t open any of the cards so there may well be extra money in those. Sat was delighted and very touched and will be writing to say thank you. He is now working with a practice in Wembley and this has cut his commuting time down considerably, allowing him to spend more time with his wife and young daughter.

Chair Kathy Pollard 01473 311834 / constablecountryppg@gmail.com

As we walked through the bluebell woods, I thought he’d like this It’s the little things that make a funeral special Here for you every hour of every day

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NEWS

REPORT TO PARISHES: DODNASH WARD – MAY 2017 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN HINTON Another ‘eventful’ month at Babergh, but for all the wrong reasons!

The fact that they are taking themselves to JR has been confirmed by the courts as a valid application and it will now be heard by a judge. Not a great use of council taxpayer’s money.

On the planning front, everything is up in the air. First it was the JR (Judicial Review) that East Bergholt won creating doubt over how various policies were used. Now it appears that Babergh is ‘shrinking’ at an alarming rate! Well that would be the layman’s interpretation of the fact that suddenly Babergh does not have a five-year land supply for housing. This is a government requirement and is a measure of sites that may realistically come forward for development. Suddenly last year’s figure of 5.7 years’ supply has vanished and is down to about three to four years. Blame is being levelled at the East Bergholt JR (strange when all that decision meant was that policies had to be obeyed rather than ignored), and the fact that we have over 1,600 applications approved but not built!

Trying to find out what has happened to all the other bits of land that are still physically there is proving rather hard, so you can see that keeping an eye on Babergh can be frustrating. Lack of this magical figure means that the National Planning Policy framework, a wonderful piece of government paper that effectively licences development, comes into play.

With over 200 paragraphs of ‘policy’ there is plenty of opportunity to find reasons why an application should be approved regardless of local opinion. It even supplants a neighbourhood plan unless there is a specific site allocation policy with it, so the Localism

Act that gives power back to the people is just misdirection by politicians.

As you can see from other press sources there are ways to fight back and this local member will certainly not be rolling over and playing dead Finances are another sore subject. Council tax has risen but noone can tell me where the savings are being made. Staff costs are the same, legal costs are rising and nearly £500,000 is being allocated to ‘plan’ how we will dispose of the old council offices but there is no mention of it in the budget. My questions about security costs and maintenance have not been answered, but with £10,000 allocated each year to secure East House, hopefully being sold soon, maybe the old system in Babergh of making savings so that they can be spent elsewhere is in play here and the revenue from East House’s sale has already been spent rather than made available to the public as a reduction in their costs.

I am still chasing Highways England about the pot holes at the Four Sisters. Apparently, they told Transport Focus (the ombudsman for transport) that they were filled in last year. Not sure which junction they mean, but it will not be the first time they have confused Junction 31 with one in Essex.

Sorry about the constant grumbles, you can have a break from me for June while I recharge my batteries and give everyone a chance to get their act together.

Enjoy the improving weather, at least we cannot mess that up!

If anyone has any questions, please contact me: john.hinton@babergh.gov.uk / 01206 298309

NEWS FROM HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Feedback from Patient Network Awareness Week We have now had time to analyse feedback from the awareness week.

Thank you to all those who left such positive comments, our doctors and staff really appreciate this. Some patients complained that they had seen people returning to our car park from the Co-op in Holbrook or the Post Office in Shotley. We would ask that you limit the time in the car park to your appointment or park in the surrounding area if you wish to stay longer.

Some patients asked that our clinicians are more punctual. This is a difficult one as occasionally patients do need more than 10 minutes for their appointment and we like to give them the time needed. We do also have emergencies. These events mean that sometimes we do run a little late, but our receptionists will advise if this is the case and offer to rebook your appointment if necessary. If you do feel you need more time with the doctor, please ask for a double appointment when you book. I was asked to clarify how many GPs work at each surgery. We have five GP partners and one salaried GP, but have a small contingent of locum GPs to ensure continuity. All patients have a named GP but you are welcome to see any doctor available.

Extended hours’ surgeries We are now able to offer the following additional appointments outside our core hours: • Telephone appointments until 7pm on Tuesday evenings at Holbrook and on Thursday evenings at Shotley

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• F ace-to-face appointments on Monday mornings from 7.30am at Holbrook and on Saturday mornings from 8.30-10.30am at Holbrook We hope this offers more flexibility to our patients. Don’t forget we also have GP+ appointments at Riverside until 9pm each evening and over the weekend. Please ring the practice or 111 to book these.

Training days Our next training afternoons will be on Thursday, May 18 and Wednesday, June 7 when we will be shut from 1pm. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999.

WE NEED YOUR VIEWS We are assessing interest in three schemes and need your views.

Please pick up a form from reception or email us at: peninsulapatientnetwork@gmail.com The schemes are: •A dvice on social care issues from occupational therapy and social workers in our practices • F orum for mental health patients to offer peer support and activities •P ublic education sessions from Suffolk Nuffield in our practices Practice Manager Julia Smith

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NEWS NOTES FROM THE CASE

PINEWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Suffolk’s first Co-operative Pub Spring has well and truly sprung and our customers are already enjoying the sunshine in our garden which, thanks to our volunteers, is looking lovely. We’ve made good use of it with the Easter Egg Hunt and are about to do so again with our Best of British Beer from Thursday, April 27 to May Bank Holiday Monday. Martin, our tireless cellarman, has selected a range of the best beers from around the country – come and sample them, with the bonus of a barbecue and live music on Monday, May 1.

Pinewood Parish Council meets on the second Monday of the month at 7.30pm at Pinewood Community Hall. The main function of the council is to support, protect and advance the interests of the residents of Pinewood.

Our gastronomic tour of the world continues with a Taste of Italy on May 20. Previous ‘Tastes of…’ have been a big successes so book early for this one.

Fathers’ Day is on Sunday, June 18 and we’ll be serving the usual Sunday lunch with a free pint for dads.

If you’ve eaten at The Case lately you’ll have noticed our menus have changed and new specials are appearing all the time. Come and try them! There’s also a children’s menu, so no excuse for not bringing the family. The Case is for everyone! If you prefer to eat at home, don’t forget you can pick up a takeaway. Come and have a pint while you wait for your fish and chips to be ready, or ring to order beforehand. Ask about a choice of meals on offer.

Our pub quizzes continue on the last Saturday of each month, and you can combine them with a curry (book in advance) or just turn up for the quiz. Food served till 8pm, quiz starts at 9pm. Winners get drinks tokens.

Did you know The Case also has a thriving book club? The next meeting is on April 26 at 7.30pm when the group will be discussing M.R James’ Collected Ghost Stories. All welcome.

One ghost we wouldn’t mind meeting is the gallant Mr Cooper, landlord of The Case in 1879. If not for him, a Mr Munnings, carrier of Bentley, would have met a nasty end. From the Ipswich Journal, 7 Jan 1879: ’Mr Munnings had been to a funeral as one of the bearers, and on his return home went to the well to draw a pail of water. Somehow he lost his balance and fell headfirst down the well, which is 30 feet deep. Mr Cooper, from The Case is Altered, came up at the time and rescued Mr Munnings from his cold and perilous position. On reaching terra firma he was found to have sustained no serious injury, and walked to Ipswich the next day.’ Insulated by beer consumed at the funeral, perhaps!

01473 805575 / www.thecasepubbentley.co.uk

We provide bins for the collection of dog waste and also for general litter.

We have been working with Tesco to provide extra bins to cope with the additional litter problems caused by various groups of people passing through the parish.

With the help of Suffolk County Council during the past few years we have helped to resolve some of the parking problems that have been experienced in residential streets and we continue to keep the situation under review.

Your council has done its best to protect the environment of Pinewood against the probable traffic problems which would result from proposed housing developments at Belstead Brook and Wolsey Grange. Despite our best efforts, outline planning permission was granted for both developments in circumstances which we and neighbouring councils have contested. We now await detailed planning permission to be submitted before we can make further representations on your behalf.

Our district councillors and county councillor also present their reports at our monthly meeting so we are kept informed of developments at Babergh District Council and Suffolk County Council. One of our parish councillors attends the police/parish liaison meeting and provides us with monthly updates on local crime figures and information on the policing strategy for our area.

Pinewood Parish Council owns Pinewood Community Hall which is hired by groups and organisations that put on a number of weekly activities open to the public. The hall is also available for private hire.

The hall has a bar which is open every Friday to bar members.

Bar membership is currently free to residents of Pinewood. Regular entertainment is put on throughout the year. For more information see the noticeboard in the foyer or please visit the official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pinewoodhallevents We hope this short report has given you an indication of the range of matters your parish council has addressed in recent months. If there is an issue you would like to raise, please come along to the next meeting.

We would be pleased to hear your concerns.

We will be holding our Annual Parish Council meeting and Annual Parish Meeting in May. For more information please visit: www.pinewood.onesuffolk.net

JAMES CARTLIDGE, MP FOR SOUTH SUFFOLK President Trump’s decision to launch Tomahawk missile strikes against Syria has opened yet another high stakes chapter in the whirlwind that is international affairs today. Parliament rose for Easter following the UK’s formal notification to the EU of our intention to leave. It looks like we will be returning to debate the prospect of military conflict – not just in the Middle East, but also in dangerous, dubious North Korea.

It has been well remarked that Mr Trump’s move to back armed action by the US against President Assad represents a significant volte face on his part. Who knows, perhaps this unpredictability is an asset as despots like Assad and North Korea’s Kim are unable to second guess him, and perhaps feel more wary of aggression?

Of course, if we are to assume that US sources are right in stating that Assad was responsible for launching chemical weapons on his own people, there is an argument for a limited and proportionate response.

We certainly now need maximum international pressure applied to the Russians to cajole them in to breaking with Assad; equally, we need the Chinese to lean on North Korea so that they don’t proceed with further

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missile tests. Wishful thinking, perhaps.

Whatever we do, in my view we must proceed with maximal caution.

My fear is that we risk repeating the now tried and tested pattern of a bellicose linguistic ratchet that creates its own self-fulfilling momentum for conflict. With an unpredictable world, and an unpredictable president, we need to support our allies without adding to the growing sense of a militaristic adrenaline rush.

I have only voted once in parliament on sending UK forces to war, and that was very strictly to extend existing UK air strikes against ISIL terrorists in Iraq over the border into Syria – with no evidence of civilian casualties to date. I certainly did not vote for ‘regime change’, a phrase now re-emerging in Washington in relation to Assad. The policy of ‘regime change’ has failed in Iraq, and this is why I repeat the need for caution rather than a rush of blood.

I hold regular advice surgeries offering help and support to local people.

Please see page 24 for my contact details.

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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 15 PLANT SALE: COPDOCK WITH WASHBROOK St Peter’s Copdock with Washbrook will be holding their annual plant sale at the Church Room in Copdock on Saturday, May 13 from 9am until noon.

There will be lots of bedding plants, perennials, hanging basket plants and vegetable seedlings for sale. There will also be the usual well-loved cake stall and teas.

If you are able to provide any spare seedlings, perennials or shrubs from your garden please contact Ruth Lincoln on 730430 or bring them along on the day.

Route 15 Town/village MIP/15A Washbrook MIP/15B Washbrook MIP/15C Washbrook MIP/15D Burstall MIP/15E Elmsett MIP/15F Whatfield MIP/15G Hintlesham

Location Time Pearson’s Way 9.50-10.40 Brook Inn Car Park 10.45-11.15 Fenn View 11.20-11.40 Telephone Kiosk 11.50-12.15 Rose and Crown 12.40-13.05 Wheatfields 14.05-14.50 Timperleys 15.05-16.00

2017 DATES: May 24, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 13, October 11, November 8, December 6

PAWS FOR TEA At Blue Cross Suffolk Animal Rehoming Centre Join staff and volunteers at the charity’s annual Paws for Tea event at Blue Cross Suffolk, Bourne Hill, Wherstead, Ipswich IP2 8NQ on Saturday, May 6 between 11am and 4pm.

As well as refreshments, take time to look around our various stalls and have a go on our grand draw. There will also be guided tours of the centre including kennels and cattery. Entrance is by way of a monetary donation.

TATTINGSTONE AND WHERSTEAD WI

For further information please contact the centre on 03007 771480 or Ian Hendry on 01449 767747.

Claire Mucklesten from Bourne Garden Centre gave the women of Tattingstone and Wherstead WI a great talk. She was entertaining, lively, amusing and very knowledgeable. Claire brought a large selection of plants and talked about each one. We learned that it has become fashionable to plant mainly evergreens. The most important thing I learned was to feed and deadhead plants such as lupins and delphiniums so they go on flowering. Such obvious advice when it is explained. Once the talk was over we were able to buy the plants for our gardens.

BUMPER BOOK SALE Saturday, June 24 at Manningtree Methodist Church, South Street CO11 1BQ from 10am-4pm.

Our May meeting will be a busy one. Matthew Spall from Suffolk Trading Standards is coming to talk to us about scams and scammers. It should be very interesting and may save us from being scammed. We will also be voting on resolutions to go forward to the national WI AGM for future campaigning. The WI is famous for its campaigns. It recent years they have tackled food waste, climate change, domestic violence against women, fair deals for dairy farmers, SOS for our high streets and town centres to name a few.

TEA & COMPANY Monday, May 15 at Wenham View, Dove Close All welcome to come along from 2.30pm £1.50 for tea/coffee and homemade cakes Raffle Supported by The Capel Ladies

In June we will be putting together fiddle mats and muffs for dementia sufferers at one of the local care homes.

If you would like more information about our meetings and how you can join the WI please give me a ring on 328670. Visitors are always welcome.

Tamzin

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Stowe Veterinary Centre

Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre

Ipswich Veterinary Centre

The Mustard Pot Veterinary Surgery

The Old Tea Room Veterinary Surgery

54 Bury Road, Stowmarket

2 Boldero Road, Bury St. Edmunds

Scrivener Drive, Ipswich

Coddenham Road, Needham Market

Station Road, Elmswell

Tel: 01449 613 130

Tel: 01284 747 000

Tel: 01473 555 000

Tel: 01449 722 198

Tel: 01359 241 761

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT CAPEL LIBRARY May sees the real start of lighter evenings and it makes you want to do different things. We have been inspired by the latest series of Masterchef and the sultry melt in the mouth dishes that the chefs have created.

Don’t have any inspiration? Check out some of the cookery books on offer, either on the shelf or on catalogue and give it a go. I’m sure that there is a Masterchef in you waiting to come out – be inspired!

NEW CLUB Capel Creators, a brick building club for all the family, comes to Capel Library on April 29, 10.30am-12.30pm. Budding builders of all ages are invited to come along and create a brick-based structure based on the theme for the month. For 50p per person you also get a cold drink and a biscuit. A prize will be given to the most imaginative creation. We have the bricks, you have the skills – let’s see what you can make. If you make whatever comes into your head, that’s great, free-play is also welcome.

Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult. Capel Creators will meet once a month. Look out for posters advertising the next date.

REGULAR CLUBS Baby Bounce will meet every Tuesday at 2pm, but not May 30 due to school half term. Come along to shake instruments and sing nursery rhymes. Open to all children aged 0-5 and their parents, grandparents and carers.

The library book group meets on Friday, May 19 at 2.30pm. Do come along and share the latest book. If you haven’t been before, the group is very friendly. You may wish to choose a book for the group to share; we are always looking for new titles to discuss.

Minecraft Club meets on Sundays, May 7 and 21, 10.30am-12.30pm.

Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.

We kindly ask all borrowers to bring in their library card when they visit to enable us to issue books and to search online for new titles for reservation. Don’t forget that we sell stamps and book tokens of any denomination and accept good quality second hand books for sale.

ADVANCE NOTICE We shall once again be offering the children’s Summer Reading Scheme throughout the summer holidays. If you would like to volunteer, please speak with us and fill out the necessary forms. We very much appreciate all the help that our volunteers give us through this busy time of the year.

FRIENDS OF CAPEL LIBRARY The Community Cinema is going from strength to strength with pretty much full houses for our last films. In May we are showing Deepwater Horizon, based on the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The film stars Mark Wahlberg and caused its director Peter Berg quite a few problems when BP would not collaborate with him. This all action film gained good reviews on its release. Book early to get a seat. It’s always on the third Tuesday of the month, doors open at 7pm.

One spin off from the Community Cinema has been an increase in the numbers joining both the friends and the 100 club. The prizes have been increased to £20, £10 and £7, and there will be bonus months when we offer more £20 prizes.

Together with volunteers, Jackie and her staff continue to offer new experiences for children. The Minecraft Club has been successfully relaunched and now there will also be a Lego club. If you have any Lego getting under your feet that you would like to donate, please let Jackie know. The Lego club meets for the first time on April 29 between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

If you want to know what the friends are up to, we now have a Facebook page; just look for Friends of Capel Library. Thanks to Trevor for setting this up, we’ve had lots of hits already.

Watch out for us too at the fun day early in June. We will have lots of books for you to browse in our distinctive gazebo.

The lucky winners this month are Steve Lodge £20, Ann Powell £10 and Lynda Ward £7.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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OUT & ABOUT AN INVITATION TO ALL MEN

PENPIX AGM

Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir is inviting all men who love to sing to some open rehearsals in May. On Tuesday, May 2 an open rehearsal is being held at Stowupland Village Hall, 3 Church Road, Stowupland, Stowmarket IP14 4BG and on Tuesday, May 16 an open rehearsal is being held at Ipswich and District Indoor Bowling Club, 136 Rushmere Road, Ipswich IP4 4JU. Both events commence at 7pm.

Just before the showing of the atmospheric The Light Between Oceans, Penpix held its annual general meeting. Colin Waters was elected our new chair, a position Colin has held before, and Garry Kilworth was elected vice-chair. All present expressed their thanks to Ben Connor for his excellent stint as chair for the past two years. We also received the annual accounts from our treasurer, Rosi Nye, and took the opportunity to thanks Dave Woods for obtaining a locality grant towards our new sound system.

Formed in April 1968, Suffolk Constabulary Male Voice Choir has built a reputation and tradition for music to entertain a wide variety of audiences. One of its main purposes is helping local communities and charitable organisations by assisting them in their fundraising whilst representing the Constabulary.

The choir, who normally rehearse at Martlesham Police Headquarters, is pleased to recruit and welcome members from all walks of life with or without a connection to the Constabulary to continue its social function and charitable work. There are no auditions and the ability to read music is not essential. On average the choir performs one concert per month in aid of local good causes.

For more details contact choir secretary Stephen Wade: 01449 672600 / scmvc@scwade.eclipse.co.uk

ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, May 13, 9am-12.30pm.

Fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which helps present buying.

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

SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE Spend an evening with Claudia Myatt, writer, painter and illustrator.

Claudia Myatt lives afloat an elderly tugboat near Woodbridge. Her portfolio consists of a monthly cartoon in Practical Boat Owner alongside numerous sailing-themed illustrated books.

Claudia will be appearing at the Ipswich Institute Reading Room (15 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AA) on Thursday, May 11 as part of the Suffolk Book League’s 2017 programme of events. Doors open at 7pm. Event starts at 7.30pm. General admission is £8 with students free. To reserve tickets email: tickets@sbl.org.uk www.sbl.org.uk

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A great innovation this month was the permanent mounting of loudspeakers on the walls of the village hall, a move which will save our aching backs!

Our film next month is the excellent A United Kingdom starring David Oyelowo (Selma, The Butler) as the Prince of Bechuanaland and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Pride and Prejudice) as the London clerk he falls in love with. The film traces their journey through prejudice (even hatred) on both sides of the racial divide and their progress to establishing the new country of Botswana. A very thought-provoking and beautiful film.

Due to the elections, the film will take place on Friday, May 5, at 8pm in Tattingstone Village Hall. Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4.50 on the door or £4 in advance from The White Horse, The Wheatsheaf, Stutton Community Shop, The Case is Altered, Bentley Community Shop, Lloyd (326882) or Rosie (328315). Or, try our text service; just text your name and the number of tickets required to 07732 709656.

See you there!

The Penpix Team

IPSWICH – YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED! For many years now Ipswich Tourist Guides have been showing off their town and are used to people (even those who have been born and bred in Ipswich) being amazed at what they see and hear. For example, did you know that Ipswich is the oldest ‘English’ town settled by the Anglo Saxons in the seventh century and has been a thriving settlement ever since, or that the town was an important place of pilgrimage? Even Henry VIII visited Ipswich’s shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Grace.

History may not be your thing, but why not come along and learn more about the future of the town. When will the New Cut flood barrier be complete, will there be a second bridge across the Orwell and when will the ‘winerack’ be developed? The guides are up-to-date with all the latest news, they know the history of the town and can entertain you with lots of fascinating snippets too.

Why not join a guided walk and get to know Ipswich better? The cost is £4 per person. The summer season of walks begins on Tuesday, May 2 and from then on a tour of the town will be available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons until September 28. Walks leave from Ipswich Tourist Centre in St Stephens Church at 2.15pm. There’s no need to book, but if you would like more information please contact the centre: 01473 258070 / tourist@ipswich.gov.uk Enjoy a gentle stroll around Suffolk’s county town, be entertained and informed by an Ipswich Tourist guides and I’m sure Ipswich will surprise you.

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OUT & ABOUT East Bergholt High School Association CAR BOOT SALE East Bergholt High School Sunday, May 21, 9.30am-noon Admission 50p Refreshments available, free car park PITCHES In advance: cars £5, with trailers £7, domestic vans £10 On the day £1 extra No traders Gates open 8.30am for sellers ( 01206 298122

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light-hearted atmosphere with refreshments, Saturday workshops (10am-4pm) and Monday meetings (7.30-10pm) are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms.

Monday, May 8: Talk and Demo of Folk Art by Heather Prince Monday, June 5: Flower Brooch (Debbie) Samples of each project are displayed the month before and other projects are available.

Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 71353

CAPEL COUNTRYSIDE CLUB Have you heard of Quiet Lanes? This was the topic for our April meeting.

There are 15 Quiet Lanes in Suffolk, none near Capel unfortunately! Quiet Lanes give priority to pedestrians, but cyclists, horses and cars are allowed on the lane. Perhaps you have seen one of the green signs with black figures? They are mostly found in rural areas and are intended to promote fitness and wellbeing by getting people to go out for daily exercise.

Jan Byrne will present an interesting talk on buildings around Hadleigh at our next meeting on May 8, followed in June with a walk around the town. We meet in the Methodist Church lounge at 7.30pm with refreshments afterwards.

Doreen Parker, 01473 311267

COPDOCK AND WASHBROOK RAMBLERS

PLANT SALE Belstead Village Hall on Saturday, May 20, 10am-12.30pm.

Our very popular plant sale with a range of bedding and vegetable plants.

Refreshments will be served.

In aid of St Mary’s Church, Belstead.

COPDOCK & WASHBROOK WI I start with some sad news this month. One of our members, Helen Wyarrt, died on March 15 after a long illness. She died peacefully at her brother’s house where she had been living and cared for since her health deteriorated. Helen was an enthusiastic member of the committee, with a beautiful smile and always willing to help where she could. We have missed her and our thoughts are with her family.

There had been quite a few activities over the past month and we heard reports on the village quiz (we moved up one place), a taster lunch (long and leisurely with a theme of family favourites), our book club meeting (which always seems to be a fun afternoon regardless of the popularity of the chosen books) and also the federation annual meeting (both informative and enjoyable).

Our March speaker was Ann Day, who very kindly stepped in when our booked speaker was unable to attend. This was a return visit for Ann and we knew she was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic authority on Ipswich. This time she spoke on Remarkable Women of Ipswich. We heard about Margaret Tempest, illustrator and author (best known for her work on the Little Grey Rabbit series of books); Constance Andrews, social reformer and suffragette; Nina Layard, an archaeologist who became the first woman to have a paper presented in front of the Victorian Institute (albeit by a man); and several others. All indeed remarkable women whose achievements were even more admirable, made as they were despite the discrimination prevalent at the time.

There are many good reasons to join the WI. We enjoy a wide variety of interests and outings, there are plenty of opportunities to be involved with the campaigns supported by the WI, to learn new skills or improve your existing skills or just come along to the meetings for companionship and interesting speakers. You can come to three meetings as a visitor to see what goes on before deciding if you would like to join. All visitors and new members will be warmly welcomed.

We meet on the third Tuesday of each month (excluding August) at the village hall – the next meeting is on May 16. Please arrive around 7.15 for a 7.30pm start.

Sandra Howard

Now that the better weather is here, it’s time for the ramblers to get out on the footpaths in order to strim the grass and hack back the nettles so we can all enjoy walking in the beautiful countryside around Copdock and Washbrook.

It has been fantastic during the winter months to have younger villagers rambling with us, and we hope they will still join us occasionally as we maintain the footpaths. Our friendly group meets twice monthly in the afternoon, and also once each month for an evening work party over the summer. Some people help at most sessions and others just assist once or twice during the season.

Are there any new villagers or dog walkers who would like to join our merry band of volunteers? All safety equipment and tools are provided.

If you are interested please contact Tina: 01473 730162 / tinafootpaths@thegrindle.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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OUT & ABOUT EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, then we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you.

We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, May 16 when Anthony Cobbold will talk about one of Suffolk’s best known families, the Cobbolds, and their contribution to Suffolk life. Anthony founded the Cobbold Family Trust which seeks to collect and preserve archival material and artefacts relating to the family. Anthony will be delving into the family history, which, as we will see, consists of more than beer and football.

This is our last meeting until September 19 when the subject will be the Garretts of Leiston. Further details will be published in the September issue.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

BENTLEY TUESDAY CLUB In March we welcomed back The Bass Hicks who entertained us with a varied mix of music and songs. Members were encouraged to join in some of the well-known numbers on an enjoyable afternoon. The month concluded with our regular session of chair aerobics followed by cards and Scrabble.

In April, Janice Mutimer from the Blue Cross Centre gave us a very interesting and amusing talk on the educational aspects of involving children and adults in the care of animals. Members donated toys, tins of food, blankets and towels for use at the centre. This proved to be a very informative and thought provoking talk and was enjoyed by everyone.

At our second meeting in April, Judy gave us a musical afternoon on her accordion which again was most enjoyable.

The dates for our May meetings are as follows: May 2: Paper Sculpture Modelling with Colin Hopper May 16: Chair Aerobics, Cards and Scrabble May 30: Andy Malcolm from The Fisherman`s Mission All meetings start at 2.30pm in Bentley Village Hall and we hope to see you there.

Margaret Blackmore, secretary: 01473 310655

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, May 24, 7pm: Time Flies at The Old Warden – The Story of the Shuttleworth Collection, illustrated talk by Alan Reed We meet at 7pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. Entrance via the rear car park. Visitors welcome – £3.50 at door including tea/coffee.

Details from: 01473 414746/422145 www.idhts.co.uk

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STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, April 12, Amanda Richmond presented a talk titled Two Teachers Ascent of Everest. Amanda is a teacher, mountaineer, skier, traveller and bell ringer. She told of the ascent of Everest and the six years preparation, planning and hardships involved in tackling this formidable ascent.

On Wednesday, May 10, Emma Roodhouse, art curator of the Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service, will talk on Leonard Squirrel, known as the ‘grand old man’ of East Anglian painting. Emma’s talk will highlight his prolific career, concentrating on the artworks in the Ipswich Borough Council collection, including drawings, watercolours, etchings and pastels from 1912-1978.

On Wednesday, June 14, Alan Goldsmith from Stansted will present a talk titled Giving it Both Barrels, an amusing and light-hearted talk of his 50 years in the rock ‘n’ roll and entertainment business.

Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and groups that visit gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust, have over 260 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Gillian Gibbs may be contacted.

We meet at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 which entitles members to attend meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, except August and December.

It’s never too late to learn! Join the 361,477 members across 969 U3As throughout the UK today.

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB At our recent Annual General Meeting, Graeme Forsyth took up presidency of the club for the year, supported by Brian Rolfe as vice president, Paul Woodgate as the new secretary and Peter StanwayWilliams as treasurer.

On Wednesday, April 5, Julian Wong spoke about the good work undertaken by the charity Mary’s Meals and on Wednesday 19 Jim Lowe informed us of the work undertaken by the Alzheimer’s Society.

On Wednesday, May 3, Liz Bruce will tell us about the mission of The Women’s Royal Voluntary Service in the Second World War and two weeks later on Wednesday 17 Chris Parfitt’s presentation is titled The Arctic Circle Express. Tom Tyler returns on June 7 with a talk titled When Holidays Were Fun and on June 21 John Field will speak to us about the redevelopment of Ipswich Docks.

Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed.

We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month at St John’s Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202

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www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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So Much More Than a Dance Class Any Age & Ability Very Welcome No Partners Required

Shimmy, Shake, Wiggle & Giggle to Dance Fitness Fun

"Strictly" style Dance-a-cise

St Mary's Church Hall

The Street Capel St Mary every Thursday 10am & 7pm spaces are limited to reserve yours

Call Janet on 07506 350 455

classes also in: - Brantham - East Bergholt - Hadleigh - Nayland, & - Stratford St Mary

janet@fundancing.co.uk www.fundancing.co.uk FunDancing.Suffolk FunDancing

You’re invited to make an appointment at our Wherstead Park office to discuss:

Powers of Attorney Wills

Probate Court of Protection * We also offer a range of other services

Our out of town Ipswich location is very convinient for parking and has Contact us for an appointment at your convenience: excellent disabled access. www.ellisonssolicitors.com enquiries@ellisonssolicitors.com Wherstead Park, The Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2BJ 01473 556 900 Ellisons Solicitors is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority SRA Number 49336

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OUT & ABOUT VILLAGE LINK CLUB Our March meeting was postponed from the normal second Wednesday of the month to the third as a number of members and the committee wished to attend the funeral of a long standing member. With the hall unavailable on the third Wednesday, our thanks to Tattingstone Church authority for allowing us to hold the postponed meeting in the church, where Professor John Midwinter presented a talk titled Wolves, Dogs and Us. In his talk he explained how dogs evolved from wolves and how they consequently changed from potential predators to man’s best friend.

On Wednesday, May 10 Horry Parsons will present a talk titled The Building of Bury Tower. This will be followed by our AGM. The program for the next year has not yet been finalised but we hope to have it available at the May meeting. Meetings are held at 10am on the second Wednesday of every month in Tattingstone Village Hall. Following the speaker we have refreshments (when there is time for a chat with other members) and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us.

Roger Felgate, 01473 311684

CAMEO In March David Cobbold, a Belstead resident, presented A History of Belstead exhibition. He and his wife Celia excelled themselves and put up boards around the hall, each covered in photos, newspaper articles and history of the houses and people of Belstead over several hundred years. David gave a brief introduction and explained the peculiar house numbering system in Belstead which has caused untold (and understandable) confusion for delivery drivers.

After his introduction we were able to look at the presentation at leisure.

David very kindly stayed on after the usual CAMEO finishing time to allow more people to view.

DIABETES UK, IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP The next meeting is at 7pm on Thursday, June 8 at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH. The main speakers will be Dr Zoe Waller on her work on the genetics of diabetes and Martin Hoskins from Silver Lining Estate Planning Ltd, who are sponsoring the evening, will give a short talk on estate planning, power of attorney and wills.

This is a social gathering of people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to share information on diabetes and to talk to others in similar situations.

Refreshments will be available free of charge. No admission charge or joining fee.

For further information please contact: dsgipswich@gmail.com / 07547 513730 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org

IPSWICH EPILEPSY GROUP QUIZ The Ipswich Epilepsy Group is a registered charity run entirely by volunteers who either have epilepsy or know someone with epilepsy.

We support people in Ipswich and the surrounding areas and offer social events such as family bowling, meals out and day trips. We also have a help line run by group members to offer advice, information or just be there to listen to people in difficult times. We offer a large range of free hire books, DVDs and information fact sheets and provide advice and training about Epilepsy. We also offer financial support helping with aids, adaptations and assistance technology where possible.

Our new website is regularly updated with new information: www.ipswichepilepsy.org.uk

It was a truly fascinating afternoon for which many thanks are due to David and Celia. I would like to make an apology; last month’s report said that David Cobley would be giving a presentation on the history of the village, when I had intended to refer to David Cobbold. Both men do a huge amount for the village and I am very sorry for the confusion and/or consternation that my error caused.

One of our annual fundraising events is a quiz night which this year is on Friday, May 12 at Westgate Ward Social Club, 74 Victoria Street, Ipswich IP1 2JX from 7pm. This is a fun evening for teams of up to six people. Entry is £6, including a buffet and licensed bar. We also hold a raffle during the evening. If you would like to come and join us please contact 01473 461407 to reserve a table. We look forward to seeing you there.

Garry from the Coffee Caravan joined us at the meeting and was keen to see the exhibition and gather ideas to pass on to other villages. He also kindly brought his usual selection of information leaflets.

BELSTEAD GARDEN CLUB

The aim of Belstead CAMEO (Come and Meet Every One) is to provide an opportunity for residents to meet each other for tea, coffee, refreshments and chat on a drop-in basis. The club is not-for-profit and there is no charge, but a small donation towards refreshments is much appreciated.

Non-residents are very welcome at a charge of £1 – the set-up costs were part funded by the parish council so in fairness we need to levy a small fee for anyone not paying council tax to the parish.

Belstead is a friendly village and we want to increase this community spirit, both on personal and business levels. We aim to promote all types of local interests and have notice boards showing events, along with information on businesses and charities. You would be amazed at the wealth of talent and scope of business in our small village! It’s always good to know if somebody in the village has recommended the businesses whose cards and information we display.

We meet at Belstead Village Hall, usually on the third Monday of the month (excluding July and August) between 2.30 and 4.30pm.

Sandra Howard

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

Our April meeting took a slight turn away from gardening as Spencer Graystrong from the River Gipping Trust came along to tell us all about the work done to bring the River Gipping back to working order as it was in Victorian times. A hard working group of volunteers give up hundreds of hours every year to work on this project.

Our May meeting will be about making compost and what’s happening to it. Nature takes over most things in our life!

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month in Belstead Village Hall at 7.30pm. Why not come along and meet us? We are all likeminded gardeners or people who just like to admire gardens.

BENTLEY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY Coffee Morning and Plant Sale Saturday, May 20, from 10am Bentley Village Hall Come and enjoy a slice of cake with either tea or coffee Raffle

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS RSPB FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN Busy, Buzzy May in the Wildlife Garden Have you paid a visit to Flatford Wildlife Garden yet this season? Well, it’s peak nesting time now and the birds are busy, busy, busy. As I write this in April, we have cameras in three nest boxes, all showing the beginnings of nests. One pair of blue tits in particular seem to be taking matters very seriously and we’re looking forward to seeing a clutch of eggs nestled into the fluffy depths very soon. Last year we had 11 blue tit chicks hatch and fledge successfully from one nest, all on camera. The parents worked very hard to raise their brood and looked pretty exhausted by the end of it all, but they were helped by the close proximity of a bank of butterfly friendly plants. Caterpillars were in plentiful supply just a short flight away when there were 11 hungry chicks to keep up with. Up in the barn we have a screen showing all the dramas, so why not come along and keep up with all the latest nesting news?

Visitors of all ages are also invited to explore the treasures of the nature table. Examine the skull collection and feel the texture of the grass snake skins that were shed last summer. As part of our refurbishment, we also have a new ‘colouring wall’. Intrigued? Come and see for yourself.

Of course, most birds will have built their nests in hedges, shrubs and trees rather than nest boxes, so we need to remember not to risk disturbing them by cutting back at this time of year. They need our cooperation if they’re to successfully raise their broods.

As well as birdsong, the garden is full of the gentle humming of bees and the fluttering of butterflies in the sunshine. Our borders are full of good bee and butterfly plants, useful pollen and nectar providers, and we have lots of information to share about how to make gardens more wildlife friendly overall.

The half-term holiday at the end of May is approaching fast, and we’re planning a range of nature-themed family activities every day between May 27 and June 4, 10.30am-3.30pm. Bring your children along and join in some outdoor fun in the garden with no need to book in advance.

There is a small charge that covers all activities on the day, with a discount for those who are RSPB members.

Free for everyone to enjoy in the garden, among other attractions we have a child-sized nesting box, a log pile house to climb over and through, and a special living willow tunnel begging to be run through.

For full details of all activities visit: www.rspb.org.uk/Flatford If you have some spare time available and would be interested in volunteering with the RSPB locally, do get in touch for information about the range of roles available: 01206 391153 / sharon.barker@rspb.org.uk Visitor Experience Officer Sharon Barker

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COPDOCK AND WASHBROOK PRE-SCHOOL We have had a really busy spring term looking at different kinds of transport. We listened for traffic noises in the local environment, seeing if we could predict what kind of vehicle we could hear, did some car washing and explored our Duplo Railway set. Later in the term we looked for signs of spring in our garden, observing the blossom on our apple tree and the daffodils in the raised beds. We even watched a crow collecting materials for making a nest. On the last day of term our families joined us for a morning of Easter activities and a delicious lunch which raised funds for our setting.

ROBIN’S NEWS Baby Bears As the days grow longer we have taken advantage of the warmer evenings and enjoyed dancing in our cosy garden. Through the daytime sunshine, the Baby Bears have been outside exploring and have helped to plant many seeds. Some have already sprouted and we are excited to watch them grow. Our water trays have been happily splashed in and we have added lots of different items which the Baby Bears love to investigate. We have also been trying to hop like the Easter bunny, giggling as we watch each other jumping about.

Toddling Tigers We have been very busy with Easter crafts and have made so many things including Easter bunny headbands, painted chicks and bunnies and an Easter bunny collage. We have been colouring, baked bunny biscuits, made nest cakes and even found time to make and eat our own mini egg cupcakes! We are also very excited and looking forward to our planned water week and animal week both coming soon.

Gruffalos The Gruffalos had a busy month preparing for Mother’s Day. They each made a lovely flower card using painted hands to create the petals. We also had a busy week of colour mixing, experimenting with the prime colours and mixing with hands and paint brushes. Spring has been of great interest to the Gruffalos when playing outside. We have been looking at and listening to the birds, been on flower hunts and watched the frogs in the pond. Our preposition play was amazing; we explored what we know about behind, onto, in front, inside and beside.

If you would like information about Robin’s Childcare please contact Vicki on 01473 310767, visit www.robinschildcare.co.uk or follow us on Twitter/Facebook.

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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BY Pop in store this spring to see our full poultry care range to keep your hens healthy and happy.

Copdock Mill, Old London Road, Copdock, IP8 3LA 01473 731117 Mon - Sat: 8am - 6pm, Sun: 10am - 4pm gladwells.copdock@copdockmill.co.uk www.copdockmill.co.uk

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SCHOOLS / SPORT COPDOCK & BENTLEY PRIMARY SCHOOLS

BENTLEY CARPET BOWLS Harkstead Carpet Bowls Club Charity Bowls Tournament David, Jill, Margaret and Veronica competed in a charity bowls tournament organised by Harkstead Carpet Bowls Club on Saturday, March 25. The team started off very well, winning against Kesgrave 8-2. Then they came up against Harkstead and lost 4-9. Their last match was against Shotley. It was all square going into the last end but Shotley won 8-6. Shotley were the overall winners of the tournament, congratulations to them.

The charities that benefited from the afternoon were East Suffolk Association for the Blind and Guide Dogs for the Blind. A big thank you to Harkstead Bowls Club for organising a very enjoyable afternoon.

The whole of Key Stage 1 across the entire federation spent a day in Colchester visiting the synagogue and eating lunch in the park before touring the natural history museum.

We finished the spring term with Easter Bonnet parades at each school with many pupils sporting some fantastically creative headwear in return for some Easter treats.

To round off this year’s swimming lessons at the end of last term, we had an inter-federation gala at First Strokes. Photos and a report of the event can be found on the news pages of the school website.

Head pupil update Children have now met with our Community Police Officer, Denise Ford, and will be monitoring speed and parking at both school sites after Easter. The children have designed a leaflet promoting safe parking and asking for parent support to keep everyone safe. Head pupils are doing a fantastic job and show a commitment to improving school life for everyone within our community. Well done!

Last term the focus of the after school club was cross country in preparation for events such as the one hosted by RHS at the end of March which saw 30 children from Years 4, 5 and 6 across the federation participating. Clubs last term also included writing, cooking and SATS math’s revision. This term we’ll be concentrating on dance and tennis.

The summer term launched with a Mad Science workshop, followed by the annual Farm & Country Fair at Trinity Park. Pupils from Years 3 and 4 at Bentley enjoyed learning about different aspects of farming and stroking some of the animals. Copdock Woodpeckers headed to Braintree for a look at the Stone Age to Iron Age exhibit at the museum and KS1 across the federation visited Orford Castle. During this time, Year 6 will work hard towards their Spelling Bee competition at East Bergholt High.

At Copdock Primary we have a vacancy for a midday supervisor. If you are interested in the role please contact the school office for further information: 01473 730337 The schools are collecting Sainsbury’s vouchers to help fund sports and cooking equipment. If you are wondering what to do with any you receive, please pop them in our post box or send them into the office.

Please encourage friends and relatives to share their vouchers with the schools too. Thank you.

COPDOCK AND WASHBROOK TENNIS AND BADMINTON CLUB Are you interested in playing tennis?

The club is looking for new members. We have two hard courts to use which are situated on the playing field.

Annual General Meeting On Tuesday, March 28, twenty-one members attended our 28th annual general meeting. All committee members and club captains gave very positive reports of the achievements over the last year. Although we will be returning to the second division next season we as a club had all enjoyed playing in the first division, putting up a very spirited performance in all matches.

The following committee was elected: Chairperson: Colin Rose Secretary: Jill Mills Treasurer: Veronica Howe The following club captains were elected: Winter League Captain: David Howe / Vice-captain: Colin Rose Summer League Captain: Deidre Rose / Vice-captain: Pam Rayment Friendlies Captain: Pam Rayment / Vice-captain: Sandra Ford We now look forward to taking part in the summer league.

Derek and Cynthia Page Trophy On Tuesday, April 4, we played the first leg of the Derek and Cynthia Page Trophy. This is always a fun evening where we play against Tattingstone to raise money for The Papworth Hospital and Marie Curie Nurses.

After some very competitive bowling we won on three mats and lost on one, making us the overall winners on the night. We finished the evening with lovely refreshments and a very generous raffle. The total raised on the night was £193.

A big thank you to everybody who made the evening such a success. We now look forward to the next leg when we play at Tattingstone to find out the winner over the two legs.

Jill Mills

BELSTEAD CARPET BOWLS Only two games to report which finishes the winter league season.

First an 8-2 win over Copdock which was not as easy as the score suggests. The last game of the season was a home match against Tuddenham and we ran out winners with a fairly easy 10-0 win, so thanks to our last five home games which produced 44 points we were able to finish third in the league, a position which did not look likely at the midway point.

We have a break now before the summer league starts in May. It looks as though we will be playing short in all these matches so if anyone would like to try the game we would be very pleased to see you.

John Hayward

For further information contact Maureen: 01473 730409

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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SPORT CAPEL PLOUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

BENTLEY BOWLS CLUB

Watched by a crowd of 290 spectators, the Saturday First team lost the Suffolk Senior Cup semi-final 2-0 against Achilles FC in a game played under floodlights at Needham Market on Friday, March 31. An even first half saw both teams miss chances before our opponents scored twice during the second half to go through to the final to be played at Portman Road later this season. So no new cups in the trophy room this season with the side having seven league games remaining and their last two league games seeing them lose 2-1 to Grundisburgh with Gary Collins getting our goal before they drew 2-2 with Haughley United thanks to goals from Miles Donovan and Shaun Webb. The last home league game should be on April 29 against Stanton.

Tickets for our quiz in Bentley Village Hall on Saturday, May 6, are £6 each and available from Lillian Calvert (311756) and David Howe (310344).

We shall start at 7.30pm, teams of up to six people, which we can make up on the night if necessary. Do come along and support us as this raises much needed funds to keep the green in good order. There will be a bar, raffle and buffet with Charles once again setting the questions.

Our Reserves are bottom of their league despite a recent 3-0 win over Bacton United with Nick Tigges grabbing a hat trick, followed by a 3-2 defeat against Coplestonians with goals from Alex Parry and Harry Taylor.

The team are looking for a manager for next season so if interested please contact a club member.

Our Sunday side beat Claydon 2-1 thanks to a brace of goals from Curtis Fleming, then beat Bourne Vale 3-2 with a hat trick from Abdul Kaium.

Meanwhile our Veteran team lost 2-1 to Coplestonians before beating Suffolk Punch in the league cup 2-1 with goals from Wayne Pannell and an own goal.

The season should finish on May 13 when all those connected with running the club can have a well-earned break before training starts in July.

BOB THE PLOUGHMAN

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB With the weather being kind this season there were only a couple of fixtures through March for the First Team. A win and a draw kept them in a midtable position. They have continued to find penalties difficult to convert, but skipper Ben Bibby did score in a penalty shootout when he deservedly was selected for the SIL representative team alongside teammate Gary Hammond. Two wins and two defeats for the Reserves have maintained third place in League A. The semi-final of the Goals of Ipswich Cup, where they meet Benhall St Mary Reserves, is now approaching quickly.

There have been lots of goals in the A Team’s games. It looks as if it will go to the wire as the team looks to maintain their League B status.

UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team / Senior Division Sat, April 29: Leiston St Margarets (A) Sat, May 6: Stanton (A) Reserves / League A Sat, April 29: Coplestonians Res (H) A Team / League B Sat, April 29: Benhall St Mary Res (A) Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm, please refer to the fixtures website and chose the appropriate competition: http://fulltime.thefa. com/Index.do?league=4358069

The green with open for roll-up on Friday, April 21, weather permitting. If you would like to try the game of bowls do come along at 6.30pm. We have woods in the hut for you to use, you just need flat soled shoes.

Lillian Calvert, secretary, 311756

SPROUGHTON TENNIS CLUB May promises to be a busy month at Sproughton Tennis Club. Our regular Thursday afternoon junior coaching sessions continue and adult club nights are on Mondays and Thursdays from 7pm. We are also trialling an open club session on Friday mornings at 10am.

We are holding an Open Day on Sunday, May 14 from 2pm. This is part of the LTA Great British Tennis Weekend and is your opportunity to play for free for the afternoon. Between 2 and 4pm we are expecting families to come along while between 4 and 6pm, it’s the turn of over 14s and adults to play.

We hope to see people of all ages, not only juniors. So, if you have played tennis in the past or just want to try something new, dig out that racket and come along. If you don’t have a racket, come along anyway and we will find you one to play with. We’re hoping for fine weather and there may even be prizes available.

For further details visit: www.sproughtontennis.co.uk/gbtw We are also holding free coaching lessons for juniors new to tennis between the ages of five and eight as part of the LTA Tennis For Kids initiative. These will be held on Saturday mornings beginning May 20 for six weeks. There are two courses: 9.15-10.15am and 10.30-11.30am.

The numbers available for these sessions are strictly limited, so you must pre-book. Please see our website for details: www.sproughtontennis.co.uk/tennisforkids The club can be found at The Playing Fields in Church Lane, Sproughton IP8 3AX.

TATTINGSTONE CARPET BOWLS CLUB Our last game in the winter league was against East Bergholt and they duly tore us apart 8-2. But again what lovely people (as most teams are) and the spread after the game was more like a banquet. Well done Bergholt, it made losing a tad easier to take.

On Sunday, April 2, we had an in-house competition, the Win Bullard (mixed singles). It was duly won by Pat Enefer, who incidentally was the organiser. Well done Pat, you were a worthy winner. And as we do with these in-house competitions, we hurriedly put the carpets away and headed down to the Ipswich Hotel at Copdock for their lovely carvery and a good old chat over a pint.

If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners or boards on matchdays all offer potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation.

On April 4 we travelled down the road to Bentley for the Derek and Cynthia Page trophy. They lived in Tattingstone and had good relations with Bentley, so we do this fixture on a home and away basis. This leg was won by Bentley. Thanks Bentley for a lovely evening, your spread was top drawer and £193 was raised. The result of the return leg at Tattingstone is unknown at the time of writing, but if we can get somewhere near that amount on the night, it will be a good result. All proceeds go to Papworth and Marie Curie charities.

Steve Butcher, stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

Tony Coward

We are always looking for people who can help the club as committee member, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background.

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CHURCH NEWS HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Christopher Smith, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR MAY 2017 Tuesday 2 9.30am 10am

Morning Prayer Mass

Sunday 7 9am

FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER Mass

Tuesday 9 9.20am 10am

Eucharistic Adoration Mass

Sunday 14 9am

FIFTH WEEK OF EASTER Mass

Tuesday 16 9.30am 10am

Morning Prayer Mass

Sunday 21 9am

SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER Mass

Tuesday 23 9.30am 10am

Morning Prayer Mass

Sunday 28 9am

ASCENSION OF THE LORD Mass

Tuesday 30 9.30am 10am

Morning Prayer Mass

a simple truth for this Pope: the needs of the institutional church come second to the needs of humanity.

Events & Diary Dates The 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday, April 23 when three lucky winners shared £147. The club, set up to raise much needed funds to support the life and mission of our parish, has grown from strength-to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church and online. The next draw takes place on Sunday, May 21.

Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place from 10.30am-noon at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR. We are raising funds for the parish room refurbishment and all are very welcome to join us. The next coffee morning is on Thursday, May 25.

Supporting our local hospice All parishioners are asked to collect used postage stamps and tp place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local hospice.

Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital Fr Adrian Gates is the Catholic Chaplain at Ipswich Hospital (01473 726701). Please contact him if you or a Catholic is in or due to go into hospital and requires his services.

All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services. It’s not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic Faith are always welcome.

Please contact the Presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic.

The weekly newsletter, with weekly mass times, is displayed in the cabinet alongside the front door.

Catholic Commentary It’s just over four years since Jorge Mario Bergoglio stepped onto the balcony of St Peter’s to begin his mission, a ministry which might be described as a ‘start-up’ pontificate aimed at a ‘compassionate disruption’ of Catholicism. Two months after his election Pope Francis held a meeting with senior figures from the church’s charitable arm inside his new home, the Casa Santa Marta, where he made a startling claim.

The work of Caritas, he stressed, was not just about providing first aid to people in a crisis but must focus on giving on-going care to the most vulnerable. He admitted this was a big, expensive task but nevertheless there shouldn’t be compromises. “If that is too expensive,” Francis explained, “we’d even have to sell the churches to feed the poorest of the poor.”

Caritas executives were stunned although pleasantly surprised by Francis’ willingness to stake the church’s assets to help further their good work, a global operation which helps everyone from the homeless in Rome to Syrian war victims. Inside the Vatican, however, they were worried.

Anxious phone calls were made to Caritas from senior officials explaining what the Holy Father really meant to say while stressing the new Pope was not about to put the Holy See’s real estate portfolio on the market.

This is a story that gives an insight into this papacy, where the old ways of being Pope have been upended in order to push a radical message of mercy out into the world’s margins. That meeting with Caritas revealed

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

MESSY CHURCH: SATURDAY, JUNE 3 The next Messy Church is on Saturday, June 3 at Capel Methodist Church, this time from 9.30-11.30am. For a change we are starting with breakfast (maybe bacon butties). Then there will be the usual craft activities and games, but you will then be free to do what you like for the rest of the day in the lovely sunny weather.

What is Messy church, I hear you ask? Well it’s a fun, new way of doing church relevant to families today. We will have a short celebration including some singing and a Bible story/drama related to the theme for the day, followed by an hour of crafts. The theme on June 3 is Into the Lion’s Den. It’s all free but donations are gratefully received. Who can come? All age families. Kids, you must bring at least one adult. If you haven’t been before, talk to someone who has and I’m sure they’ll tell you it’s great and you must come. No need to book just turn up. Hope to see lots of you there.

Maggie and Sue Maggie Boswell: 01473 310766 / maggie3@btinternet.com Sue France: 01473 310034 / sue.france4@btinternet.com

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CHURCH NEWS THE NORTH SAMFORD BENEFICE Sproughton with Burstall, Copdock with Washbrook and Belstead and Bentley with Tattingstone For parish queries please contact: The Rev Annette Shannon The Rectory, Glebe Close, Sproughton, Ipswich IP8 3BQ revannettes@aol.co.uk / 01473 807674 Benefice Administrator Hayley Purnell northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com / 07713 863023 Friends, It is my turn to write this month’s letter and I have been struggling over what to write. Most of my free time this week has been spent thinking about it. It seemed as if the more I thought the less I knew. Then into my head popped the words ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. How many times have I said that whenever I don’t know what to say I use the prayer our Father taught us? And instead of getting more and more wound up I gradually felt at peace.

I have nothing profound to say, nothing life changing happened. I was gently reminded of the power of prayer. I hope by writing these thoughts that not only will they act as a reminder to me but to others, because maybe I’m not the only one who occasionally forgets the value of prayer.

Sometimes it’s not necessary to say anything but sit quietly in his presence, because as one little lady told me a long time ago ‘if you don’t, how will you hear what he says?’

Already we are in the month of May, almost half-way through the year.

The gardens are full of flowers and bees and butterflies. We are still in the Easter season and as Annette said last month, butterflies are a symbol of Easter. They are a delight to watch and whenever I see them I am reminded of new life, birth and the resurrection of Christ. They bring joy to my heart.

Bentley Evening Prayer Fridays at 6.30pm during the summer. Join us for an opportunity for quiet contemplation on May 12 & 26, June 9 & 23, July 7 & 21, August 4 & 25, September 8 & 22.

A Celebration of a Country Churchyard Saturday, May 13 at St Mary’s, Burstall, 10.30am-3pm.

Refreshments and plant sale.

Pentecost Services Sunday, June 4: 9.30am at Burstall / 11am at Nine Oaks, Tattingstone Copdock Plant Sale Saturday, May 13, 10am in the Church Room FROM THE REGISTERS Baptisms Elizabeth Amelia Froud – Sproughton Funerals Jean Scrivener – Sproughton Maryann Turner – Copdock Burial of Ashes Albert Collins – Tattingstone Weddings Scott Mitchell and Lauren Matthews – Belstead Sinead Osbourne and Ryan Mounihan – Copdock MAY 3

Bentley Home Communions, 10am

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Bentley Coffee and Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm

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Copdock Morning Market, 10am

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Comfort Corner Sproughton Church Hall, 1.30pm

The Lent period gives us the time to think about our faith and where it is leading us. I think this Easter season gives us hope as we realise the enormity of what Christ did for us. The strength of God’s love shines through like the light on the top of a lighthouse. It stands high above everything, pulsing out its light for everyone to see. It helps to stop people from being shipwrecked, cast out to sea. It’s there for everyone, not just those who don’t know what dangers lie ahead. Whereas we have many lighthouses for protection against physical danger because they are limited as to how far their light will show, there is only need to have God’s light which is so powerful that it shines all over the world, to protect his children spiritually.

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Bentley Evening Prayer, 6.30pm

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Sproughton Monthly Market, 10am Celebration of a Country Churchyard, Burstall, 10.30am Copdock Plant Sale, Church Room, 10am

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Copdock Home Communions, 10am

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Ascension Day Service in Sproughton and Archdeacon’s Visitation, 7.30pm

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Bentley Evening Prayer, 6.30pm

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Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm

The Easter season finishes at Pentecost which is at the beginning of June this year. At the time, Christ’s followers were probably trying to come to terms with the crucifixion and puzzling over what to do next. Their grief must have been tangible. But they had realised who he was and my prayer is that they saw him as their lighthouse and were able to follow in his footsteps with his light leading them forwards.

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Copdock Morning Market, 10am

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Pentecost Services: 9.30am at Burstall / 11am at Nine Oaks, Tattingstone

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Bentley Home Communions, 10am

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Bentley Coffee and Company, 10am Burstall Community Lunch, 12.30pm

I don’t know what the scribes and pharisees thought, but probably they were quite happy with themselves, thinking they had won. I hope some of them were touched by what had happened, by Christ’s presence and began to question their understanding of who he was. And I think that maybe this is a good time to consider our understanding.

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Bentley Evening Prayer, 6.30pm

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Sproughton Monthly Market, 10am

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Comfort Corner, Sproughton Church Hall, 1.30pm

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Joint PCC Meeting at Sproughton School, 7.30pm

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Copdock Home Communions, 10am

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Bentley Evening Prayer, 6.30pm

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Sproughton Beetle Drive, 7.30pm

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Ministry Meeting at The Rectory, noon

In love and prayer, Gwen Runnacles All services and events will be updated at: www.facebook.com/northsamfordbenefice

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JUNE

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CHURCH NEWS SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE MAY 7 8am 9.30am 10am 10am 10am 11am

Copdock Burstall Bentley Copdock Tattingstone Sproughton

Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion

MAY 12 6.30pm

Bentley

Evening Prayer

MAY 14 9.30am Sproughton Croissant Church 9.30am Burstall Family Service 10am Copdock Holy Communion 10am Bentley Holy Communion 6pm Tattingstone Evensong MAY 21 9.30am 10am 10am 11am 6pm

Burstall Washbrook Bentley Sproughton Tattingstone

Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service Matins Holy Communion

MAY 25: Ascension Day 7.30pm Sproughton

Holy Communion

MAY 26 6.30pm

Evening Prayer

Bentley

MAY 28 8am Sproughton Holy Communion 9.30am Burstall Matins 10am Copdock Holy Communion 10am Bentley Holy Communion 10am Belstead Morning Worship 10am Tattingstone Family Service 11am Sproughton Family and Friends JUNE 4: Pentecost 9.30am Burstall 11am Tattingstone

Benefice Service Benefice Service

JUNE 9 6.30 pm

Evening Prayer

Bentley

JUNE 11 9.30am Sproughton Croissant Church 9.30am Burstall Family Service 10am Copdock Holy Communion 10am Bentley Holy Communion 6pm Tattingstone Holy Communion

Church letters and copy for the June edition of In Touch to Hayley Purnell by May 4 please: northsamfordbenefice@gmail.com

CAPEL & HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES LOOK AT YOURSELF AND LAUGH! I find myself in Cornwall the weekend before Easter on a few days break, normally reserved for after Easter. The weather is amazing. I spent the first five years of my life in Cornwall. My wife’s family roots are here and we have met up with her cousins and other friends who are still in the area, some of whom we haven’t seen in over 25 years. We are staying in a friend’s flat overlooking the River Fal Estuary and I always love looking through other people’s bookshelves. I spotted eight Bill Bryson books, whom my son had recommended but I hadn’t got around to reading. I’m loving it. His observations of people and in particular the British, makes you want to laugh. I was warned not to read the book in public “for fear of emitting loud snorts”!

The evening after meeting our cousins, I read a chapter that described several of the things we had done that very day in catching up 25 years and I laughed! Bill, who is from the USA, has spent most of his adult life in the UK, and can get us to look at our lives and laugh at the quirky things we sometime do, me included!

I think we sometimes take ourselves and life too seriously. Jesus came that we might have life and life in all its fullness. He went to a wedding party and was far from a party pooper. He was accused of mixing with the wrong crowd and of not taking the disciplines of the faith seriously!

In our Bible reading on the day we met with our cousins, it suggested “going with the flow”, connecting with people and “learning the unforced rhythms of grace”. Today’s mantra is often “busy, busy, busy” and we miss living life with people.

I love my job, I have quite a bit of flexibility and every day is different.

Those I work with, I sometimes frustrate, because I haven’t done all the admin work expected of me, or done things in a timely way because I have gone with the flow and met with someone and given them time.

Others, I might have unintentionally hurt, either because of being “busy, busy, busy” or another person came into the flow of my life and someone else was overlooked. I don’t always get the balance right. Come to think of it, I’m meant to be on holiday; the rest of the day is my wife’s and

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

daughter’s in the beautiful Cornish countryside!

The Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel & Holbrook Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT CAPEL METHODIST Sunday 7

10.30am Worship with Mr Tennens

Sunday 14

10.30am Worship with Mrs Ellis 6.30pm Worship with Rev Sankey

Sunday 21

10.30am Worship with Mr Jowett

Sunday 28

10.30am Worship and Communion with Rev Sankey 7.30pm United Prayer at St Mary’s

AT HOLBROOK METHODIST What’s on in May (HCT Holbrook Churches Together) Mondays, 2.30-4pm: Tea and Chat (HCT) Tuesdays, May 9 & 23 at 7.30pm: Conversations Thursdays 4 & 18, 2pm at 16 Ipswich Road: Afternoon Group Saturday 6

10-11.30am

Sunday 7

10am

Worship with Mr Luke Rokobuli

Sunday 14

10am

Worship and Communion with Rev Allen

Friday 19

3.30pm Messy Church (HCT)

Sunday 21 10am

Coffee Morning

Family Friendly Worship including baptism with Rev Sankey

Sunday 28 10am Worship with Mrs Sawyer

6.30pm Worship with Rev Sankey /

Something Different Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in May. For more information about Messy Church, Tiddlers and Family Live contact Alicia Holmes: ajnholmes@gmail.com / 01473 658478

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ON THE GRAPEVINE EBONY’S BLOG: LIFE AT THE SHELLEY CENTRE Summer at last and we are in full swing. I love having my door hooked back so that I can see what’s going on outside.

I think my riders like it too. Piles of shed horse hair refuse to be swept up neatly and annoy Lyn, who likes our yard to look spotless. She has been spring-cleaning recently and tidying the stores, so it’s not a gypsy encampment you can see in the photo, only Lyn on the warpath.

WALK TOWARDS A CURE FOR PARKINSON’S IN SUFFOLK

My room houses little Babs of course and the hoist, three sets of mounting steps, a day bed, disco lighting and some interesting toys, but we keep it pretty tidy. It will soon be full of cakes when kind people bring in their baking ready for Hadleigh Show on May 20 where The Shelley Centre has a stand selling wonderful plants and, hopefully, masses of cakes for visitors to buy. Do come and support us; all the money raised will help keep me (and my live friends) in the manner to which we are accustomed!

Talking of keeping us going, we were very pleased to welcome Alan Fosker of Brett Valley Lodge who came to present us with a fat cheque just before Easter. Alan came to watch me in action too, so he gets a big vote of approval from me, and our thanks for his personal sponsorship of two races on the race night in April.

People in Suffolk are being asked to pick up the pace against Parkinson’s this year at Walk for Parkinson’s – Glemham Hall on Sunday, July 9, one of a series of walk events to be held across the UK for Parkinson’s UK during 2017.

On May 6 some of our riders will be joining us for an Own a Pony day.

Watch this space for photos in my next blog. Until then thank you for your company and enjoy yourselves!

Walk for Parkinson’s offers the opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to get involved in a fun and active day out, while helping the charity step ever closer to a cure.

www.rda-east.org.uk/shelley.html / 01473 824172

BRANTHAM 2017 ANNUAL GARAGE SALE Saturday, September 16, 9am-4.30pm Open garages selling items throughout the village. Look for the balloons and signs throughout Brantham on the A137.

Table Top Sale at Brantham Village Hall Refreshments, handcrafts and preserves, tombola, ice cream and much more.

We need a £5 minimum donation to book your garage or village hall table. For more details please contact Maya, Louise or Maggie.

If you like to help in any way either on or before the day, or wish to donate items for sale or for the tombola, please call Maya or Maggie.

Proceeds will go to St Elizabeth Hospice (Carla Dawson’s Tribute Fund) and Nepal Children’s Trust which supports children in Nepal.

Maya: mayawatling@hotmail.com / 07508 430671 Louise: Louloumadley@btinternet.com / 07792 236414 Maggie: maggie1woods@googlemail.com / 07867 54684

There are a range of distances on offer to suit everyone, with a 1.5 mile, 3.5 mile and 5.5 mile walk to choose from.

It is the first time the charity has hosted a Walk for Parkinson’s at Glemham Hall. Previous walks in the region have seen more than 200 local people take part, so the charity hopes to involve even more walkers with the new and exciting venue.

The registration fee is £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s.

Everyone who registers will receive a free Parkinson’s UK t-shirt, fundraising pack and at the end of the walk, a finishers medal.

The charity is hoping to raise over £400,000 from the 32 events, so suggests walkers aim to raise at least £50.

All money raised from Walk for Parkinson’s – Glemham Hall will help Parkinson’s UK’s work to provide support and information for people affected by Parkinson’s and to help find better treatments, and ultimately a cure.

As well as walkers, the charity is on the lookout for volunteers to help register people at the start/finish area or to be a walk marshal at various points on the route during the day.

To find out more and to sign up to walk or volunteer contact: 0207 963 9367 / fundraising@parkinsons.org.uk or visit: www.parkinsons.org.uk/walkglemhamhall

Facebook: Brantham Garage Sale

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In Touch online:

WE PRINT

REPORTS Company AGM Reports Training Workshop Manuals Health and Safety Handbooks from your own pdf artwork

01473 400379 sales@colourplan.co.uk

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GROUNDS & GARDEN MAINTENANCE We offer the following services all year round: Grass cutting • Garden clearance Fences & Gates • Patios & Paths Hedge Cutting • Tree Cutting Sheds • Summer Houses Digger & Dumper work

For a free quotation please call Nigel Coton 01449 721025 or 07801 515505

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

Dry Carpet Cleaning Professional Local Service For a FREE no obligation quotation

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

www.keepingintouchwith.com/copdock

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3RD EAST OF ENGLAND ORGAN DAY: AMERICANA SATURDAY 13 MAY

10AM – 6PM Royal Hospital School Holbrook, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2RX

Featuring the 1933 Four-Manual Hill, Norman & Beard Grand Organ & Celebrity Recitalist NATHAN LAUBE (USA) 10.15AM: LECTURE/RECITAL £5 Tom Bell (UK) Music by Bolcom & Babbitt 11.30AM: ‘AN AMERICAN SONGBOOK’ £5 Quinn Ankrum Patrick (USA) Music by Rorem, Gershwin, Berlin, Porter & Kern 1.45PM: ‘STARS & STRIPES FOREVER’ £5 The winners of the London Organ Competition 2016

3.00PM: ‘CLOUDBURST’ £8 Prometheus Singers & William Saunders (UK) Bernstein, Chichester Psalms Music by Lauridsen & Whitacre 5.00PM: CELEBRITY RECITAL £10/7 Nathan Laube (USA) Music by Willan, Sowerby, Cook, Hampton, Muhly & Buck

ALL DAY TICKET £25 Tickets available from www.experiencetickets.co.uk/rhsmusic 01206 573948