In Touch with Elmswell May 2020

In Touch

™©© ™

with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit Volume 4 • Issue No. 2 • MAY 2020

Image by Jolanta Putnina

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In Touch online:

KEEPING IN TOUCH Until it’s safe for our delivery teams to work again we have decided to publish online and have worked quickly to create a dedicated area on the website for each publication area.

We’re constantly adding new content and engaging with local, regional and national organisations to share often critical information and to support the local groups established in response to the COVID-19 crisis. We’ve also added a directory to make it easier to find the businesses which are still operating and available to take your call. www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk You may well be reading this online and if it’s your first visit to our website, you are very welcome.

If you have a printer and know someone who can’t access the online edition, you can download and print a PDF from the website. We have also left a small number of printed copies at key locations in the area, though I suspect they will disappear rather quickly.

Of course, we’re also using the Mansion House Publishing Facebook Twitter and Instagram accounts to ensure information is shared quickly and widely. Do join or follow us if you can.

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Every aspect of life as we know it has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s impossible to know when we can expect ‘normal’ life to resume. Tragically many lives have been lost, including far too many NHS and healthcare staff to whom we owe an enormous debt, as we do to everyone who continues to work, in any capacity, on what is now referred to as the ‘front line’.

Many of us are working from home, fortunate to still have jobs while many others have lost theirs. Many local businesses have been forced to shut down temporarily (we hope) while others have adapted to meet a growing need for home deliveries or alternative services and products.

Through all this we have seen the emergence of an extraordinary sense of community responsibility with support networks or hubs forming almost overnight to ensure those is most need or self-isolating have access to essential supplies. In traditional Irish farming communities, a gathering such as this was known as a ‘meitheal’. Modern technology has enabled digital ‘meitheals’ to form and the sense of common good has never been as powerful as it is right now.

If you haven’t already signed up, you will probably find the following quite useful right now:

Instagram: mansionhousepublishing Twitter: @InTouchEast Facebook: Mansion House Publishing We’re also responding to increased demand for online advertising as companies seek out new ways to promote their business and to let customers know they are there for them now and always. If you want to know more about the advertising and e-marketing opportunities on offer, please contact our sales team on 01473 400380.

Ipswich based photographer Jolanta Putnina provides affordable photography services from environmental portrait sessions and weddings to commercial event coverage. Extended portfolio at: www.jolantaputninaphotography.co.uk Follow for ideas and inspirations on Instagram and Facebook and contact for inquiries via social media or phone 07857 888650

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP EDITOR: Sharon Jenkins T: 01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sharon@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.

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In Touch Titles • Stowmarket & Stowupland • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew • Melton & Woodbridge • Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley • Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath • Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit • Needham Market & The Creetings •S hotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone • Martlesham • Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton • East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford & Stratford St Mary • Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham • Capel St Mary (Capel Capers) • Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone & Washbrook • Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead •W esterfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Wednesday 20 May is the advertising and editorial deadline for the June edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

Elmswell Virus Support Group Woolpit Covid-19 Community Support Group Suffolk County Council Mid Suffolk District Council COVID-19 Information Centre

@MidSuffolk @suffolkcc @DHSCgovuk

They say participating in meaningful activities is a major contributor to our sense of wellbeing and Sew Scrubs must be the perfect example. Sewers, pattern printers, fabric cutters, fundraisers, sponsors, delivery volunteers and co-ordinators have come together to meet an indentified need and it looks like they are having a lot of fun in the process.

Others, including schools and businesses with the right skills and materials, have been making masks and face shields, sending food, posting messages and videos, helping with childcare and shopping, paying for parking... Even standing outside to applaud our key-workers at 8pm on Thursday evenings is a shared activity which certainly lifts the mood in our house, though I’m not sure Flip (our pet rabbit) would agree.

If you are looking for ways to help or donate, a quick visit to Facebook will provide plenty of opportunity but the one essential thing most of us must do is to stay at home and to maintain distance when you do go out. It’s not a lot to ask, particularly as we know it’s having the required effect.

Of course it’s also important to do some activity you enjoy and to keep life as normal as possible. I’ve been spending as much time as possible in the garden with Jack. It’s a small space but we’ve created a great number of, mostly football themed, challenges. Four weeks in and I still haven’t managed to get the ball in the bucket (‘top bins’) once. We also created our own crazy golf course using ‘stuff’ from the recycling bin and a chair leg as a putter.

We’ve only broken one window so far!

Staying informed is important too but I hope you’re not checking your phone every five minutes. I did this for the first two weeks or so and was so overwhelmed by anxiety and sadness I found myself crying uncontrollably (in a cupboard) at least once a day. Jack did wonder why my hay fever seemed to be worse than usual!

We must be hopeful. Knowledge of the virus and its effects improves day by day and the race is on to find a vaccine.

Stay strong. Take care of yourselves and of others.

Our very best wishes from everyone here at Mansion House Publishing

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

ELMSWELL VIRUS SUPPORT GROUP The phrase ‘all’s well in Elmswell’ has really been put to the test as the world struggles to deal with the Covid-19 crisis. But as ever, the community have pulled together and created and amazing support network for each other at this extremely uneasy time.

Four mums (The Virus Support Team) have created a Doodle Volunteer Hub for which the lovely people of Elmswell can volunteer to support a road in Elmswell, offering to help those who are self-isolating with things such as shopping, urgent supplies, posting mail or even making a friendly phone call.

They currently have 65 fantastic volunteers.

They have also created an Elmswell Virus Support page on Facebook so that the residents of Elmswell can read and provide information and support and raise the spirits of the community. There is also a free phone number for anyone living in Elmswell who is in self-isolation and needing support. Tel: 0333 335 5349

Peter Goodridge, The Rector of St John’s, is offering a telephone befriending scheme for those who are in self-isolation and can’t commit to doing someone’s shopping. Tel: 01359 240512 Woolpit Health Centre and the Virus Support Team have been organising collections and deliveries of prescriptions and medication.

Local companies have been donating free food which has been delivered to those in need and flowers which have been delivered to those who work for the NHS and our keyworkers to thank them for all of the wonderful work they are doing.

The Co-op have been beautifully upbeat and friendly and allowed for social distancing and safe shopping.

These are just a few of the many kind acts that have taken place – we are truly proud to live in Elmswell!

COVID-19 ELMSWELL VIRUS SUPPORT GROUP This information is from the leaflet distributed by the support group.

The advice from authorities and local volunteer groups is that it is important that people needing help are supported by neighbours that they know and trust so they are less likely to fall foul of scams or con artists.

If you know of anyone who is self-isolating, please let them know that our group exists. They should already have received a leaflet (like the one oictured below) from a neighbour offering help and this should be the person they contact in the first instance, unless they have a neighbour they already know who is able to help them. If they’ve lost this piece of paper, they should contact the group admin on 0333 335 5349.

Hello!

If you are self-isolating, I can help.

Our volunteers will also be following good hygiene practice to keep the people they’re supporting safe, and will always leave any produce on the doorstep and then either phone/text to let them know it’s there, or knock and hold a conversation from twothree metres away.

Woolpit Health Centre are co-ordinating prescription and medication collections. If you’re self-isolating, let the pharmacists know and they’ll ensure it’s delivered to you via their own drivers or one of our volunteers.

If you are supporting a person in self-isolation or in a vulnerable category:

My name is I live locally at

Remember to wash your hands really well for at least two minutes with soap before touching items you will be delivering.

My phone number is If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19 I can help with: Picking up shopping

Posting mail

A friendly phone call

Urgent supplies

Just call or text me and I’ll do my best to help you (for free!)

Coronavirus is contagious. Please take every precaution to ensure you are spreading only kindness. Avoid physical contact (2m distance). Wash your hands regularly. Items should be left on your doorstep. # V i r a l K i n d n e s s

If you are self-isolating and can’t commit to doing someone’s shopping, you can still help being a telephoneI can befriender If you arebyself-isolating, help.and offering to call for a chat. Peter Goodridge, the rector at St John’s is co-ordinating My name is a telephone befriending scheme. Please contact him (01359 240512) if you’d like to help, or would like people to chatI live to. locally at

Hello!

My are phone number is please accept support wherever possible If you self-isolating, from someone you know or trust. If a person you don’t know If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19 I can help with: contacts you, do not hand over money, bank cards or personal Picking up shopping Posting mail information and do not let them into your house.

A friendly phone call

At the moment, payments in return for goods bought on your behalf can be made to your volunteer in cash or cheque, or even online payment if you can arrange that between you. We are looking to sort out a formal agreement which will make this more secure and involve less passing of objects between people.

You may need to wash your hands multiple times while you prepare items. Alcohol based gel might be helpful if you’re going straight from the shop to their house.

Leave items on the doorstep and either ring them on the phone or knock/ring and stand well back to let them know it’s there.

Remember to stay a minimum of two metres away.

Wash your hands after making a delivery to protect yourself.

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS: Suffolk Age UK: 01473 351 234 Samaritans: Free call from any phone 116 123 Citizens Advice: 01449 676 060 / 01449 676 280 Elmswell Parish Clerk: 01359 244134 Revd Peter Goodridge: 01359 240512 If you use Facebook, you can find our support group by searching for Elmswell Virus Support Group This support group is endorsed by Elmswell Parish Council and leaflets have been funded by The Elmswell Amenities Association.

Urgent supplies

Just call or text me and I’ll do my best to help you (for free!)

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Coronavirus is contagious. Please take every precaution to ensure you are spreading only kindness. Avoid physical contact (2m distance). Wash your hands regularly. Items should be left on your doorstep. # V i r a l K i n d n e s s

In Touch online:

open to the public www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

COUNTY COUNCILLOR PENNY OTTON: THEDWASTRE SOUTH DIVISION Including Thurston, Beyton, Hessett, Drinkstone, Felsham, Gedding, Rattlesden (also Onehouse, Buxhall, Harleston, Shelland and Gt Finborough) COVID-19 UPDATE The latest government advice is available here: www.gov.uk/coronavirus The latest SCC information is available here: www.suffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19 SCC Meetings Suffolk County Council has cancelled meetings for the foreseeable future.

During this time, the chief executive will use her emergency powers to make any necessary decisions on behalf of the cabinet/council through the delegated decision-making process, but with consultation with myself and the other group leader. Details of any decisions made will be published on the SCC website.

App and phoneline launched to support vulnerable residents The free app, called Tribe Volunteer, can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The telephone number for those in genuine need of help is Freephone 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.

The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support. As the number of offers and requests grows, they will be matched so that the right help can be given where it’s most needed. This support could include delivering groceries, medication or essential household goods, in line with Government social distancing guidelines.

School Closures and Free School Meals More information about school closures in Suffolk is available here: www.suffolk.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/schools-guidance To support children eligible for free school meals, schools will be able to purchase meals or vouchers for supermarkets or local shops.

The government has also confirmed that the total value of vouchers offered to each eligible child per week will exceed the rate it pays to schools for free school meals, recognising that families will not be buying food in bulk and may therefore incur higher costs.

Effective immediately, schools will be able to order vouchers directly from supermarkets or shops in their communities to be emailed or printed and posted to families, and they will have their costs covered by the Department for Education.

Bus passes can be used before 9.30am Suffolk County Council is allowing concessionary travel for those with elderly and disabled bus passes early in the morning (before 9.30am).

This is to allow these residents to access the exclusive early morning shopping times that supermarkets have arranged for these people.

Public Transport Services Reduced New timetables are now in place for most public transport services, including buses, trains and community transport until further notice.

Suffolk County Council is advising those who must use public transport to check with their local provider to find out the latest timetable.

Further details can be found at www.suffolkonboard.com or by calling 0345 606 6171.

Funding available for food banks Suffolk County Council has made £60,000 available to support food banks in Suffolk. It is not yet clear how this funding can be accessed. I will update you as and when more information about this funding becomes available.

I’d like to congratulate and thank all the community groups who have set up fantastic arrangements to help all those who are at home and not able to get out to shop, pick up prescriptions and give them all the support they need. penny.otton@suffolk.gov.uk

NEWS FROM YOUR NEW DISTRICT COUNCILLORS COVID-19 Response and News Across Suffolk the Home but not Alone service was launched with an emergency number – 0800 876 6926 – available seven days a week from 9am to 5pm. Any vulnerable resident needing help in the current crisis can telephone and be matched up with a local volunteer group if necessary.

The council is providing emergency funding, with grants up to £2,500, to help community groups meet local needs in the current crisis. Beneficiaries include foodbanks, Citizens Advice Bureau and the Rural Coffee Caravan.

Formal council meetings are due to recommence with virtual meetings via Skype starting with a planning committee and then, on 4 May, a Cabinet meeting. Other working group meetings continue via Skype and there is a weekly meeting of all the political group leaders. We hope that this political collaboration continues after this emergency is over.

Council staff continue to work from home where possible. Work on all Mid Suffolk’s building sites has ceased and the council’s parks and play areas remain closed.

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In planning, as planning officers are not out putting up site notices for new applications, they will be notifying more neighbours than usual of forthcoming applications as well as continuing to advertise in the local press.

Garden waste collections remain suspended as the waste crews focus on increased black bin collections such as medical waste. Council house repairs are only being done where essential and the process for people to apply for, and move into, a council home has been suspended.

The council has been distributing the £10,000 and £25,000 business grants to small firms that was announced by government. There have been significant increases to the council for reductions in Council Tax. To apply for either of these, visit www.midsuffolk.gov.uk and search for business rates or council tax.

Rachel Eburne: 01449 673311 / Rachel.eburne@midsuffolk.gov.uk Keith Welham: 01449 673185 / keith.welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk Joint Mid Suffolk District Council Ward Members (Green Party) for the Ward of Haughley, Stowupland & Wetherden – including Old Newton (with Gipping and Dagworth)

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

COUNCIL REJECTS HOMES TO PROTECT HAUGHLEY’S HERITAGE

MUSEUM CONNECTS COMMUNITIES WITH REMOTE VOLUNTEERING

Mid Suffolk District Council has refused outline planning permission for 120 homes to be built in Haughley, citing poor connectivity and harm to local heritage.

The Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket may have closed its doors due to the Coronavirus pandemic, but that doesn’t mean that work has stopped. With their remote volunteering project Search for the Stars truly shining during this time, the museum is providing an outlet for those looking for a project to get involved with from the safety of their own homes.

Applicant Amber REI Holdings sought permission for the development of a former poultry factory site, adjacent to the listed Haughley Park Jacobean manor house, between Elmswell and Haughley.

This followed a previous application for 149 properties to be built at the same location, which was unanimously rejected by the council’s development control committee in February 2019. Refusal was issued at that time on the grounds of the development being unsustainable and too far away from amenities, forcing residents to travel by car to shops, train stations and schools.

In response to that decision, the applicant made changes to the scheme to try to address concerns previously raised, with a new application for 120 homes being lodged in May 2019.

The council’s chief planning officer used emergency delegated powers to refuse the project today, in the absence of regular committee meetings due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Reasons cited include continued concerns about the overall harm caused by the proposed development outweighing the public benefits that may arise from it, plans failing to provide appropriate affordable housing to meet the council’s policies and the site’s poor connectivity to necessary facilities. The impact to the adjacent historical setting was also a significant factor in the decision against the proposal.

Cllr David Burn, Cabinet Member for Planning for Mid Suffolk District Council said: “We want to ensure that the right properties are built in the right places in Mid Suffolk and are currently working with local residents to identify sites for new housing. I support the chief planning officer’s decision that this should not be one of these sites. The amendments made to the applicant’s proposal still failed to address the harm to local heritage and the lack of nearby amenities, meaning residents would have no option but to travel by car, which is at odds with our green ambitions.”

The Search for the Stars project, generously funded by Esmée Fairbairn and the Headley Trust, aims to transfer all of their 40,000 paper-based object records over to the museum’s online collections management system.

The project will make the museum collection accessible to everyone with some records already searchable through their website. Along the way the star searching team have also been identifying ‘star objects’ to be researched for an upcoming travelling exhibition Fake News in the Age of the Horse.

All volunteers need to take part is a laptop, so when social distancing began the museum started to get more requests from people wanting to take part.

Over 40 people reached out about getting involved, in addition to over 200 who have already taken part.

Detailed plans for 98 new homes in Haughley did get the go ahead, providing a range of community benefits for the village, including a new football pitch.

Volunteer Elza Zeneli explains: “During such a difficult time I thought that volunteering to help people in a small way would be the best use of my time, especially giving back to my community. I am very proud to given an opportunity to represent my voice within this exciting project that focuses on making history and culture accessible to all particularly to those who are more vulnerable/in rural areas. It’s a truly inspiring project to be a part of.”

Part of the 11-acre site to the East of King George’s Field on Green Road has been earmarked for a junior football pitch, fulfilling Sport England’s objective to provide new opportunities to meet the needs of current and future generations.

Search for the Stars has been running since the end of 2017 and recently hit the 14,000 record mark thanks to the efforts of volunteers both onsite and remotely, across the country and worldwide with volunteers taking part in countries such as Australia, the USA and Canada.

Outline planning permission for the development was granted by Mid Suffolk District Council’s planning committee in May 2018, with proposed plans for the site receiving support from Haughley Parish Council.

Jin Lu, another volunteer, said: ‘I’m volunteering because this is a great opportunity to convert any anxiety or uncertainty into satisfaction and fulfilment. You don’t need to go out but you are still making contributions and developing yourself.”

The development by Bloor Homes also includes public open space, off-site highways improvements and the provision of 34 affordable housing plots – meeting the council’s affordable housing policy.

The council’s chief planning officer used emergency delegated powers to sign off the details of this project in the absence of regular face to face committee meetings due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Work on site is expected to start later this year.

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB In accordance with the latest government guidance and for the health and safety of our members, speakers and judges, that there will be no meetings until further notice.

We send our very best wishes to all our members, their family and friends.

For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net

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The project is headed up by museum curator Kate Knowlden who has been tirelessly co-ordinating the work being done.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with the amount of interest we’ve had in this project from people who have had to give up other volunteering roles or have been unable to work or continue their studying. It’s really moving to see how people are still so giving during such a difficult time, and it’s going to make a massive difference to the accessibility of our collection.”

Volunteers are given copies of object records which they then transfer into an online collections management system, each object is a fascinating look at a different part of East Anglian history.

Though the project is suited to adults and older teenagers, the museum has also developed a family resource to accompany the project. Be a Historian is available free to download from their website.

For more information visit: www.eastanglianlife.org.uk

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome GREEN LIGHT FOR 115 NEW HOMES ENABLES HEALTH CENTRE EXPANSION Detailed plans for 115 new homes at Woolpit received the go ahead today – bringing a raft of community benefits a step closer, including the expansion of Woolpit Health Centre.

Part of the 15-acre site at Old Stowmarket Road has been earmarked for a substantial car park extension for the adjoining Woolpit Health Centre, allowing the current car park to be used for expansion plans to help the centre, which already serves more than 14,000 patients, meet the growing demand for GP services.

Traditional Acupuncture Nutrition Counselling, CBT and EMDR Sports and Remedial Massage

Outline planning permission for the development was granted by Mid Suffolk District Council’s planning committee in July 2018. The development by David Wilson Homes Eastern Counties, who purchased the land last year, also includes 42 affordable housing plots, and highways improvements.

Hypnotherapy

The council’s chief planning officer used emergency delegated powers to sign off the project today, in the absence of regular committee meetings due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Work on site is expected to start later this year.

feel good in 2020...

Because your health matters

Cllr David Burn, Mid Suffolk District Council’s cabinet member for planning, said: “I am pleased this project not only includes affordable housing, but also delivers a range of benefits including the essential expansion of Woolpit Health Centre. Our communities need accessible local health services in order to thrive and enjoy bright and healthy futures – and we are reminded of this now more than ever.”

Reflexology and Holistic Therapies

01359 408 011

admin@woolpit-complementary.co.uk

woolpit-complementary.co.uk

Based in Woolpit within Brickfields Business Park, just past the Woolpit Nurseries.

ANNIVERSARY ANGST We’ve had 25 years of fun since we started Woolpit Twinning Association in 1995. (It became Woolpit and Drinkstone Twinning Association subsequently.)

It’s been great to make wonderful friendships both in the local Mid Suffolk area and in France as we have flowed between our local villages and La Bonneville-sur-Iton in Normandy every year, exchanging the hosting alternately. So different from simply taking a holiday, we have stayed in our friends’ homes, joined family events, including weddings, and we have a real sense of how the French live and play.

Some of us have even taken non-twinning holidays elsewhere with our particular Gallic friends.

Of course, the French connection is only half the story. At home we have enjoyed ourselves running occasional French Cafés, murder mysteries, French film evenings (with subtitles of course), barbecues and boules, meals out, and lots of other events as well as making new British friends.

As I write this, though, we are very concerned about our anniversary.

It is due to take place in La Bonneville in August this year and the world has turned upside down thanks to the coronavirus. We’ve even had to postpone our East Anglian Quiz, which was to be an enjoyable fundraising event, including a meal, to help with the cost of travel.

I suppose there are more important things to worry about than anniversary parties, but if it doesn’t go ahead, this will be the first year in a quarter of a century that we will fail to meet up with our delightful companions.

It will be a shame, what with the wine, the food and the linguistic chaos that we’ll miss. But, heyho, perhaps a 26thanniversary party will set a new trend.

Santé!

To join the fun, have a chat with Derek:01359 240332

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

HAYWARDS SOLICITORS

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE AND CHARITY SHOP We apologise for having to cancel the Chocolate Bingo which I know so many were looking forward to. The Christmas version is already booked for November 21 so save the date!

I think it will come as no surprise to you all that I have had to cancel the summer visit for the group. There is a possibility of our bringing a smaller group in the autumn and/or December, however I do feel that we must take each day as it comes and just look to a time when we can return to what we have always thought of as ‘normal’, whatever that may be Whilst the charity shop remains closed and our presence in the community is at an extremely low level, I do hope that you will not forget us altogether and that we can regroup in the future. Please do not deposit donations outside the shop – there are notices giving numbers to call and where possible we will arrange collections. Not only do goods get ruined when left exposed to the weather, but there are residents at the rear of the shop and it makes access very difficult and unpleasant for them to negotiate

The second picture shows the young lady she is today, now 21 years old. She credits her success to the support she received from the charity.

The second set of photos shows Masha who came to us when she was seven years old. Without going into a lot of details, she had a very poor start in life, living in very bad conditions and first watching her mother, then her grandmother pass away right in front of her.

Please do keep in touch and if anyone is in need of anything, feel free to contact me. If we can help we will do our best to do so.

The president of Belarus is known to have said, “The Coronavirus will not be a problem (probably because he has not given permission for it to be so). Just drive it out by getting on your tractor and ploughing!”

The other piece of advice, which we obviously cannot condone, is, “take a drink of Vodka each day”.

Belarus possibly does not face the same problem as we do as although the country is the same size as the UK the total population is less than that of London City. People in the villages rarely see a stranger and tend to just go to work, come home and then repeat the cycle. We can just hope the children and families we support remain safe and healthy and, of course, our thoughts have also to be with the hundreds of children in the Cancer Hospitals throughout Belarus and hope that the virus does not reach them.

I recently put this on Facebook but in case you do not subscribe, this is the little girl who started it all for us in 2007. When she went home she kept saying the ‘knitted hat’ (under the charity hat in the photo) did not belong to her. It was only years later when she could speak English well did we find out that she hated the hat so much she had pretended it wasn’t hers so she didn’t have to take it home!

We had lost touch with her but then managed to find her as a teenager living in a hostel. We have kept in touch with her since then and are really pleased to be able to tell you she now has everything she wished for in life – a family of her own. She is married to a very kind and caring young man and has two beautiful children.

These are just two of our success stories and these plus many others have only been achievable with the support of you all. Thank you are just two little words but with such a big meaning!

Stay home stay well and stay safe. Best wishes to all.

Elizabeth Parker: 01449 760343 FB: @Ccllmidsuffolk

SMALL BUSINESSES IN SUFFOLK URGED TO ACCESS £200M POT OF COVID-19 AID Eligible businesses across Suffolk are being urged to access grants of £10,000 or £25,000 to help them through COVID-19 crisis.

East Suffolk Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council and West Suffolk Council.

The government has allocated over £213m to support qualifying businesses in Suffolk who are struggling because of restrictions in place to combat the Coronavirus.

Karen Chapman, from the Suffolk Growth Board representing all local authorities, commented; “The Small Business Grant Fund and Cash Grant for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses could provide an important lifeline during these unprecedented times. We urge all eligible businesses to take advantage of the financial support, advice and guidance that is available during this difficult period.”

There are over 15,000 eligible businesses across the county who can access one of two grants of either £10,000 or £25,000 to help with their ongoing business costs.

The Small Business Grant Fund is available to businesses that pay little or no business rates and currently receive small business rate relief (SBRR) and/or rural rate relief (RRR). In addition, there is a cash grant available to retail, hospitality and leisure businesses that have a property with a rateable value up to £51,000.

Businesses who meet the eligibility criteria are being contacted by their local authority to confirm eligibility and payment details and staff are working to get this information out to firms as quickly as they can. Businesses must follow the process outlined by their Local Authority for the payment to be made.

Business owners who have not yet been contacted and believe they are eligible for either of the grants should check their local council’s website for further details.

The grants will be administered by local authorities; Babergh District Council,

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Further information, on these two grants and all support available for businesses and the self-employed can be found at: www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support To contact your local council please visit: Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/business/business-rates/grant-funding-schemes East Suffolk Council: www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/business/covid-19-business-grant-funding Ipswich Borough Council: www.ipswich.gov.uk/businessratesgrant West Suffolk Council: www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/c19business Additional support is available at from trained advisers at the New Anglia Growth Hub: www.newangliagrowthhub.co.uk

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS CRISIS? BUT WHICH CRISIS? So here we are in the middle of a crisis. But do we actually know which ‘crisis’ we are in the middle of?

#SaveLives

WOOLPIT AND DISTRICT MUSEUM As the museum is closed at the moment and we are unable to welcome visitors to see our displays, we thought we would give a ‘taster’ via In Touch of some of the things you will be able to see once we are able to reopen.

Sure, there is the health tragedy of (to date) about 11,000 deaths of people of all ages dying unpleasantly of (or with) the COVID-19 virus.

These are all very painful individual losses for family and friends, and in no way be belittled.

The companion crisis is economic. This has been brewing for a much longer time than the virus crisis. Arguably decades, and given my business interests it is the more worrying of the two crisis.

This crisis, in my opinion, is one of bad money and bad government.

Essentially we have been mortgaging our future for our comfort today.

All Governments in all nations that are generally considered developed have, since certainly 1945 or thereabouts, been welded to a sort of punk Keynesian economic policy settlement which encourages credit expansion and consumption over thrift and production, all financed by gigantic quantities of Government and other debt (of course there is no such thing as ‘Government debt’ – it is our debt – the tax payers debt), and monetary expansion.

For various reasons we have got away with these bad policies for some time. Maybe until now. The forces of economics are unavoidable and bad policies will eventually fail. Most often the failure is triggered by some unforeseen event. An event that triggers a return to reality. Bad banking (including very bad central banking and financial regulatory bureaucracy) failed in 2008 and we have been kicking the can down the road since then. There has been no meaningful banking reform and government debt, certain classes of private debt and money have continued to expand, but it will not, cannot, do so for ever. Economics will not allow it, and as I said most commonly an event triggers the end game. Is the COVID-19 pandemic this event?

Our core business is advising on and administering client investment and pension portfolios. Do not let any ‘expert’ tell you that this activity requires at least one degree in the science of rocketry. It does not.

What it does require are common sense and a very cynical world view.

It’s not hugely difficult to provide a successful client investment experience. But what we - no one - can defend you from is ongoing Government and bureaucratic failure and their universal companion, the failure of bad money. There are things that can be done to mitigate those third party failures and we have had some modest success.

So, if you would like a no obligation, no holds barred chat please feel free to contact us; on Zoom, by email – advice@wfw.co.uk, and telephone 01473 231644 or if you call us first we can arrange Facetime or WhatsApp video calls. Our office is manned daily and our staff are working remotely.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

This photograph, originally a postcard, is of the village centre looking across towards the church. The Woolpit Institute is the building on the corner with two men standing outside and next to it is the cottage which now houses the museum and Teacups.

We know the photograph was taken before 1920 as the cottage is faced with Woolpit white bricks and these were removed in 1920 when it was incorporated into the Institute and dedicated to the 25 Woolpit men who gave their lives in the First World War. The upstairs windows were reconfigured at the same time.

The Post Office is shown next to the cottage and stayed in this location probably until the early 1930s. It then moved next to Addison’s and is now ‘The Old Post Office’.

WOOLPIT STEAM 2020 Due to the continuing Coronavirus outbreak the committee of Woolpit Steam has decided that this year’s event will be cancelled.

We would like to thank everybody who was planning to support us this year and look forward to welcoming you all back on 5 and 6 June 2021.

The 2019 event raised £17,200 which was distributed between local charities and community groups.

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

SUFFOLK REALLY IS THE CARING COUNTY, ESPECIALLY IN A CRISIS! The Suffolk Coronavirus Community Fund has already raised over £500,000 with £350,000 already distributed, helping 90 organisations and over 35,000 vulnerable people in our county.

“It is the strength and desire to help from the public that can make the most difference.”

And Suffolk has really taken these words to their hearts already raising over £500,000 to help vulnerable people in Suffolk. But with over £400,000 already distributed to Suffolk Charities there is much more still be done.

Now also supported by leading Suffolk organisations including Community Action Suffolk, Suffolk Association of Local Councils, East Anglian Daily Times, Suffolk County Council, District and Borough Councils and others members of The Suffolk Collective, Suffolk is fighting the impact of coronavirus together by raising vital donation of money, but also through gifts ‘in kind’.

‘We have been deeply moved to see Suffolk already coming together to help us raise over £500,000 and our team and the voluntary sector as a whole are working night and day to make this money work on the ground supporting vulnerable Suffolk people,” said Stephen Singleton, Chief Executive of Suffolk Community Foundation. “Over £400,000 has been targeted at key issues and distributed at lightning speed to our local charities and community groups who are responding to the Coronavirus emergency.

And now a single donation from Vestey Food Group of over £120,000 of food has been delivered and is helping to re-fill the shelves of our Foodbanks “As a longstanding family business, Vestey Food Group have cultivated strong community links wherever we have an office, factory or depot and the Coronavirus pandemic has brought into sharp focus the vital role that business can play in supporting their community,” said George Vestey (pictured), CEO of Vestey Food Group and Chairman of Suffolk Community Foundation, from Haverhill.

“As a Suffolk man I am passionate about our county and, in my voluntary role as chairman of Suffolk Community Foundation, I am enormously heartened by what they have already achieved to support people through this crisis through the creation of the Suffolk Coronavirus Community Fund. In only a matter of days, Suffolk has stepped up to support vital community projects across the board. In this instance our business can help by donating two full articulated lorries of ready meals, snacks and drinks to support vulnerable people. Suffolk Community Foundation hooked us up with Fareshare and the emergency food distribution networks that they have and together we are now able to make a significant impact on re-stocking the shelves of Suffolk foodbanks.’

“Immediate support for groups who are helping vulnerable local people is essential, especially at a time when their own fundraising capabilities have been all but wiped out and demands for their services are never higher. In addition to the enormous increase in demand for emergency food provision, we are seeing significant rises in the need to support those experiencing social isolation resulting in mental and physical health challenges, families in crisis with unemployment, rising debt and critical social challenges like domestic violence. But the message to Suffolk is that we need many more people to give what they can afford to keep the work we have started moving forward and keeping up with demand. Reaching and helping almost 40,000 so far via 90 organisations is a wonderful start.”

Donations can be made online via www.suffolkcf.org.uk, by calling the giving hotline on 01473 786911 or sending a text donation to 70085. To give £5 quote 5SuffolkCrisis, £10 quote 10SuffolkCrisis or £20 quote 20SuffolkCrisis.

Texts cost the donation you have made plus one standard rate message.

Michael Barrett, FareShare East Anglia Development Manager, said: “FareShare is committed to keeping going during the COVID-19 crisis, providing vital food supplies each week to charities and schools across Suffolk. We welcome the food donated by Vestey Foods which is needed now more than ever and will make a big difference for the projects and vulnerable people we serve.”

The Suffolk Coronavirus Community Fund was launched only a month ago by Suffolk Community Foundation in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust. Launched by Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge he said:

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In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

PROPERTY RESTORED IN A WEEK TO HOUSE VULNERABLE RESIDENTS

NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB

A property in Sudbury has been transformed in just five working days in order to provide urgent accommodation to people at risk during the coronavirus outbreak.

As most of you are aware, the indoor season at the Meadlands was cut short and the Stowmarket League have cancelled all league and cup matches. If you have paid your 2020 membership fee the options are to apply for a refund or take them forward for 2021.

Babergh District Council’s teams joined local firms in working round the clock to transform the Lees, in Newton Road. They undertook the major task of getting the building – only recently returned to the council – repaired, decorated, fitted with essential appliances and furniture, and fully checked within days to allow the first seven households to move in.

The need for provision of housing for the district’s most vulnerable residents, including rough sleepers and those experiencing homelessness, has increased as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The council brought forward plans to refurbish the building following the government’s offer of emergency funding to help provide accommodation and services to rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness.

Contractors Whybrow Property Solutions even removed the kitchen units from their own premises to install at the property, while other firms agreed to make all-important deliveries of furniture before closing their doors on Friday.

Cllr Jan Osborne Babergh District Council cabinet member for housing, said: “This property has only recently been returned to the council and the housing and building services teams have done an amazing job. It is testimony to how council staff and local business have worked together during a time when we are facing so many challenges in being able to complete this project in just five days. It’s excellent to now be able to offer somewhere safe for people sleeping rough, staying in night shelters or assessment hubs, who didn’t have a secure home or somewhere safe to self-isolate if required.”

BEFORE

AFTER

Because of Coronavirus this is not the article I thought I would be writing.

The green is looking really good and the new grass is growing nicely round the raised edges. It is being cut weekly to its winter length and will be ready for bowling when we are given the official all clear and the green team have completed all the preparation work which is being delayed by the virus.

A newsletter will be circulated when the green is ready for rollups.

When we are given official permission to resume bowling we hope there will be time to run the club competitions, triples, pairs and singles and hopefully arrange friendlies against other clubs. We would also like to arrange as many social events as possible in whatever timeframe we are given.

To any of our bowlers who want to stay in touch with fellow members, there is now a NMBC WhatsApp group. Phone Alistair Bailie for details.

In the meantime the message to all our bowlers and to the bowlers at all the clubs is STAY SAFE and we will see you sometime this summer.

Anyone wishing to discuss any aspect of NMBC can contact either Alistair Bailie on 01449 720759 or Pat Hadden on 01473 831308.

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have changed the way everybody is working, including the Chamber. This means that for the foreseeable future we will be holding virtual networking meetings via Zoom.

So you’ll have to provide your own refreshments on Friday 1 May from 10am to noon, and for breakfast on Friday 15 May, starting at 9am.

But we would love to see you!

We are also sending out weekly e-newsletters with tips, advice and the latest information for businesses.

To sign up for newsletters and receive all the latest info and booking links go to https://stowmarketchamber.co.uk and fill in the form at the foot of the homepage.

PRIVACY AND THE TATE VIEWING GALLERY You might recall from a year or so ago, a case was brought by some people who own luxury flats near to the Tate Gallery in London.

In this case, the owners of the flats applied to the court for an injunction to stop members of the public looking directly into their flats from a viewing gallery which had been constructed at the Tate Gallery. (An injunction is a court order which stops one person from doing something.)

The claim here was that because members of the public using the viewing gallery were able to see into the adjoining flats, this constituted either a nuisance or this somehow infringed their rights to privacy under the Human Rights Act 1998. (A ‘nuisance’ is a legal term, where some harm has been caused by one person to another, as a result of the use of a property in some way.)

When this case first came to court last year, it was dismissed, and following an appeal by the owners to a higher court – the Court of Appeal – it has been rejected again.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

The Court of Appeal said that the owners of the flats should take remedial steps themselves – as “expected of owners in this context”.

This would include practical things such as installing blinds, privacy film, net curtains and that sort of thing.

The Court of Appeal was not prepared to extend the law to protect privacy rights from overlooking. It said that mere overlooking should not enable an owner to bring a case to court. The Court of Appeal observed that “even in modern times the law doesn’t always provide a remedy for every annoyance to a neighbour, however considerable that annoyance may be”.

Buttermarket, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1ED Telephone: 01449 613101 • Fax: 01449 615087 Email: info@gudgeons-prentice.co.uk

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

HAUGHLEY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Chairman: Mr Tim Hart Secretary: Mr Lewis Van Slyke Vice Chairman: Mr Roy Buttle

We’ll meet again Don’t know where Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again Some sunny day Keep smiling through Just like you always do ‘Till the blue skies chase Those dark clouds far away And I will just say hello To the folks that you know Tell them you won’t be long They’ll be happy to know That, as I saw you go You were singing this song We’ll meet again Don’t know where Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again Some sunny day And I will just say hello To the folks that you know Tell them you won’t be long They’ll be happy to know That, as I saw you go You were singing this song We’ll meet again Don’t know where Don’t know when But I know we’ll meet again Some sunny day

During the coronavirus outbreak the health and well-being of the people we support, members and volunteers, is, and will remain, our priority. That is why we have postponed our branch meetings and all of our fundraising events until further notice. We will make efforts to reschedule these at a future date where possible.

Sadly, we must report the death of Rex Edge who sadly passed away recently after a relatively short illness. We thank Rex for the support to our membership. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time.

Our support is still available .

We understand that you may need our help now more than ever, and our support services are still operating with some changes. For advice and support nearby, contact us on Freephone 0808 802 8080 or email: info@ britishlegion.org.uk Roy’s Thought for the Month They say this they say that. Who the heck are they?

VE DAY Join us at 9pm on Friday 8 May for a UK-wide rendition of Dame Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day. As we face some of the most challenging times since the end of the Second World War, now more than ever it is important to come together and unite.

We need you and as many people as possible to take part in this national moment of thanksgiving and celebration, in honour of our Second World War generation.

You can watch and join in on BBC One where the sing-a-long will feature as part of their VE Day broadcast.

Join us by singing:

We would love to see you get involved so send your pictures to acsargent48@gmail.com for our archive!

To view our latest newsletter or our full calendar of events go to: www.britishlegion.org/branches/Haughley

WOOLPIT ROOM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP At the time of writing, we are in our third week of separation and isolation because the government has instructed us stay at home, and only go outside for very limited, essential reasons.

So, along with just about all other groups, our church building is closed, and we cannot hold any of our planned services and community events.

We are especially sorry that were not be able to meet together at Easter, a key time in the Christian calendar when we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus which enables us to have peace with God. The effect of the COVID-19 virus is causing devastation throughout the world, and we are wondering if things will ever get back to ‘normal’.

People are naturally very concerned. But when that concern develops into worry and fear we can become overwhelmed. It is vitally important that we are sensible and cautious, and that we adhere to all the advice and instructions from the government. But take care that you don’t sink into despair, frustration and fear.

My daughter-in-law and her father are both GPs, so I understand the very real concerns facing our NHS staff and their families on a daily basis. We also have a disabled granddaughter who is very susceptible to infection.

So what do we do when we are worried, anxious and afraid?

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Jesus knew how these feelings grip and consume people, so he often told his disciples, “Do not be afraid”.

On one occasion, Jesus said to them, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.

Trust in God; trust also in me”.

On another occasion, He said, “Do not worry…can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

He went on to say to them, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you”.

I have been a Christian for a long time. Knowing God as my Heavenly Father, and enjoying a daily relationship with Him, means that now, even in the midst of such unimaginable disruption and so much uncertainty, I have found the indescribable peace of God to be so amazingly comforting.

And you can too!

Then despite all the restrictions, difficulties and uncertainties that I am sure we will continue to face for quite some time, by trusting in God, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 47).

Don’t let fear overwhelm your heart, but let faith in God strengthen your heart.

Phil Sparkes: 01359 240502 / woolpitroomfellowship@gmail.com

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

ELMSWELL HISTORY GROUP This is the first instalment of the history of Elmswell History Group written by group members. The second instalment will be published in June 2020.

In 1993 the founding secretary of our history group started researching the history of her home, Hill Court (formerly the Rectory), from which her researches expanded to include the rest of the parish. Several villagers attended a local history course and, as the millennium approached and with the help of several grants, we listed the good things that would result from the publication of a parish history – primarily, a local history group financed from the proceeds of the book sales.

Subsequently, Elmswell, a Marker for the Millennium was published early in 2000 (now on our website with much more besides), and local historian, Clive Paine, gave a talk on The History of Elmswell” in April. Our inaugural meeting was held in September, and 2001 saw a full programme of monthly talks as well as a summer outing.

The first paragraph of A Marker for the Millennium tells us that.., “In 1964 a mechanical trench cutter on a building site in Elmswell pulled up some significant fragments of pottery that proved to be the most definite evidence to date of Roman activity in our village. It revealed the site of a pottery kiln dated at about 200-300AD. In 956, just a year after having come to the throne at the ripe old age of 14, King Eadwig gave away large parcels of his kingdom in a vain attempt to buy friends and support. One such gift was ‘the important estates of Elmswell and Beccles’, which became the property of the monastery at Bury St Edmunds. One of the most important aspects of King Eadwig’s gift is that, for the first time, we see our village as a defined area of land with a name.”

From our modest beginnings in 2000 and a membership of barely a dozen, we now have 70+ members in this large village. The group meets ten months of the year for a talk, mainly on local East Anglian topics, given by professional

speakers, and has an annual outing to diverse places of local historical interest. Past talks have included a magic lantern show using 1895 equipment to show slides of the early 1900s, talks on various East Anglian people, as well as Suffolk Mills in general and those at Drinkstone and Pakenham in particular. One memorable and best-attended was an open evening in 2005 entitled Ah Yes! I Remember It Well, at which long-time villagers spoke of how things used to be in Elmswell.

Examples of past outings are Cotton’s Mechanical Music Museum (with a musical rendition on the mighty Wurlitzer organ), Debach Airfield, the Barker family farm museum with Westhorpe Manor*, Felixstowe’s Landguard Fort, an excavated Roman Villa at Gestingthorpe, Sutton Hoo (following a talk by a speaker from The British Museum), and a local archaeological field walk at which finds were all too few! Our December meetings have included entertainments from Victorian, Georgian, and Tudor Christmases, an evening of traditional East Anglian music and dance, a Second World War dinner with a wartime menu and entertainment, and one on movie history landmarks.

To be continued! *Westhorpe Manor is the former seat of the Dukes of Suffolk, and was where Mary Tudor (1496–1533) lived, whose tomb can be seen in Bury’s St Mary’s Church. She was Queen of France, Duchess of Suffolk, and Henry VIII’s sister.

www.elmswell-history.org.uk

I’m sorry that I missed the April edition so I wasn’t able to advise the suspension of all our services and activities until at least June.

FREE COUNSELLING SESSIONS FOR NHS STAFF

In these unprecedented times it difficult to know what to write only to say that we must do all we can to stifle the spread of this terrible virus by obeying the rules laid down by the government for social distancing, etc.

The Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) has set up a scheme called ACC Counselling Crisis Support Service (CCSS), which provides up to 10 sessions no fee online or telephone counselling for those:

On behalf of all the members of our small fellowship I hope all readers of the In Touch magazine stay safe and well throughout the next few weeks.

• working within the NHS who have been impacted by the Coronavirus

Dave Hollings Elmswell Baptist Church, Ashfield Road, Elmswell IP30 9HG www.elmswellbaptist.org.uk

• who have been bereaved at this time whether as a result of the Coronavirus or any other reason ACC is a professional body of counsellors which holds a Professional Standards Authority (PSA) Register of counsellors and psychotherapists that works with people of all faiths and none under professional ethics and standards.

If you or someone you know works within the NHS and has been impacted by Coronavirus or has been bereaved, more information about the scheme is available at: www.acc-uk.org

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”

John Holmes

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

Hello from St John’s, It is a very strange and difficult period we are going through at the moment.

We are having to get used to a new pattern of life as we cope with lockdown, anxiety and grief.

It is actually a time of mixed emotions because alongside the difficulties, we have many things to be grateful for. Today’s technology enables us to stay connected. Many in our communities are looking out for one another by telephone, social media or teleconferencing. Much of this would have been unthinkable even just 15 years ago.

In times of crisis, people seek answers and comfort. Many turn to religion for help, stress relief and explanation. This pandemic is no exception. Searches on Google for prayer have increased five or six fold during March 2020.

I believe this is because we all know in the depths of our hearts that there is a God who cares and wants to comfort us.

When I was in Cambodia a few weeks ago, I saw this amazing God at work as people told me how their prayers had been answered. Sometimes they testified to supernatural answers – this news is a great encouragement to those who need reassurance in their faith. Sometimes the answers were through Christians coming alongside to care both physically and spiritually in the name of Jesus.

#SaveLives

Friends, during these weeks of uncertainty and fear, let us pray, love, care and share where we can. And let’s remember these words from the Bible: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) The other thing we have seen over the last couple of weeks is the increase in numbers seeking church. The audience for online services exceeds normal attendance. Visit our website or Facebook page to find out details about our online services.

We stream our main service every Sunday at 10.30am and shorter services of night prayer every Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm (the Thursday service starts a couple of minutes late to allow us to go to our doors and cheer the country’s awesome keyworkers).

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7) Every blessing, Peter Goodridge, Rector of St John’s Elmswell www.stjohnselmswell.org.uk / www.facebook.com/stjohnselmswell

DON'T QUIT

by John Greenleaf Whittier

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When things go wrong as they sometimes will,

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,

Don't give up though the pace seems slow

When the funds are low and the debts are high

You may succeed with another blow.

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

Success is failure turned inside out

When care is pressing you down a bit,

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

And you never can tell just how close you are,

Life is strange with its twists and turns

It may be near when it seems so far;

As every one of us sometimes learns

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit

And many a failure comes about

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD THING DOWN! What do you do when the one thing you promote, the one thing you live for, disappears overnight?

between friends watching the performance and using messaging apps. I even had someone drink a virtual pint I’d left unattended.”

The team at Grapevine magazine live for live music, theatre and dance. When we all went into lockdown, not only did our raison d’être vanish, but along with it the livelihood of the musicians, lighting engineers, sound engineers, roadies, front of house staff, box office assistants and ushers, not to mention the future of the venues themselves.

More organised musicians have arranged regular slots to ensure a regular audience. Some are even doing online collaborations with their fellow band members. Some decide to go online when the mood takes them, which makes it a little difficult to add to a forward looking calendar. How these gigs make it to the internet varies depending on the tools available and the strength of the broadband link but some are available to watch afterwards so you can catch up.

Generally speaking musicians are tech savvy – you’d be surprised how many sound engineers moonlight as web designers. It wasn’t long before they invented the virtual gig, and Grapevine became the home of the Virtual Gig Guide.

In no way are these virtual gigs a substitute for the real thing but they help us keep in touch with the artists we would normally see each weekend. Such is the abundance of these live virtual gigs that choosing who to watch and when is bordering on an art form.

Grapevine’s Tony Bell says: “It became very obvious that everyone wanted to gig at 8pm on Saturday night so I’ve advised performers to spread their gigs out if they want to get seen. What I found particularly surreal at one gig, which was ‘attended’ by many friends, was the banter that took place

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

Musicians all across the country have been spring cleaning their living rooms, kitchens and sheds so that their homes look neat and tidy when you tune in. Although one musician, who will remain nameless, broadcast from his loo… perhaps he was after the reverb effect from the tiling. Who knows!

Ingenious as we humans are, none of what we are doing in the virtual world can hold a candle to a live gig. We can’t do that so for now check out GrapevineLIVE, the home of The Virtual Gig Guide. www.grapevinelive.co.uk/virtual-gig-guide

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#LoveNHS #ColourForOurCarers @milliemarotta 18

© Millie Marotta Ltd In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

LOVE NHS INITIATIVE FROM BESTSELLING UNLIMITED TITLES AVAILABLE FOR ILLUSTRATOR MILLIE MAROTTA VIRTUAL BOOK GROUPS Suffolk Libraries is promoting its collections of unlimited use eBooks which would be ideal for anyone thinking of setting up virtual book groups.

Most library eBooks work like physical books in that individual copies can only be borrowed one at a time. Suffolk Libraries now has two new collections of 25 eBook titles with unlimited copies available for loan via the Overdrive service.

This means they can be borrowed by anyone with no waiting times and are ideal for book groups. There is a collection for adults and one for children and young adults.

Photo by Gareth Davies Photography

Bestselling colouring book illustrator Millie Marotta, author of Millie Marotta’s Animal Kingdom, has launched an initiative to get the nation colouring in to show appreciation for our NHS. Colouring has surged in popularity in recent years and many health professionals and organisations, including the NHS, have promoted colouring as a way to beat stress and anxiety.

In this time of crisis, many of us are feeling anxious. The Love NHS initiative offers a way to de-stress through the mindful activity of colouring in while celebrating our heroes working in the National Health Service.

Millie has kindly allowed us to provide the Love NHS illustration here but it’s also available as a download that can be printed at home: bit.ly/mmlovenhs Once coloured, the illustration can be posted on social media, put up in the window, used as a flag or be sent to a loved one.

Millie Marotta is a freelance illustrator working in her studio by the sea in a little corner of West Wales.

The adult collection includes a Tale for the Time being by Ruth Ozeki, How not to Be a Boy by Robert Webb and Life of Pi by Yann Martel. The collection for younger readers includes The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson, A Dog’s Life by Ann M Martin and It Only Happens in the Movies by Holly Bourne.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is also currently available as an unlimited eBook and eAudiobook and there is also a collection of eBook classics with multiple copies available.

There are also some unlimited use eAudiobooks available via the Borrowbox service. These include Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan, The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald and Wed Wabbit by Lissa Evans.

Some of our libraries are already setting up their own online book groups or discussions via their Facebook pages. The Reading Agency also provides lots of tips and information for anyone of thinking of setting up their own: www. readingagency.org.uk/resources/4327

A pioneer in the global colouring movement, Millie had been an illustrator long before she inked her first book. Millie’s intricate illustrations are inspired by a love of wildlife and fascination with the natural world. In 2015, Millie’s debut title Animal Kingdom (published by Batsford) spent a record 22 weeks as the official paperback non-fiction No.1. Since then she has published several colouring books and stationery products, which have been translated into over 30 languages. #LoveNHS

#ColourForOurCarers

@milliemarotta

IMAGINE THAT BOOK DROP Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity are thrilled to announce that Imagine That, a leading independent children’s publisher based in Woodbridge, have chosen us as their 2020 charity of the year. They are specifically fundraising for The Children’s Appeal at Ipswich Hospital.

Their programme of events for the year include book drops, wear yellow to work day and, when safe to do so, they will continue storytelling on the wards and have a bucket collection at Ipswich Town Football Club.

Recently the children’s department received many boxes of books for children of all ages who are isolating on the ward to read and enjoy.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

HOME, BUT NOT ALONE A new Suffolk-focused community service has been set up to support people who need help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Called Home, But Not Alone, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need.

AN UPDATE FROM EAST ANGLIA’S CHILDREN’S HOSPICES (EACH) As of Tuesday 7 April What we are all facing is unprecedented. We know this is a very challenging and uncertain time for everyone. For EACH the financial impact is overwhelming.

With our shops closed and the vast majority of our supporters’ fundraising activities and our own events cancelled or postponed, our loss of income is expected to be around £1,800,000 in any 12-week block.

At the time of writing, we are hopeful there will be additional funding support from the government, but this alone will not be enough and we will still need help to bridge our income gap.

It is essential we all work together to slow down the spread of the coronavirus and shield the most vulnerable, which includes the children and young people who use our services. This has meant we have suspended our planned care activities in the hospices, such as short breaks and wellbeing therapies, wellbeing groups and events, face-to-face counselling, care of the child’s body after they have died as well as our Help at Home volunteering service.

At the moment our focus is on providing end-of-life care and bereavement support, working closely with the NHS to provide capacity to care for the sickest children and responding to urgent requests for care and support as best we can.

However, we need to be able to start offering our services in full as soon as it is safe to do so. We need the help of the public to make that happen.

We are not alone. Nearly every children’s hospice in the UK is in the same position. Unlike hospitals, we all rely on the generosity of our donors to fund our services. Last year just 13 percent of our income came from statutory sources.

Some good news we have had during this period is that all three of our hospices were rated ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission following inspections in January.

We are only able to provide outstanding care because of outstanding backing from the public and we are calling on our supporters to continue helping us where they can.

The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support.

As the number of offers and requests grows, they will be matched so that the right help can be given where it’s most needed. This support could include delivering groceries, medication or essential household goods, in line with government social distancing guidelines.

Download the free app, called Tribe Volunteer, from Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

The telephone number for those in genuine need of help is Freephone 0800 876 6926 and will be staffed from 9am to 5pm, seven days a week.

The Home, But Not Alone service was created by partners from Suffolk’s councils, police, health bodies and charitable organisations which come together as the Collaborative Communities Board.

Chrissie Geeson, the board chair, said: “In these challenging times, it has been incredibly heartening to have so many people volunteer to help others. In villages and towns across Suffolk, people have taken it upon themselves to mobilise a small army of volunteers to do what they can for people in need.

“The support service will encompass this work but will bring structure and routine to these offers of help. This is just the start of this new service, so we expect the number of offers and requests to grow.

People who want to help, or need help, should let us know and we will do the rest.

“It is testament to the hard work of all Suffolk organisations and sectors that we are able to offer this invaluable help.”

The telephone line is not a general information line for COVID-19 queries, but those in need can seek information on support with care needs, loneliness and to connect with community support.

This is a new service and will adapte to demand over the coming weeks. People are still being urged to check www.gov.uk for the latest guidance on a wide range of issues and changes caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

We were delighted our emergency fundraising appeal received over £40,000 in the first six days. It has been heart-warming to see what people have been doing to help us at a time of such great challenge and difficulty for all, and we have been really impressed with people’s creativity to get fundraising activities done at home. Examples include a family riding from Land’s End to John o’ Groats on a cycling machine, a brother and sister running a marathon in their garden and a couple growing sunflowers for 12 weeks.

Together we can make sure that vital care and support is still available for the children, young people and their families who need us, during and beyond this challenging and uncertain time.

You can support us now by donating to our emergency appeal at: www. justgiving.com/campaign/each-covid19 Or visit www.each.org.uk/get-involved for more ideas about how to do your own fundraising. Our fundraising teams are working hard from home and would love to hear from you.

Thank you.

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In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

DEMENTIA TOGETHER FREE HELPLINE: 08081 688 000 The helpline will continue to be available seven days a week for continuous support throughout this difficult time.

Dementia Together Navigators will also be able to complete a detailed assessment over the phone offering support, education and a listening ear to you throughout this difficult time.

Dementia Together was commissioned in 2017 by both Suffolk County Council and the East and West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Groups.

The service was set up as a single point of contact for people living with dementia and their families. The service aims to ensure that people receive the right information and support at the right time.

People do not need to have a diagnosis to access the service. Anyone concerned about their memory or their relatives, friends or neighbours can contact the Dementia Together helpline. The helpline operates Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and also weekends and bank holidays from 10am to 4pm.

Dementia Together is continuing to offer as full a service as possible at this very difficult time. The helpline remains operational seven days a week from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

The service also consists of navigators who work in communities across Suffolk. During normal service navigators visit people in their own homes and help them to access support in their local communities. During the coronavirus crisis home visits are no longer taking place. Navigators are working from home and telephone and/or online video calls are offered instead.

Navigators continue to keep in contact with service users, providing information and offering extensive emotional support at this time.

Service users are being linked to local community networks which are offering help with shopping, collecting prescriptions and welfare calls. The current lockdown is having a huge impact on people living with dementia and their family carers. Community groups and day services which had provided an invaluable lifeline are now closed. The helpline is also receiving lots of calls from families who live far away and are concerned about elderly relatives.

Dementia Together will continue to deliver as much support as possible to people living with dementia and their families throughout this time of unprecedented crisis.

There are very particular difficulties that are being experienced by people living with dementia and their families at this time. For example, people living with dementia may not be able to retain new information and thus forget they have been told that we are in the midst of this crisis. Constantly trying to explain the current situation to someone living with dementia can cause stress not only for the person living with dementia, but also their family carers.

Service users are encouraged to take steps to look after their own health and well-being at this time. Keeping in contact with friends and families

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

through telephone, FaceTime or Skype is important. Many calls into the Dementia Together helpline are for information on ways in which families can ensure that the person living with dementia is kept active mentally stimulated.

The Dementia Together helpline and navigators are giving lots of information on meaningful and creative activities such as reminiscence, music, dance, exercise, games, baking and many other activities that people can try. Watching films together can help too and trying to maintain a routine can be reassuring for someone living with dementia.

Current government guidelines are that people can go out for one walk a day as long as they keep a safe distance from others. Great for those fortunate to live in the countryside, however even in towns people can still get out into their gardens, perhaps for a walk around the garden, gardening, planting seeds, bird watching or simply enjoying the outdoors. We had a caller into the helpline who the navigator talked to as they were having a picnic in their garden summerhouse. The helpline have lots of information and ideas about activities that people can try at home.

Age is the biggest risk factor for dementia, however many younger people under 65 also develop dementia. In Suffolk we have a Younger Person’s Dementia Network specifically for people under 65 and their families.

This group normally meets around the county monthly on Sundays. Up until recently they have enjoyed taking part in various activities including foot golf, ceramic painting, visits to Museum of East Anglian Life and a visit from Bert’s Amazing Creatures. New and innovative and fun ways are being sought to continue with the network. Members will be taking part in a quiz through zoom.

For further information and support please contact the Dementia Together helpline on 08081 688 000 or email: SRYC.DementiaTogether@ nhs.net USEFUL LINKS Pathways Care Farm: https://tinyurl.com/rzcmsg3 BBC Reminiscence: https://tinyurl.com/s53xdgt Bird Watching: https://tinyurl.com/qr3bazv Exercises to do at home: https://tinyurl.com/vwqgf6x https://tinyurl.com/tmw87k8 Music in Our Bones: https://tinyurl.com/u3tj9kg Lead Navigator Judith Goldsmith

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

HELPFUL LINKS FOR FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS The team at Home-Start in Suffolk are dedicated to supporting the families and volunteers they work with and alongside other local charities working across the county they have been looking at a variety of ways to help us all navigate through this difficult and uncertain time following the outbreak of COVID-19.

This is just a small selection of their ideas, including ways to stay in touch and prevent loneliness, ideas to help you stay calm, educational links for children, creative ideas for keeping occupied, ways to keep fit whilst in isolation, simple recipes and much more.

You’ll find much at www.homestartinsuffolk.org/supportforfamilies which is updated daily.

COMMUNICATION Physical social distancing during COVID-19 is recommended but we all need human contact and here are some ways we can work together to support each other – preventing your family, friends, neighbours and communities feeling the effects of loneliness and total isolation from human interaction.

Whether you are tech savvy or not communication is key. From a simple telephone conversation to a video chat we can all stay in touch to avoid that feeling of being alone and isolated.

It’s Good To Talk You could post notes through to your neighbours. You may have spoken to each other over years or acknowledged each other in passing but telephone number exchange may not have been a priority at the time. Here’s a sample postcard you could use that several charities are sharing at the moment to exchange contact numbers.

Hello!

If you are self-isolating, I can help.

My name is I live locally at

Facebook Messenger also has the facility for you to video call your friends and family. You’ll even find instructional videos on YouTube.

Write a letter!

Try writing letters or sending handmade cards. Those family members you cannot see or visit will be delighted to receive a special note from you.

ACTIVITIES FOR YOU Look out for fun ways to get together with other people and do things, you could even start something yourself. It could be as simple as starting a book club with a handful of neighbours which meets online or over the phone (there are free online resources available: Project Gutenberg has a library of over 60,000 free eBooks, Kindle have an app you can use on any device and there are a few free titles available along with the option of Kindle Unlimited giving you access to 1000s of titles for a monthly fee. Audible offers a free 30-day trial for audio-books and have a variety of titles available for free including some children’s books too), join a singing group or take exercise classes online that are being organised for free.

Learn a new skill and complete an online course There are a huge number of free online courses that you could take on the Open University, a great way to broaden your horizons and keep busy during your time at home.

Why not take up a new hobby?

Try your hand at something new… knitting, art, photography, sign language, learn a new language… Search the internet if you have something in mind.

There are many options available.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING Keep fit and active indoors even though the gym is closed or your walking or running group has had to suspend activities. If you have a Smart TV and Broadband you can access apps on there to practise a new daily exercise.

How about a form of yoga that suits you? Think about ways to keep fit during isolation.

Try the home fitness workout videos from NHS Fitness Studio: www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio

My phone number is If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19 I can help with: Picking up shopping

Posting mail

A friendly phone call

Urgent supplies

Just call or text me and I’ll do my best to help you (for free!)

Coronavirus is contagious. Please take every precaution to ensure you are spreading only kindness. Avoid physical contact (2m distance). Wash your hands regularly. Items should be left on your doorstep. # V i r a l K i n d n e s s

Sharing Information Consider setting up a community or friends phone tree to communicate via landline. Coordinate phone treeself-isolating, which includes a handful of your friends If ayou are I can help. and neighbours. These are a useful way of passing messages around small social networks but could be vital social contact for those stuck at home in My name is the weeks ahead.

Hello!

I live locally at A 10-minute check-in or friendly chat can make all the difference to help people feel less isolated. You’ll find a downloadable version here: My phone number is https://tinyurl.com/tqmh6fb If you are self-isolating due to COVID-19 I can help with: Virtual Visiting If you love the idea of video calls there are a number Picking up shopping Posting mail of options available to you for this, the easiest being WhatsApp. A free app you can use on your A friendly phone call to your Wi-FiUrgent supplies mobile phone which connects or mobile data to communicate.

Alternatively you could use ZOOM, there are a number offree!) options available Just call or text me and I’ll do my best to help you (for including FaceTime and Skype and a new app called HouseParty which allows you to group chat andPlease play games together too. to ensure you are Coronavirus is contagious. take every precaution spreading only kindness. Avoid physical contact (2m distance). Wash your

22 hands regularly. Items should be left on your doorstep.

#ViralKindness

Take your pick from 24 instructor-led videos across aerobics exercise, strength and resistance, and Pilates and yoga categories.

The Body Coach Joe Wicks has been hosting daily PE classes for children but adults can join in too! Check out his YouTube channel. Alternatively there are number of fitness videos online that can accessed through social media, YouTube and other online services.

Tips on staying calm Stress and anxiety can stop the immune system from working so well, meaning we are more susceptible to catching any bugs or viruses, so it is essential now to be doing as much as possible to release stress. By remaining calm, we are more able to respond to developing situations more objectively rather than getting lost in a spiral of panic, fear and catastrophising thoughts.

Helen Wyre of Advance Hypnotherapy has uploaded some helpful videos to her Facebook page: Helen Wyer Advance Hypnotherapy The 30 day Coping Calendar on page 23 suggests 30 actions to look after ourselves as we face this global crisis together. Action for Happiness helps people take action for a happier and more caring world and their website offers ideas for taking care of ourselves and others: www.actionforhappiness.org Self-isolation posters could be useful to display to potential visitors and couriers of how exposure to Covid-19 could be detrimental to your health, and advising where to leave deliveries at your property. Chronically Awesome Tribe has produced a set of free downloads which you can access at: www.chronicallyawesome.org.uk

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

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Photo courtesy: www.suffolkyoga.com

We all know physical activity is essential for both our physical and mental wellbeing and never has this been more important than during these difficult times of social distancing and isolation.

Here at In Touch, we are delighted to have joined forces with Public Health Suffolk and the Most Active County Partnership as a partner for the recently launched, Keep Moving Suffolk campaign.

Over the coming weeks and months there will be information, advice and useful links on the Keep Moving Suffolk website www.keepmovingsuffolk.com to help you, your family and local community to get active and stay active during these challenging times.

The website, has a range of resources, tips, tutorials and information to support you to exercise outside and inside the home, as well as resources specifically for older people and for children. It also includes information on taking care of mental health and where to get advice if people have long-term health conditions.

We would love to hear how you’re keeping active so why not film and post a 10-15 second clip of you and/or your family being active with the message – “Keep Moving Suffolk” on social media and use the hashtags #keepmovingsuffolk and #StayInWorkOut.

Dr Craig Sheridan, a practising doctor and sport and exercise medicine specialist working on the frontline at Ipswich Hospital in the fight against the pandemic, has been involved in helping to get the Keep Moving Suffolk resource off the ground: “During this difficult time it is important for us all to stay mentally and physically healthy.

“Exercise is an important way to improve mental wellbeing and is recognised to be positive in managing depression in older adults as well as improving sleep, feelings of fatigue and quality of life. Improvements in our cardiorespiratory health can happen within a few weeks of commencing regular, moderate intensity exercise and regular physical activity reduces the risks and complications of many diseases and infection.”

Dr Sheridan added: “for those who are currently free from Covid-19 symptoms, there are clear benefits to starting or continuing to exercise whilst in social isolation.

“It is important to note that strenuous exercise is not advisable for those with symptoms of infection, particularly with a fever.”

www.keepmovingsuffolk.com @keepmovingsuffolk 24

@keepmovingsuffolk

@Most_Active In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

RADIO TIMES

A short story by Derek Curry “Fantastic,” Ginger said, staring enviously at my radio, “can I hold it?”

I held it tighter against my chest. “No you can’t,” I said, “you’ll only drop it, or move the dial and lose the station.”

“No I won’t,” he insisted. “Go on, I just want a closer look. Is it brand new?”

“Of course it’s new.” I sighed and handed my beloved radio over as if it were a precious jewel - which of course it was, to me.

Prostate Cancer Awareness & Screening With Coronavirus swirling about us, all of a sudden there is an opportunity forced upon us to stop and think about what CHAPS has been doing and what the charity should be doing when this crisis abates.

Over the last few years CHAPS has continued to stage men’s health events across Essex and Suffolk, screening particularly for undiagnosed heart disease, diabetes, aortic aneurysms, skin cancer and prostate cancer (PCa).

We always detect unsuspected disease and our efforts are much appreciated by our attendees. CHAPS could of course carry on exactly the same once things return to normal but would this still represent the best use of our resources? We think not.

The area of clinical activity that has increased most for the charity has been screening for prostate cancer. This increase has been seen by other charities working in the same field and most likely reflects publicity given to stars such as Messrs Fry, Turnbull, and Stewart reporting their personal experiences, together with reports on the increasing prevalence of the disease – over 12,000 UK PCa deaths per year which now exceeds deaths from breast cancer.

Consequently we are running bespoke PCa screening events for an increasing number of organisations such as the Freemasons, Rotary and the Lions as well as major commercial infrastructure companies right across the UK. Whilst increased publicity is certainly helpful, there remains an alarming lack of knowledge amongst many, if not most, UK men about their prostate gland in general and awareness of PCa in particular. This is compounded by lack of a medical consensus on screening and only patchy provision of the simple PSA screening blood test by GPs. In many other western counties evidence built up over the last 30 years is now clearly demonstrating the benefit of properly organised PCa screening programmes that can halve a man’s risk of dying from this most unpleasant cancer. A consensus of international experts recommends that all men should start screening with PSA in their 40s especially men at high risk. These are: Men in their 40s with an initial PSA >1.0ng/ml or in their 50’s with a PSA > 2.0ng/ml.

Black men or mixed race men of African or Caribbean descent who carry a one in four lifetime risk of developing PCa. Men with a family history of PCa or breast cancer on the mother’s side where the risk rises rapidly with every affected family member.

Ginger slipped it into his shirt pocket, trying it for size. “So how do you turn it on then?” he asked, pulling it back out and fiddling with the dial.

“That’s it,” I said furiously, “now you’ve lost the station.” I snatched it back. “It took me nearly two months to save up for it and you treat it like a toy! It’s a Dansette RT66 for goodness sake, not some Hong Kong rubbish.”

We glared at each other but I couldn’t stay angry with Ginger for long. We’d been friends since our secondary school days and now, in 1962, we were teenagers and, at sixteen, we’d been holding down jobs for nearly a year.

“Look,” I said, “this is the on/off switch and volume, and this,” I turned the larger dial carefully until a voice sounded from the little speaker, “is where you tune it in.”

But something wasn’t quite right. It was only four o’clock and Alan Freeman should have been introducing Pick of the Pops after Movie Go-Round had ended, like on every Sunday. I was looking forward to listening to Ray Charles singing I Can’t Stop Loving You again.

What was coming out of the radio was some sort of news, which shouldn’t have been on until ten thirty. And the news didn’t sound right either; it was normally read by some posh man, but the voice was a woman’s and she didn’t sound particularly posh, just sort of normal.

Ginger and I glanced at each other in puzzlement and concentrated on what was being said: “Here is a summary of the news on Sunday June the 14th 2020. The Health Secretary announced earlier today that there would be a further easing of the self-isolating restrictions next week. In his statement he thanked the public for following government guidelines and staying at least two metres from other people for the last several weeks, saying that the self-discipline exhibited by U.K. citizens was what was defeating Covid-19, but that the discipline must continue.

“With the end of panic buying, retail outlets are now able to open at preCoronavirus times, with the usual restrictions on supermarkets’ Sunday opening. It is anticipated that there will continue to be a high demand for ‘click and collect’ in the future.

“The government expects continuing flare ups of the epidemic in some regions of the U.K., but the Health Secretary has assured the public that the NHS is ready and able to cope with any further emergencies while work on a vaccine continues.”

Remember, the NHS’s Prostate Cancer Risk Management Programme entitles men over 50 to a PSA test. All GPs have been sent the programme so don’t be put off; it is your entitlement. Early detection of PCa leads almost always to cure whereas late detection once the cancer has spread ends eventually in death. Currently 51 percent of UK men diagnosed with PCa are diagnosed with advanced disease and in nearly one in five it has already spread widely to other parts of the body.

The radio reception was fading so I turned the Dansette in various directions to try to improve it. As the volume dropped I turned it up and made tiny changes to the tuning but eventually the woman’s voice evaporated completely into the rushing sound of static.

The future role of CHAPS Charity will be determined by where we judge the greatest need to be. At present it is to achieve a substantial reduction in our unacceptable death rate from prostate cancer.

“I dunno,” I said. “Perhaps it was some sort of radio play. Anyway, it didn’t make any sense. What’s ‘self-isolating’ and who is Covid-19 when he’s at home? Perhaps it’s science fiction like in The Eagle or a Captain Marvel film.”

Whilst future screening events are postponed due to Coronavirus, keep in touch via our website or contact us directly by email to info@chaps.uk.com or phone 07873 541505, particularly if you would like more information on prostate cancer.

“Nah,” Ginger said, “I reckon there’s something wrong with that cheap old radio you bought.”

www.chaps.uk.com

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

One more small adjustment and suddenly there was Alan Freeman introducing Pick of the Pops.

“What was that all about?” Ginger demanded.

I punched him playfully on the arm. “Jealously will get you no-where,” I said.

“Come on, never mind Coronavirus, let’s go and see if my mum’s got any Corona Dandelion and Burdock pop in the cupboard.”

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

FIVE KEY AREAS FOR YOUR BUSINESS TO FOCUS ON RIGHT NOW TO SURVIVE THE CRISIS? These are unprecedented times and things are changing quickly with a lot of people suffering. One thing’s for sure, there will be an end to this.

As part of the ActionCOACH community I am in contact with 1300 Business Coaches globally and 220 in the UK. Which allows us to help businesses with the best strategies quickly.

For a fuller list of the steps your business needs to take now register for one of our webinars.

See www.actioncoach.co.uk/nikgray under events for details.

Leadership Whether you have hundreds of employees or you are working solo you need to be the leader. You need to be clear on the vision for the business to create that direction. Communicate regularly – with your team daily whether they are working or not, let them know what is going on. People worry when they don’t know, keep them informed.

Customers’ too, tell them how you’re changing, how you’re making things safe or what you’ve got planned for the future.

Watch less news. It will have a negative impact on you and your thoughts.

Stick to one daily update then turn it off. You need to be the most positive person in the room. Celebrate wins and communicate good news with everybody.

Finances Firstly complete a cashflow forecast these can be done simply, if you’re not sure, ask your accountant or call me. Look at your expenditure ask yourself what can be stopped or postpone? Speak with your suppliers ask them how they can help you. Predict the next 90 days income what’s the worst case what’s best case. What do you need to survive?

Can you take advantage of the 80% furlough scheme for your staff?

Check .gov website for what you are entitled to on grants and where you can apply for the business disruption loan. Even if you don’t use it.

It’s interest free for 12 months so you can pay it back if you don’t use it.

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What next?

How are you changing? How can you ‘pivot’ to change your direction?

When the gyms closed down one gym rented its static bikes out to members to use at home and continued to run classes virtually.

Just like communication, marketing is important right now. Yes, your message will have to change, people’s needs and buying habits have changed. So, you change with them. What do they need now? How can you help them? If you have a solution to their problem and you are helping them then you should be selling to them right now, it’s the right thing to do.

Plan Most businesses fail because they haven’t got a plan. It’s easy to put off planning and working ‘on’ the business, because it’s thinking time and thinking is difficult. We’d rather do something we know how to do, like working ‘in’ the business. As a leader people look to you for direction.

You get that confidence and direction from planning. Reflect on what’s worked and what’s not. What do you need to focus on for the next 90 days? Break it down into small tasks or actions which when combined will have a big impact. If you need help join our free 90 day planning sessions online.

Reach out Finally, reach out. Everyone is in the same boat so reach out to others for help. A business coach or an accountant. We are giving away free webinars and free oneto-one sessions with business owners during this period to make sure everybody gets through this.

Follow this link and have a chat: https://calendly.com/nikgray

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

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People in every community will face the challenges of Covid-19 in some way – from needing basic provisions to help while they are unwell.

Think of others, consider your actions & be kind

As self-isolation sel increases, we need to ďŹ nd new ways to stay connected and check in on one another for our physical and mental wellbeing.

Sha phone numbers Share and stay in touch.

Connect and reach out to your neighbours

Keep up to date, share information and be a positive part of your local community conversations.

Make the most of local online groups

Diierent groups in our communities are at increased risk and isol social isolation and loneliness are key concerns for all ages.

There are things you can do like volunteering for local support services or donating to ban to help. food banks

Support vulnerable or isolated people

Support anyone a who may be anxious about Covid-19. Sign post them to the correct advice from Public Health England and encourage people to foll follow the correct hygiene practices.

Share accurate information and advice

5 things you can do to make a positive diierence in your community

Community Action Response: Covid-19

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

KEEPING PEOPLE CONNECTED ActivLives is a small, grassroots charity which has been working in Ipswich and across Suffolk for 13 years, supporting and motivating people to improve their own health and well-being; keeping people connected with their communities to reduce social isolation and loneliness and providing access to learning, training and volunteering opportunities to enable people to gain skills and employment.

ActivLives normally provides a wide range of face to face activities and support including, community gardening, Men in Shed projects, singing and physical / sport activities such as walking football, Boccia, New Age Kurling, seated and standing OTAGO exercise, health walks and social activity. We also have specialist hubs for people living with dementia and their carers and for carers and former carers. These activities bring people together to enable them to meet and make new friends, build support networks in the community, volunteer and learn and share skills.

Unfortunately, we have had to close all our activities because of Coronavirus which has had a great impact on the organisation. However, we are a very flexible and resilient organisation with very passionate and dedicated staff and key volunteers who are currently keeping an eye on our gardens and exploring different ways so that we can keep in touch and support our members and volunteers while they are self-isolating at home.

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For those who have access to the internet we will, over the coming weeks, be posting a variety of videos that might interest not only our members, but also the general public who may not know about our organisation. We will have general information to support people through the lock down.

There are videos showing how to keep moving with seated and standing exercise for people to do safely at home with our lovely Step by Step instructor Jo. There are singing videos on our Facebook page with Gina, our amazing music facilitator who leads our community singing groups.

There are two quizzes each week, gardening videos will be coming from the ActivGardens team and a reminiscence arts project is being planned.

For those members and volunteers who cannot access the internet we are keeping in touch by phone and helping in whatever way we can.

That may be doing some shopping, collecting prescriptions, just having a weekly chat on the phone or setting up WhatsApp groups so members from our different groups can keep connected while the sessions are closed.

We hope that people who haven’t heard of us or don’t currently use our services across Suffolk will enjoy following our home page, joining in with our videos or finding the information we post useful during these unprecedented times. www.activlives.org.uk Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

DON’T BECOME A VICTIM CRIMINALS ARE USING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO SCAM THE PUBLIC Law enforcement, government and private sectors partners are working together to encourage members of the public to be more vigilant against fraud, particularly about sharing their financial and personal information, as criminals seek to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic.

Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. They spend hours researching you for their scams, hoping you’ll let your guard down for just a moment.

Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud*.

Your bank or the police will NEVER ask you to transfer money or move it to a safe account.

Criminals are targeting people looking to buy medical supplies online, sending emails offering fake medical support and scamming people who may be vulnerable or increasingly isolated at home. These frauds try to lure you in with offers that look too good to be true, such as high return investments and ‘healthcare opportunities’, or make appeals for you to support bogus charities or those who are ill.

Reports from the public have already included online shopping scams where people have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser, and other products, which have never arrived and a number of cases have been identified where fake testing kits have been offered for sale.

Criminals are also using government branding to try to trick people, including reports of using HMRC branding to make spurious offers of financial support through unsolicited emails, phone calls and text messages.

This situation is likely to continue, with criminals looking to exploit further consequences of the pandemic, such as exploiting financial concerns to ask for upfront fees for bogus loans, offering high-return investment scams, or targeting pensions.

Huge increases in the number of people working remotely mean that significantly more people will be vulnerable to computer service fraud where criminals will try and convince you to provide access to your computer or divulge your logon details and passwords. It is also anticipated that there will be a surge in phishing scams or calls claiming to be from government departments offering grants, tax rebates, or compensation.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

Please see below for more information on the most common COVID-19 frauds and the steps you can take to keep yourself safe.

Online Shopping and Auction Fraud More people may fall victim to #onlineshopping fraud as they self-isolate due to #COVID19. You are a victim of online shopping fraud if you buy goods from an online seller that never arrive.

Computer Software Service Fraud As more people work from home due to #COVID19, fraudsters may capitalise on slow networks and IT problems, to commit computer software service fraud. Be wary of cold calls or unsolicited emails offering you help with your device or to fix a problem Lender Loan Fraud People may be worrying about their finances during the #COVID19 outbreak. Lender loan fraudsters will use the opportunity to: • approve your application for a fast loan regardless of your credit history • ask you to pay an upfront fee • take your payment and never provide the loan Pension Liberation Fraud and Investment Fraud Fraudsters could try to take advantage of the financial uncertainty surrounding #COVID19 by offering people sham investment opportunities.

If you get a cold call or unsolicited email offering you a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Mandate Fraud As more people work from home due to #COVID19, fraudsters may try to get you to change a direct debit, standing order or bank transfer mandate, to divert funds to their bank account, by purporting to be an organisation you make regular payments to.

Phishing A number of #COVID19 related phishing emails have been reported to Action Fraud. These emails attempt to trick you into opening malicious attachments which could lead to fraudsters stealing your personal information, logins, passwords, or banking details.

As of March 26, the government has only sent one text message to the public regarding new rules about staying at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Any others claiming to be from UK Government are false.

“Criminals are able to use spoofing technology to send texts and emails impersonating organisations that you know and trust. We would remind anyone who receives an unexpected text or email asking for personal or financial details not click on the links or attachments, and don’t respond to any messages that ask for your personal or financial details.”

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Use your calendar to record your daily kindness acts.

month Monday

year Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Congratulations

Saturday

Being kind sends a powerful message about our connections to each other and the world around us.

30

Sunday

The British Red Cross Society, incorporated by Royal Charter 1908, is a charity registered in England and Wales (220949), Scotland (SC037738) and Isle of Man (0752). Illustrations: Š Sara Chew/BRC. BRC18-303

The power of kindness calendar

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

BRAIN TEASERS FOR CHILDREN (AND ADULTS) RIDDLES It’s time to get your thinking caps on. You’ll find the answers on page 34 but no peeking!

1: What’s bright orange with green on top and sounds like a parrot?

2: What’s really easy to get into, and hard to get out of?

FIND THE WORDS Including two letter words, there are 250 words hidden in ‘Chocolate Ice Cream’.

‘Ceramic’ is one to get you started but you may want to get the entire family involved!

3: What word contains 26 letters, but only has three syllables?

4: A girl fell off a 20-foot ladder. She wasn’t hurt. Why? 5: What has lots of eyes, but can’t see?

Say the colour of each word!

6: I am often following you and copying your every move.

Yet you can never touch me or catch me. What am I? 7: Grandpa went out for a walk and it started to rain. He didn’t

bring an umbrella or a hat. His clothes got soaked, but not a hair

on his head was wet. How is this possible?

8: I add lots of flavour and have many layers, but if you get to

close I’ll make you cry. What am I? 9: What has legs, but doesn’t walk?

10: You see me once in June, twice in November, but not at all

in May. What am I? Use the Egyptian alphabet to write your name or share it with your best friend and use it to write coded messages!

Parents you could use this to create clues for a treasure hunt.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

SARABAND SNAPS UP IAN MAITLAND THRILLER spine 22 mm

IAIN MAITLAND

Indie publisher Saraband has signed Felixstowe-based mental health author Iain Maitland for a thriller about unsolved murders of LGBTQ+ victims.

MURDERS 1981-

The Scribbler will be published under Saraband’s crime, mystery and noir fiction imprint Contraband on 12 May.

They thought the killer was long gone...

IAIN

MAITLAND “Brilliantly creepy.”

BARBARA NADEL

In The Scribbler, newly qualified DC Carrie and her much more experienced colleague DI Gayther are the unlikely pairing tasked with investigating a series of cold cases, specifically unsolved murders of LGBTQ+ victims. “Back in the Eighties, these had not been considered a priority for police resources,” Saraband said.

“But times have changed and so has the whole matter of how policing is done.

Gayther may trust his old-style hunches, but DC Carrie favours technologydriven, algorithm-based methods.”

Hunt said: “Iain Maitland has a dark, original and chilling imagination and an uncanny ability to write disturbed characters whilst wrong-footing the reader along the way. He finds brilliant stories in the neglected corners of crime and punishment and keeps us uncomfortably glued to the pages as the tension escalates.”

Maitland is the author of the thriller Sweet William (2017) and Mr Todd’s Reckoning (2019), both published by Saraband, as well as two non-fiction books on mental health: Dear Michael, Love Dad (2016, Hodder & Stoughton) and Out of the Madhouse (2018, Jessica Kingsley Publishers).

An ambassador for Stem4, the teenage mental health charity, he also speaks on mental health issues in the workplace.

AN EXCLUSIVE EXTRACT FROM THE SCRIBBLER Newly qualified Detective Constable Georgia Carrie walked slowly up the steps of the temporary portacabin office to the side of the main police station building, balancing two full mugs of tea, one in each hand. She stopped to read the sign, ‘DI Gayther, Cold Cases’ and the handwritten scrawl above it, ‘LGBTQ+’. She put the mugs down on the top step to open the door and then paused for a moment, thinking what she might say.

“When was this…?

She opened the door. Picked up the mugs. Stepped inside. The older man, in his battered grey suit and brown loafers, looked up as the young woman put the mugs of tea on the desk. One on his side, the other on hers. He smiled briefly and nodded his thanks. She went to say her opening words, “Good to see you again, sir”, but as she did so, he turned the papers he was reading round so they were facing her on the desk. Old man in a hurry, she thought.

“He is described as white British and would now be in his fifties.”

“Read this, Carrie,” he said abruptly, pushing two sheets of A4 paper across towards her.

She took the sheets and sat down at the desk and began reading the first one. He picked up his mug of tea and swung round on his chair, his back to her, looking out of the window towards the back of the main building and what looked like a building site. The police station was being renovated. Ladders, pots and paints and stacked-up scaffolding seemed to fill the whole space. It was a mess. He hated mess.

“Still At Large,” she read the front page headline of the local newspaper out loud, “The Scribbler.”

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“Two years ago. Thirtieth anniversary of the first killing,” he replied. He gestured towards the two sheets and she carried on reading without speaking.

“Police are still searching for The Scribbler, the serial killer who murdered six people in Norfolk between 1988 and 1990.”

“The first victim was Donald Worthington, a 53-year-old abattoir supervisor.”

“The second victim was 42-year-old office clerk Andrew Marven.”

“The other four victims, middle-aged men from the Norwich area, were found dead in the summer and autumn of 1990.”

“Police believe The Scribbler may have killed twelve men in total.”

She wasn’t sure who to ask about first, but this was one of an endless stream of cold cases they’d be looking at over the coming days, so she decided to come straight to the point.

“And so … ” she said, “why are we looking at this case again now? First of all?”

“Because he’s back, Carrie. The Scribbler is back.”

Iain Maitland

In Touch online:

#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

HERE TOGETHER: TODAY & TOMORROW St Elizabeth Hospice launches urgent appeal for support While preparing to cope with the impact of Coronavirus on its end of life care and bereavement services over the coming weeks, St Elizabeth Hospice has launched an urgent appeal to the public to support their local hospice in light of all fundraising events being postponed and all 31 retail shops closing.

The clinical staff at St Elizabeth are working in partnership with the NHS and partners at speed to significantly expand our services both in the community and at the hospice in response to Coronavirus, whilst continuing to care for patients with non-Covid end of life and palliative care needs.

A new rapid response co-ordination centre has been created in the past week to cope with the expected increase in demand for clinical advice and end of life care in the community, doubling the capacity of the hospice’s existing OneCall telephone advice helpline.

Last year, the hospice cared for over 3,000 Suffolk patients and their families at a cost of £10.5m, of which 75% was raised by the community through the shops and local fundraising – income-generating activities which are now impossible due to social distancing and self-isolation.

Chief Executive Ru Watkins has called on the local community to support the hospice’s new Here Together appeal to highlight the role of St Elizabeth at the clinical frontline of the current pandemic and to make sure that its end of life care can continue unaffected when the crisis is over: “Every family who has come into contact with our consultants, doctors, nurses, carers and volunteers over the years knows how dedicated they are to our local community. We are still here with our patients delivering the care they need today so ask everyone to support our efforts together.”

With all fundraising events postponed or cancelled, many supporters are looking for alternative ways to support the hospice. As local supporter Wendy Goddard says: “St Elizabeth Hospice was there for me and my family when my daughter Zoe sadly passed away and their support was outstanding. Last month I was due to hold a charity night for 300 people to raise funds to support the hospice but sadly this has had to be postponed. I would ask you to do what you can in this time of need to support our local hospice together.”

The Here Together appeal is being launched across the hospice’s social media platforms to raise awareness of St Elizabeth’s frontline role in continuing to care for some of Suffolk’s most vulnerable patients throughout the pandemic and our shared commitment as a community to protecting its vital services today and tomorrow.

#SaveLives

COMMUNITY ACTION SUFFOLK SUPPORTING VOLUNTEERS, COMMUNITIES & ORGANISATIONS DURING COVID-19 As we all make our way through these uncertain times, Community Action Suffolk (CAS) is continuing to support organisations and volunteers to deliver vital services in communities. Not only are organisations across Suffolk continuing their usual services wherever possible, but there is also an incredible rise in activity with many organisations changing and adding to their offer to meet the huge rise in demand. Alongside this, the surge in people wanting to do whatever they can, however big or small, to care for others is truly heart-warming.

CAS has been involved in supporting a whole range of groups and ‘movements’ to promote themselves and encourage others to follow suit in recent weeks.

Many of these spring from individuals who simply want to show they care to those in close proximity to them, from ‘Backyard Buddies’ and ‘Tear down the Fence’ initiatives, to groups of residents setting up ‘Emergency Response’ schemes akin to Good Neighbour Schemes. It is important to ensure that this is done in a supported and safe manner so CAS has produced a suite of new resources and guides to help with this which can be found on the website (details below).

In addition to work with local groups and organisations, CAS is also supporting various campaigns to recruit and support volunteers. The Suffolk Collaborative Communities Board, made up of key strategic partners from across the county including CAS, has recently launched the Tribe Volunteer app specifically to recruit volunteers during the pandemic in Suffolk alongside an accompanying telephone helpline for those in need of support. Volunteer Suffolk, the county’s volunteer brokerage portal for organisations that need volunteers is also still going strong.

If you would like to volunteer during Covid-19, or need to recruit volunteers for your organisation, click ‘I want to Volunteer’ on the homepage of the CAS website for more information on both these portals.

Suffolk’s business and voluntary sector community are also being encouraged to come together as part of a county-wide campaign to help more organisations deliver their important work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Volunteering Matters and Community Action Suffolk are collectively calling for charities, groups and social enterprises to let them know of their specific ‘need’ at this critical time, and for business leaders to step forward with help in areas such as planning, IT, legal advice, logistics and media relations. Businesses are encouraged to list how they would like to help. They can do so by completing the survey at: www.volunteeringmatters. org.uk/what-we-do/support-us/working-together While all this is going on, CAS still has another ‘day job’ to do – to continue supporting the already established voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Suffolk to stay operational, safe, well governed and as financially resilient as they can. We are continuously lobbying national government with the support of national partners to make provision for those on the ground carrying out activities. We cannot emphasise enough how important these groups and organisations are at this time and you too can help by showing your support on social media using #EveryDayCounts.

Or call the hospice on: 01473 723600

This is a challenging time for every Suffolk resident, but at CAS we never cease to be amazed by the dedication, commitment and kindness that Suffolk residents show on a daily basis, and we are so proud to be able to help our voluntary, community and social enterprise sector play their part. Stay safe, support each other, and keep going Suffolk, you are all incredible!

To find out how to get involved or fundraise for us, please contact your hospice community fundraiser, Fiona Gin: fiona.ginn@stelizabethhospice.org.uk / 07740 405764

For more information on anything Community Action Suffolk is doing, or to contact us, visit www.communityactionsuffolk.org.uk or follow @CASuffolk on Twitter.

To donate to the appeal, visit the hospice Just Giving appeal page: www.justgiving.com/campaign/SEHCoronavirusAppeal

Hannah Reid, Director of Innovation & Business Development

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

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#StayAtHome #ProtectTheNHS

#SaveLives

ALMOST LOST IN TRANSLATION A short story by Beryl P. Brown The flea market was rammed. Mid-morning sun blazed on the hordes of people forging paths to the stalls and traders. Some attempted to worm deeper into the market, certain that better bargains were to be had in the further reaches. Tourists, too hot, too overcome by the tide of humanity that, good-natured though it was, seemed a threat, pushed their way to the exit and their tour buses.

lucky rabbit bag would be lost forever.

This was my favourite place; I made sure I was here every Sunday morning. I loved the crush, the noise, the smell – not, as someone who had never been to a Parisian flea market would assume, predominantly garlic, but a mixture of perfume, exotic oils, street food and coffee.

My words seemed to flow through the crowd like a Mexican Wave as the message was passed on. I held my breath and squinted into the sunlight, but the white hair reached the place where the road dipped again and the man disappeared.

There has to be an exception to every rule and, as I was soaking up the ambience, a man caught my elbow and breathed the reek of garlic into my face. I swung away, ducking behind a large German tourist shouting into his phone and smelling of suntan oil. The German apologised as his shoulder knocked into my bag. I lifted a hand in response and pushed on towards the stall that sold the best coffee in Paris.

I was swept along, tears stinging, I didn’t care where I ended up.

I was sipping my espresso when I noticed a man hovering at the edge of the crowd letting people flow past him. This was odd; no one gave way here. It was the garlic breath man, I remembered him not just for his breath, but because of the white hair that hung down to his shoulders.

I drained the little cup, thanked the stallholder in my appalling French – I really should take lessons – and slipped into the crowd. Glancing behind me, I saw the white haired man scanning around. I slid quickly in front of a pair of tall teenage boys before dodging around an elegant French woman enveloped in a cloud of Chanel.

I walked on for several minutes, weaving my way through until the sound of a tolling church bell let me know that I was about halfway along the road that was completely taken over by the market every Sunday.

The crowd had thinned for a second and, relaxing, I was enjoying the space when something thudded into my back. I was thrust forward and felt my bag being ripped from my hand.

‘NO,’ I yelled, staggering to keep my balance. I raised my head in time to see the white haired man elbowing through the crowd, the straps of my rabbit bag clutched in his fist.

I couldn’t lose that bag; it was my most important possession. The red rabbit appliqued to the flap was my good luck charm and it went everywhere with me.

‘Thief,’ I yelled.

Stupid, I told myself, as a few people looked at me curiously.

‘Voleur.’ I screamed.

People turned, I could see the man’s head above the crowd but he was disappearing fast.

To my eternal embarrassment, I then shouted. ‘Le homme avec le cheveaux blanc est un voleur.’

I’d got attention. People scanned around but then shrugged and stared at me.

What was the matter with them?

The man was vanishing into the crowd when it struck me that I’d said the thief was a man with white horses! Why hadn’t I learned French properly? My

The crowd ahead was thick now but, beyond the church, the road rose slightly and I could just spot the white hair in the far distance.

That subway scene in Crocodile Dundee came back to me, and I screamed, ‘Le sac avec le lapin rouge.’

Someone tapped me on the shoulder and pointed. Miraculously, my bag was being passed back through the people.

When it reached me, I hugged it to my chest and shouted, ‘Merci mes amis.’

As soon as I could, I fought my way aside and found an alleyway where I could escape and have privacy to check my bag.

I unzipped it. It was packed with wallets, purses and mobile phones. I lifted out a wallet and opened it. Stuffed with Euros. The picture of the big German tourist grinned at me from its plastic window.

A leather purse wafted expensive perfume as I flipped through the plastic cards.

Two of the mobiles had macho cases – the type teenage lads carried. They’d have learnt a hard lesson about hanging on to their belongings in a crowd.

At the end of the alleyway I threw the empty wallets, purses and phone cases into a waste bin and swung the bag over my shoulder. The lucky rabbit had done its job, but I’d need to think hard about next Sunday. The robber nearly robbed; I could be losing my touch. passed on. I held my breath and squinted into the sunlight, but the white hair reached the place where the road dipped again and the man disappeared.

I was swept along, tears stinging, I didn’t care where I ended up.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder and pointed. Miraculously, my bag was being passed back through the people.

When it reached me, I hugged it to my chest and shouted, ‘Merci mes amis.’

As soon as I could, I fought my way aside and found an alleyway where I could escape and have privacy to check my bag.

I unzipped it. It was packed with wallets, purses and mobile phones. I lifted out a wallet and opened it. Stuffed with Euros. The picture of the big German tourist grinned at me from its plastic window.

A leather purse wafted expensive perfume as I flipped through the plastic cards. Two of the mobiles had macho cases – the type teenage lads carried.

They’d have learnt a hard lesson about hanging on to their belongings in a crowd.

At the end of the alleyway I threw the empty wallets, purses and phone cases into a waste bin and swung the bag over my shoulder. The lucky rabbit had done its job, but I’d need to think hard about next Sunday. The robber nearly robbed; I could be losing my touch.

Beryl P. Brown lives in Manningtree. Many of her short stories have been published and frequently enjoy competition success.

Her debut novel, May’s Boys: a boy wants a mother, a woman wants a son… was published in February and is available in print and e-format from booksellers and online suppliers.

For further details detrails visit: www.berylpbrown.uk

Answers to the riddles on page 31 1: Carrot; 2: Trouble; 3: Alphabet; 4: She fell off the bottom step; 5: A potato; 6: My shadow; 7: Grandpa was bald; 8: An onion; 9: A table; 10: The letter ‘e’

34

In Touch online:

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/elmswell

35

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