In Touch with Gt Blakenham April 2020

In Touch

™© ™©

with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead Volume 10 • Issue No. 6 • APRIL 2020

Skiphire www.collins-skiphire.co.uk

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Some listed events may be cancelled following publication so please check before travelling

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I take this opportunity to express our hope that you and your loved ones are getting the support you need in light of current events.

There are many new initiatives and support networks forming every day which we will help publicise for as long as necessary. We will use social and digital media to support those which haven’t made it into this edition as well as to provide updates about cancelled events and any other information which our readers and advertisers will find useful.

We know this magazine is a valued source of social, political and commercial information and we are working on plans to support our customers, partners and readers in the coming weeks and months.

Many businesses are adapting to this challenging environment by changing their offer or by offering additional services, such as home deliveries or take-away services. We all know how important it is to support our local economy by shopping local and employing the services of local tradespeople/businesses, but it has never been quite so important.

Our sales manager and his team are working with our customers to overcome likely challenges, sharing ideas and expertise which will enable them to communicate with you throughout this crisis and help secure their place in the market going forward.

There are numerous ways in which we and our group partners (Grapevine, Boswell Office Supplies and Colourplan Print) intend to communicate with readers and customers. Please join or like us on the following platforms so we can stay in touch: Instagram: mansionhousepublishing / grapevinelive Twitter: @InTouchEast / @grapevinelive Facebook: Mansion House Publishing / Grapevine Live www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk / www.GrapevineLive.co.uk And don’t forget to download the GrapevineLive app.

Grá go Deo, Sharon and the In Touch team

It’s still possible to do so and we’ll be helping our customers to maintain contact with you using all available mediums (print, digital and social) throughout this ever-evolving scenario. Every decision we are making right now is considered and measured to ensure we are able to continue to support our customers; after all, it is they who enable us to publish 19 magazines every month and we will be a critical source of local information, a vital link within and beyond local communities, until this becomes a distant memory.

We have responded day by day to event cancellations but as many more are likely to be cancelled or postponed, please do check before you travel. We shall announce additional cancellations as we receive them so do stay in contact between now and the next deadline. And as new initiatives take shape, please let us know so we can help spread the word.

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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While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

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SURPRISE DONATION FOR 1 CLAYDON SCOUT GROUP ST

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

Tuesday 7 April

is the advertising and editorial deadline for the May edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

In late February Group Scout Leader Mark Pearson was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from Hayley Roche of the Great Blakenham based construction firm Elliston Steady & Hawes.

Hayley explained that each month they agree to raise money for a local charity: “Each month our company has a charity dress down where we raise money for charitable organisations in the area. Scouts are a really important part of our communities and we see the good work that is done in developing young people’s skills for life.”

Mark added: “It was a total surprise to receive this email from Hayley explaining that £30 had been raised for the group. This comes at a great time for our group who are the most rapidly growing group in Suffolk and we can use this for new equipment for our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.”

If you’re interested in volunteering to help at 1st Claydon so we can expand further, please contact Mark at: markpearsonfreshfields@outlook.com And take a look at our website to see the activities we do with boys and girls aged 6-14. www.1stclaydonscoutg.onesuffolk.net

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NEWS GREAT BLAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL We are urgently looking for councillors to join us. By law, there has to be a minimum number of councillors present for the parish council to be able to meet, make decisions and authorise payments, etc. For Great Blakenham Parish Council, the minimum number of councillors needed for a meeting is three.

At the time of writing, we only have three councillors, but we are expecting a fourth to be co-opted at our rearranged meeting at the end of March.

Both the March and February meetings had to be rearranged to ensure that the minimum number of councillors would be present and I would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. However, this underlines the fact that we really need residents who are willing to give up a small part of their time to help their community to join us on the council.

GIPPING VALLEY COUNTY & BLAKENHAM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN FIELD Ipswich Transport Taskforce The taskforce to look at transport issues in Ipswich will be chaired by Dan Poulter and Tom Hunt. It is not yet clear which of us in Gipping Valley will be involved.

Streetlights to change to LED The county will invest £9.8m to convert all streetlights to LED. They will be dimmable by up to 50 percent to allow light to be adjusted to match the traffic volume. LEDs are much more efficient than other sources giving around 100 lumens per watt and use 15-20 percent of the energy of incandescent lamps.

Their output is also better directed.

I became a councillor because I wanted to work for the best outcome for residents on a whole range of local issues – environmental, infrastructure, SnOasis, the allotments, liaison with local businesses, planning, etc.

Councillors can influence and make decisions on a whole range of things that really affect the village and this is vitally important, especially with the continuing pressure on services and infrastructure from all the new housing developments in the area.

Electricity for lighting cost £2.7m in 2019, 26 percent of the highways revenue budget and is increasing at eight percent per year. With dimming applied, there will be a return on investment within four years and carbon emissions will reduce by 60-80 percent.

Please contact the clerk for further details or why not come along to the next meeting to see what it’s all about? There are 10 meetings a year, all of them in the evening and free training is available for new councilors.

School transport policy implementation An internal review led by the chief fire officer of the implementation of its new school transport policy identified 19 failings. The report highlighted the following:

The allotments everyone wants to see the allotments at full capacity – they need to be seen to being used so that the landowner cannot argue that there is no demand for them. Why not join our friendly plot holders? We have had some new people take up plots and it’s good to see more plots being worked. Plots and the water supply remain free of charge and there is plenty of help and advice available from our experienced plotholders who will welcome any new faces. Gardening is a healthy outdoor activity and has been proved to reduce stress. Please contact the clerk if you want to find out more.

The council is hoping to begin the conversion work in autumn 2020 and expects the project to be completed within two years

• The policy was implemented at the same time as a new IT system which did not function as expected.

• A staff restructure was undertaken during the policy roll out.

• The number of staff was insufficient to cope with the increased workload caused by the new opt-in policy.

• Although the budget had been increased to cope with the increased work, recruitment was late.

Our next meeting is scheduled to be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 8 April in the Parish Room. However, this may be subject to change.

• The policy was poorly communicated to parents and schools.

Everyone is welcome at council meetings and there is a 15-minute public forum where you can ask questions or raise issues related to the work of the parish council.

• The wellbeing of parents and children suffered as a result of the poor implementation.

Janet Gobey Parish Clerk pc@greatblakenham.suffolk.gov.uk / 07508 830777 Facebook: @greatblakenhampc / Twitter: @pcgtblakenham www.greatblakenham.suffolk.cloud Thank you for reading this and for your interest in the work of your parish council.

Chairman Steve Plume

• The application and appeals processes were too complex.

The scrutiny committee has agreed to review the policy itself before the end of 2020 to remove the anomalies around siblings transported to different schools, villages where the nearest school changes as you traverse from one end to the other and the fact that school admissions are still based on catchment areas while transport is based on distance.

Third Quarter Budget Forecast The forecast now shows an underspend of £3.4 million, a turnround on the last prediction of £0.2 million overspend. This reflects changes that occur as the end of year approaches and overestimates of likely spend are reduced.

My concern is that the underspend frequently come from a failure to recruit and that limits the cost-reducing, long-term preventative work that can be undertaken.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) CIL is collected from developers when they build new properties in Mid Suffolk to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with housing growth. This month the district council helped fund two primary school extensions. £645,593 CIL and £442,956 from SCC went to Bramford Primary School for an expansion of 105 places. Building work has commenced and will be complete

by September.

Claydon Primary School received £499,421 of CIL to add to £1,489,805 of S106 contributions and £205,644 from Suffolk County Council for its recent extension.

If you have any queries, please ring 07545 423808 or email: john.field@suffolk.gov.uk

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Friday 3rd – Thursday 9th April ONWARD (U)

Fri 3rd: 4.30, Sat 4th: 1.00, Sun 5th: 4.30 Mon 6th – Thurs 9th: 1.00

MISBEHAVIOUR (12A)

Fri 3rd – Mon 6th: 7.00, Thurs 9th: 7.00

MILITARY WIVES (12A) Sat 4th: 4.00, Mon 6th: 4.00 Thurs 9th: 4.00

The Regal is now closed for our £3.6m redevelopment project and is planned to re-open in December 2020.

So we’re taking the Regal on the Road to the John Peel Centre. We had planned to launch with No Time to Die…So we’ve made new plans!

Launch Day: Thursday 2nd April 1917 (15)

Fri 10th – Thurs 16th: 1.45 & 4.15

MY SPY (12A)

Fri 10th – Thurs 16th: 7.00

No films from 17th to 26th April to allow for the staging of Half a Sixpence

Monday 27th – Thursday 30th April MILITARY WIVES (12A) Mon 27th & Tues 28th: 1.00 Wed 29th: 7.15, Thurs 30th: 1.00

Thurs 2nd: 2.00

EMMA (U)

EMMA (U)

Thurs 2nd: 5.00

Wed 29th: 1.00 & 4.00 IMPORTANT

PARASITE (15) Thurs 2nd: 7.45

We will only show 5 minutes of adverts before films screened at Regal on the Road

Temporary Box Office

Stowmarket Town Council, Milton Road South, Stowmarket, IP14 1EZ Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday: 11am-2pm

01449 612825

Regal on the Road is at the John Peel Centre, Church Walk, IP14 1ET

www.regalstowmarket.co.uk IPSWICH MR MISTY.pdf

Friday 10th – Thursday 16th April TROLLS WORLD TOUR (U)

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The above programme may be subject to late change in response to any directives issued by the government after this magazine went to print.

POCKET MONEY MOVIES

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SPIES IN DISGUISE, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, DOLITTLE, FROZEN 2

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT

SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE FACILITY

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Friday 3 April, 10am-noon: Coffee and Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market Friday 17 April, 6.45am: Breakfast The Mix, 127 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket IP14 1BB To book online follow the link at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events

SUFFOLK PUNCH TRUST On Friday 15 May at 7.30pm in Baylham Church there will be a talk on the Suffolk Punch Trust at Holsley Bay. Unfortunately, there won’t be any horses present but it should be a very entertaining talk all the same!

Tickets £8 to include a glass of wine and a finger buffet.

Contact Wendy (01473 832885) or Ann (01473 830316).

Spring 2020 Shutdown The Suffolk energy-from-waste facility will be undergoing its first planned maintenance shutdown of the year between 23 April and 16 May. These shutdowns take place twice a year for essential cleaning and maintenance, ensuring the facility continues to run efficiently.

During the shutdown maintenance will be carried out inside the furnaces and boiler, and the chimneys are being repainted. The maintenance of each of our two furnaces will be staggered so that we can continue to accept waste throughout the shutdown period.

There will be an increased number of contractors on site during this period, but there should be no impact on the local community. If you have any concerns about the upcoming shutdown period, please contact us via the details provided below.

Tours of the facility We will be unable to host tours of the facility during the shutdown period because of the works on site. If you would like to arrange a visit for a group or attend an open day after the shutdown, please contact us via the details provided below.

Adult visits are free of charge and available for up to ten people. School visits are available for class sizes of up to 30 pupils. All visits are available Monday to Friday and include a presentation about waste in Suffolk and the energyfrom-waste process, a guided tour of the facility and a chance to have a look round our interactive visitor centre.

We’re on Twitter Did you know that Suffolk’s energy-from-waste facility is on social media?

For more frequent facility updates, fun facts and handy tips about rubbish, recycling, and food waste, follow us on Twitter: @suffolkefw If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact us: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS To book a visit: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01934 524013

GREAT BLAKENHAM CINEMA April brings Downton Abbey (PG) and I can’t wait to see this one and all those beautiful costumes. The beloved Crawleys and their intrepid staff prepare for the most important moment of their lives. A royal visit from the King and Queen of England will unleash scandal, romance and intrigue that will leave the future of Downton hanging in the balance. Hopefully it will live up to its 94 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes film review website.

Thank you to all 27 of you who came along in February. With your kind donations for cakes we managed to raise £30 for Suffolk Artlink.

If you would like to help support the cinema by donating raffle prizes, baking cakes, displaying a poster, helping set up and clear the chairs, or maybe your company would like to sponsor us, we would love to hear from you.

It’s useful to have an idea of numbers in advance so let us know via Facebook or email if you plan to attend. While we can get more chairs out we would hate to run out of cake!

Facebook: Greatblakenhamcinema E: greatblakenhamcinema@outlook.com

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OUT & ABOUT BAR-CLAY MUSIC MAKERS

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50S CLUB

BMM’s production of Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood in January was a great success, with sell-out audiences at each of the six performances.

Thank you to everyone who came along; we really appreciate all the support you give the group.

Open to anyone of that age living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area, we meet in Great Blakenham Parish Room on the second and fourth Wednesdays from 2-4pm. The £2 attendance fee includes the raffle and refreshments, and £1 extra when we have a game of bingo.

We are now thinking about January 2021. Suggestions for our next panto will be considered at the AGM on Wednesday 22 April at 7.30pm in Claydon and Barham Village Hall.

We had a very enjoyable visit at one of our February meetings from a volunteer of the National Trust who gave a presentation about Ickworth and the nearby village of Horringer during the First World War. A lot of research had been undertaken by a group of volunteers and they were able to piece together things like the number of indoor and outdoor staff who had been employed on the estate and the difference it made when they went to France. It proved a most interesting afternoon.

Do come along if you would like to find out more about our future plans – your views are welcome. For more details email Vera Rogers: vera.rogers1@btinternet.com

BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB The club will meet from 10am to noon on Wednesdays 22 and 29 April in the upstairs room at Bramford Methodist Church. This is a late start to the month due to Easter school holidays.

The cost is £3 per two-hour session, plus £1 membership per school year, payable from September. There’s no set programme but the club is here to help you get the best out of your computer.

Our meetings in April are: April 8: An Easter themed afternoon including a yellow raffle April 22: A social afternoon New members are always welcome so if you would like to come along and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you.

Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

BRAMFORD ART GROUP

We have a very fast internet connection and refreshments (tea, coffee and biscuits) are always available.

We are currently looking for more people to join our group which meets every Wednesday from 9.30am to noon in Loraine Hall, Ship Lane, Bramford.

Why not give us a try?

For further information contact Ann Woolnough: 01473 743794

BOSWELL OFFICE SUPPLIES: WE KNOW OUR BUSINESS – AND YOURS In a global marketplace isn’t it good to know there’s a local supplier with a long history which has not only survived in an increasingly competitive industry, but has secured its place as a preferred supplier based on quality of service and value for money.

Boswell Office Supplies has a long history and still operates out of Ipswich as part of Mansion House Group. Led by Jon Emerson (pictured left), the current team of four has nigh on 100 years of industry insight and knowledge which customers can access.

“Knowledge is everything in this industry,” explains Jon. “Because we know our product range intimately we can quickly identify what our customers need and provide solutions when a specific need exists.

For example, we don’t just deliver office furniture – we can put it together too!”

In fact the very term ‘office supplies’ is somewhat inadequate to describe what Boswell can offer. Of course they provide every variation of every office product you can envision, from paperclips to chairs, but the product range has expanded in recent years to include furniture, shredders, print consumables, first aid kits, arts and crafts supplies, clothing, computer software, cleaning materials and equipment, even catering supplies.

If it’s something you need in your office, village hall, community centre, sports club or school, you’ll probably find it at Bowell Office Supplies.

“We relish the opportunity to find the best products for customers,” says Jon who runs the office with Mark (pictured right). “Not many people understand our passion for office products. In fact we talk in code a lot of the time, using reference numbers we’ve stored in our memories over many years. ”

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

Jon and Mark are always available to take calls but more and more customers order online, a simple process once an account has been set up. It’s easy to find specific products on the website where special offers are regularly highlighted.

As part of Mansion House Group, which also includes Mansion House Publishing, Colourplan Print and Musical Marketing, Boswell can provide a range of additional add-on services including a full print service, advertising in any one of several regular publications and a range of online/social media marketing options.

“We are stronger and more competitive as a group,” explains Jon. “Many of our customers come to us for a mix of products or services, knowing we have their best interests at heart but also because it’s easier, quicker and cheaper to deal with a single supplier. Many Colourplan Print customers have become Boswell customers and vice versa. Trust is key to our success and the fact that Andy, our main delivery driver, and Nick, our field sales operative, are well-liked and knowledgeable doesn’t hurt either.”

So whether you need a regular supply of essential products, clothing or office furniture for new staff, first aid kits for staff on the move or any one of the thousands of products Jon and this team can source on your behalf, check out the website or give the office a call if you have a specific enquiry.

“Buy locally, use our local knowledge and get your office supplies delivered right into your office or school,” says Jon. “We are good at what we do because we love what we do. For us it’s personal and that’s why so many of our customers have been with us for many years. We look forward to working with you too.” www.boswellofficesupplies.co.uk 01473 212000 / officesupplies@boswell.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT 2020 SUFFOLK WALKING FESTIVAL Have you ever crafted in the wild, enjoyed baking over a campfire or foraged for a cream tea? If not, then this year’s Suffolk Walking Festival is for you!

The 13 Suffolk Walking Festival launches on Saturday 9 May with over 120 guided walks and countryside events over three weeks across the county. This year also sees plenty of brand new events including Castle on the Hill celebrating Ed Sheeran’s favourite castle, a fun photography scavenger hunt in Orford and a spooky day head hunting in Ipswich. th

GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB Open to anyone living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area, we meet in Great Blakenham Parish Room every Monday from 2-4pm. The cost is £2 per week to include workshop materials, raffle prizes and refreshments.

Our Forever Flowerz workshop in March involved decorating an MDF frame and a small plaque, incorporating flowers made from a kit as decoration. Our photo shows some of the finished items and, as you will see, no two are alike.

The event finishes at the end of half-term week withplenty of familyfriendly activities. Here are just a few events to whet your appetite.

A sell-out every year is Walk n’ Water, a short walk and boat trip along the River Stour in Sudbury with a free hot drink at the end. RSPB Minsmere is one of the most special places in Suffolk, famous around the world for its wildlife. Surprising Spring Wildlife shows off the site, introducing you to some of its iconic species. Another icon of Suffolk is Orford Ness and Walk with a Shepherd and a Sheepdog is a guided walk by Kite, the sheepdog who manages the island’s very own herd of sheep. It’s a very fun walk and a joy to watch Kite in action.

Campfire Make and Bake at Thornham Walks brushes up your whittling skills before making damper bread over an open fire in the woods.

Family Wild Crafts at Brandon Country Park lets you get crafty in the woods as you collect natural materials such as sticks, leaves and rushes to make, and then keep, your creations. And The Nasty Normans at Clare Country Park is a fun take on the history of the Norman Conquests with an actor narrating the story as you’ve never heard before!

The festival kicks off at Clare Country Park on Saturday 9 May and runs for three weeks until 31 May. See the full programme and purchase tickets at: www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

April 6 May 4 June 1 July 6 August 3 September 7 October 5 November 2 December 7

Birds, Butterflies and Flowers Have a go at Bargello Prick and Stitch for Men The Vintage Look Sewing/Paper Mash-Up Wobble Wobble Christmas Tableware Christmas Card Medley AGM

With the recent influx of new members we are at capacity with 25 members so I cannot currently accommodate anyone else. However, I will happily place your name on a waiting list if you are interested in joining.

For further information please get in touch with Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

RIVER GIPPING TRUST We have been granted planning permission for the new footbridge across the River Gipping just above Baylham. This now means we can embark on a £25,000 fundraising appeal to purchase the bridge components and install it with our own volunteer workforce. The bridge will sit on top of existing 230-year-old brick abutments, be two metres wide and of hard wood construction.

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Join us on the last Wednesday every month (excluding July & August) for a three-course lunch followed by an interesting speaker and a prize raffle. On the second Wednesday we meet for coffee and a chat.

Our wives, partners and friends are invited to join us on three oscassions every year. They also accompany us to theatres, shows, musicals and trips to places of interest in East Anglia and beyond.

Why not come and meet other gentlemen, all retired or semi-retired and from a wide range of careers, interests and backgrounds?

Our objective is to provide fellowship for members and their families.

Prospective new members are always welcome and there is no requirement to have belonged to any other organisation previously.

If you wish to join us, as a guest initially, or require further details, please contact our secretary, Malcolm Kemp: 07711 689130 / secretary.ipswichprobus@gmail.com

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When complete, it will mean that people who regularly walk the Gipping Trail will avoid a two kilometre detour away from the river. The old footpath alongside the railway line is often impassable in the winter due to flooding and overgrown with weeds in summer.

Over the last few weeks volunteers have been clearing up fallen trees and removing river flow restrictions after the floods between Needham Market and Baylham, and collecting litter alongside the river that has often been washed down with the high river levels and fast flowing water. In one day we picked up over a dozen footballs! Where do they all come from?

Our AGM is on Friday 22 May in Needham Market Community Centre at 7.30pm. We are hoping Dan Porter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, will be our guest speaker. All are welcome, refreshments available.

Trust volunteers continue to meet up every Wednesday either at Pipps Ford or Baylham, and we would very much welcome new volunteers and members.

For more information on volunteering or joining, please email me at: ian@rivergippingtrust.org Restoration Manager Ian Petchey

In Touch online:

9TH TO 31ST MAY THE SUFFOLK

WALKING

FESTIVAL 2020

OVER 120WALKS AND EVENTS www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

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OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM 200 CLUB

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES GROUPS

Winning tickets for January 2020 Margaret White (45) £25 Julie Sadler (7) £15 Keith Wheatley (196) £10 Wendy Smith (188) £10 Sally Gardner (60) £5 Sheila Hobbs (101) £5

Knitting Group Meets at Alasdair Place on the first Thursday of the month from 10.30am to noon. The group has been knitting blankets, jackets and hats for the premature baby unit at Ipswich Hospital and 100 knitted chicks have been sent to St Francis Hospice. Their knitting needles are always busy for good causes. If anyone has any wool they no longer require and would like to donate it to the group it will be gratefully accepted at any of the meetings.

Winning tickets for February 2020 Mrs Mayhew (77) £25 Margaret Minns (30) £15 Maureen Warren (94) £10 David Mayhew (177) £10 Robert Little (185) £5 Margaret White (45) £5

Meet & Eat Lunch Club Meets at Great Blakenham Parish Room at noon on the first Friday of the month. A two-course lunch is served at a cost of £4, with optional raffle. This group is very popular with new members attending and meeting new friends. If you would like to attend but requires a lift, any of the following will be pleased to offer: Wendy – 846642; Ann – 831031; Pauline – 830723; Dorothy – 830906.

Thank you to everyone who has rejoined the 200 Club for 2020. All money raised by your membership goes toward the repair and preservation of St Mary’s Parish Church. If you would like to join but haven’t seen one of the collectors, please call Marion on 01473 830915.

Walk & Talk Group Sue Edwards has kindly taken over the group from The Rev Carl. The group will continue to meet on the second Thursday of the month and will walk around local paths and bridleways and further afield. If you would like details of the April walk, please text Sue: 07745 839309

ACTIVITIES AT ORCHARD BARN

Book Club Meets on the last Thursday of the month at 10.30am in The Crown (Hungry Horse) for an interesting discussion on the chosen book.

As the weather warms up Orchard Barn will be flourishing with activities and opportunities.

Our courses started last month with hurdle making and lime finishes and we’ll be continuing into April with an introduction to timber framing course run

by Rick Lewis.

We are passionate about teaching you the skills needed to be self-sufficient. This course, and several others coming up, could be perfect for homeowners to learn the maintenance skills needed to look after their own homes.

There’s also a wonderful opportunity to make a shave horse with Will Wall and learn about the fantastic things you can make by using one.

We are also welcoming new volunteers. All volunteers are taught skills they can then use in their day to day lives and are given the opportunity to be part of a fantastic growing community of likeminded individuals. We would love to have more people learning to grow their own food in our garden and learning general conservation skills.

If you’d like to find out how you can get involved and learn, create or volunteer with us at Orchard Barn, Ringshall, visit our website drop in between 10am and 4pm Tuesday to Thursday, or whenever our gate is open (IP14 2LY). www.orchardbarn.org.uk

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB Monday 27 April: Colin Stubley Shield (Portraiture) and A/V Trophy to be judged by Alan Sarsby.

Monday 11 May: AGM followed by club night New members are always very welcome. You don’t have to be an expert photographer; all you need is a camera – any camera – and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras.

Regular meetings, which start at 7.30pm, are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Monday of the month between September and June. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us?

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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

Gipping Valley Art Society Meets every Tuesday afternoon from 1-4pm in Great Blakenham Parish Room. This month we are looking forward to a demonstration by Tony Osler, a local watercolour artist. If anyone is interested in joining the group please contact Ann (831031) or Margaret (830135).

If anyone is interested in joining any of the groups please go along to one of the meetings or phone the relevant numbers for more details.

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL I can’t believe that we approaching the end of the spring term already, but we are all really grateful to have the lighter nights to look forward to. We have enjoyed seeing all the lovely costumes that the children wore for our World Book Day dress-up week. We will also be holding a Stay and Play week for parents/carers to come in and spend an hour playing with their child.

The children are all very excited about our planned trip to Easton Farm Park on Thursday 7 May. They will have the opportunity to travel by coach and have lots of things to do and animals to see while they are there.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Chocolate Bingo Night in February, and especially to Claydon & Barham Community Centre for donating free use of the hall. We raised just over £580 which will be used to help revamp our garden.

Easter Eggstravaganza – Thursday 2 April from 3pm Everyone is welcome with free admission. There will be some stalls, an Easter Hunt, refreshments, songs and the pre-school children will be doing their homemade bonnet parade. Come along if you can, we would love to see you.

Don’t forget to book spaces for the Easter and summer holidays. From the Easter holidays we will be able to take children until the end of Year 1 for school holidays so book your spaces now, subject to availability. If you would like to book any days during the holidays, please contact the administration assistant for more details.

We can take children who are entitled to 30 hours funding. Simply register at Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible. You must receive your code the term before you want to use the hours.

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

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SCHOOLS HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL Our annual fundraising quiz and curry night sold out and we raised a fantastic £1,400. This money provides a trip to Jimmy’s Farm as well as new resources.

Stay and Play was well supported once again, providing a great opportunity for parents and carers to see their child learning through play.

We are busy enhancing our outside area by providing lots of ‘loose parts’ to encourage imagination and creativity. We have also planted seeds in the garden, been on egg hunts, had cooking and craft activities and visited the local church to learn about Easter.

We currently have limited afternoon spaces available. Applications for September can be downloaded from our website and must be filled in as soon as possible to ensure you get the sessions you require. Please feel welcome to visit us at Henley Community Centre during opening hours so you can see the children play.

We accept eligible 30-hour funded children; these codes need to be in place the term before they are needed. The pre-school is registered with Tax-Free Childcare (for every £8 a parent pays into their childcare service account, they will pay in £2). Children can join us from the age of two and we accept government funded and fee paying children. We are open term time only from 9am-3pm.

We have a well-supported Facebook page where you will find lots of additional information and see what the children have been doing. It’s also another way to contact the setting directly.

For further information please call 07979 468467 during session time (9am-3pm) or email our manager, Bridget Wyatt: enquiries@henleypreschool.com Bridget, Sarah and Kerry

DEMENTIA TOGETHER CALL FREE 08081 688 000 email: SRYC. DementiaTogether@nhs.net visit: www.dementia-together.com

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL Spring is now upon us and it’s good to see so many students taking advantage of lunchtime and after-school clubs as well as the many trips, visits and activities on offer.

Experiencing live theatre is vital in the study of drama and a key component for those students who go on to study it at GCSE as it aids their understanding of a wide variety of skills and performance styles. We have three theatre trips planned, including Year 10 and 11 English students visiting the Globe to see Macbeth. This will be a valuable addition to students’ studies in their English lessons too as it will coincide with our Year 11 curriculum.

We have had three maths competition events this month as well as a visit by students from the Instituto de Enseñanza Secundaria Alixar on the return leg of our Spanish exchange programme. We will update you further with the results of these activities in the next edition.

Time is flying by and we are nearly into the Easter holidays with only one more term left in this academic year. Our Year 11 students are revising hard for the final stage of their journey at Claydon High School.

As we move towards lighter evenings, please note that the path which runs between Claydon High School and Claydon Primary School is not a public right of way and is only to be used by students and parents/carers at specific times of the day. No part of the school site should be accessed by local members of the community at any point during the week or over weekends. In particular, when Gipping Valley Archery Club use the site on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons, ‘no access’ signs are posted but I have been advised that these have been ignored and I need to stress the need to follow all of the signage on the school site.

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Tuesday 5 May. Please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders, to book a place: 01473 836110 Headteacher Maéve Taylor

CLAYDON AND BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mothers’ Union project which has been run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 29 years. We welcome mums, dads, carers and grandparents from Claydon, Barham, Great Blakenham and the surrounding villages with babies or children under five.

Entry is just £1.50 per family and it’s a great opportunity to meet others with pre-school children or babies. Why not come along and join in the fun? You can make friends and enjoy some valuable play. Hope to see you there. There is also a prize draw for the children.

This month we would like to wish a happy birthday to Oliver.

We will meet at Claydon and Barham Village Hall from 9.30-11.30am on April 23. Why not come along and join in the fun?

For more information contact me on 01473 833788.

Michelle

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SCHOOLS / ON THE GRAPEVINE CLAYDON PRIMARY SCHOOL NURSERY Are you the parent/carer of a child born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017?

If so, you may wish to consider applying for places in our nursery for September 2020.

For many years, Claydon Primary School has had its own nursery class and from September 2019 we expanded our provision to open for full days.

This has enabled us to fulfil a local need for nursery provision and we can take more children for their 15-hour provision and also offer families the opportunity to take advantage of the 30-hour funding with children being able to attend for full days.

Application forms are available from the school; the closing date is 1 May. Watch out for more information about the opportunity to visit our nursery later in the school year.

SOMERSHAM CHILDREN’S TENNIS Children’s tennis begins on Monday 20 April with ages 4-7 playing from 5-5.45pm and ages seven plus from 5.45-6.30pm. All welcome at £2.50 per session. Enquiries to Mrs Pearson on 01473 831436.

The courts are in the back corner of Somersham Playing Field, Main Road, Lower Somersham, Ipswich IP8 4PD.

40,000 LISTENERS CAN’T BE WRONG Local commercial radio has changed significantly in recent years. National networks have emerged and programmes are beamed in from afar on what were previously local frequencies, but Ipswich is bucking the trend.

NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB Indoor bowling at the Meadlands is now coming to an end and once again Needham Market BC has provided more bowlers than any other club. Thanks go to all the captains of the teams for their work in providing competition for our bowlers.

The opening drive will be on Sunday 19 April at 2pm (refreshment is an American tea) and Stowmarket League matches start on Monday 20 April. Last year was a good year and I hope you all enjoy your bowling again this year.

Last year we played our club pairs and triples competitions over the season rather than having finals days. This year we are going back to having final days and as well as pairs and triples, Brian Locksmith is running a singles competition. Please add your names to the list if you are interested in playing.

The winter socials have now finished and dates for summer events have yet to be decided. There will be emails from Pat Hadden as well as further In Touch articles with details.

The green is looking really good thanks as usual to the hard work of the green team. You will notice that the edges have been raised and a new support installed to prevent bowls rolling down the slope and into the ditch. This and improvements to the clubhouse, which is ongoing, have been made thanks to a grant from the club and institute, so thanks go to their committee.

Meet and greet days will be held on May 2 and 9 at 10.30am. Anyone who would like to try bowling can just turn up, talk to members and enjoy tea/coffee and a biscuit. Bowls will be provided. It really is a sport for all ages but is especially suited to the older active person.

To discuss any aspect of NMBC, contact either Alistair Bailie (01449 720759) or Pat Hadden (01473 831308).

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

When in summer 2018 the regulator (OFCOM) awarded the local Ipswich licence to Ipswich 102 (to take over from the existing operator) work started within days to create the local radio station Ipswich deserved.

Paul Morris (formerly of SGR, Heart and Town) was appointed station manager and began to assemble a team of presenters, journalists and commercial staff, along with finding a suitable location to base a radio station. Inside two months Ipswich 102 had launched programmes on DAB digital radio and then in October they also began broadcasting on FM. The vision behind Ipswich 102 is simple – great music and information for the community, from the community and with the community. All programmes are broadcast from Ipswich, with a mix of new and experienced staff. Indeed two legends from the days of Radio Orwell – Nigel Rennie and Patrick Eade (pictured) – present Solid Gold Sunday on the station every weekend.

Ipswich 102 supports local organisations and charities, working with St Elizabeth Hospice, Inspire Suffolk and Fresh Start, New Beginnings in their first year, and in 2020 you’ll see them at the Midnight Walk, Ipswich Music Day and many other local events. Reaction from listeners and advertisers has been overwhelmingly positive and with nearly 40,000 people tuning in every week Ipswich 102 is proving that proper local radio is still liked and much loved in Suffolk.

ON ON DAB ONLINE FM

+ ON YOUR

SMART

SPEAKER FM • DAB • IPSWICH102RADIO.COM 15

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CHURCH NEWS ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD SERVICES AT ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD, ST MARY NETTLESTEAD, ST MARY THE VIRGIN LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER BAYLHAM Dear Friends, We wish you all a Happy Easter. It is, after all, the most important time in the church year and a series of events without which the Christian religion would almost certainly not exist. It is a time of joy and celebration, but also a time of sadness and mystery.

Was it that just a few days after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem he was to suffer what must be one of the cruellest and most painful forms of execution ever devised? Why did a man who did only good have to suffer so much? We cannot even imagine the effect that these events must have had on those close to him.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the accounts of witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection are confused and contradictory. People who are in a state of shock and distress do not make good witnesses, however, the fact that 2,000 years later, millions of people around the world believe that Jesus rose from the dead and are proud to call themselves Christians is a testament to the fact that something mysterious, wonderful and world changing really did happen all those years ago. Let us celebrate anew the message of hope given us by the Easter story.

Jim SERVICES IN APRIL Sunday 5 April: Palm Sunday 10am Holy Communion, Bramford 5pm 5 O’clock Service, Church Room 6pm Evening Prayer, Baylham Tuesday 7 April 7.30pm Evening Service, Methodist Chapel

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

Sunday 10.30-11.30am*: Morning Worship with Holy Communion every second Sunday 10.30-11.30am: Lighthouse Club for ages 5+ (first and third Sundays in term time; see noticeboard). Bible stories, painting, card making, biscuit decorating, etc.

4-6pm: Families@4, an informal get-together with afternoon tea provided and a children’s activity (see diary for theme). Come and go as you please. This is not a service but our minister usually joins us (once a month; please check diary).

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

Thursday 9 April: Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Communion for Maundy Thursday, Bramford

including stripping of altars and vigil

Wednesday 10am-noon: Computer Club (term time only)

Friday 10 April: Good Friday 10.30am Good Friday Service, Methodist Chapel

7.30pm: Prayers for Healing (second Wednesday). Contact Ms R Palmer: 01473 831117

Sunday 12 April: Easter Sunday 10am Group Communion Service, Bramford 10am Celebration of Easter, Nettlestead

Thursday 3-3.30pm*: United Service (very informal) at Cherryfields (first Thursday)

Tuesday 14 April 11am Communion by Reserved Sacrament, Baylham Care Centre

Saturday 10-11am: Coffee Morning at Cherryfields (third Saturday)

Sunday 19 April: Second Sunday of Easter 8am Communion, Bramford 10am Communion, Baylham

*followed by tea/coffee

Tuesday 21 April 2.30pm The Gathering, Church Room

Wednesday 1, 7.30pm: Lent Meeting, Rev D Grimshaw (tea/coffee from 7pm) Thursday 2, 3pm: United Service at Cherryfields Sunday 5, 10.30am: Palm Sunday Worship, Rev Y Haye Wednesday 8: Prayers for Healing (see above) Sunday 12, 10am (PLEASE NOTE TIME): Easter Day Worship / Holy Communion, Rev D Grimshaw Tuesday 14, 2pm: Network/MWiB; Easter Celebration Saturday 18, 10-11am: Coffee Morning at Cherryfields Sunday 19, 10.30am: Morning Worship, Mr P Walker Monday 20, 2pm: Bible Study Sunday 26: 10.30am: Morning Worship, Mrs C Almond

4-6pm: Families@4, Rev D Grimshaw Tuesday 28, 2pm: Network/MWiB; Powerpoint presentation on Tools With a Mission by Colin Westren

Saturday 25 April 10am Coffee Morning, Church Room Sunday 26 April: Third Sunday of Easter 8am Communion, Bramford 10am Fourth Sunday Service, Bramford Please check porch notices for any changes.

PARISH REGISTERS Funerals 18 February: Dorothy May Plant, Bramford Floodlighting of the Spire of St Mary’s Church 12 April: In loving memory of Tim Curran 15 April: In loving memory of Hazel Gibson on her birthday

In loving memory of Bill Barrett

In loving memory of Karon Barkell-Barrett If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231.

The requested donation is £10 for each dedication

APRIL 2020

EXTRA UNITED SERVICES FOR HOLY WEEK Tuesday 7, 7.30pm: Evening Service (approx. 30/40 mins.)

Thursday 9, 7.30pm: Maundy Thursday Service at St Mary’s Friday 10, 10.30am: Service for Good Friday

Cleaning Rota: J Sillett

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

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CHURCH NEWS THE CLAYDON GROUP OF CHURCHES The Church of England in Claydon and Barham, Henley and Great Blakenham We offer you a warm welcome to all our events and services.

For enquiries about baptisms, weddings and funerals contact: The Rev Cathy Austin (01473 830100) or The Rev Diane Williams, Rural Dean (01449 720316) SERVICES IN APRIL Henley Church: every Sunday at 9.30am Barham Church: every Sunday at 10am Gt Blakenham Church: every Sunday at 11am Sunday 5 April: Palm Sunday 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Holy Communion 10am Morning Worship 11am family@blakenham 4.30pm families@4.30

Barham Church Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church Barham Church

Sunday 26 April: 3rd Sunday of Easter 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 9.30am Café Church Henley Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 11am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church 6.30pm Evensong Henley Church Sunday 3 May: 4th Sunday of Easter 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 9.30am Holy Communion Henley Church 10am Morning Worship Barham Church 11am family@blakenham Gt Blakenham Church 4.30pm families@4.30 Barham Church Further services can be found at: www.claydonchurches.com

HOLY WEEK SERVICES

NEWS

Monday 6 April: Holy Monday 10am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church 9pm Compline Gt Blakenham Church

families@4.30: Our congregation for families and young people, meeting on the first Sunday of the month at Barham Church. The next session is on Sunday 5 April when the theme will be Easter. Please help us with planning and catering by emailing rogercolthorpe@aol.com with numbers and any special dietary requirements. In March we had 24 children plus adults. All are welcome!

Tuesday 7 April: Holy Tuesday 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 7.30pm Stations of the Cross Barham Church 9pm Compline Barham Church

Community Activities Groups: See page 13

Wednesday 8 April: Holy Wednesday 10am Holy Communion Henley Church 9pm Compline Henley Church

Great Blakenham Easter Fayre: Saturday 4 April, 10am-noon at Gt Blakenham Parish Room. Crafts, art, cakes, raffle, tombola and more. This is combined with the coffee morning this month.

Thursday 9 April: Maundy Thursday 6pm Agape Meal 8pm Holy Communion and Vigil

GB Parish Room Gt Blakenham Church

Visiting: If you or anyone you know would like a visit from a member of our pastoral team, please get in touch. This might be at home or in hospital.

Friday 10 April: Good Friday 9.30am Children’s Workshop 10am Children’s Workshop 3pm Hour at the Cross 7pm Words, Wonder, Worship

Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church Henley Church

Saturday 11 April: Holy Saturday 8pm Easter Vigil

Gt Blakenham Church

Sunday 12 April: Easter Day 9.30am All-Age Holy Communion 10am All-Age Holy Communion 11am All-Age Holy Communion

April 10: Good Friday at Barham with children’s workshops and hot cross buns for all.

April 25: St George’s Event, 7pm at Gt Blakenham Parish Room April 27: Monthly Meet-up, 10am at Henley Vestry June 27: Barham Hall Band Concert; tickets now on sale at the early purchase discount price of £12 each from 5 Phillipps Road, Barham.

HALL BOOKINGS

Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church

Sunday 19 April: 2nd Sunday of Easter 10am Benefice Service Henley Church

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OTHER EVENTS

Barham Church Hall: Zoe Groom – 831804 Gt Blakenham Parish Room: Reg Barton – 839958 Henley Church Vestry: Margaret Gerrard – 831463 Facebook and Twitter: The Claydon Group of Churches www.claydonchurches.com

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CHURCH NEWS

WHO MOVED THE STONE? 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

While I was down at the church recently I had a visit from a couple of gas engineers. They were in the process of finding out what was causing low gas pressure as residents in the area had reported the issue. They needed to locate where the problem was and to do so they were investigating who was being affected. The church was unaffected and so that enabled the engineers to further narrow down where the fault was. It wasn’t long after their visit that traffic lights were set up so work could commence to make the necessary repairs.

Three days after the death of Jesus it was reported by the women who had gone to the tomb that the stone had been rolled away and the body wasn’t there. That an angel had told them, “He is not here, He has risen, just as He said”. Peter and John ran to investigate what they had been told. They found it just as the women had said and believed.

While the women told what they had seen to the disciples, the guards filed their report to the religious leaders in the city. They had been given the task of guarding the tomb as those in authority were told that Jesus had said, “After three days I will rise again”. The guards were given a large sum of money and instructed to say that the disciples had stolen the body during the night while they were asleep.

Here we have two reports saying the same thing; that the body of Jesus is no longer in the tomb. The difference is how the body came to be missing. Had the disciples stolen the body at night while the guards slept? If so the guards would be in serious danger of losing not only their jobs, but also their lives. Or had Jesus indeed risen from the dead as He said He would and as the angels told the women?

The report has been filed that Jesus is no longer in the tomb. Will you, like the gas engineers, begin to investigate the report and do whatever is necessary to find out the truth of the matter?

WEEKLY EVENTS Monday Fortnightly: Little Owls Toddler Group, 10am-noon Tuesday: Weekly Prayer Meeting, 7.30-8.30pm Wednesday: Coffee Morning, 10am-noon; all welcome Thursday: Home Group, 10-11.45am Friday: Children’s Club (primary school age), 6.30-7.30pm Sunday Morning Service: 10.45am-noon

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For more information contact Michael: 01473 839785 / admin@blakenhambaptist.org.uk www.blakenhambaptist.org.uk

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