In Touch News with Gt Blakenham July 19

In Touch

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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead Volume 9 • Issue No. 9 •JULY 2019

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Mother Nature is having quite an impact on my life right now, mostly positive, but not entirely! I’m looking after grandma’s chickens for a few days while she’s away. It’s not difficult: put them in, let them out, give them some grain… job done. Except not this time! Last night one of them went missing and I found myself clucking around the garden for about an hour in torrential rain trying to find her. I can only imagine how ridiculous I looked but I most certainly wasn’t laughing. Of course I didn’t find her so spent a restless night wondering how to tell grandma that Blossom was done for.

When I went to let the others out this morning, there she was waiting for me in all her glory, perfectly dry, well-rested and seemingly happy. A bit too happy for my liking!

NEWS PHOENIX BRASS BAND Following their popular concert last year, Phoenix Brass Band has agreed to entertain us again on 21 July at Baylham Village Hall, 2pm for a 2.30pm start.

Tickets £8, to include tea and cakes. There will also be a raffle.

SALVATION ARMY CHARITY MOTORBIKE RIDE

Meanwhile, back at home a mummy blackbird (I’ve called her Maraiyn because she’s very beautiful) has taken up residence under the roof of our little outdoor lean-to, a place I like to sit with a book when the weather allows. She’s busily feeding four babies, constantly flying back and forth all day long. I must say I admire/envy her energy and it is a rather beautiful thing to see, but she’s making my garden a no-go area as every time I open the door she abandons her chicks and sits on the wall until I leave. I imagine she’s sitting there muttering “here she comes again… what is it this time… can’t she see I’m busy… what is she wearing?”. I end up feeling guilty for invading ‘her’ space so I retreat indoors and leave her to it. I haven’t even put the bins out this week because I’m afraid to scare her away. How would I cope with four baby blackbirds? Not very well I suspect.

Despite the awful weather on Saturday, June 8, more than 20 bikers turned out to support the annual Stowmarket Salvation Army Charity Motorbike Ride. Organisers this year were worried about the weather conditions, so were delighted by the support shown on the day. Marshalls and riders braved the rain and wind to have an enjoyable morning in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, welcomed back with hot coffee and a delicious BBQ.

I don’t suppose she and her babies will be there for very long and despite the inconvenience (and the mess, but let’s not go there right now) I’m glad we have given them a safe place to hatch. I do love living in the countryside.

Even those of us who live in Suffolk towns and villages are never far from a wide open space and a big sky view. We really are incredibly lucky and when better weather lands, as surely it must, I hope you have the opportunity and the means to get about to explore or simply admire our surroundings.

You may not have to go very far, unless your garden is out of bounds too!

Firstly, a massive thank-you for everyone’s ongoing support. We have received some lovely feedback in person, in our guest book and on Facebook.

Our Facebook page has reached 200 likes and some of our posts are being seen by more than 1,000 people. Please do like and follow our page if you are able and help spread word of Great Blakenham Cinema. All of this would not be possible without the fantastic volunteer crew, who really are the most amazing bunch of people. Fran, Gill, Jen, Larry and Mike, without you the show really couldn’t go on. Thank you for making the cinema a reality.

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with Baylham, Gt. & Lt. Blakenham & Nettlestead

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

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A total of £280 was raised which will be used to help purchase a defibrillator, a vital piece of equipment to help save lives. If you require any details about the annual ride, please contact: jenny.johnson@salvationarmy.org.uk

GREAT BLAKENHAM CINEMA

Stan and Ollie is our film of the month for July and I am very much looking forward to seeing it. I have heard great reviews and anything with Laurel and Hardy is surely worth a go. Our charity for July is the amazing East Anglian Air Ambulance. As well as cakes there will be merchandise for sale to help raise funds for their life saving work.

We are so pleased to do half price entry in August. The film has been voted and after receiving 64 per cent of the votes we will be showing Lego Movie 2.

Please don’t forget to add our future screening dates for 2019 to your diary: 15 September, 13 October and 1 December.

Tickets on the door are £4 for adults and £3 for under-18s. A warm welcome awaits at Great Blakenham Village Hall, Mill Lane, Great Blakenham, IP6 0NJ. Doors open at 2pm for a 2.30pm start.

Should you have any film suggestions, be happy to help out or have any queries, please do get in touch via our Facebook page or with Becky on 07852 472082 / greatblakenhamcinema@outlook.com

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AUGUST DEADLINE 10 JULY 2019 is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

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NEWS GIPPING VALLEY COUNTY & BLAKENHAM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR JOHN FIELD SCC Children’s Services ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted have given Suffolk County Council Children’s Services an ‘Outstanding’ rating, one of only seven to achieve this and a testament to the hard work of frontline staff. The council struggles to fill social worker vacancies, but work in such a highly regarded service should be attractive.

Care-leavers Accommodation BBC Newsnight reported a large number of care-leavers housed in unregulated accommodation. The figures for Suffolk were the fourth largest rising from 24 in 2009 to 113 in 2018. We were assured that there are support workers living on site or paying regular visits, that the council is fully aware of the risks and has the issues under control.

Scrutiny Scrutiny will set up Task and Finish groups to investigate education issues, such as home-to-school transport and SEND placements. I am working with the chair of Scrutiny to get these up and running and open to the public and the press.

Our June meeting was dedicated to Elective Home Education where there is a fear that some schools faced with challenging pupils are ‘Off Rolling’ them to improve the school’s educational ratings. We will be doing more work on this.

Our July meeting will cover twwhe poor progress on the production of education, health and care plans, a significant part of the county’s SEND performance issue.

New System for Sponsored Bus Services Funding for sponsored bus services will be fixed by a new system devised by a cross-party panel. It will consider: • • • • • •

Number of single passenger journeys per day of operation Percentage of Concessionary Travel Scheme journeys Number of entitled students on bus route Type of service, days operated and alternative services Integration with commercial bus services Average cost per passenger journey

Babergh and Mid Suffolk’s Local Plan The Local Plan starts with an estimate of the housing need in the Ipswich area and defines a hierarchy of settlements and policies that will allocate development to areas and villages.

A series of councillor meetings have looked at the draft text, but not the plans or detailed allocation of housing. The time was short, but I hope we were thorough.

We did find a number of issues and asked for the text to be cleaned up to remove ambiguity and errors that make it difficult to understand. It’s important you know what it means. Consultation should start in late June.

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

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Friday, July 5, 10am-noon: Coffee and Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market Friday, July 19, 6.45am: Breakfast – this month it’s the AGM The Mix, Stowmarket To book online follow the link on: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events

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GREAT BLAKENHAM PARISH COUNCIL We have vacancies for councillors. The work is wide-ranging and there is plenty of variety – from working to get the infrastructure improvements that the village so desperately needs, to the council’s accounts, the provision of defibrillators and deciding on grants to local organisations. Please contact the clerk for further details.

As the work at Hackneys Corner nears completion, we have taken over the maintenance of the majority of the area, including cutting the grass and maintaining the planting. Budgens maintain the area in their ownership and between the parish council, Budgens and Orbit, we hope to keep this area an attractive centrepiece for the village. Rubbish and dog waste bins have been provided.

Speaking of improving village amenities, would you like to be involved in accessing £50,000 of funding for play areas and community buildings in the village, money that could be spent on the village hall and the Parish Room and upgrading the play facilities in the village. This money is being held by BMSDC and is waiting to be spent. Various processes have to be worked through to make an application and both the village hall and the Parish Room would very much welcome help with this, particularly from people with relevant skills, such as architects, surveyors, etc. If you would like to be involved in this, please contact the clerk.

Another way to get involved with what’s going on in the village – Great Blakenham needs a tree warden! Whether your passion is about getting your hands dirty planting trees, working with your local community, or simply being the eyes, ears and voice for the trees down your street, you may have what it takes to be a tree warden. Being a tree warden is all about making trees matter in your local area. It enables people like you to play an active role in conserving and enhancing the trees and woods that you see and enjoy in your community every day. Please contact the clerk for further information.

SnOasis: your parish council has joined the new group being organised

by BMSDC Planning to work with them on outstanding issues around the planned development. Planning is intending to invite other local councils to join. This new group will replace SnOasis Parish Alliance. Further updates will be given here as planning takes this forward.

Our next meeting is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 10 July in the Parish Room.

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

Parish Clerk Janet Gobey 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

SOMERSHAM/CHALLAIN-LA-POTHERIE VILLAGE LINK We were delighted to once again receive our visitors from Challain to Somersham at the end of May. Local families hosted 46 visitors, the weather did us proud and a very happy time was had by all. A warm welcome awaited our guests, thanks to Mark and his team, on the Thursday evening. A day in Norwich was organised for Friday, with guided tours, lunch and free time to discover all the delights of the city.

Saturday was a day for hosts and visitors to do their own thing, with an international tournament arranged for the early evening. A tasty barbecue and entertainment at the Duke of Marlborough rounded off a very enjoyable weekend.

The international tournament took the form of a version of English bowls on the playing field. This was great fun and a highly amusing with the home team winning by a small margin. The French team took 22 points and the English team won the trophy by winning 23 points. We look forward to keeping the trophy when we have a return bout in Challain next year.

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OUT & ABOUT BAR-CLAY MUSIC MAKERS BE PART OF THE FUN! If you are interested in being part of Bar-Clay Music Makers’ next production, Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood, please note two important diary dates: the read-through on Wednesday 3 July at 7.30pm in Claydon and Barham Village Hall and auditions, also in the Village Hall, a week later (10 July) in two sessions: junior/senior chorus at 6.30pm and adults at 7.30pm.

For more information about the production and how you can be involved, contact Vera on 01473 836972 or email vera.rogers1@btinternet.com

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50S CLUB The club is open to anyone of that age living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in Great Blakenham Parish Room.

Our June meetings have not yet taken place at the time of writing so more of this next month. This month’s meetings will be on July 10, a social afternoon with Sandra, and our summer party on July 24 before our summer break.

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

SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday 25 July, 7.15pm: The Crystal Palace and The Great Exhibition of 1851 Geoffrey Kay presents the amazing story of the building, what was displayed and the people who organised the world’s first international exhibition, an amazing event visited by huge numbers from this region.

We meet at the Co-op Education Centre where the pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door.

For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk

BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB The club will meet on Wednesdays 3, 10 and 17 July in the upstairs room at Bramford Methodist Church from 10am-noon. It will then close for the summer holidays. Membership is £1 per year, payable in September, plus £3 for each two-hour session. We have no fixed programme, but are here to help you to get the most out of your computer. Why not give us a try?

ORWELL PROBUS CLUB We meet for lunch at Ipswich Sports Club on Henley Road on the second Thursday of each month and usually a speaker entertains us afterwards.

Probus clubs provide an opportunity for active retired or semi-retired gentlemen to attend regular meetings and enjoy the camaraderie of likeminded people who appreciate similar interests. We have social events, outings and holidays which, of course, include spouses, partners and friends.

If you think Orwell Probus Club could be for you, please contact our secretary, Chris Flint, for further details: 01473 226996 / mailto@1878.me.uk

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SOMERSHAM AND DISTRICT COMMUNITY SHOP The Playing Field, Princes Gardens, Somersham /

01473 833416

OPENING TIMES Monday to Friday: 8am-6pm / Saturdays: 9am-1pm A COMMUNITY SHOP FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND RUN BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Saturday 6 July is when we are offering a cup of coffee (tea, chocolate, cold drink) and biscuits to all our customers to help celebrate the seventh anniversary of our opening. We’ve achieved a lot over that time and become a social centre for the area as well as providing fresh local products and other household goods. It’s good to know people locally, to know what events are taking place and to be able to keep in touch with each other.

We are very happy to welcome Mary Carter to our management team. She has lots of thoughts already for the way forward and one of these was to hold Meet up Mondays when people can come along to have coffee with others and chat. Sounds an excellent idea and can hopefully be put in place in the near future. Any interest in that? Let us know if you think it’s a good idea.

Shopping locally and buying locally produced items really does save on travel miles. We have always embraced recycling and caring for the environment. Bring your once used carrier bags and egg cartons for use again and paper bags are our stock-in-trade for mushrooms and anything else that needs bagging. We also have strong Community Shop shopping bags on sale. They fold up, are easy to take about and can be carried on the shoulder so are a good size. Have a look when next in the shop – they’re very useful and environmentally friendly as well.

Our local-grown tomatoes are delicious and sell very quickly, and local, new season honey is now on sale. Local eggs, cakes, juices, pies, cheeses, meat and vegetables all produced within Suffolk. What an excellent way to protect the environment, give employment to local people and help the local economy to thrive.

We all love our summer holidays and eagerly look forward to them.

Our volunteers are no exception to this, but it does mean that when volunteers are away others may work more shifts to cover. So we always welcome new volunteers, especially to help cover for holidays or other life-events.

Volunteering really does include us in the community and allows us to get to know so many people. If you are new to the village, have just retired, are a student on holiday, or want to be involved for any other reason, please come along and join us. And don’t forget our services; dry cleaning, newspapers, Coffee Corner, book exchange, deliveries to those with mobility problems. There’s a lot to offer from our local shop. We look forward to seeing you.

Management Team: Lucy Barrett – 831890; Sue Browne – 831321; Mary Carter; Stephen Bullard; Janet Hodge – 832296; Peter Jousiffe; Anne MacFadyen – 831288

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OUT & ABOUT / SPORT GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB The club is open to anyone living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area. We meet in Great Blakenham Parish Room from 2-4pm every Monday from February to December (other than bank holidays).

Our Summer Sewing workshop in June involved making picnic table and plant pot mats and coasters. Our July project is A Bit of Bling.

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

GREAT BLAKENHAM 200 CLUB Winning tickets for June Joyce Bumpstead (225) £25 Sylvia Brooks (254) £15 Andy Perry (11) £10 Jean Logan (17) £10 Margaret White (45) £5 Carolyn Ray (243) £5 All money raised by your membership goes toward the repair and preservation of St Mary’s Parish Church. You can join at any time and only pay for the months remaining in the year. If you would like the chance to win a prize and help maintain the beauty of our ancient church building, please call Marion on 01473 830915.

BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB By the time you read this, Rafa will have been crowned King of Clay at the French Open and Wimbledon will be upon us. With a bit of luck Andy Murray may be back in action in the doubles and Jo Konta will also be flying the flag for the Brits. However, don’t just watch the tennis, come and have a go! We welcome all ability levels and have special membership rates for first time members. As a member of the club you also have a chance to win options on tickets for Wimbledon 2020 so come and join us today.

Great British Tennis Weekend Following the success of our free tennis day in May, we are putting on a further free open day on Saturday 20 July between 11am and 2pm. Why not join us for fun competitions, to our coach, try some tennis cardio workouts or even take on our ball machine challenge? Our exclusive special introductory membership offers will also be available on the day with adult membership starting from just £25/year and juniors from just £10/year.

Team Challenge Following our highly successful Tennis for Kids programmes we will be running several fun junior tennis activity sessions throughout the holidays.

Each session will be a mix of tennis themed games with players grouped into teams and the winning team claiming the right to lift the Team Challenge trophy! Prizes and certificates will be on offer too. Go to the club website for further information and to book your place.

To find out more please contact our coach, Carl Douglas, on 07553 966380 or visit:

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES GROUP

www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub www.facebook.com/BramfordTennisClub

Book Club We meet at 10.30am on the last Thursday of the month at The Crown (Hungry Horse) in Claydon for an interesting discussion on the chosen book. We have a few spaces for new members so do come along.

NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB

Knitting Group We meet on the first Thursday of the month from 10.30am noon in the lounge at Alasdair Place, Claydon. We are currently knitting lap blankets for St Elizabeth Hospice and hats and blankets for the premature baby unit at West Suffolk Hospital, with more projects to come. If anyone has any wool they no longer require, it would be gratefully received at one of our meetings.

Meet ‘n’ Eat Lunch Club This group has gone from strength to strength. We meet at noon on the first Friday of the month at Gt Blakenham Parish Room. A two course lunch costs £4, plus the optional raffle ticket for £1. Anyone who has difficulty with transport can arrange a lift by contacting: Reverend Carl 833542; Ann 831031; Pauline 830723; Dorothy 830906.

Gipping Valley Art Society We meet every Tuesday afternoon from 1-4pm in Gt Blakenham Parish Room. We use our own materials and have our own projects, with Mike Wootton, our president, on hand to give us helpful advice and assistance where needed. Weather permitting, we go outdoor sketching locally on the last Friday of the month. We have plans to visit Flatford Mill and The Munnings Museum at Dedham to view the Munnings First World War art on loan from the Canadian Museum during the summer, together with other projects. We will have a stand in St Mary’s Church, Gt Blakenham on 13 July for their Summer Fete, where original art will be on sale at a price to suit all pockets.

The Walk ‘n’ Talk Group We meet on the second Thursday of the month, weather permitting, in the car park of The Crown (Hungry Horse) and go for walks lasting approximately 1.5 hours along local footpaths and bridleways. All welcome, together with dogs. Afterwards we enjoy the hospitality of The Greyhound for coffee and cake. Do come along and enjoy our local countryside and a chat.

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The Stowmarket League outdoor season is now in full swing with the usual set of mixed results. Monday A had a great start with three wins in four games, while the B team had their first win at Woodfield. Tuesday A played seven and won four, while the B team played and won one and the C team played seven and won four.

The Wednesday team have started strongly in defence of their title, winning five of their seven games for 33 points. Our Thursday team is enjoying their bowling and hoping for an improvement on last year’s results.

We have become a wildlife friendly bowls club! Inspired

by Amazing Grace Hedgehog Sanctuary, one of whose main sponsors is Dr Brian May, we have installed a hedgehog escape ramp thanks to John Cook. Photos have also gone to Poppy’s Creche at Forward Green who I believe have passed them on to the East Anglian Daily Times.

Amazing Grace commented: “We Love Your Ramp”.

Sunday 21 July is President’s Day, when the president’s team plays a captain’s team, with teams drawn on the day. The friendlies against Coney Weston are on Wednesday 28 August at Coney Weston and Wednesday 4 September at Needham. Both start at 2pm.

The draw for the club pairs and triples has been made; please consult the noticeboard to see who you are playing with and against. A date for the finals day has yet to be arranged. Any suggestions for events to fill up the day should be forwarded to Alistair. Suggestions have including a Roving Jack or a singles competition. You need to do something to earn your bacon sarnies!

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

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SCHOOLS CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB GIRLS HAVE FUN Are you aged between five and seven years?

Bramford Rainbows meet on Mondays from 5.30-6.30pm in the Scout and Guide Head Quarters opposite the Victory Hall. Come and join us for crafts, cooking and lots of fun.

For more information contact Helen: 07733 070012 We would love to see you.

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL As another incredibly busy academic year nears its end, there is just time to catch up on what has been happening and what we can look forward to in the last few weeks of term.

Year 11 students have now left school and while it is sad to see them go, I am very proud of their successes and achievements, both personal and academic, over the last five years and I wish them all the very best for the future.

Students have enjoyed trips to the University of Suffolk for careers and taster days. Food and Business students participated in the Food and Farming Fair at Hollow Trees Farm, where, supported by more than 50 farming professionals, they had the chance to explore this industry as a career choice. Language students visited Cambridge University to experience university-style language teaching in French and Spanish. Duke of Edinburgh students completed their qualifying expedition for the Bronze Award and we have had two overseas trips, one to the Battlefields of Belgium and France and the other to Poland to visit Auschwitz and Birkenau, both very poignant trips, particularly as we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day Landings.

The arts faculty has been particularly busy this term as staff are preparing for the GCSE Art, Textiles and Design Technology Exhibition. Practice is underway for field and track events ahead of sports day and drama and music rooms are buzzing with the sound of students rehearsing for the upcoming production of Schools Will Rock You on July 9 and 10. We look forward to updating you with more news of this in the next edition; tickets are now on sale from our school reception.

We still have many events, such as the Community Tea Party, Praise Tea Party, Year 5 Arts Festival, Year 6 Induction Day and Sports Award Evening to look forward to before we break up. The PTA have also organised a Quiz Night on 4 July, 7-9pm at the school. Please do join us, your support at these events is greatly appreciated.

Our May 100 Club draw took place on 23 May, a week early due to the May half term.

The winners were: 1: Lisa Robinson (20) 2: Cara Lee (58) 3: Marie Smith (81) A donation of £26 was made to the pre-school thanks to your support. Half of all money given for the 100 Club goes to the pre-school and the other half is paid out in winnings. Membership is just £1 a month. You don’t need to have a child at the pre-school to be a member. Membership forms are available from the office or by email.

Thank you to all those lovely people who continue to support us. We are very grateful.

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL We can’t believe this school year is nearly finished.

There has been lots of work getting the children who are leaving us ready for their new venture to ‘big’ school. We will be sorry to see them go. In the meantime, all the children are enjoying being in the garden and watching all the fruit and vegetables continue to grow as well as being able to enjoy some of these at snack time.

Summer Fete: Saturday 29 June, 11am-2pm Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun at our annual summer fete. There will be lots to do and see including a magic show and balloon modelling from Mr Bean Entertainments.

We hope to see you there.

As we are open throughout each of the school holidays, we have the option to take children up to five for additional sessions during these weeks, subject to availability. If you would like to book days during the summer holidays (25 July to 3 September), please contact the administration assistant for more details.

Don’t forget that from September 2017 the government introduced an additional 15 hours funding for working parents of three and four year olds. You can check your eligibility at Childcare Choices and also register for the childcare vouchers scheme.

If you would like an application form or any further information please contact Lisa Read: 01473 831648 / admin@claydonpreschool.co.uk

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders on 01473 836110 to book a place on one of our open mornings in the autumn term.

Claydon Pre-school, Old Scout Hut, Thornhill Road, Claydon IP6 0DZ

Headteacher Ms M Taylor

CLAYDON AND BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mother’s Union project which has been run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 28 years. We welcome mums, dads, carers, grandparents from Claydon, Barham, Great Blakenham and the surrounding villages with babies or children under five.

Entry is just £1.50 per family.

This month we meet on Thursdays 4 and 11 from 9.30-11.30am in Claydon and Barham Village Hall. Why not come along and join in the fun? You can make friends and enjoy some valuable play. Hope to see you there. For more information contact me on 01473 833788 or check our listing on Netmums.com.

This month we would like to wish a happy birthday to Layne, Amelie, Thomas and Marnie-Mae who all celebrate in July.

Michelle

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In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

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SCHOOLS / CHURCH NEWS CLAYDON PRIMARY SCHOOL This month we would like to share with you what our children in Key Stage 2 have been doing. The celebration of reading continues to be a particular focus. Among other things we have had a Pyjamarama Day where children read with each other across the year groups and swapped books, culminating with a Read with your Child session. In response to a request from younger pupils to have older pupils reading to them at lunch time, we have introduced our Reading Tree so that KS2 children can read to KS1 pupils under our large cherry tree, which has been very popular.

Another particular focus has been outdoor learning. This has involved making the most of our fantastic grounds. Year 5 made quadrats using hazel harvested from our coppiced trees to study the biodiversity of different habitats. Pupils enjoyed a whole school outdoor learning Day in May which involved den building, art, co-ordinates and measuring, minibeast hunting and reading.

Year 4 enjoyed an exciting and informative visit to Minsmere as part of their science topic, All Living Things. Over the duration of two days they embraced a range of activities to help them to learn more about habitats, food chains, minibeast classification and changes to the coastline – participating in pond dipping, bird watching, mini-beast hunting and a walk to the beach. They completed their first overnight stay away with school at Blaxhall Youth Hostel, where the weather stayed dry enough to have some fun at the park and a muddy adventure in the nearby pit.

Year 3 have been enjoying learning about cooking and nutrition. They have learnt how to shape and make bread as well as tasting crepes and developing their cutting, snipping and grating skills to prepare ingredients for their pizzas.

Year 6 have a busy time ahead, which includes a range of transition activities in preparation for Year 7, our Crucial Crew trip to The Mix in Stowmarket and preparing for our traditional leavers’ service at Barham Church in July.

Have you seen our baby elephant in Sailmakers shopping precinct? In May we had an Elmer Day when children wore brightly coloured clothes and brought donations to raise money to sponsor our Claydon Primary School baby elephant in aid of Saint Elizabeth’s Hospice.

Assistant Headteacher/KS2 Phase Leader Lesley Etchingham

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

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

4-6pm: Families@4, an informal get-together with afternoon tea 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.

(Held once a month; please check diary) Monday 2-3pm: Bible Study, an informal look at issues that those present wish to discuss (every third Monday) Tuesday 2-3pm*: Network/MWiB, our ladies meeting, but gentlemen are always welcome (second and fourth Tuesdays from October-April and second Tuesday from May-September) Wednesday 10am-noon: Computer Club (term time only) Thursday 3-3.30pm*: United Service (very informal) at Cherryfields (first Thursday) Saturday 10-11am: Coffee Morning at the Methodist Church or at Cherryfields (see below / third Saturday of month) *followed by tea/coffee DIARY FOR JULY Thursday 4, 3pm: United Service at Cherryfields Sunday 7, 10.30am: Morning Worship, Mrs V Vallow, All-Age Worship Tuesday 9, 2pm: Network/MWiB Riding for the Disabled – Chairman Mrs Jan Derbyshire Wednesday 10, 7.30pm: Prayers for Healing Sunday 14, 10.30am: Morning Worship, The Rev Y Haye Monday 15, 2pm: Bible Study Saturday 20, 10am: Coffee Morning at Church Sunday 21, 10.30am: Morning Worship, The Rev J Jacobs, Holy Communion Sunday 28, 10.30am: Morning Worship, Mr P Walker Sunday 28, 4-6pm: Families@4 – The Rev D Grimshaw.

Theme: Bring a Pet! DON’T FORGET! Saturday 10 August, 2pm at the church.

Jumble Sale of clothing, books, etc.

Everyone welcome!

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CHURCH NEWS IT’S COMING HOME Saturday 8 June was the Queen’s official birthday with Trooping the Colour ending with the flypast. With my son and a neighbour, we went to find a spot where we could see the planes that formed the flypast in Suffolk. We parked up, a little early perhaps, but some time later another couple of cars turned up indicating something would be happening. When the rain stopped a couple of guys got out of their car with a radio in one hand and a phone in another. I suspected the phone was giving information on the whereabouts of the planes. So we got out and I asked if there was any clue as to when we might see anything. The phone was indeed showing a map with a live update of where the planes were and we waited patiently. Thankfully the rain held off so we could be outside to see the Queen’s plane, four Eurofighter Typhoons and the Red Arrows. It wasn’t many minutes before we were watching the Red Arrows fly over Buckingham Palace via the live stream on YouTube.

Having heard that this event would be happening I wanted to see it so I acted accordingly. The Bible speaks not only of creation and the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, but also His return to this earth one day. Just as there were clues to the coming of the planes, others turning up, radio and phone in hand and updates from the phone, so the Bible tells of things that

will happen before the return of Jesus. Perhaps you have heard the good news about Jesus and have acted in faith to be ready for when He comes.

Perhaps you haven’t heard or know what to do to be ready.

There are opportunities to ask and find out more as we have an open day at the church on Friday 26 July. There will be activities, games, refreshments and more from 10am to 4pm, followed by a BBQ. So why not come along for some or all of the day? We would love to see you.

WEEKLY EVENTS Monday Fortnightly: Little Owls Toddler Group, 10am-noon on July 1 and 15 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 For more information contact Michael: 01473 839785 admin@blakenhambaptist.org.uk www.blakenhambaptist.org.uk

ST MARY THE VIRGIN BRAMFORD, ST MARY NETTLESTEAD, ST MARY THE VIRGIN LITTLE BLAKENHAM, ST PETER BAYLHAM Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Jenny Seggar 01473 747819 / revjseggar@outlook.com www.the-tew-family.co.uk/stmbramford

Thursday 11 11am Communion from Reserved Sacrament,

Baylham Care Centre

Dear Friends,

Friday 12 7.30pm

I am sure that many of you will have heard by now that I have been appointed to the parishes of Holbrook, Stutton, Wherstead, Freston and Woolverstone and will be leaving here at the beginning of September.

I will have been here a little over eight years, a good length of time for a first post, and have learnt a great deal from you all.

Sunday 14: Trinity 4 8m Holy Communion, Bramford 10am Parish Communion, Nettlestead 5pm 5 o’clock Service, Bramford

As I write it is the beginning of June, so this has only just been announced.

I hope that we will have the chance to celebrate together before I go, and am planning a party. Please keep your eyes open for dates and times.

We will try to make sure that as many of you find out as possible.

Just a few useless statistics; during that time I have done over 200 funerals, around 60 weddings, and around 80 baptisms, I have taken nearly 900 church services, not including funerals weddings and baptisms, and written the sermons to go with them, as well as school assemblies and more meetings than are strictly necessary.

It has been a real joy getting to know the different communities and travelling with you over this time. My prayers will be with you as you start to look for someone to come and minister alongside you. This is not a particularly quick process, and there are some legalities to go through, so I would ask you to be patient with the churches, I know that they would appreciate any support you can give them during this time, including attending services and fundraising events.

I look forward to seeing you before I leave, and will be letting you all know the dates of my final service here and licensing in the new parishes.

Rev Jenny CALENDAR FOR JULY 2019 Wednesday 9.30am: Quiet Reflective Communion Service Sunday 7: Trinity 3 10am Holy Communion with Prayer for Healing, Bramford 3pm Royal British Legion, Laying up Standards, Bramford 6pm Evening Prayer BCP, Baylham

www.keepingintouchwith.com/gtblakenham

Healing Service, Bramford Methodist Church

Tuesday 16 2.30pm The Gathering, Bramford Parish Room Sunday 21: Trinity 5 9am Holy Communion, Bramford 11am Holy Communion, Baylham Saturday 27 10am-noon Coffee Morning, Church Room Sunday 28: Trinity 6 8am Communion, Bramford 10am Fourth Sunday Service, Bramford Please check porch notices for any changes.

FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS Weddings May 11: Harry Ingham and Camelia Buckmaster, Bramford May 25: Ryan French and Nicole Palmer, Bramford May they grow in their love for each other.

Funerals May 9: Ken Jermy , Bramford May 13: James Provins. Bramford May 21: Caroline Vincent, Seven Hills Crematorium May 29: Joan Edna Peart, Little Blakenham June 3: Noddy Hearn, Bramford We extend to their families our sympathy and prayers.

Floodlighting of the Spire of St. Mary’s Church If you would like to have the spire floodlit please ring Stewart on 01473 462231. The requested donation is £10 per week.

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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: Rector: The Rev Carl Melville, Claydon Rectory 01473 833542 / carlmelville@hotmaill.com www.claydonchurches.com SERVICES IN JULY Henley Church: every Sunday at 9.30am Barham Church: every Sunday at 10am Gt Blakenham Church: every Sunday at 11am Every Wednesday to August, there will be a service of Holy Communion at 10am at Barham Church.

Sunday 7 July – Trinity 3 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Holy Communion 10am Morning Prayer 11am family@blakenham 4.30pm families@4.30

Barham Church Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church Barham Church

Sunday 14 July – Trinity 4 8am Holy Communion 9.30am family@henley 10am Holy Communion 11am Holy Communion 4pm Pet Service

Barham Church Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church Gt Blakenham Church

Sunday 4 August – Trinity 7 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Holy Communion 10am Morning Prayer 11am family@blakenham 4.30pm families@4.30

Barham Church Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church Henley Church Barham Church Henley Church Barham Church Gt Blakenham Church Barham Church

Further services can be found at: www.claydonchurches.com Facebook / Twitter: The Claydon Group of Churches NEWS families@4.30: Our new congregation for families and young people, meeting on the first Sunday of the month at Barham Church. The next one will be held on 7 July and we have visiting puppets! We have loads of fun so why not come along and join us? (Note we take a break in August due to J-TEAM) Great Blakenham Village Fete and Doggy Day: St Mary’s Churchyard, Church and Parish Room, on Saturday 13 July from noon until 3pm. There will be loads of stalls with games, raffles, cakes, refreshments, ice cream and light lunch refreshments. There will be a chance to put someone in the stocks, enter the fantastic prize draw and show off your dog at the Doggy Day. There will be lots of fun items for dogs as well as humans, with groomers, dog toys, plus lots more.

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J-TEAM 2019 7-9 August at Barham Church. It’s not too late to book. Please visit our website and click JTEAM. Church Family Barbecue Lunchtime on Sunday 21 July at Barham Church. Come along for fellowship and food. Please contact Roger or Ann to book: 01473 831079 Visiting If you or anyone you know would like a visit from a member of our pastoral team, please get in touch with The Rev Carl, Rev Cathy or Rev Jenny. This might be at home or in hospital.

Lifts to Church If you’d like a lift to your local church, please contact The Rev Carl who can organise this for you.

FUTURE DATES

Sunday 21 July – Trinity 5 10am United Benefice Service Barham Church

with licensing of new Elders Sunday 28 July – Trinity 6 8am Holy Communion 9.30am Café Church 10am Holy Communion 11am Holy Communion 6.30pm Evensong

Rectory Strawberry Tea Sunday 4 August, 2-5pm, The Rectory, Back Lane, Claydon. Music by Maggie and Stan with Strawberry Teas served. Tickets (£10) now on sale from Rev Carl or online at: www.ticketgun.com/events/rectory-garden-party

Saturday, July 13: Gt Blakenham Village Fete and Doggy Day Sunday, July 21: Family Barbecue, Barham Church (please book) Wednesday, July 24: St Peter’s Court Communion Friday, July 26: Vestry Night Out, Henley Vestry Sunday, August 4: Rectory Garden Party (see above) August 7-9: J-TEAM at Barham Church Saturday, August 10: Coffee Morning, Gt Blakenham Parish Room Sunday, September 1: families@4.30 Barham Church Friday, September 6: Henley Night Out, Henley Vestry Saturday, September 14: Ride and Stride Saturday, September 14: Coffee Morning, GB Parish Room Saturday, September 21: History with Roy Tricker at GB Church September 22: Harvest Festival, Barham Church LETTER FROM THE RECTOR You will note that my title has now changed! It has taken about 22 years to ‘legalise’ the position of Rector of Claydon again and now our group of churches are a legal benefice!

Each of our churches is unique and very different. The congregations differ and each church has its own character. Despite this, we are reminded that we are all in this together. Jesus Christ makes us one. Being ‘one’ doesn’t make us the same – we remain diverse and different, but one. This is what families are like too – diverse and different.

As we prepare to leave the EU, we should be reminded of our common humanity – that we are all one, although different and diverse. Our strength is not that we are all the same, or think the same, or act the same, but that we are different.

Jesus prayed that we ‘might be one’. He wasn’t praying that we would be robot, all thinking the same, but that in our diversity as a human race, we would find unity in the one true God. Why not join us as we discover more and more what that unity is like?

HALL BOOKINGS Barham Church Hall: Zoe Groom, 831804 Gt Blakenham Parish Room: Reg Barton, 839958 Henley Church Vestry: Margaret Gerrard, 831463

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