In touch news with claydon september 2017

In Touch

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with Barham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton Rural

Volume 7 • Issue No. 11 • SEPTEMBER 2017

1st Claydon Scouts (see page 15)

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NEWS

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR As ‘summer’ draws to an end and holidays become a distant memory I think we all need something to make us laugh. I’ve found the perfect thing.

A wonderful little book titled F In Exams by Richard Benson (Published by Summersdale Publications Ltd) has provided much hilarity in my house of late. It’s “full to the brim with funny examples of creative answers from clueless but canny students” and I’ve chosen some of my favourites for you. Enjoy!

Q: What is a nitrate?

A: It is much cheaper than a day rate.

CLAYDON & BARHAM ANNUAL QUIZ NIGHT This year’s Community Quiz for the John West Memorial Trophy takes place on Friday, October 6 at Claydon & Barham Community Centre, starting at 7.30pm. You can now register your teams by contacting Jean Ballard: 01473 515677 The quiz is open to both members and non-members of the community centre to represent the clubs and organisations of Claydon & Barham (maximum six per team) and it’s free to enter.

Q: What is a fibula?

A: A little lie.

Q: What does ‘terminal illness’ mean?

A: When you become ill at the airport.

Q: Explain the concept of homeostasis.

A: It is when you stay at home all day and don’t go out.

There will be a raffle on the night and the bar will also be open. The usual prizes will be awarded to the top three teams and the winners will also receive the trophy.

Q: How high is Mount Everest?

A: Depends how much snowfall it has had since it was last measured.

Q: Freud stated that the superego contains the moral aspect of one’s personality. Define the term ‘superego’.

A: A really fast sports car.

Q: What is a co-operative?

A: It is a shop which is not as expensive as M&S. Q: Jess has been asked to collect data about the amount of television his friends watch. Think of an appropriate question he could ask them.

A: How much TV do you watch?

Q: Name Britain’s highest award for bravery.

A: Probably Nelson’s Column.

In Touch

This year Barham Church hosted its 30th annual J-Team Holiday Club and welcomed nearly 80 children for three days of fun, crafts, music, stories and games. Over the years hundreds of children have been introduced to the Christian faith through J-Team.

with Barham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton Rural

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

01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: claydon@intouchnews.co.uk Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

ADVERTISING Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 DISTRIBUTION Tree Martin Email: tree@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380 PRINTING Colourplan Print Email: steve@colourplan.co.uk

01473 400379 Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. © In Touch with Barham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton Rural is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with . . . ” series of magazines.

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SUFFOLK DEMENTIA HELPLINE 01473 353350 We are here to help 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help.

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NEWS

CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY Rooted Salon is celebrating one year of opening in September, and what a wonderfully successful year it’s been. The salon has gone from strength to strength and we have become busy enough to now take on another stylist with a view to also introducing beauty treatments.

It’s been overwhelming how welcoming the village have been and we have loved getting involved in some of the village events. Clients have come in with some varied and sometimes challenging requests and we have loved every single one of them.

Customer service is still at our hearts and we aim to greet and treat every visitor like an old friend whether you are coming in for a full colour service or just popping round to inquire.

We have a special offer with our new stylist Claire (pictured right with Rachel) to have discounted services until September 30. Take advantage now by calling the salon and booking an appointment with her on Thursdays and Saturdays.

We are closed Tuesdays and offer late nights Mondays and Thursdays.

All our stylists are also barber trained ready for any male clients.

We specialise in wedding hair and can offer some competitive packages for your special day including a free trial for the bride.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our clients for their support and loyalty over the past year and we look forward to many more clients and years to come.

It’s still not too late to take part in the annual Ride and Stride on September 9. Churches across Suffolk will be open so you can cycle or walk from place to place and raise money for Suffolk Historic Churches Trust and your local church. It’s a lovely way to explore the countryside and visit new places so why not give it a go.

Sponsorship forms and more details are available from Margaret Gerrard: 01473 831463 We also need volunteers to man the church in Henley through the day so if you’d like to spend an hour or two welcoming visitors to Henley, please get in touch with Margaret.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE IN BARHAM? Janette Read bought the old school house in Barham in 2012. It was in need of a lot of restoration, which she took on, starting with a new roof. The garden hadn’t been tended to in years, but she put her head down and got on with the task.

Janette often wonders what the building and land around it was like when it was a school and has asked us to publish a request for old photos or any other information from anyone who remembers the building.

If you can help please contact Janette at: readjanette@yahoo.co.uk / 01473 839816

DAY OUT AT THE HUT 50 YEARS IN HENLEY

Alasdair Place Retirement Complex on Drury Road has hired The Hut on Felixstowe seafront for the day on Wednesday, October 11 and invites retired residents of Claydon and Barham to join them.

On 27 March 1967 Jean and I, together with our children, Martin and Annette, moved into 6 St Peters Close. About three years later Madeleine was born there. We thought all this was worthy of a celebration and so it was that we, along with our son in law Alex and our grandchildren, Daniel, Xavier and Xanthe, entertained about 80 friends and neighbours to afternoon tea at the community centre on Sunday, July 23.

If there are places you are welcome to catch the minibus, which has a disabled lift, leaving Alasdair Place at 9.30am or to meet us at The Hut at 10.30am.

Transport will cost £9 per person.

It was thrilling that so many people could come, although of course it was sad that there were a few people who could not come, and to realise just how many had touched us in one way or another over those years.

To have so many people, places and events recalled by the large photo montage prompted easy conversations and laughter. It was particularly good for our children who met up with contemporaries whom they had not seen for years and to introduce grandchildren to them.

Booking is essential so if you are interested please contact Gail Cornish – 01473 830140 / 0778 5720293 – to check if any places are still available and arrange to drop payment of either £14 for transport/food or £5 for food.

Tea/coffee and biscuits will be served on arrival, followed by a ploughman’s lunch including a jacket potato and a dessert, and tea and cake throughout the afternoon, all for £5 per person.

Jean and I would have been completely taken aback to receive one gift, let alone so many. So much so that we couldn’t note down who gave us what and then write later because we had no pen and paper. Luckily we were largely able to thank our guests in person. We were, and still are, quite overwhelmed by the gifts and the messages of goodwill.

We, and all the family, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We are so glad we decided to live in Henley and to experience the good neighbourliness of its people and many in the nearby villages for over 50 years. Maybe we shall enjoy a few more years there – but I fear not another 50.

John Woods.

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NEWS CLAYDON & WHITTON PARISH COUNCIL Road Closures in the Claydon Area During the last few months there have been a number of road closures and restrictions in the Claydon area. It is likely that some of these will continue until the end of the year and beyond. The parish council should be notified of all road closures prior to their introduction and details are posted on our website as soon as possible.

A number of residents have asked about work in Papermill Lane, Old Ipswich Road and the B1113 through to Bramford. This is being undertaken to lay cables from Bawdsey to link the Anglia Three off-shore wind farm in the North Sea to the electricity sub-station at Bramford and is likely to continue into 2018. Our website is regularly updated with the latest information on all roadworks and other scheduled work to be carried out by utilities in the area so visit it regularly to keep up to date.

Replacement Bus Shelter At the last parish council meeting it was agreed to explore the possibility of replacing and relocating the brick bus shelter opposite the fish shop. In recent days there has been an increasing amount of vandalism to the shelter and the area around it has to be regularly maintained in order to keep the vegetation from becoming overgrown and discarded waste cleaned up. It was also pointed out that because the shelter is away from the actual bus stop and has no side windows, those sheltering inside are unable to see when buses are approaching without stepping out onto the footpath. Because some cyclists illegally use the footpath and also ride without any consideration for pedestrians, there have been a number of ‘near misses’ which could have resulted in serious injury.

Bogus Telephone Callers Anglian Water (AW) has recently been made aware that some customers have received calls to say that their water is not safe to drink. It is suspected that this will be followed up by a visit from someone claiming to be an employee of AW. These are not from AW and if you do receive a call from AW the caller will always give their name and job title and very specific details of what the problem is. Anyone from AW who visits your home will have an ID card and will be more than happy to wait outside if you wish to confirm their identity.

To confirm identification, or a call about the safety of your water which you think is not genuine, please call the AW 24/7 call centre on 03457 145145.

Meetings in September The next parish council meeting is on Monday, September 11 at 7.30pm in Claydon & Barham Village Hall. Members of the community are very welcome to attend and opportunity will be given at the beginning of the meeting for them to speak on items included on the agenda or other issues about which they have concerns. Agendas will be available prior to the meeting from our parish clerk, Mrs S Eagle: 01473 687384 (answer machine available) / claywhit@btinternet.com / 7 Leicester Close, Ipswich IP2 9EX For the very latest news and information about village life and other items of interest visit: www/claydonandbarham.onesuffolk.net / Twitter @claywhitpc

FOUR COMMUNITIES ACTION GROUP The Four Communities Action Group (4CAG) was created in 2010 by members of the churches of Barham, Claydon, Great Blakenham and Henley. We aim to work together to develop new activities and support networks and provide spiritual support and encouragement with a view to enhancing the lives of all members of the community. We currently have five organisations under our umbrella.

Meet ‘n’ Eat Lunch Club Meets at noon on the first Friday of each month at Great Blakenham Parish Rooms. On September 1 we will be offering jacket potatoes and a pudding in addition to the chance to sit and chat with old friends, make new friends, play a game of bingo and have a bit of fun, all for just £4. For more information contact Mike (07805 507497) or just pop in.

The Book Club Places are available for new members on the last Thursday in the month at The Crown at 10.30am. Just come along and join us for a light-hearted discussion on the book we’ve chosen to read.

The Gipping Valley Art Society Meets every Tuesday afternoon at Great Blakenham Parish Rooms. We are now taking contact details as membership is almost full for the size of the room. Please contact Ann (01473 831031) or Margaret (01473 830135).

4Ever Young Men’s Club Meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 10.30am in The Crown. Our next meeting is on September 20. Some sad news at the club this month – our friend and founder member, Bert Potter, died on August 1. He will be missed at the club and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this sad time. For more information contact Mike (07805 507497) or just pop in.

The Knitting Group Meets in the lounge at Alasdair Place on the first Thursday in the month from 10.30am-noon. We pay £1 towards refreshments. You can bring along any knitting you want but if you need ideas, we have plenty. At the moment some of us are knitting small teddy bears for the fire brigade to take for children involved in incidents or hats and scarves for the soup kitchen.

BARHAM PARISH COUNCIL Many thanks to the residents of Barham and Claydon who took time to complete the planning application questionnaire which was circulated with the August edition of In Touch. As of Tuesday, August 8 we had received 151 completed questionnaires from just about every area of the two villages.

Although most returns were completed by two people a small number were completed by individuals which overall resulted in opinions being provided by 258 people.

In summary, the returns provided the following information: • The Barham Church Lane development – nine in favour and 245 against • The Old Ipswich Road, Claydon development – 19 in favour 228 against Only 39 of the returns were completed by residents who indicated that they had attended the public consultation meeting held on Friday, June 30, so it is gratifying to now have a significant additional sample of public opinion on these applications. Fifty-one new comments were received and these will be forwarded to Mid Suffolk District Council.

Although, when you read this we will be into September, we would urge those who have not responded to date to continue to send any comments to Barham and Claydon Parish Councils and your local district councillors (John Whitehead and James Caston) so that we can ensure the planning officers and, in due course, the planning committee are fully aware of residents’ feelings in regard to the proposed developments.

If you have misplaced the original questionnaire a further copy can be downloaded from: www.claydonandbarham.onesuffolk.net Barham Parish Council Clerk: barhampc@outlook.com Chairman Stephen Carr: 01473 831122

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ADVERTORIAL

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

of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle.

Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing

a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

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FLU VACCINATIONS 2017 Important Notice for Patients Registered at Needham Market Country Practice If you are over 65, or have any of the following: heart condition, asthma, COPD, kidney disease, diabetes, are pregnant, have a lowered immunity, have had a stroke or are a carer for someone else – you are entitled to a free flu vaccination.

We are not writing invitation letters but if you are in one of the groups above, you are free to turn up on the day to be vaccinated.

The clinic for Ashbocking, Barham, Baylham, Claydon, Coddenham, Crowfield, Earl Stonham, Forward Green, Gosbeck, Great Blakenham, Hemingstone, Henley, Little Stonham, Pettaugh, Stonham Aspal, Stonham Parva & Wattisham will be held on

TUESDAY 10th OCTOBER 2017 at

GREAT BLAKENHAM VILLAGE HALL between 9.00am – 11.30am If you are in one of the groups mentioned and are unable to attend this flu clinic, please telephone Needham Market Country Practice on 01449 720 666 where information on further clinic dates can be obtained.

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NEWS COUNTY & DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT JOHN FIELD’S REPORT TO GIPPING VALLEY: AUGUST 2017 County Council Structure The Cabinet Committees have not yet determined their forward plans but we are trying to agree the boundaries between their work, Scrutiny and the Audit Committee. Essentially, Cabinet Committees will be working with cabinet members to plan the future, we will be scrutinising current performance and Audit will determine if all is done correctly with satisfactory controls in place.

Scrutiny: Highways Our scrutiny of County Highways operations covered a lot of detail around the human resources processes involved in the re-structuring of the county’s area offices and the Kier operations into a single team. Changes had to enable the day to day processes of two organisations to work in an integrated way. In addition, it was essential that the resultant job changes were introduced fairly, correctly and with equality issues fully addressed.

We were concerned that the process was delayed and made less effective by reorganisations in progress in critical support functions like HR and ICT at the same time. The work involved in these major changes must not be underestimated and essential functions on which rapid progress depends must not be decimated during reorganisations.

All will be in place by early September, around one year late. The ‘lean systems thinking’ review that was underway to improve efficiency has been essentially on hold since the middle of last year. We were warned that we should not expect a significant yield from it for some time.

My view is that the highways reorganisation from which we were promised so much delivered chaos and there is still some way to go before we see real benefits. However, there have been improvements in the state of our roads from an extended programme of surface dressing.

Early examples of integrated teams have delivered many more flooding reduction schemes and more local improvements from councillor’s local highways budgets. Not what most of us feel, but apparently true.

Scrutiny: Waste We moved on to review the effect of changes made to waste collection.

County support to districts that collected garden waste free of charge was reduced last year. The hours and days of opening for Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) were changed.

The county has ‘saved’ about £2million per year by moving to services paid for by those who use them rather than all households. My interests were: has the waste moved from green bins to black or to various ditches round the county? Has use of HWRCs changed and has that been affected by changed opening hours and charges for disposal of rubble?

It was perhaps surprising to learn that in districts where people are now

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charged the take up of the service has been between 35% and 50%.

The green waste collected has reduced by 12,453 tonnes at a gate fee of £23.50 per tonne. Garden waste at HWRCs has increased by 1,140 tonnes. Residual (black bin) waste has increased by 5,135 tonnes at an incinerator gate fee £85 per tonne. 6,178 tonnes have vanished.

Overall Suffolk now recycles 50.1% of its waste. Fly tipping has reduced from 3,100 to 2,884 occurrences and garden waste fly-tips have risen from 123to 156, a small change in the wrong direction.

There has been little change in the use of the HWRCs with tonnages up from 58,106 to 59,132 tonnes. The disposal of rubble, soil, and plasterboard where there is now a charge of £2.50 a bag has dropped from 10,342 to 3,357 tonnes. Where has the rest gone? The waste team believe it has gone into skips hired by householders.

District Council Ward Boundaries The unelected bureaucrats in Whitehall are concerned that growth, particularly in Stowmarket, means that each district councillor in some wards represents up to 35% more people than the average and in other areas 14% less. To make it fair the differences should not be more than 10%.

They have asked for proposals to regularise the position and at the same time the administration want to reduce the number of councillors to 35 to make a small reduction in costs and make the numbers represented the same as in Babergh. That will make it easier to merge the two councils, a process that no longer requires a referendum.

After a long meeting, we could not come to an agreement on the proposal. We got to statements like “we are the administration and this is our plan” so other views were not passed to Whitehall.

Opinions vary on which parishes fit together best to give a clear sense of a community to be represented by a councillor and whether two councillor wards work. There is a view that with two councillors you have the opportunity to be represented by two parties and that perhaps 60% to 70% of residents can get their problems addressed by someone with views that match their own.

Anyone can put in a proposal so we will see what views prevail.

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

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NEWS REWARDING VOLUNTEERING WITH HOME-START Volunteering can be an extremely rewarding role when you make a real difference to someone’s life. Home-Start in Suffolk is a local charity supporting families in Suffolk.

We are recruiting individuals especially in West and Mid Suffolk to join our team of volunteers supporting our Home Visiting Service and You’re in Control projects.

Home Visiting Service Our volunteers are trained to support families for whom the pressures of family life become too much to cope with alone. This can be for various reasons: isolation, illness, bereavement or post natal illness. Volunteers visit a family in their own home once a week for two-three hours. How they help is really down to the family itself. Some need someone to talk to, others need more practical support with meal planning and cooking, reading to the children, going to the local park or finding out about local services.

You’re in Control This is a Children In Need funded project to support children aged seven-12 years in Ipswich. Our volunteers support young people for two-three hours a week – evenings and weekends – providing one-one support, building self-esteem, giving emotional and practical support, doing fun activities and building a trusting and stable relationship.

Volunteers don’t need qualifications; friendliness and a caring attitude are essential as well as an understanding of the pressures of parenting. We value people who don’t judge others; people who will respect the fact they have been invited into a family’s home. All volunteers undertake a minimum of 30 hours preparation training before they are matched to a family who would benefit from their skills and experience. We shall require a DBS check and references.

Volunteers can get a lot out of volunteering with Home-Start, a boost to self-esteem and confidence, even a foot on the job ladder as we offer OCN accredited Levels 1, 2 and 3 training. We also hold social events and opportunities for our volunteers to get together.

If you are interested in volunteering with Home-Start please contact Stephen Stokes: stephen@homestartinsufflok.org / 01473 822822

SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE SITE Maintenance planned in September The facility will be undergoing routine cleaning and maintenance between September 10 and 29. Work on the two lines will be staggered so we will continue to accept waste throughout this period, with only a few days when the processing is completely shut down for maintenance of common areas. There will be extra contractors on site, but there should be no impact on the local community as the usual arrangements for operations, parking and transport are in place.

The major works planned for the shutdown are inspection and minor repairs to the martin grate on both lines. The boiler is also going to be cleaned and modified to support a continuous improvement plan on site, along with the replacement of some valves.

Ducklings on site Following a mother duck and her ducklings making the pond here on site their home last year she has returned this year with eight ducklings.

Everyone on site is pleased to see them and they all look very happy and healthy.

Come and have a look around The Suffolk Energy-from-waste facility is holding a series of open days in October which include a tour of the facility and time to explore our visitor centre. There is space on the following days: Wednesday, October 11, 6-8pm / Wednesday, October 25, 10am-noon There are 20 spaces on each day and you must pre book. To book please email c.davies@suez.com and we will confirm your place by email. If you would like to come to an open day but cannot make these dates, you can email us to register your interest and we will let you know when the next open days are planned.

If you have any queries about our operations, please do not hesitate to contact the facility on 01473 839149.

Other useful contacts: To book a visit: 01473 836821

Environment Agency: 0800 807060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910

CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFE LINE & CHARITY SHOP On Sunday, July 30 the group of 18 children returned home, sad to be leaving but happy to be seeing their families again. On Tuesday the parents held a meeting at school and told of how happy they were that their children had such a wonderful experience. The children were all running around smiling, talking about their fantastic holiday in England. They wanted to pass on a very big thank you to everyone who had made this possible and said they were amazed at the generosity of the English people and how even the second hand clothing was of such good quality. The children have made Memory Books and will always have these to look back upon as a permanent reminder.

The clothing given on arrival has mostly been donated to us via our charity shop for which we are very grateful. We continue to collect clothing and good quality second hand trainers and shoes covering ages six to 12 years as with a second group coming in December and planning already underway for next year’s summer group we need to start collecting right away.

A video showing the highlights of the children’s visit can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnQi0C7vtV8 We thank our host families for their work in this project and also the many people who support us throughout the year, raising funds to enable us to bring the children and providing sponsored outings and giving their time to arrange events for them during the visit, providing valuable dental services

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free of charge, collecting clothing, donating medicines to take home and many other items which all benefit either these children or those at home in Belarus.

NMCC who have been involved with our program from the very beginning took the children on a fun filled day to Easton Farm Park. MSDC provided a great morning pond dipping and a slap up lunch at Angels Coffee House.

Beeston’s Coaches of Hadleigh took the children to Chessington World of Adventure. Stowmarket Lions sponsored a great activity at Planet Laser in BSE. So many local people have contributed to our cause and supported us in many ways with donations and gifts for the children and via our charity shop.

It is not possible to mention everyone here, but without you the children would not have had the wonderful time they have had, this is appreciated more than you will know.

On August 27 I will once again travel to Belarus as part of a group visit on a fact finding tour for one week and several people from Suffolk will be coming with me so not only will they be able to see the real Belarus, they will be able to visit with children they have hosted over the years. I will bring back news and updates for everyone in the next newsletter.

Link Chair Elizabeth Parker: 01449 760343 www.ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk

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NEWS SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Dear Readers, As we approach the autumn we will soon be experiencing the darker evenings.

May we remind you that when you go out, always try to leave a light on and make sure that all your doors and windows are locked. Make it look like you are at home, so as to deter opportunist burglars. Many DIY stores sell timer switches for lamps and other lights, a good investment through the coming winter months.

If you see anything suspicious, like a burglary in progress, suspicious vehicles or anyone acting suspiciously, please call 999. If you want to report a burglary that has already happened call 101. You the public are our eyes and ears when we are not around, so please do report to us.

When members of Hadleigh SNT are out and about in the villages that we patrol, we are always approached by residents who want to speak to us about parking and speeding within their village. We are totally aware that both of these cause concern to residents and we try our best to enforce and deal with them.

Currently we do have a few Community Speedwatch Schemes that run in villages. Their pro-active presence is often very productive and most often in any given period, many motorists are caught at speeding over the 30 miles per hour limit. These offenders are dealt with by way of a letter for a first and second offence unless very excessive speeds are recorded, and then on the third offence a visit from a police officer is carried out.

CLAYDON & BARHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE PROUDLY PRESENTS

A CABARET

Parking is also a major problem in every village and town. May I remind all readers that double yellow lines mean no parking at any time and single yellow lines mean no parking between 0800-1800 Monday to Saturday.

Ignoring these restrictions will incur parking tickets and a £30 fine. If there are any zig-zag lines in your town/village, particularly near to a school or a pedestrian crossing, these carry three points on your licence as well as a £100 fine. Depending on how many points you have on your licence, these extra three points could result in the loss of your licence. Zig-zag lines are a safety measure and should be respected.

Finally, many villages and towns are currently experiencing pockets of antisocial behaviour. If you see or hear anything you feel is anti-social, please contact us at Hadleigh SNT and report what, when and where it is occurring.

Please also ask yourself: Do you know where your children/grandchildren are after school and in the evenings?

Do you know who their friends are?

Do you know where they hang out?

Do you know what they are doing?

Better to find out now before you get a visit from police.

Remember you can follow Hadleigh Safer Neighbourhood Team on Twitter: @HadleighPOLICE Contact us via email: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk PCSO 3173 Julia Bignell, Hadleigh SNT, Hadleigh Police Station

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 An evening of music and laughter with the famous Mr Richard Whymark with his many characters and faces.

Also starring Mr Terry Lee Travis.

Music though the ages by a consummate professional.

Tickets available from the community centre. Doors open at 7pm.

Members £7.50 / £11.50 with sausage & chips Non-members £8.50 or £12.50 with sausage & chips

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT HENLEY PARISH COUNCIL SnOasis PARISH ALLIANCE (SPA) In the autumn of last year, Onslow Suffolk Ltd put in an application to Mid Suffolk District Council for SnOasis Reserved Matters to be considered – Planning Application no. 4494/16.

Full details can be found at: www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning-andbuilding/planning It is important to be aware that this is not a renewal of the original planning approval for SnOasis, which remains in place. Reserved Matters cover the detail of such topics as design, appearance, transport, drainage, ecological mitigation, etc.

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

The document is available to view on the Great Blakenham Parish Council website: http://greatblakenham.onesuffolk.net/snoasisparish-alliance.

Since my report in the August edition of In Touch, the SPA had a meeting with staff from MSDC’s Planning Team who are working on SnOasis Reserved Matters. As a result, it has been agreed that there will be regular meetings, usually on a monthly basis, as new or missing information already requested by MSDC is provided by the developer. This means that the parishes who will be affected by the development will continue to be able to put forward their views on what will be the best possible outcomes for residents.

The SPA has been clear from the beginning that it wished to work with MSDC in a positive way so that any development on the site will take account of the requirements and concerns of local people.

We look forward to participating in this process.

At the time I am writing this, no date has been set for MDSC councillors to consider Reserved Matters, but the SPA will continue to work for local people on this development, both up to that point and beyond.

The school holidays bring about a welcome lull in the simmering issue of parking outside the school on Ashbocking Road during drop-off and pick-up times. But as this edition of In Touch will be published just as term starts again, it’s well worth revisiting the subject – maybe if regular readers are in contact with new families joining the school, they could pass this on and discuss it.

For a very long time people have worried about the dangers caused by parking on the long bend outside the school; when cars line up outside the school, other traffic in both directions on the road has problems with visibility and space. The well-worn phrase “it’s an accident waiting to happen” is much used; made worse by the inevitable fact that small children are jumping in and out of cars on both sides, and drivers, under time pressure and often trying to cope with more than one child, do their best to manage a hazardous situation.

The parish council has for years had regular messages from residents asking for something to be done and warning about the dangers. The fact that there are jagged yellow keep clear lines outside the school seems, frankly, irrelevant. “It’s only for a second while I drop off…” – yes, well.

So the parish council, the school and Mid Suffolk together came up with the idea of a Respect Zone outside the school in an attempt to make life safer for everyone. Green cones and signage tell drivers not to stop there and messages to parents from the school encourage use of the very large, free car park at the community centre, which is only a few minutes’ walk away.

To help with this, the parish council and the community centre made sure there is a pedestrians-only footpath from Church Meadows into the car park.

It’s not a perfect solution; obviously we all wish there was a large car park right beside the school. But there isn’t – and the car park at the community centre really does offer a facility which is nearby, safer and practical.

The simple message from the parish council, the school and Mid Suffolk: please use the car park and walk from there to and from school. It’s safer for everyone; the children themselves, the drivers and other road users. Yes, there will be wet, cold days when this a bit of a pain, but surely that’s a small price to pay. After all there are plenty of local parents who walk to the school every day from homes much further away than the community centre.

This is not the parish council versus the school; the school is a fantastic asset to the village and is hugely valued by all of us – and the Respect Zone is a joint project by school and council, not something imposed by the council on an unwilling school.

So for 2017/18, respect the Respect Zone! Keep our children safe!

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

If you’re not on our village email list and would like to be, just send a simple request to henleyparishcouncil@gmail.com or rodcaird@yahoo.co.uk and we will sort it out. And don’t forget to keep an eye from time to time on our own website where we publish all sorts of useful (we hope!) information and contacts.

SnOasis Parish Alliance Chairman Steve Plume

Clerk Rod Caird: 07785 331217 www.henley.onesuffolk.net

On our way to say goodbye, we drove past our first family home It’s the little things that make a funeral special

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Here for you every hour of every day

01473 851731

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OUT & ABOUT CLAYDON & BARHAM COMMUNITY CENTRE

BAR-CLAY MUSIC MAKERS ARE ALL SYSTEMS GO!

Claydon & Barham Community Centre continues to be at the heart of the community. This month we are proud to present a cabaret on Saturday, September 23, an evening of comedy from the famous Richard Whymark with music from Terry Lee Travis not to be missed. If you want a great night out, a good laugh and good bar prices get your tickets early from the community centre. Tickets are £7.50 for members and £8.50 non-members. Why not have sausage and chips included at £11.50 for members and £12.50 non-members?

There was an enthusiastic turnout at the read-through and auditions for BMM’s January 2018 panto, The Little Mermaid, with the result that all 17 parts have been cast. It was great to welcome some new members (both adults and youngsters) to the cast and chorus, as well as the return of longstanding members.

Friday, October 6 is the John West Memorial Grand Village Quiz. Doors open at 7.15pm. Get your village organisation teams of up to six people together and contact Jean Ballard on 01473 830255.

This encouraging start means that our next production will be all systems go when we meet for our first rehearsal on September 6. Show dates are January 19/20 and 26/27 – we will all be working hard to make The Little Mermaid a show to remember.

For more details, email: vera.rogers1@btinternet.com

ENPOINTE SCHOOL OF DANCING

Admission is still free with cash prizes donated by the community centre. Whether you are a regular, an occasional user or have never visited before, please drop in and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and reasonably priced drinks.

OPENING HOURS Monday: 7pm till late throughout the short mat bowls season starting September 4 Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 7pm until late (approximately 11.30pm) Saturday: Noon-2.30pm and 7pm until late (approximately midnight) Sunday: Noon-4.30pm Thank you for all the responses to the survey – over 75% of replies are in favour of a new community centre. Some of the issues raised with the current location are lack of outside space for children to play and for barbecues, lack of parking and wanting more fitness classes and clubs.

If anyone wishes to set up a fitness class or other club activity we would be pleased to hear from you. We thank you all for your continual support.

Church Lane, Claydon IP60EG

In addition to the show being a fantastic success, an excellent opportunity arose resulting in the two branches of the dancing school combining together as one. The school was originally founded in 2011 at Witnesham Village Hall with just nine pupils, but as the school started to grow a further branch opened in 2014 at Great Blakenham Village Hall.

01473 831805 / info@candbcc.co.uk www.candbcc.co.uk

CLAYDON & BARHAM VILLAGE HALL Dates for September Monday 4 Craft Addicts

Barham PC Meeting

1-4pm 7-10pm

Wednesday 6

Bar-Clay Music Makers

6.30-10.30pm

Thursday 7

Young Families Slimming World

9.30-11.30am 5.30 & 7.30pm

Monday 11

Claydon PC Meeting

7.30-9.30pm

Tuesday 12

Women’s Institute

7.30-10pm

Wednesday 13

Bar-Clay Music Makers

6.30-10.30pm

Thursday 14

Slimming World

5.30 & 7.30pm

Friday 15

Stowe School of Dance

4-5.30pm

Monday 18

Craft Addicts

1-4pm

Wednesday 20

Bar-Clay Music Makers

6.30-10.30pm

Thursday 21

Young Families Slimming World

9.30-11.30am 5.30 & 7.30pm

Friday 22

Stowe School of Dance

4-5.30pm

Wednesday 27

Bar-Clay Music Makers

6.30-10.30pm

Thursday 28

Sunshine Service Slimming World

10am-noon 5.30 & 7.30pm

Friday 29

Stowe School of Dance

4-5.30pm

For more information on village hall activities visit the Claydon and Barham website and follow the links. Hall bookings now only online.

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The Enpointe School of Dancing performed The Princess and The Frog at Henley Community Centre in May. The cast of 43 dancers took to the stage to re-enact the story while showcasing their ballet and tap dancing skills. The show was a wonderful success and the school raised £500 for their chosen charity – EACH. This picture shows some members of the cast with the presentation cheque.

The Enpointe School of Dancing were made to feel so welcome at Henley Community Centre that the decision was made to co-locate the Witnesham and Great Blakenham branches together at Henley in July 2017. The reaction to the news has been very positive, and as principal and founder of the school I feel that it is lovely to be able to have one true home for the dancing school.

The school is currently holding lessons in ballet and tap on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3.45pm onwards. If you would like further information regarding lessons please contact Kelly: 07799 130967

SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE Spend an evening with award winning novelist Emma Healey.

Emma grew up in London, where she completed her first degree in book binding and graduated from the MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia in 2011. Her debut novel, Elizabeth is Missing, won Best First Novel at the Costa Book Awards.

Emma will be appearing at Ipswich Institute Reading Room (15 Tavern Street, IP1 3AA) on Wednesday, September 13 as part of Suffolk Book League’s 2017 programme of events.

Doors open at 7pm, event starts at 7.30pm. General admission is £8 (members £4). Students free with ID. Tickets to be paid for on the door. Reservations can be made by emailing: tickets@sbl.org.uk www.sbl.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE 5 Route 5 MIP/5A

Town/village Sproughton

Location Church Lane

Time 9.10-9.25am

MIP/5B

Sproughton

Wild Man

9.30-9.45am

MIP/5C

Bramford

St Mary’s Close

9.50-10.05am

MIP/5D

Bramford

Paper Mill Lane

10.10-10.25am

MIP/5E

Great Blakenham, Chequers

10.35-1055am

MIP/5F Great Blakenham, Blue Leighs

Mobile Home Park 11-11.15am MIP/5G

Baylham

Post Box

11.25-11.45am

MIP/5H

Claydon

Crown

11.55am-1pm

MIP/5I

Claydon

Edinburgh Gardens 2.05-2.20pm

MIP/5J

Barham

Bacon Road

2.25-3.50pm

MIP/5K

Bramford

Packard Place

4-4.30pm

2017 DATES: September 26, October 24, November 21, December 19

1ST CLAYDON SCOUTS HELP CLEAR CONSERVATION AREA Scouts at 1st Claydon descended on the local conservation woodland area in the village to help clear and maintain its footpaths.

A number of overgrown paths were made accessible again and the Scouts worked hard to coppice some overgrown areas. This is the third year that the Scouts have helped out in the wet woodland, one of very few in the UK, and they will be back next year too.

CLAYDON & BARHAM WI We had such an interesting and informative evening on August 8 when Peter Carr spoke about the history of dolls’ houses. He was always interested in things in miniature, which led on to his second career after he retired as a headmaster.

We were very pleased to welcome Maggie to our WI and do hope that she enjoyed herself. We look forward to seeing her again this month.

EXTRA ACTIVITIES August 29: Lunch at Mr Allards, Stowupland September 1: Walk to Bramford with lunch at The Cock Jane came first in the competition, with Pat N second.

Next month we meet on September 12 for our harvest supper Should anyone wish to get in touch, please ring Barbara on 832330. It will be good to hear from you!

BRAMFORD ART GROUP Bramford Art Group held an exhibition at Bramford Fun Day. Thanks to everyone who visited. We received many lovely comments about our work.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/claydon

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OUT & ABOUT BRAMFORD TREFOIL GUILD There was no meeting in August. We hope you all had a good summer break despite some rainy weather. Our September meeting will be a garden party at the home of one of our members. Please bring a fold up chair if you can. We are meeting at the Scout and Guide HQ in Bramford at 1.45pm.

GREAT BLAKENHAM CRAFT CLUB Open to anyone living not just in Great Blakenham but anywhere in the surrounding area, the club meets from 2-4pm every Monday other than bank holidays in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House and it has its own parking area at the rear. It is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within. Members pay £2 per meeting to covers hall hire, refreshments, the monthly workshop goody bag and weekly raffle prizes. Alternatively, if you would just like to come and bring your own project to work on, enjoy our company and make new friends without doing the workshops, the charge is £1.50 per meeting. Members take it in turns to make the tea.

Our first picture shows our first batch of more than 350 Suffolk Puffs. We mentioned in an earlier report that we are contributing to a project involving the Embroiderers Guild and the Museum for East Anglian Life who are both celebrating their 50th anniversaries this year and are aiming for an entry in The Guiness Book of Records to make the longest caterpillar in the world from Suffolk Puffs. Various schools, clubs and individuals are taking part and the caterpillar will then be on display at the museum in Stowmarket.

In July our workshop involved using Brusho, a pigment powder activated by spraying a mist of water. Each of the pigments is made up of many colours and no two pieces will ever be the same. Members had fun ‘playing’ with the powders to create different backgrounds and samples to be used in their card making.

Our programme for the rest of 2017 September 4: Boxed-up October 2: Kantha November 13: Mini Makes Month December 4: Christmas Party If all this sounds interesting there is currently room for new members so if you would like to join us please get in touch. Although the club is all ladies at present, gentlemen who would like to learn crafts are welcome. Unfortunately I can’t accommodate children.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Friday, September 29: On the Railway Lines to Yarmouth and Lowestoft, illustrated talk by Stuart Mcnee We meet at 7pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich. Entrance via the rear car park. Visitors welcome – £3.50 at door including tea/coffee.

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

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OUT & ABOUT GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50S CLUB

BRAMFORD COMPUTER CLUB

The club is open to anyone of that age living not just in Great Blakenham but anywhere in the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month in the Parish Room, Stowmarket Road, Great Blakenham. The cost per meeting is £1.50 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each. Members take it in turns to make the tea. The Parish Room is the building with a green door more or less opposite the Chequers Public House and it has its own parking area at the rear. It is fully accessible for anyone in a wheelchair and has disabled facilities within.

The new club year begins on Monday, September 11 (7.30-9.30pm) and Wednesday 13 (10am-noon). Annual membership is £1, plus £3 for each two-hour session. There is no set programme; we are here to help with any problems you may have and to help you to get the most out of your computer. The club is a Bramford Methodist Church community activity and we meet in the upstairs room behind the church.

We have had a break in August following our summer tea party on July 26 when we partook of a lovely spread followed by a sing-along led and accompanied by member Dot Chapman on her accordion. This proved a most enjoyable and entertaining afternoon.

Our programme up to the end of the year September 13: Social Afternoon with Sandra September 27: AGM October 11: Social Afternoon October 25: Halloween History and Customs November 8: Beetle Drive with Jean November 22: Social Afternoon December 13: Christmas Meal at The Chequers We have quite a varied programme and new members are always welcome, but if you would just like to come along and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you.

Jackie Durrant

SPROUGHTON BADMINTON GROUP These friendly ladies are always keen to welcome newcomers of all ages and abilities. We meet up for an hour of recreation and fun each Tuesday from 2-3pm in Sproughton Tithe Barn. Your first visit will be completely free so you’ve nothing to lose – just new friendships to gain.

Come along soon.

June: 01473 745246 / Jean: 01473 461568

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday, September 27 at Woolpit Village Hall when Linda Kingcroft from Leigh-on-Sea will present a demonstration entitled The Green Man and Friends. Visitors and new members are always welcome. For information contact our chairman, Vicki Hease: 01449 770900

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.

Our next meeting is on September 19 when Stuart Hines will be talking about the Garretts of Leiston and in particular the Long Shop Museum. He will tell us the history of the museum, an integral part of the Garrett Engineering Works and a company which played a prominent role in bringing the industrial revolution to rural Suffolk. He will also outline the wider influence of the Garrett family in Suffolk, including two pioneering women – Millicent Garrett Fawcett and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson.

On October 17 John Field will tell us about the history of the Ipswich Wet Dock, from its opening in 1842, its decline and subsequent regeneration.

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

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

HENLEY WI A visit, including lunch, to Helming Hall in June was enjoyed by all. The gardens were looking beautiful and the lunch delicious.

Our speaker for July was Horry Parsons who talked about his involvement with the building of the Millennium Tower at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral.

He was the construction team leader and came out of a short retirement to be involved with this massive task. He explained how the right quarry stones were sorted and found, and how each brick had to be cut to shape. The project involved approximately nine miles of scaffold, lots of experts in various fields and a lot of money. He brought along various items of interest to show us, including a hard hat which he explained had held water. When the mortar was mixed it had to be just the correct consistency to hold each block in place. It was a very skilled job getting this just right, each item having to be measured. However, at the final stage water was poured in and this was experience rather than measurement – and was correct each time.

HRH the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwell visited when the work was complete and Charles proudly showed his wife the foundation stone he had laid. He did ask if this was actually the one he laid (as he was aware that many of the trees he had planted over the years had been removed and replanted after his visit). He was assured it was the same one.

www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

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WůĞĂƐĞ ŵĂŬĞ Ă ƐĐĂƌĞĐƌŽǁ ĨŽƌ LJŽƵƌ ůŽĐĂů ŚƵƌĐŚ͊ ^ĐĂƌĞĐƌŽǁƐ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ĂŶLJ ƐŝnjĞ ĂŶĚ ŽĨ ĂŶLJ ĐŚĂƌĂĐƚĞƌ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ŵĂŬĞ ŝƚ ĂŶĚ ƚĂŬĞ ŝƚ ƚŽ LJŽƵƌ ůŽĐĂů ĐŚƵƌĐŚ ŽŶ &ƌŝĚĂLJ ϮϮŶĚ ^ĞƉƚ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ůĞĂǀĞ Ă ŶĂŵĞ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ŶƵŵďĞƌ ǁŝƚŚ ĞĂĐŚ ƐĐĂƌĞĐƌŽǁ͘ ƉƌŝnjĞ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŐŝǀĞŶ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ƐĐĂƌĞĐƌŽǁ Ăƚ ĞĂĐŚ ĐŚƵƌĐŚ͘

In September we will be welcoming Dave Steward to talk about the history of the TV programme Dad’s Army.

'Ğƚ ĐƌĞĂƚŝǀĞ ĨŽƌ ,ĂƌǀĞƐƚ͊

New members and visitors are always welcome at our meetings For more information please ring Alice (01473 831281) or Kay (01473 831465).

ǁǁǁ͘ĐůĂLJĚŽŶĐŚƵƌĐŚĞƐ͘ĐŽŵ ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ZĞǀĚ Ăƌů ŽŶ Ϭϭϰϳϯ ϴϯϯϱϰϮ ĨŽƌ ŵŽƌĞ ĚĞƚĂŝůƐ

www.keepingintouchwith.com/claydon

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SCHOOLS / SPORT CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL So the summer break is already over and we are now, hopefully, all refreshed and ready to start the new autumn term. We will be welcoming back some of our existing children, along with quite a few new ones and we are really looking forward to meeting them all and getting starting on lots of new creations, fun times and memories.

We will be open from Monday, September 4 for all our year round children and from Wednesday, September 6 for all of our termtime children.

From September 2017 we will be opening for 51 weeks of the year, not including bank holidays, and from 8am to 4pm. Due to the year round hours and the introduction of the additional 15 hours funding for parents of three to four year olds who work, we are proving very popular from September. As we will be open throughout each of the school holidays we will have the option to take children up to five years old for additional sessions during these weeks, subject to availability. Please contact the administration assistant for details.

CLAYDON & BARHAM YOUNG FAMILIES Claydon and Barham Young Families is a Mothers’ Union project which has been run by Mothers’ Union members and supporters for 26 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.

This month we meet on Thursdays 7 and 21 from 9.30-11.30am in Claydon and Barham Village Hall.

At our regular sessions we welcome anyone with babies or children under five for imaginative play, songtime and lots of fun. Families can enjoy a different craft activity with a theme where children can be creative and try out different materials to produce an individual masterpiece. Playdough and all sorts of toys that encourage children’s imaginative play and physical and social development are available. For parents/carers it is a good opportunity to meet others with pre-school children or babies. There is also a prize draw for the children.

We would like to wish a happy birthday to Leo who celebrated in August and Noah who celebrates in September.

Don’t forget that from September 2017 the government is introducing an additional 15 hours funding for working parents of three and four year olds. This means that parents who both earn the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum Wage (£115.20 per week) or more per week and less that £100,000 per year (or just one carer if a single parent) will be eligible to claim up to 30 hours of funding. You can register at Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible and also register for the government Childcare Vouchers Scheme. If you are using the 30 hours you must provide a code to us with your national insurance number in order to be eligible.

Why not come along and join in the fun? You can make friends and enjoy some valuable play. Hope to see you there.

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

Greetings guff lovers, here I am again suitably refreshed after my annual hols.

We went somewhere different this year, spending two weeks trying to get through security at Palma airport. The weather looked very hot outside, and we were thankful for the air conditioning in the terminal building, though it was a bit chilly at night (not that we got a lot of sleep anyway as the floor was full most of the time). The food was nice in the vending machines, and it was quite cheap to live, especially when the Red Cross were giving away food parcels and water rations. On a positive note it made the return journey quite quick as we still hadn’t got through passport control, so we simply went straight to the departure gate. We may go somewhere different next year though; my wife has heard there are some really nice airport terminals in Greece so that looks promising.

CLAYDON PRE-SCHOOL 100 CLUB July prize-winners No. 41 Katie Lee: £15.60 No. 43 John Harrison: £7.80 No. 44 Brenda Bugg: £2.60 New members are welcome at any time. Entry is just £1 a month and the draw takes place on the last Friday of each month from September through to July. The more entries we get the greater the prize money and all money raised is used to enhance the lives of our children within the pre-school.

For an entry form please contact Nadine Harrison: 01473 831857 / treasurer@claydonpreschool.co.uk Our alternative to Halloween and Trick or Treat…

For more information contact me on 01473 833788 or check our listing on Netmums.com.

Michelle

BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB

Next month we have the annual American Mixed Tournament match against Sproughton for the Maureen Sillett Memorial Trophy which we are hosting this year. It is being played on September 3 at 10am. Maureen was a popular and well-known figure in both villages, being a teacher at Bramford Primary for many years and regularly playing for Sproughton for their league sides.

Now for a bit of cut and pasting for news from the coach. A further Great British Tennis Weekend was held on July 23 and was well attended. As a result, further members joined the club and a good time was had by all including various coaching activities. Light refreshments were provided (the strawberries were lovely) and prospective members also brought their own picnic. Thanks to Carl, the coach, Tracey, Clive, Lorna, Graham and Nick for use of his ball machine which again proved very popular.

The men’s summer league team have won seven and lost two matches with one match to play so have a good chance of promotion.

Happy tennis!

JOKE OF THE MONTH Nick discovered a suitcase by the courts and inside he found four small puppies. He immediately phoned the RSPCA for advice. The officer on the other end of the phone asked if the puppies were moving. “Oh I don’t know,” replied Nick, “but I suppose it explains the suitcase!”

More guff next month – you have been warned, Mick Russ

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SPORT GREAT BLAKENHAM CARPET BOWLS CLUB Our free open evening is on Monday, September 18, at 7.30pm at the village hall, Mill Lane, Great Blakenham and we invite you to come and try carpet bowls.

We are always looking for new members. This is a sport played by men, women and children of all ages and abilities so there is no need to be shy.

Come down and have a cuppa and a laugh, we have members of all levels.

If you are unable to attend and would like to try, please ring Andy (07872 695484) or Steven (07850 549723). A warm welcome awaits you.

TALES FROM THE 19 HOLE TH

Brett Vale Golf Club, July 2017, Club Championship Day. Returning trophies currently in their possession, Alan Farnish with the winner’s trophy held for the past two years and Shaun Vincent with the Golden Boot won at the past two events. Only one was keen to win ‘their’ trophy for a third consecutive time!

Alan, clearly up for the challenge had mistakenly arrived two hours early, a great opportunity to spend some time on the practice ground and putting greens, honing his skills for the afternoon ahead. On this overcast morning, with the bar open, a comfy leather sofa and a TV showing live coverage of the Open Championship, there was an alternative way of killing time – what a conundrum.

Thirteen players meant odd numbered groups but mattered little as this was purely about individual scores. It was also nice to be joined by Rob Earey and Terry Lawrance who don’t get to join us as regularly as others due to weekday work commitments. In the first group out, Alan started the round on fire, scoring pars and birdies in the first five holes. Watching the pros earlier must have inspired his game (or was it the IPA?). The remaining holes were not so successful putting paid to a third championship for Alan.

NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB The outdoor season is now in its final month and our Stowmarket League teams are having a very good season. The Monday night ‘A’ team have completed their fixtures, winning 12 out of 14 matches and finishing top of Division 3. The ‘B’ team struggled for players but enjoyed their bowls.

Tuesday ‘A’ are in first place in Division 1 with three games to play and hope to retain the trophy. The Tuesday ‘B’ team are third in Division 2 and the Tuesday ‘C’ team fourth in Division 3 in a very successful season. The Wednesday team are currently in first place and hope to go one better than last season’s second place. The Thursday ‘development’ team have had their successes and continue to enjoy their bowling.

Our social occasions have been very successful, the latest being the president’s team versus the club captain’s team which was attended by 40 people. Thanks to our president John Holloway for providing the buffet.

Club competitions for pairs will take place on September 3 and for triples on September 10, with the closing drive on September 17.

Anyone who wants more details about NMBC should contact one of the people listed below. Roll-up/social bowling takes place every Wednesday at 2pm.

Meet and Greet Days at Crowley Park These have been very successful and will resume with the opening of the 2018 outdoor season in April so come along and enjoy a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit, bowls and basic instruction will be provided. If you just want to watch and chat that’s fine.

Although bowls is an ideal sport for the active older person, remember ‘YOU ARE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO BOWL’.

Contacts: Pat Hadden 01743 831308 / Alistair Bailie 01449 720759

Henley Occasional Golf Society

Paul Challener was also scoring well on the front nine, but perhaps he got distracted after nearly being hit by stray golf balls from a group behind us, not only on the eighth but also the 10th. Mike Mann had a strong round including a great approach shot on the 15th, hitting the flag from 135 yards out. Not to be outdone, playing partner Simon Fisher scored a birdie three on this low index hole scoring him five points – this acquired him some stick in the clubhouse. Another player also scored three for five on the 11th hole but this appeared to have passed unnoticed.

&

The Henley Chefs Have pleasure in welcoming you to a

Quiz & Food Evening A quality 3 course menu freshly cooked on the premises with a General Knowledge Quiz between courses.

Rob had joked that the last time he had played it was crazy golf; his skills came to the fore on the 10th where a brook bi-sects the fairway. Players have a choice of a mighty hit to carry the water or lay up in front of it – Rob was cunning however and guided his ball across the footbridge instead! Had there been a windmill on the 12th and a lighthouse on the 16th who knows how he would have approached these?

Enjoy an evening of conversation and fun with plenty of prizes up for grabs.

With captain and vice absent, it was Steve Brock who announced the results back in the clubhouse. This followed a precis of prize funds at recent sporting events such as Wimbledon, The Open and the Tour de France. What Steve knew about the Tour de France was incredible from prize money, stages, distances, TV audiences, etc; we will see quite how much he knows at the upcoming HOGS Quiz.

4. Game of Thrones

5. Aubergines

Dessert

3. Elton John

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Mains

2. Chris Froome

For the record the overall scores were thus: Shaun 38, Chris 37, Mike and Nick 34, Terry L and Peter 32, Paul C 31, Steve 29, Keith and Simon 27, Alan 25, Terry A 20 and Rob 19.

Starter

Answers 1. Eleven

There were two NP competitions with Simon Fisher getting closest on the fourth, but nobody managed to hit the green on the 10th. Alan won the Longest Drive prize at the 15th. This was apparently the highest set of scores at a HOGS event for a long time with seven players scoring in the 30s. Rob beat Terry Aldis to the Golden Boot by a whisker and Mike Mann secured third place on countback ahead of Nick Medlen. This left two players under par for the day, Chris Mann finishing runner up to newly crowned champion Shaun, some turnaround from his previous two outings. Let’s see what form he displays at our next event at Seckford Hall, our last event before our 13th tour of France in September where, having analysed recent form, Steve predicts a new name will be on the trophy.

Cold Meat Sharing Platter – Sliced meats, Cheese, Salad Sticks, Olives and French Bread Turkey Casserole in Red Wine with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Selection of Vegetables Beef Stroganoff with Rice Vegetarian Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Curry with Rice Vegetarian Lasagne made with Ratatouille & Cheese Sauce with Side Salad Chocolate Nut & Biscuit Squares with Ice Cream Fresh Fruit Salad with Ice Cream Eton Mess with Ice Cream

Tickets £10 each – on sale now Contact: Keith 01473 831432 or Shaun 07789 609344 Maximum of 6 persons per team (smaller teams welcomed) Venue: Henley Community Centre, Ashbocking Road, Henley Saturday 28th October 2017 – 7:15 for 8pm 1st course served

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CHURCH NEWS BACK TO SCHOOL Three weeks into the summer holidays and the Back to School signage is all too visible. I am sure they would have been in the shops the day school broke up for the summer. There have been times where I wished I could have gone back to school in order to make up for what I didn’t grasp and to refresh what I did. Our children have given us some opportunity of being back at school as we have tried to help with their homework. For some this year it will be all new – new school, primary or secondary, a new teacher and new uniform including shoes. Those feet in shoes walking through life, learning as they go.

At Great Blakenham Baptist Church this September sees the start of new activities. Little Owls Toddler Group will start on Monday, September 11, and meet from 10am-noon fortnightly. Coffee Morning will run weekly, staring on Thursday, September 7, 10am-noon. Details of The Hot Chocolate Bar for high school age will be available soon.

Friday Club will start up again on Friday, September 15, 6.30-7.30pm.

Having had a cream tea followed by well-known hymns in July, another 4pm service is planned for September 24 with traditional Harvest hymns followed with tea and cakes. We will have a Harvest Service in the morning at 10.45am, following a Harvest Quiz Night on Saturday, September 23, 6.30-9pm.

For more details of these events and our services please visit our website.

At all these events we want to share the good news of Jesus. Maybe it is something you have never heard or grasped, or need refreshed. Let your feet visit us and learn together more of this good news from God. WEEKLY EVENTS Monday fortnightly, starting on September 11: Little Owls Toddler Group Tuesday: Weekly Prayer Meeting, 9.30-10.30am Wednesday: Home Group, 10-11.45am Thursday: Coffee Morning, 10am-noon. All welcome.

Home Group, 7.45-9.30pm Friday: Children’s Club (primary school age), 6.30-7.30pm Sunday Morning Service: 10.45am-noon HARVEST CELEBRATIONS Harvest Quiz on Saturday, September 23, 6.30pm-9pm, followed by traditional harvest hymns on Sunday, September 24 at 4pm.

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

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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: Priest-in-Charge The Rev Carl Melville, Claydon Rectory 01473 833542 / carlmelville@hotmaill.com www.claydonchurches.com Services in September Barham Church – every Sunday at 10am Henley Church – every Sunday at 10am Gt Blakenham Church – every Sunday at 11am Sunday, September 3: Trinity 12 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Henley Church 11am family@blakenham Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, September 10: Trinity 13 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am family@henley Henley Church 11am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, September 17: Trinity 14 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am family@barham Barham Church 10am Holy Communion Henley Church 11am Holy Communion Gt Blakenham Church Sunday, September 24: Harvest Festival 8am Holy Communion Barham Church 10am Harvest Communion Barham Church 10am Harvest Café Church Henley Church 11am Harvest Elevenses@GB 6pm Evensong with The Cathedral Choir, Barham Church Sunday, October 1: Trinity 16 8am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion 10am Holy Communion 11am family@blakenham

Barham Church Barham Church Henley Church Gt Blakenham Church

Back to School Services We think about those starting school, those returning, the students, the teachers and all who assist and care for them. Refreshments available, all welcome.

September 3, Gt Blakenham Church, 11am September 10, Henley Church, 10am September 17, Barham Church, 10am Further services can be found on our website.

Weddings August 5: Helena Richards and Robert Mutton Baptisms July 16: Sophie Probert July 16: Dougie Revett July 16: Tommy Yates August: Samantha Leki Harvest Festival: Harvest Festival will take place in all our churches over the weekend of September 23-24. Our churches will be open the whole weekend with displays and events. Each church will be decorated with scarecrows, so if you would like to make a scarecrow, please take it to your local church.

The weekend will end at 6pm on Sunday 24 with a special service at Barham

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Church where we will be joined by The Cathedral Choir. All welcome.

J TEAM 2017: Once again J TEAM was a huge success – thanks to all who supported us and came along. We entertained 80 children and had a load of fun. As it was our 30th birthday we ended the week with a huge party and reunion. Please see our website and Facebook page for photos.

Halloween: This year we’re running a Light Party (see p 18) for children aged five to 12 as an alternative to trick or treating and Halloween. It will be held at Great Blakenham Village Hall on Tuesday, October 31 at 6pm, with party food, games, singing, crafts and loads of fun. Booking is essential, so please contact The Rev Carl (01473 833542) or Irene (01449 676567). It’s free.

Social Media: Find us on Facebook and Twitter by searching ‘The Claydon Group of Churches’.

Sunday’s Cool: A traditional Sunday School takes place at Gt Blakenham for any children within Henley, Claydon, Barham and GB. It will run on the second and third Sundays (September 10 & 17, October 8 & 15) from 10.30am in Gt Blakenham Parish Room. Under fives should be accompanied by an adult.

Older children can be left unattended. Enjoy stories, games, songs and loads of fun! Contact Irene on 01449 676567 for more information; it’s free – no need to book.

Departed Loved Ones Service: This service will once again take place on Sunday, October 29 at 3pm at Barham Church. All who have lost loved ones are invited to join in and remember at this special service.

Claydon Church is kept open every day of the week now. If you’d like to help volunteer to keep it open and clean, please contact The Rev Carl.

OTHER SERVICES AND EVENTS Saturday, September 9: Ride and Stride (all churches) Coffee Morning, Gt Blakenham Parish Room, 10am-noon Sunday September 24: Harvest with The Cathedral Choir, Barham, 6pm Saturday, September 30: Gt Blakenham Barn Dance, Claydon Community Centre, 7pm Sunday, October 29: Departed Loved Ones Service, 3pm Tuesday, October 31; Light Party (non-Halloween), GB Village Hall, 6pm, LETTER FROM THE VICAR September is the month for celebrating Harvest Festival. Even though the actual harvest has been and gone, we celebrate and give thanks before God for all we receive, for food, health and wealth and for all the blessings of life.

Please do make a scarecrow and take it to your local church.

Looking ahead to October, another celebration takes place, but we don’t all like it – Halloween. There is little doubt that Halloween has its roots in preChristians times and is still the focus and ‘day of darkness’ for many. Dressing up as scary monsters, witches and murderers may seem harmless, but in fact we are celebrating and normalising all that represents evil in our world. For some, that isn’t fun at all. It was originally used by Christians to celebrate the lives of saints and was known as ‘All Hallows Eve’. Hallowed means ‘sacred’ or ‘special’ and so it became a day to remember all special and sacred people (or saints) who didn’t have a saint day of their own.

Whatever your thoughts, not everyone enjoys trick or treating, so we’re throwing a party instead. Instead of sending your children out door to door in the dark, come to our Light Party instead. There’ll be party food, games, singing, music, crafts and prizes for the best dressed light costume.

Jesus said that he was the Light. Walking in that light means turning away from all that is dark – even all which pretends to be dark like fancy dress costumes. Come and discover the light with us.

The Rev Carl Melville

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