n Touch News with Elmswell_AUGUST 2018

In Touch

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with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell,

Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit Volume 2 • Issue No. 5 • AUGUST 2018

Stowmarket Rookery Community Bowls Group, p8

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In Touch online: 18/07/2018 15:27:07

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR The game has just ended! I’m utterly devastated but have spent the last hour trying (unconvincingly) to persuade my eight-year-old son it’s not the end of the world. It’s all falling on deaf ears just now, but hopefully not for long. We will pick ourselves up and we will come back, and next time we will have experience on our side.

Well done boys. Football might not be coming home today, but you will be given a heroes’ welcome when you do.

As a Galway girl I have experienced a similar degree of disappointment more times than I wish to acknowledge. So much of the summer (every summer) in Ireland revolves around GAA fixtures and it’s impossible not to get caught up in the excitement. We grow up playing hurling and camogie and the rivalry is intense, especially at club level. Every game is analysed and every move dissected ad infinitum until the next game. Then it starts all over again.

Sport can be cruel, but when it’s joyful, there really is nothing quite like it. When you support a team, you become a member of an extensive community. Even though I’m 500 miles from home I feel proud when I fly the Galway flag. That sense of heritage, that wonderful belonging, will stay with me forever. I shall forever be a Galway girl.

Of course I’m now also a Suffolk girl and I’ve been as caught up in the excitement of the World Cup as everyone else. Even if you’re not a footy fan, I hope you have engaged with the World Cup in some small way and that the feel-good factor stays with you for a long time. I also hope it inspires you to appreciate the value of shared experience and to seek out opportunities to spend time with others without the expense of a long-haul flight.

Whether you choose a sporting activity (either as participant or spectator), a coffee morning, a walk or a talk, there are opportunities aplenty in your local community and I hope In Touch motivates you reach out and grab the ball with both hands.

In Touch

with Beyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell,

Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit

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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NEWS WOOLPIT ART & CRAFTS WEEKEND Friday 7 to Sunday, September 9 Back for its thirteenth year, the ever-popular Woolpit Art & Crafts Weekend is taking place at St Mary’s Church from Friday 7 to Sunday, September 9, between 9am and 5pm each day.

Entry is only £2 per adult (accompanied children free) and includes a free catalogue. There will also be a raffle with exciting prizes.

During the weekend, teas, coffees, homemade cakes and savouries will be available and there will also be live music in the church.

A special preview evening will take place from 6-8pm on Thursday, September 6. Entry is £6 and includes wine and nibbles. Tickets for the preview evening are available from Betty Curry, Judy Dean (01359 240214) or may be purchased at the door.

We hope you will come and join us. The weekend is in support of St Mary’s and offers a showcase for the amazing talent of local artists and craftspeople.

Artists, please contact us if you would like to exhibit your paintings and we will send you an application form.

At 6pm on Sunday 19 there will be a service at St Mary’s to celebrate our Patronal Festival. We hope to see you there too. The service will be followed by sherry and nibbles.

For further information about the exhibition please contact Churchwarden Betty Curry: 01359 240332

2018 WOOLPIT FESTIVAL EVENTS IN OCTOBER After six great events in June, Woolpit Festival is delighted to present two more in October.

Saturday, October 27: Swing Machine – dance with a big swing band from 7.30pm at Woolpit Village Hall Sunday, October 28: The Churchgate Wind Octet and The Octave Choir at 3pm in St Mary’s Church, Woolpit For more information and to buy tickets contact the box office: 01359 240866 / info@woolpit-festival.com www.woolpit-festival.com

STOWMARKET ROOKERY COMMUNITY BOWLS GROUP

In just a few months we have coached and encouraged a visually impaired (almost totally blind) local resident to bowl. He is now preparing to enter visually impaired bowling competitions around the country and competing against locally sighted bowlers. His goal when he first started with us was to be treated equally as a normal sighted bowler.

We are now starting a publicity campaign with the help of County Councillor Nick Gowrley (pictured on the front cover at Cedrus House prize giving) to encourage disabled people who stay at home to visit us and help them achieve goals of their own.

Our volunteers now visit three local care homes and are engaging with 40-50 residents per week, helping stroke clubs, people living with dementia, visually impaired and people living with a disability to bring some extra fun to their day and encourage them to be more active. We have become a member of the Dementia Action Alliance and have group visits booked three to four times a week well into 2019.

You can see what we do by watching our YouTube video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtE8iJAmbSs If you would like to know more about our group please contact Chris Brooks: 01359 241046 / chris@todd.co.uk

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NEWS THE BLACKHEART ORCHESTRA IS COMING TO HAUGHLEY! This is a real coup for Haughley. We have managed to book the Blackheart Orchestra to play in our village as a part of their national tour.

The Blackheart Orchestra is actually a duo, Rick Pilkington and Chrissy Mostyn. They write all their own songs and their music is a combination of modern acoustic music served with a pinch of electronica and classical. They are often likened to a miniature orchestra as, even though there are only two of them, on stage they play a large number of instruments, all totally live.

One of the must-see bands of 2018, the pioneering duo blend musical styles seamlessly sidestepping boundaries to create music huge enough to fill a cathedral (or in the case of Haughley, St Mary’s Church). Chrissy Mostyn’s haunting vocals and the Mike Oldfield-like multi-instrumental playing of Rick Pilkington are a delight. Their four critically acclaimed albums and mesmerising live shows have won them obsessive worldwide fans, plaudits from musical giants and placements on TV commercials and films.

The concert takes place in St Mary’s Church, Haughley, on Saturday, September 1; doors open at 7.30pm and the concert starts at 8pm.

Tickets are £10 and can be bought at www.theblackheartorchestra.com (a small booking fee is charged for online bookings), or alternatively can be bought from Haughley Post Office.

For more information please telephone David Fleetwood (01449 614113) or The Rev Brin Singleton (01449 770921).

COUNTY COUNCILLOR PENNY OTTON THEDWASTRE SOUTH DIVISION Including Thurston, Beyton, Hessett, Drinkstone, Felsham, Gedding, Rattlesden (also Onehouse, Buxhall, Harleston, Shelland and Gt Finborough) Opposition successfully ‘call in’ Suffolk County Council School Transport Cuts On Tuesday, June 19, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet voted to change the Home to School Transport policy so that only children travelling to their nearest school would receive free transport. The changes are due to be phased in from September 2019.

As you may be aware, I and my colleagues within the Liberal Democrat, Green and Independent Group have been opposed to this policy change since it was announced in September 2018. There has also been very vocal opposition from schools, parents and carers across Suffolk.

Following the Cabinet meeting, opposition councillors from all parties united to ‘call-in’ the decision. This means the decision was put on hold until July 9, when the council’s Scrutiny Committee investigated further.

The ‘call-in’ was successful on three fronts: 1. There is concern at the quality and reliability of the financial modelling 2. Whether the Cabinet were fully informed of the role of the Consultation Institute 3. Whether there was enough analysis of the experience of Essex County Council, who implemented a similar policy in 2013

MID SUFFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILLOR RACHEL EBURNE

However, I am very disappointed that the recommendation back to the cabinet was still to go ahead. This will have some serious repercussions I fear for parents, carers and pupils. Not least the impact on Thurston and the college.

HAUGHLEY & WETHERDEN WARD

Major review of Suffolk Highways announced The new Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Councillor Mary Evans, has launched a major review of the way highways in Suffolk are maintained.

Five Year Housing Land Supply On Wednesday, July 11, Mid Suffolk advised it now has a Housing Land Supply of 6.5 years. (government requires that it is greater than five years.) This is good news for the future as it will mean planning applications will be decided within agreed policy; however, it is unclear how long this will last. At the time of writing, the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is due to be finalised by government by the end of July, before parliament stops for a summer break.

The NPPF contains the expectation that government will set future housing numbers (the Objectively Assessed Need – OAN) rather than local authorities setting them. These numbers are considerably higher than those currently being delivered by Mid Suffolk. All the figures are explained in the Annual Monitoring Report on Mid Suffolk’s website, including where housing has been built and where it is expected to be built over the next five years. In 2017/18, 426 new homes were built in Mid Suffolk District (just below the current target of 430 per year) and there were 4,157 dwellings as outstanding granted planning permissions.

I understand that the district council is reviewing all current planning applications and pre-applications to see how this applies to them. We are waiting to see what the outcome is for many speculative proposed developments in the area.

Public Loos Mid Suffolk has just approved a policy to support public toilets being run by communities and also to draw up a scheme whereby businesses (pubs, cafés, etc) advertise that the public can use their loos without necessarily being a customer. The final details of the scheme are yet to be agreed, but I think it will be positive for visitors and tourism.

Rachel Eburne 01449 774647 / rachel.eburne@midsuffolk.gov.uk http:/racheleburne.com

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Areas due to be reviewed include: • Existing policy which determines how resources are deployed, known as the Suffolk Highway Maintenance Operational Plan (HMOP) • How the location of potholes on the road is considered alongside the width and depth, recognising the impact they can have on cyclists and motorcyclists • How utility companies coordinate roadworks and are held to account for their actions • How residents, councillors and businesses are informed about road repairs and how they can access information • Financial control and contract management • How town and parish councils can work closer with Suffolk Highways to make the best use of their local knowledge, skills, money and time Lib Dem Green and Independent Group call for more to be done for cycling across the county The group put two motions to the council meeting on July 19 calling on the council to improve facilities for cyclists and use some of the local transport money to do so. penny.otton@suffolk.gov.uk

DEMENTIA TOGETHER CALL FREE 08081 688 000 visit: www.dementia-together.com In Touch online:

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Newton Hall Equitation offers novice, intermediate and advanced riding lessons for all ages including specialist lessons for those returning to ride after a break. We have weekend pony clubs for children 5 to12 years and a riding club for adults.

In addition, we cater for children’s birthday parties, corporate events, riding courses and competitions.

We offer vouchers all the year round as a fantastic gift idea.

Our newly opened Gallery Kitchen cafĂŠ serves quality food, refreshments, coffee and cake for all riders and spectators.

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE AND CHARITY SHOP We left home at 8am on July 1 to take the two children who had been with us for the last fortnight back to the airport and to collect the new group of 15 arriving on the flight they would go home on.

While on the road we received a message to tell us that the flight leaving Belarus had been delayed by at least an hour so would be an hour plus arriving at Gatwick. I am sure you will recall it was a blisteringly hot day so not the best time to then get stuck in a massive traffic jam on the M25!

The two girls were safely checked in for departure and assigned to a returning adult to look after them on the way home. It was then over to arrivals to wait for our group. Eventually they arrived, very tired and weary after having been up since 3am and of course Belarus is two hours ahead of UK time, making it seem even longer for them.

With even heavier traffic on the way home it was almost 6.30pm before we arrived back in Stowmarket where the host families were waiting, very excited to meet the children who would be their house guests for the next month.

STOWMARKET CHORALE Stowmarket Chorale attracts members from a wide area of Mid Suffolk and have recently appointed Tom Appleton to be the new music director.

Rehearsals with Tom will begin from September 12 and we meet weekly on Wednesday nights from 7.30-9.30pm at Chilton Community Primary School, Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket IP14 1NN. As a means of introduction, we are hosting a Come and Sing day at Woolpit Village Hall on Saturday, August 18, 10am-4pm, when we will be having a fun day singing some choruses from Handel’s Messiah, with techniques to expand vocal abilities. The day will cost £15 and tickets are available from: tickets@stowmarketchorale.org.uk The singing day will be in preparation for a performance of the Messiah at Stowmarket Parish Church on Saturday, November 3. We welcome anyone to join us for the autumn term to rehearse for this marvellous work. The cost for the term would be £50 including hire of music.

New singers are always welcome, and we look forward to hearing from and/or seeing you in the future. For further information contact Mary: secretary@stowmarketchorale.org.uk

STOWMARKET ARTISAN MARKET

After introductions and some necessary translations, the families left and the children were introduced to their temporary homes.

On Monday 2, myself and our interpreters visited each child and found all of them to be already ‘at home’ but amazed at things we take for granted such as having a whole bedroom to themselves, gardens, outside toys, showers on demand and a plentiful supply of fresh fruit!

Tuesday saw the start of our program with the children meeting daily at our new centre within Stowmarket Football Club. The children love to be there with all the facilities we have been given and it is a great place to base our days at.

On Wednesday it was the dreaded dentist day and I have to admit how (pleasantly) surprised I was. As usual Jill Geaney and her team of dentists worked flat out from 8.30am but, for the first time in 11 years, everyone had been seen and treated by 11am! This was absolutely amazing as previous years had been long, long days, sometimes not finishing until 6pm. Again we were really fortunate to have been given the use of the adjacent Church Hall which made everything so much easier as the children could stay there until called for their turn. All-in-all, it was a record year with only 21 fillings and 15 extractions being carried out.

And so our program will continue until the end of the month with many exciting ‘first time’ activities to be experienced by the children, the majority of which are provided by our supporters and helpers who we rely on so much.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Elizabeth Parker 07771 550868 / 01449 760343

We have plenty of crafts to suit all ages; children love the knitted novelties and the bugs and butterflies on the taxidermy stall. We have jewellery for all price ranges with some great pocket money necklaces and bracelets for small people and some great pieces of stylish beadwork that would enhance any summer outfit. Some of the textiles stalls have a great range of children’s cotton dresses and hats, just right for this hot weather.

The market is proving very popular with stallholders who want to participate and we currently have a waiting list for stallholders right up until December.

The ethos of the market is that everything is hand-made so you are helping local craftspeople and artisans by supporting us.

We are located at the Scout Centre, Milton Road North, Stowmarket IP14 2NP (near the library). Admission is free and we open for business around 10am and close at 1.30pm. The Scout fundraising committee provide the teas, coffees and home-made cakes to help support Scouting in Stowmarket.

Facebook: Stowmarket Artisan Market / suedelf@btinternet.com

STOWMARKET OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY

STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Friday, August 3, 10am-noon: Coffee and Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market Friday, August 17, 6.45am: Breakfast Finborough Hall, Great Finborough, Stowmarket IP14 3EF To book online visit: https://stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events

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Many thanks to our loyal customers who ventured out to join us at our July market. It was very hot and sticky! Our next market is Saturday, August 4, which promises to have a great range of stalls including textiles, woodcraft, jewellery, book art, knitted novelties, up-cycled crafts, taxidermy, pastries and much more.

Following their sell-out performances of Made in Dagenham in May, Stowmarket Operatic and Dramatic Society are now presenting their next show, Come Follow the Band, a spectacular selection of songs from the stage and screen with some favourite classic pop songs in the mix, all performed with a live band.

Performances are at the John Peel Centre from August 22-25 at 7.30pm with a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday 25.

Tickets are available from the John Peel Centre Box Office, 01449 774678 and at: www.johnpeelcentre.com www.stowmarketoperatic.org.uk Facebook: Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society Twitter: StowmarketODS

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OUT & ABOUT WOOLPIT AND DISTRICT MUSEUM Open from 2-4.30pm every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday until the end of September and Wednesday afternoons in August from 1-3.30pm Last month I wrote about Sarah Elizabeth French who lived at Hill House in Woolpit from 1856 until her death in 1884. She kept a diary for much of her life and in it recorded her travels to friends and family. The coming of the railway in Victorian England enabled anyone who could afford the fares to travel extensively, and Sarah made the most of the new opportunities.

Trains went from Elmswell Station (opened in 1846) to Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich, and from either town it was possible to go on to London or Norwich.

In the 1860s the railway network was extended to various seaside resorts and stations were opened along the routes, so for example Lavenham and Haverhill could be reached directly from Bury St Edmunds, and Aldeburgh and Southwold from Ipswich.

Sarah made many trips to Norwich where she stayed with friends and they sometimes had outings together to the coast. She also regularly visited family in Kedington and in 1865 comments that she ‘used the new railway through Melford’ on her journey home. She was sometimes away for quite long periods of time, staying for a week or more at different places. An example is a trip undertaken in 1873 when she travelled to Kedington, then London, then Brighton and then back to Kedington before returning to Woolpit.

HAUGHLEY ROYAL BRITISH LEGION Membership of the Legion is open to anyone; you don’t need to have a connection to the Armed Forces, just a desire to help. Your support really matters.

Membership is currently £17 a year for adults. Youth membership (ages 1216) is now completely free.

If you would like to find out more about joining Haughley Royal British Legion, contact: acsargent48@gmail.com / 07958 961724 You can also join online at: www.britishlegion.org.uk/membership/become-a-member

From 1870 she made several extended visits to the West Country when her sister and nephew moved to Devon and then to South Wales. In June 1874 she travelled to Newport and notes that the journey took her via Cambridge, Bedford, Oxford and Gloucester. She then visited Wales almost every summer until 1882. In June 1877 she writes that she left home at 7.30am in the morning and arrived in Newport at 9.30pm in the evening. She doesn’t say whether she was pleased or not with this time, but it would be interesting to learn how long it would take to travel from Woolpit to Newport entirely by public transport today!

I don’t know whether all Sarah’s adventures began at Elmswell, but she mentions several times being met there on her return by her brother-inlaw and his family and records one occasion when she walked to Elmswell to meet them after a holiday in Hastings. I imagine that if she had a lot of luggage she hired a carrier to take it to the station, but she was clearly an independent and well organised person who enjoyed travelling.

We have a transcript of Sarah’s diary in the museum so if you would like to find out more about her or our lovely village then do pay us a visit this summer.

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT MONDAY CLUB Stowmarket & District Monday Club continues to meet weekly to enjoy a mixture of activities. We enjoyed an evening of bingo followed by a race night with everyone eager to roll the dice.

We held a craft night when the members made paper garlands from tissue paper. These looked very effective and were worn the following week when we held a Caribbean themed evening. Several of the members had added to their outfits with decorated hats and grass skirts. Lively dancing was the entertainment with a fish finger and punch supper.

Our Branch meetings are held every first Tuesday of the month at 7.45pm at the scout hut.

We are a club for adults with learning difficulties and meet each Monday from 7.30-9.30pm at the Community Hub in Crown Street, Stowmarket.

We are run entirely by volunteers and new members and helpers are always very welcome. If you would like further information, please contact me on 01449 672123 or just come along on a Monday evening.

For more information visit: www.britishlegion.org/branches/Haughley

Lilian Fidler

Or you can call the contact centre on 0808 802 8080 between 8am and 8pm.

ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCIES: WHAT DOES A LANDLORD NEED TO DO AT THE OUTSET? Over the years, the legal requirements that a landlord must comply with prior to the grant of an Assured Shorthold tenancy – which is the usual sort of tenancy or lease for a residential house or flat – have changed substantially. This month, therefore, I thought that it would be helpful if we went through some of the things that a landlord needs to ensure are in place at the start of the tenancy. The tenancy itself must comply with the ‘fairness’ requirements of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

If there is gas at the property then the tenant must be given a copy of the current gas safety certificate. Smoke alarms must be fitted to all areas used as living accommodation, and where a room contains a solid fuel burning combustion appliance, carbon monoxide alarms must be fitted.

Where there is a deposit, the prescribed information must been served on the tenant under the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Finally, the landlord must have checked that the tenant can legally rent the property.

The government produces a booklet called How to Rent – the Checklist for Renting in England, and prior to the commencement of the tenancy, the landlord must give a copy of this to the tenant.

An Energy Performance Certificate must be in place and a copy given to the tenant. The rules on minimum energy efficiency in relation to rental property have changed, and there will no doubt be further changes in the future.

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

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OUT & ABOUT HAUGHLEY HOOFERS WEST MORRIS DANCERS Why now have a go at something different? It’s free!

Free eight-week course starting on September 30. Come along to the first taster session and have a go. No experience needed and no obligation.

Our practise sessions are on Sunday evenings from 7.30-9.30pm at Haughley Village Hall.

To find our more contact Sue (01449 766747) or visit: www.haughleyhoofers.org.uk / Facebook

STOWUPLAND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Wednesday, August 1: Archive Evening This meeting will provide an opportunity for the group and individual members to display material relating to Stowupland including documents, photos, artefacts or the results of family history research.

Please bring anything of interest – we have plenty of tables. Items new to our archives relating to Stowupland Flower Show and the village hall will be on display. These were collected by Ena Carter, who was closely involved with both.

The flower show in various forms was a big event in the parish for almost 90 years until it ceased in 1969. Recently acquired items collected by the Catchpole family will also be on display.

Wednesday, September 5: Roman Roads in Suffolk by James Albone A priority for the newly arrived Roman invasion force in the first century AD was to establish a network of roads to facilitate the rapid movement of troops around the country, so they could react speedily to deal with any unrest amongst the native population. These would link up military depots, camps and towns. James Albone of the University of East Anglia will look at the significance of these roads within Suffolk.

We meet at 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ. There is plenty of space to park. Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are available.

Admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members. For more information, please contact Judy Clarke: 01449 615386

EMBRACEABLE ELLA The Hut Theatre presents Joanna Eaden and the Chris Ingham trio in Embraceable Ella at Drinkstone Village Hall on Saturday, October 20.

“The UK’s answer to Diana Krall and Norah Jones” Time Out Bar opens at 7pm, concert begins at 7.30pm. Tickets £15 with a complimentary glass of Prosecco.

Box Office: 01449 737101

STOWMARKET RAMBLERS Sunday, August 5: 6 mile walk to Needham, Barking and Darmsden. Park and meet in Needham Railway Station car park at 10.30am / GR. TM 090548.

Leader: 01449 674763 Sunday, August 12: 5.5 mile walk in the Mendlesham area. Park and meet at Mendlesham Community Centre at 10am / GR. TM 103656. Leader: 07905 282420 Sunday, August 19: 5 mile walk around Great Finborough. Park and meet in car park just past the Chestnut Pub in Great Finborough at 10.30am / GR. TM 013576.

Leader: 01359 250943

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ELMSWELL HISTORY GROUP We concluded our 2017-18 programme in July with our annual summer outing, a guided tour of the magnificent Hadleigh Guildhall and adjoining church. After a pleasant scenic bus ride (paid for by Elmswell’s generous firemen) through the Suffolk countryside, we were welcomed into the Guildhall itself by two informative guides who gave us a short history of the town. Sir John Betjeman described Hadleigh as “one of the most perfect small towns in England”, and 600 years ago it was among the most important woollen cloth manufacturing towns in the area. Only Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds were wealthier.

The Guildhall-Town Hall Complex (Grade 1 listed) is a wonderful example of medieval architecture and has always been a working building, as it remains today. Our party were split into two groups to tour the whole complex and see the timber-framed 15th century Market Hall, the original Guildhall with its two upper chambers, as well as the more modern high-ceilinged Civic Hall, a rival to Bury’s Athenaeum. The buildings were used over the years as a parish workhouse (1573-1834), two schools (one closing in 1776, and the other Victorian), as well as shops, almshouses and an early 20th century corset factory!

We were also shown around the impressive St Mary’s Church, which dates back to circa 1240. It is one of the largest parish churches in East Anglia, the oldest part being the early 13th century flint tower. The timber-framed, lead-covered spire is 135-feet high and the only one of its type in Suffolk, its eastern side carrying the oldest bell in East Anglia, which has been in its present position since at least 1584 – and it still works!

Next to the church is the remarkable Deanery Tower (also Grade 1), built in 1495, being a fine example of Tudor brickwork with diapering, trefoil arches, turrets and battlements as the gatehouse vanity folly to a new rectory for Arch-deacon William Pykenham. Unfortunately, it was not open to view inside, but we understand it will be during the forthcoming Heritage Open Days event, now spread over two weekends: September 6-9 and 13-16.

From there, we could also glimpse Hadleigh Hall (Grade 2), one of the town’s medieval former manor houses, although the present appearance is of a late 19th century mansion.

Although a very hot morning, we were provided with plenty of seating and frequent stops to view these amazing buildings. Several of us vowed to return soon to spend a whole day in Hadleigh, to see more of its historic buildings throughout the town (many of which are Grade 1 or 2 listed) and to visit Partridges which is a traditional, independent, hardware store trading from its original premises established in 1823, to delight in the old-world charm of the shop and where one can apparently still buy a single nail, screw or washer – and, no doubt, four candles or even fork handles! Finally, we were back in Elmswell before all the various important sporting fixtures kicked off that afternoon.

We don’t meet in August, but our new 2018-19 programme and membership form should be dropping through members’ doors by the end of the month, in time for our first meeting mid-September, when annual subs will be due.

More details next month.

We will be putting on an exhibition of our researches into Elmswell’s First World War Aerodrome at this year’s ElmsFest on September 2 at Elmswell’s Blackbourne Centre, noon-5pm, so do come and visit us.

We meet at Wesley Hall, School Road, Elmswell IP30 9EE which is five minutess’ walk from Elmswell Railway Station and where there is ample free on-site parking and disabled access. Members £2, non-members/visitors £4 www.elmswell-history.org.uk / 01359 242601

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OUT & ABOUT MUSIC IN COUNTRY CHURCHES

THE REGAL IN AUGUST

St Mary’s Church, Woolpit, is hosting two evening concerts this summer.

The summer holidays are here! In some previous years this has meant six weeks of animated family films and not much else. August 2018 does have some great children’s films, but there are also some brilliant movies aimed at people a little older.

On Friday, August 31, Tom Poster will be giving a piano recital which will include music by Beethoven, Chopin, Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara and Robert Schumann, Ravel and Maria Szymanowska.

The concert on Saturday, September 1, will feature the Nash Ensemble who will be playing works by Schubert, Mozart and Brahms. Both concerts will begin at 7.30pm.

Please come and support us; not only will you be assured of wonderful music, your presence will ensure our magnificent church will receive funds towards our latest restoration project.

St Mary’s and All Saints, Drinkstone, are indebted to Music in Country Churches for their generosity.

We have a very special treat on August 18 when we’re proud to screen a newly digitally remastered version of Elvis Presley’s 1968 comeback concert.

This is a rare opportunity to see and hear Elvis at his best on the big screen.

We’re also pleased to be showing Andre Rieu’s 2018 Maastricht Concert on August 12 and 19.

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again: Musical starring Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Lily James and Cher. It’s the one we’ve been waiting for since 2008! Sophie learns about her mother’s past while pregnant herself.

Ticket Box Office Number: 01485 535071 Priority booking from Monday, June 25. General booking from Monday, July 9.

Any other queries please contact Judy Dean: deanfamily35@gmail.com / 01359 240214

FULLERS MILL OPEN GARDEN Incredibles 2: Family animation voiced by Holly Hunter, Samuel L Jackson and Catherine Keener. Long awaited follow-up to the beloved 2004 Disney Pixar family classic. Bob Parr (Mr Incredible) is left to care for the kids while Helen (Elastigirl) is out saving the world.

Seven acres of beautiful gardens for you to explore on Sunday, August 5, 11am-5pm. There will also be refreshments, a book sale and live harp music on the lawn.

Entry/donation £5 per person. All gate proceeds from the day will go towards funding the work of West Suffolk Sight, a local sight loss charity.

Fullers Mill Garden is five miles north-west of Bury St Edmunds. Turn off the A1101 (Bury to Mildenhall Road) signposted West Stow Anglo Saxon Village.

Continue past the entrance to the Country Park towards West Stow village.

Fullers Mill Garden is 0.6 miles from the park and is clearly signed at the entrance. Postcode IP28 6HD. No dogs are permitted in the garden except assistance dogs. www.fullersmillgarden.org.uk

Swimming with Men: Comedy starring Rob Brydon, Charlotte Riley, Rupert Graves and Jane Horrocks. A man who is suffering a mid-life crisis finds new meaning in his life as part of an all-male, middle-aged, amateur synchronised swimming team.

Skyscraper: Action thriller starring Dwayne Johnson, Neve Campbell and Pablo Schreiber. A father goes to great lengths to save his family from a burning skyscraper.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Family animation voiced by Adam Sandler, Mel Brooks and Selena Gomez.While on a vacation with his family, Count Dracula makes a romantic connection.

Mission Impossible: Fallout: Action thriller starring Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson and Simon Pegg. Ethan Hunt and his IMF team, along with some familiar allies, race against time after a mission gone wrong.

Hotel Artemis: Thriller starring Jodie Foster, Sofia Boutella and Dave Bautista.

Set in riot-torn, near-future Los Angeles, Hotel Artemis follows the Nurse, who runs a secret, members-only emergency room for criminals.

Ant-Man & the Wasp: Adventure starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas. As Scott Lang balances being both a Super Hero and a father, Hope van Dyne and Dr Hank Pym present an urgent new mission that finds the Ant-Man fighting alongside The Wasp to uncover secrets from their past. www.regalstowmarket.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT TESTING TENDONS Wimbledon is now done and the World Cup is over. There were some slips and trips along the way, many an athlete taped up and the odd player grabbing a knee or arm in pain.

There was the mention by commentators about athletes having tendonitis. Sadly not just the layperson, but also a host of healthcare professionals and doctors are still using that word. The reason it’s sad is that it doesn’t actually explain accurately what’s going on in the tendon and can led to people treating it in a non-ideal way.

Tendon’s are like a rope – lots of fibers closely bound together forming a really tough structure that attaches our muscles to our bones. When a muscle works and contracts it shortens and pulls on the tendon. This in turn pulls on the bone and we get movement.

Tendons can also be used in other clever ways, but there isn’t the space here to go into that now.

It’s normal with everyday life, activity and sport that we cause some micro damage to a lot of the tissues in our body. It’s not normally a problem as the body is really efficient and speedy at healing itself.

Sometimes things don’t go quite as they should and either the rate of damage is too much for the body to heal quickly enough or the bodies healing abilities aren’t as good as they should be. This can then lead to an irritated and painful tendon.

It used to be thought that when a tendon was painful it was inflammation (a collection of chemicals released by the body which helps us to heal); hence the name used tendonitis – ‘itis’ in medicine means inflammation. That was a great theory, but unfortunately it’s been shown not to be the case by the scientists.

What’s actually happening is the fibers of the tendon are not held as firmly together as they should be and extra tissue fluid fills in the gaps. Some of the fibers of the tendon have become frayed so overall the tendon is not as strong as it should be. There are also chemicals released which irritate local nerves and make the area more painful.

So any treatments for tendon issues that are based on getting rid of inflammation in preference to stimulating the tendon to heal are not really going to be beneficial. Steroid injections, anti-inflammatory tablets or gels and using ice packs are not really an ideal way to help a poorly tendon.

Identifying the reasons why it has become irritated with you in the first place is the best place to start. A healthcare provider can then show you appropriate stretches, specific strengthening exercises which are progressed as you need, and they can use machines to help encourage the bodies own healing processes to get kick started again – such as radial pressure wave (shockwave) machines, therapeutic lasers or microcurrent machines.

Don’t score an own goal and let tendon pain drag you down, kick it into touch this summer by striking it with the best treatments.

Robert Grainger MSc MCSP HCPC CSCS Practice Principal PhysioFixx Physiotherapy Clinic Sports Physiotherapist

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OUT & ABOUT / SPORT STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB Justin Minns presented a talk entitled Landscape on May 14 and we now fully understand why his pictures feature on some of the covers of Landscape Photographer of the Year. He gave an interesting, helpful and inspiring talk which the members liked very much. I am sure some of us will be putting our new-found knowledge to good use over the summer break.

On June 11, George Buxton came to judge our final competition before the summer break. As usual, he made helpful and constructive comments on all of the entries. He then presented the Len Backhouse trophy to Roy Fidler for the best projected digital image (PDI) on the night – Come Fly with Me – and the Cyril and Mary Hall salver to Roy Ward for the best print on the night – Cley Windmill. Congratulations to you both.

Our end of season photoshoot took place on Sunday, June 24 at Southwold Harbour. This was a wonderful venue with lots of interesting things to photograph. We also have several photoshoots throughout the summer including West Mersea (tides permitting), Snetterton, Walton-on-the-Naze and Audley End. Our new season starts on Monday, September 10, when we welcome prospective new members and catch up with existing members. The first meeting for prospective new members is free of charge.

New members are always very welcome at the club. All you need is a camera – any camera and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compact and bridge cameras. Regular meetings are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket, IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Monday of the month between September and June. We start arriving at around 7pm for a 7.30pm start. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us? For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net

ANOTHER FANTASTIC SUMMER SEASON FOR SIMPLY BRASS The latest set of exam results are in and we’re very proud to announce yet another four of our members have passed their Grade 3 exams. June and July also saw the band perform at a number of village fetes, school summer fayres and our own sell-out summer concert where we entertained a very appreciative audience with a variety of music.

The highlight on the season has to be our trip to the Aldeburgh Music Festival for a performance at the bandstand on the beach. Nine schools gave us their full backing and on a Wednesday morning in June we made the trip to Aldeburgh to entertain the general public on the beach. Fortunately the sun shone and the band were a tremendous success; one member of the public even wrote to the local paper saying we’d made his day. A fantastic event we hope to repeat in the future.

As we come to the end of another busy summer season for Simply Brass we look back on what’s been another very successful period for the band.

We’ll be having a well-deserved rest in August, but will be back in September getting ready for a busy Christmas programme of events. If you’d like to book the band or are interested in joining Stowmarket’s own independent youth brass band please email: simplybrassstowmarket@gmail.com

STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB It’s a strange time. At the time of writing we’re in the middle of the hottest, longest dry spell since 1976. Any grass we have at the club is more like fine straw, but luckily all our courts are macadam so they don’t require watering.

Wimbledon is enjoying a restful middle Sunday and already there have been shocks aplenty; out of the ladies top 10 seeds only Katerina Pliskova remains with all others felled. Venus Williams is also gone so the path looks clear for Serena who has a low seeding due to her recent absence. Only time will tell, but the odds must be firmly in her favour.

The men’s draw is going as predicted with Nadal, Federer, Nishikori and Golbis all still charging through any obstacles. The presenters have been waxing lyrical about the classic 2008 final between Federer and Nadal and it’s hard to believe that they’re still, each after injury issues, the top players in the world some 12 years later.

On Sunday, July 8, we held our annual open afternoon. The sun shone, the humidity was high, and made it the perfect day to sample a little tennis with the hint of Pimms in the air. All five of our courts were full from 2-4.30pm

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with members welcoming new faces having a return to tennis or even trying for the first time. A great afternoon with refreshments, cakes, and assorted other goodies making the afternoon friendly and sociable. A huge thank you to all those who helped on the day and to our new friends for coming along on a very sultry afternoon to see us.

We’re offering a huge 30 per cent discount on membership for brand new members which may well still be on offer when this issue touches down on your doormats. If you’re interested get in touch with us and we’ll get you sorted.

Enjoy the rest of this hot spell and, fingers crossed, by the time you read this we may even have brought the World Cup home!

See you on court.

Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com / 07761 142372

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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB

STOWMARKET MEADLANDS MEN’S

There will not be a meeting in August; the next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 26 at 7.30pm at Woolpit Village Hall. Visitors and new members always welcome.

KNOWLEDGE WINS OUT AT HOME AND GARDEN AQUATICS Home and Garden Aquatics in Tollgate Lane, Bury St Edmunds IP32 6DG (close to J43 on the A14) is today widely regarded as East Anglia’s most successful retailer specialising in all things aquatic.

Established over 10 years ago by Andy Carr with right hand man Dan Halls, the team has now been joined by another enthusiast, Alfie Potter, who studied Fisheries Management at UEA Norwich. Between them they have over 33 years experience in this fascinating business.

The Bury store keeps a very wide range of livestock, aquariums, pumps, filters, aquatic plants and much more, and leading manufacturers like European brand leaders Eheim and Oase have recognised the company’s extraordinary commitment to product knowhow and installation competence by appointing them as regional stockists and Centres of Excellence.

But Home and Garden Aquatics have worked extremely hard to achieve their success, operating seven days a week both in-store and in providing on-site customer support throughout Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

Andy is particularly proud of their reputation for supporting customers new to fish keeping in making cost-effective decisions on fish selection and hardware. “For us,” says Andy “long-term customer satisfaction is much more important than a quick sale and we pride ourselves on never advising folk to spend more than is absolutely necessary to achieve their desired result.”

SHED The treasurer of the Men’s Shed received the Mayor’s Award for Excellence on behalf of the Shed on Sunday, June 10.

Stowmarket Men’s Shed is privileged to have been asked to help St Elizabeth Hospice start their own Men’s Shed in their gardens at the hospice. By sharing our knowledge we will be able to support their staff in achieving this special project.

Our members are enjoying community outreach, while working with PPG Industries (Stowmarket), Holiday Opportunity Scheme (H.O.P.S.), The Mix in Stowmarket and making mud-kitchens for individual special needs.

The shed is a place for men and women to meet new friends while creating objects from wood, or simply drinking tea or coffee. We are always welcoming new members. You don’t need to be skilled in woodworking, so if you have the time, please contact us or just pop into the shed during one of our sessions.

We are open on Mondays from 9am-1pm, on Wednesday from noon- 4pm and on Saturday mornings from 9am-noon.

07894 548706 / contact@stowmarketmenshed.co.uk www.stowmarketmenshed.co.uk/home

SUMMER SUNSHINE AT ORCHARD BARN As Orchard Barn is totally off-grid, the hot dry weather of this summer has been a bit of challenge to us. Our stored rainwater has all been used and we are now drawing water from the pond to keep the garden growing. We are investigating putting a solar-powered water pump in place so that we can more easily cope with future droughts.

Fact is, the company’s success probably owes as much to an obsession with customer service and on-going support as it does to their thorough understanding of the wonderful world of fish keeping.

But for those who take great pleasure from a lovely pond or aquarium, but are less keen on maintaining them in tip-top condition, Home and Garden Aquatics offer pondcare and aquariumcare with on-site services available on a one-off or scheduled basis that guarantees stunning results regardless of the size of the pond or aquarium and this includes water quality and fish health monitoring. Maintenance and repair of filtration equipment may also be carried out in-store.

Discover more at: www.homeandgardenaquatics.co.uk

STOWMARKET U3A OPEN SESSION September 19, 2.30-4pm: United Reformed Church, Stowmarket Are you semi-retired or retired? Would you like to share interests or hobbies with like-minded people? Would you like to learn new interests? Would you like to join other people for visits, walks, lunches, monthly talks, etc.?

Many of the group leaders will be available to give more information on their activities. So if you fancy learning a new skill, having a new interest or introducing your own interest to others, this could be your chance. Basic membership is just £15 per year.

The restoration of the mediaeval Suffolk longhouse on site is going well. This is a very rare example of a building from the middle ages being brought back to life using tools and methods that have not changed over the centuries.

On Saturday, August 4, we are holding our ever-popular Tree to Timber event. This will feature demonstrations and taster sessions of many woodland crafts and traditional carpentry. You can book a place online at: http://orchardbarn.org.uk/treetotimber.html The income from this day will go towards the longhouse restoration.

Orchard Barn in Bildeston Road, Ringshall provides opportunities for volunteers to experience and develop skills in a peaceful rural setting. These opportunities include organic gardening, working on the Orchard Barn site, including the orchard and pond, and woodwork.

Can’t make the date? Our website lists details of contacts for your chosen subjects: www.u3astowmarket.org.uk

If you would like to know more, or if there are other skills that you could offer to Orchard Barn as a volunteer, please email: sarah@orchardbarn.org.uk

Don’t have internet? For more information contact: 01449 258152/258865

http://www.orchardbarn.org.uk/

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15

ON THE GRAPEVINE VINYL LOUNGE

July has been a busy month at The Mix in Stowmarket. We’ve had the launch of our garden area for Cabbages & Kings, which has been great for customers to enjoy in all this wonderful sunshine. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you really should!

Fancy a cuppa and a chat?

The Mix, Book a Space and Cabbages & Kings are working together to combat loneliness in Stowmarket. Alongside other local venues, Cabbages & Kings will be hosting Meet Up Mondays from September – come along to our café, grab a cuppa and meet other people from the local community to chat, play board games and share stories.

Come along for a summertime boogie at the ever-popular Vinyl Lounge. It has become an extremely popular event with great people, great tunes, great dancing… and the beer is great too at only £3 a pint.

Join us at The John Peel Centre in Stowmarket on Saturday, August 11. Just £3 admission in aid of the centre.

7.30-9.30pm: Vinyl Share Two hours of your vinyl being played by our DJ! Bring a couple of your favourite tracks and we’ll do our best to play them.

9.30-Late: Vinyl Party Dance the night away! Our own and guest DJs playing more requests and classic vinyl from all genres.

Whether you’re a parent, a home worker, new to the area or have lived in Stowmarket all your life, everyone is welcome. Our first Meet Up Monday will be on Monday, September 3, from 10am. Spread the word and see you there!

Join us for a unique night in an environment like no other. Get into the attic, dust off your records and bring them down to the iconic John Peel Centre for Creative Arts in Stowmarket and have a boogie.

Summer Madness!

Do you run a summer club? Need a meeting during the summer holidays?

Fancy running something new with us? Throughout August, Book a Space at The Mix are offering a whopping 25 per cent off public sector, educational, wellbeing and corporate bookings. To access this offer, give us a call on 01449 745130 and quote the code ‘SUMMERMADNESS’. Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis so get in touch to secure your booking.

No vinyl? No problem, we’ve got loads!!

Check out our popular pop-up record shop from 1-8pm, featuring vinyl from Whizzy Wallop and Better on Vinyl.

Find us on Facebook for updated information: The Vinyl Lounge at the John Peel Centre

Evening bookings We’re on the lookout for local community groups, schools, evening classes and meetings that are looking for a local venue to host their events. We’re open on Wednesday and Thursday evenings during term time and have a wide variety of rooms available for competitive prices. Thinking of another night? Please still get in touch. Evening bookings start from just £11.25 an hour.

To meet with our Book a Space team for a tour, email us at hello@bookaspace. org or give us a call. Remember – 100 per cent of the profits from Book a Space go towards supporting young people and their families in the local community. That’s room hire that feels good and does good!

BURY ST EDMUNDS AND STOWMARKET CATS PROTECTION This month we are looking for a home for Toby who has had to come back into our care due to his owner’s ill health. The lady was very upset to give him up as they had a very close one-to-one relationship.

Toby is a handsome tabby boy with lovely green eyes and is about nine years old. He has been used to a quiet home and is an affectionate and friendly lap cat. Toby has not been used to young children, dogs or other cats and we would like to find him a similar home to his previous one. Toby is neutered, microchipped and fully vaccinated.

If you are interested in giving a home to Toby or another cat in our care please ring 01449 674584. More information can found at www.cats.org.uk/bury-st-edmunds and on our Facebook page. If your cat has not been neutered and your circumstances mean that you need financial help towards the cost please ring Margaret on 01284 851055 and leave a message.

We can always make good use of 1lb jam jars with lids (not pickle), card making items, tombola prizes, books and anything else suitable for our fundraising events. If you can help please ring 01449 720003. Our Autumn Fayre in Woolpit Village Hall is taking place on September 8, 2-4pm. Admission is 50p or a tin of quality cat food. We look forward to seeing you again.

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEW CHARITY HOME STORE Age UK Suffolk, the county’s older person’s charity, will be opening the doors of their new Home Store later in July on the site of the East of England Co-operative on Combs Lane.

Offering new and nearly new high-quality furniture, decorative furnishings and electrical items, alongside the more traditional clothing and bric-a-brac, new store manager Kieron said: “There are very few furniture shops in Stowmarket currently, and we wanted to be able to offer an affordable local option for our customers”.

Age UK Suffolk shops rely on the goodwill of volunteers, and with a range of interesting tasks including serving customers, stock processing, window dressing, there will also be a Furniture Workshop where volunteers will assist with refurbishing furniture to sell in the shop.

Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, gain work experience to build your CV, or simply keep active in retirement, and all the time, helping a long established local, independent charity.

Age UK Suffolk provides a range of vital and often life-changing services including information and benefits advice, home support service, dementia groups and befriending.

For more information about volunteering, pop into the shop or contact: 01473 298684 / volunteer@ageuksuffolk.org Age UK Suffolk Home Store, Combs Lane, Stowmarket, Suffolk

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS ELMSWELL BOWLS CLUB It is always a pleasure to bowl on a typical sunny and warm English afternoon or evening, but with the hotter than otherwise weather experienced in recent times it has been somewhat too uncomfortable for some players. But then, it is still preferable to cold, windy and wet occasions we are accustomed to at the start of any season.

Within the bowling fraternity there is a recognised patter of comments raised at the end of each match, both by the winning and losing teams. Examples by the losing teams to the victors: “You had all the luck”, “The green was not very good” or “The grass was too long and did not suit our woods.” Sometimes the more truthful and more gentlemanly approach: “Well done, you were the better team.” These comments resonate annually around all bowling greens and we have experienced them ourselves quite a few times this season. But it is all in good heart.

As for our season, you can tell from the following results during June there is a mixture of wins and losses with at this stage, the Monday League Team fairing the better.

Monday – Stowmarket League Division 3 June 4 Combs Ford B June 11 Old Newton B June 18 Earl Stonham June 25 Needham Market B

Won Won Won Won

79-66 89-60 89-63 92-59

(Points 6-1) (6-1) (5-2) (7-0)

Tuesday afternoon – Stowmarket League Division 2 June 5 Bacton Lost 25-45 (0-7) June 12 Gipping Valley Won 40-27 (5-2) June 26 Needham Market B Lost 29-48 (0-7) Tuesday evening – Area D Triples League Division 1 June 5 Bacton (League Cup Round 2) Lost June 12 Risbygate A Lost 60-64 (2-4) June 19 Tuddenham Lost 56-83 (1-5) June 26 St Edmundsbury Lost 76-82 (2-4) Wednesday – Stowmarket Triples League June 6 St Botolphs June 13 Haughley June 20 Wortham June 27 Walsham le Willows

Won Lost Won Won

Junior Cup Round 2 June 8 Old Newton

Lost 66-84

62-61 58-71 71-68 76-49

(5-2) (1-6) (6-1) (6-1)

This has already been expressed in a previous issue, but the good vibes we are still receiving by all visiting teams (many of them include former Stowupland Bowls Club players) to our new location at Stowupland is very welcome and appreciated.

In the last issue there was praise shown towards our greenkeeper Nick Chamberlin and this time we express our thanks to all those members who are giving up valuable private time to maintain and improve all aspects of the club.

David Begg

ST ANDREW’S NORTON & ST ANDREW’S TOSTOCK Part of the Benefice of Pakenham, Norton & Tostock, with Great Ashfield, Hunston & Stowlangtoft Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Katherine Valentine 01359 235095 / katherine@kavalentine.plus.com Our beautiful and ancient churches are both open daily for visitors and for private prayer.

Sunday, August 5 8am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 9.30 for 10am family@church at Pakenham Sunday, August 12 9.30am Holy Communion, St Andrew’s Tostock 6pm Evensong, St Andrew’s Norton Sunday, August 19 11am Morning Prayer, St Andrew’s Norton 6pm Outdoor Prayer & Praise, St Andrew’s Tostock Sunday, August 26 9.30am Family Communion, St Andrew’s Norton 11am Pet Service, St Andrew’s Toctock Countryside Church at The Croft, Tostock Monday, August 20: 10am Songs of Praise An informal service of prayer and praise for everyone is held at The Croft every month. Come and sing your favourite hymns, chat with friends and enjoy the refreshments.

Sunday, August 5: Jesus at the Beach 9.30 for 10am at St Mary’s, Pakenham Breakfasty refreshments available from 9.30am. This new venture on the first Sunday of every month is run by the whole benefice and is the opportunity for all our villages and families to join together in worship and get to know each other. Look out for the invitation coming through your door!

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL Pet Service: Sunday, August 26, 11am Bring your pets – great and small – to this simple service of thanksgiving for all our pets and animals that are such a blessing to our lives. It is sometimes a bit chaotic; especially when the pets try to join in the hymns, but it is always fun.

All pets will receive a special blessing. All pets and owners are very welcome to this service which has become a bit of a tradition at Tostock!

STOWMARKET CRICKET CLUB At the time of writing, Stowmarket’s First Team still holds a promotion spot in Two Counties, Division 4, the most recent victory seeing Suffolk junior George Tillbrook score 78 not out. The Seconds, Sunday and Wednesday teams have also enjoyed some competitive fixtures, with many players having come through the junior ranks.

The youth cricket season is drawing to a close and, with the wonderful weather, we’ve completed 20 weeks of coaching and played 30 matches, made possible by excellent coaching from club members and help from parents.

Even though the season will soon be drawing to a close, we are still keen to attract new members of all ages and abilities (maybe you’ve just moved into the area), including those who would like an occasional game. Please visit our website or contact Clive Witherly: 01359 240019 / wigg51@btinterner.com

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CHURCH NEWS NORTON SALVATION ARMY

Breakfast Church

Woolpit Road, Norton IP31 3LU

3rd Sunday of the month

9am at St John’s, Elmswell

Captains Andrew and Jackie Jarrold: norton@salvationarmy.org.uk / 01359 240787/231770 (hall) REGULAR ACTIVITIES Sunday Worship: 11am & 6pm Family Service & Breakfast: First Sunday in month at 10.45am – relaxed, informal family worship with refreshments.

ST JOHN’S CHURCH, ELMSWELL Hello from St John’s, We can’t wait for August! Why? Because St John’s will be running Messy Church on Friday mornings from 10.30am-12.30pm throughout August. We are excited about this initiative and know it will be a lot of fun. It will have some similar elements to holiday club, such as craft, songs and some games. It will also include a light lunch at the end of the morning. It will be held at St John’s and you’re welcome to attend one or all five of the sessions.

Tea and Toast Community Fellowship: Monday and Wednesday at 8.45am.

All welcome.

Toddlesong: Mondays, 9.30-11.30am (term time only) Music, refreshments, play for toddlers (and parents and carers!)

610 Club: Tuesdays, 6-7pm (term time only) Games, fun, craft and much more for ages six-10ish CAMEO (Come and Meet Each Other) Lunches: Thursdays, 11.30am-1pm Everyone welcome! Enjoy fellowship over a meal.

Bible Study: Tuesdays, 7.45pm fortnightly Enjoy God’s word in a relaxed way either at SA Hall or 37 Blackbourne Road, Elmswell Band Practice: Thursdays, 8pm Songster Practice: Tuesdays, 7.45pm (fortnightly) Craft Night: Third Friday, 7-9pm. Informal crafting for all abilities. www.nortonsalvationarmy.co.uk / Facebook: Norton Salvation Army

WOOLPIT ROOM CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP White Elm Road, Woolpit IP30 9SQ We are a group of ordinary people who want to worship and praise God, thank Him for all His love and seek to share His love with others in our daily lives. We invite you to join us in any of the church’s activities – you will be very welcome. For further information please visit: www.woolpitroomfellowship.org Sundays: 10-11am followed by coffee & biscuits Monday Meet: Please note there will be no Monday Meet in August.

It recommences on Monday, September 10 at 2.30pm.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY September 21, 7.30pm: Bring & Share Harvest Supper September 23, 10am: Harvest Thanksgiving Service Contact us on: woolpitroomfellowship@gmail.com / 01359 240502

Please note that Messy Church is for all ages and that children need to be accompanied by an adult. For more information please get in touch: 01359 240512 / elmswellrector@gmail.com What else is happening in August? Our Sunday Services will continue as normal throughout August, however the Explorers teachers will be having a well-earned rest and the services will have an all-age element. Details of Sunday Services are below. Also, on Sunday, August 5 at 2.30pm it’s our annual summer walk, starting at 2.30pm from The Rectory.

In July, we kicked off the month with the Ordination of Ernest (our Curate) at the Cathedral and our annual Church Family BBQ. There are photos of these joyful celebrations on our Facebook page – do take a look! The following week at Men’s Breakfast, Tom Fifield brilliantly shared his experiences of family, school, church and serving in mission in Ethiopia. As always, it was an interesting talk and a fantastic job in the church kitchen by Derek and Tony (cooking 18 full English breakfasts in the heat). The next Men’s Breakfast will be in September and we’ll hear about the awesome, compassionate work of Christians Against Poverty.

You might have seen the vehicles and skips outside St John’s. You might have also seen the BBC coverage about our chancel ceiling repairs finally being finished. It truly is looking fantastic. If you want to pop in and see for yourself, St John’s will be open on Sunday afternoons throughout August from 2-4pm.

St John’s continues to be a popular location for weddings, baptisms and funerals. If you’re arranging one, we would love to hear from you. God Bless.

The Rev Peter Goodridge 01359 240512 / elmswellrector@gmail.com www.stjohnselmswell.org.uk www.facebook.com/stjohnselmswell Sunday, August 5 9.30am Family Church 11am BCP Communion Sunday, August 12 8am Holy Communion 10.30am Morning Service (All Age) Sunday, August 19 9.30am Breakfast Church (breakfast 9am) 11am Holy Communion Sunday, August 26 10.30am Holy Communion Sunday, September 2 9.30am Family Church 11am BCP Morning Prayer plus Communion Noon St John’s does Messy Church at Elmsfest (at the Blackbourne) www.stjohnselmswell.org.uk / Facebook

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In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS

LOCAL SERVICES GUIDE

ELMSWELL BAPTIST CHURCH Ashfield Road, Elmswell, Bury St. Edmunds IP30 9HG Our Ladies Friendship Group will not meeting in August and there will not be a Food & Friends Lunch this month either.

Our services in August will be led by: August 5

Ann Rudland (inc. Communnion)

August 12 Stephen Spurgeon (All Age Service) August 19 Eileen Warner August 26 Stephen Spurgeon As always we extend a warm and friendly welcome to anyone who joins us for any of our services or activities. For more information contact Tony – 01359 241541 / cockant2@btinternet.com – or visit: www.elmswellbaptist.org.uk

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COFFEE BREAK AT OLD NEWTON METHODIST CHURCH Tuesday, August 13, 10.45am-noon

Do come and join us.

The Salvation Army Norton Corps Woolpit Rd IP31 3LU

Thursdays 11.30am – 1.30pm Cameo (‘Come and meet each other’)

Lunches All welcome!

Find us on

Norton Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a Christian Church and a registered charity Registered Charity No. 214779, and in Scotland SC037691

www.keepingintouchwith.com/elmswell

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