In Touch News with Ipswich East – June 2018

In Touch

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with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath Volume 7 • Issue No. 8 • JUNE 2018

Image by Georgina May

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09/05/2018 16:33

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Do you know what a non-Newtonian fluid is? My eight-year-old son has just explained it to me, and even demonstrated it using cornflour and water.

In case you are interested, a non-Newtonian fluid is one which changes under stress. It may become thicker and act like a solid (as Jack’s cornflour concoction did) or get more liquid (as ketchup does when you shake the bottle). Remove the stress and they will return to their earlier state.

I think most of us are non-Newtonian beings. Most of the time we’re relatively reasonable! We deal with life’s typical trials and tribulations without too much fuss. We know how to manage our moods, we recognise our triggers and we manage them. We may even have a release value we engage when it all becomes too much. I rely on Leonard Cohen and chocolate, perhaps it’s jogging or maybe baking.

Leonard had to work overtime yesterday! I take a cross country route to and from work and we all know how bendy our Suffolk roads are. As I approached a side road, I was overtaken by a car which came within a hair’s breadth of hitting an oncoming van head-on. I was forced to break hard to make space for the driver to pull back in (I’m still trying to find half the contents of my handbag). Thankfully the driver behind me had enough space to do the same. Two miles further along, the same car overtook two others in a 30mhp zone and again just missed an oncoming vehicle. Despite the driver’s haste I caught up with him again a few miles on and this time he pulled out at a junction and forced yet another shaken driver to slam on their brakes.

The driver was on my mind all evening. I hope he made it home safely, but if he carries on driving like this I dread to think what might happen. Now the weather has improved there are more cyclists, runners and even horses on the roads, and more children playing outdoors. Please, please bear this in mind when you drive on our twisty roads and take extra care around blind bends.

As yesterday’s example shows, the time savings for speeding are pretty minimal. The risks don’t bear thinking about.

In Touch

with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath

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NEWS ACTIVLIVES CALLS FOR VOTES TO BAG A SHARE OF TESCO’S BAG FUND ActivLives is bidding to bag a massive cash boost from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative for its project to introduce people to the wonderful world of bees.

Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch its community funding scheme, which sees grants of £4,000, £2,000 and £1,000 raised from carrier bag sales in Tesco stores awarded to local community projects. Three groups in every Tesco region have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote in May and June for who they think should take away the top grant. ActivLives is one of the groups on the shortlist.

Bee Amazed is a project to enable people of all ages and abilities to get involved in the wonderful world of bees and bee-keeping, learning about their importance to us and our natural world. This project, which will run at the People’s Community Garden on Maidenhall Allotments, will provide opportunities for local families, older people, children, people with disabilities and people of diverse ethnicities to get involved in bee-keeping and learn about their importance in the food chain and the natural environment.

Led by staff and bee-keeping mentors from the local bee-keeping association, the project will offer weekly sessions for people to come and learn handson about this fascinating craft at our own apiary, and develop confidence and knowledge to become a regular community bee-keeping volunteer. The project will also provide bespoke sessions for people with learning disabilities and special needs to take part, and invite local schoolchildren on ‘Bee Safari’.

ActivGardens Development Manager Susannah Robirosa said: “We are so happy to be in the running for a project which will offer opportunities to everyone, of all ages, to get involved in beekeeping and nature conservation at our wonderful community garden project in Ipswich. Please support us – then book your visit or come and volunteer!”

Voting is open in local Tesco stores from Tuesday, May 1 to Saturday, June 30.

Customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out in store each time they shop.

The participating stores are: Tesco Ipswich Extra (Copdock Mill Interchange, Ipswich Westbourne Express, Ipswich Norwich Express, Ipswich Foxhall Express, Ipswich St Matthew’s Street Express, Ipswich Nacton Road Express, Manningtree Express Georgina May is an aspiring photojournalist from Ipswich. She says: “I’ve always had a huge passion for taking photos as far back as I can remember, there’s something so beautiful about capturing a moment in time. I take mostly nature shots, but also love event shots, landscapes and portraits.

“Any enquiries feel free to email me at georgina.a.may@gmail.com or pop online and visit me on Facebook at Georgina May Photography!”

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JULY DEADLINE 10 JUNE 2018

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NEWS THE NEARLY FESTIVAL: JULY 28 & 29 IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET We are looking forward to the second Suffolk Day on Thursday, June 21 and would like to invite you to a special tasting day as part of the celebrations.

Suffolk has a growing reputation as ‘The Foodie County’ so why not come and try some local flavours? Country markets are famous for their homemade preserves, traditionally made with real fruit. You will also find local honey from local bees. Our cooks produce real cooking without added artificial preservatives: quiche, sausage rolls, meat pies and other individual meals. They bake genuinely homemade cookies, scones, flapjacks, bread, fruit pies, cakes and more. You can place orders in advance too for collection as you require.

Our gardeners have fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables, plants and cut flowers and our crafters make unique items in their own homes too.

To find out more about Suffolk Day, go to: www.suffolkday.co.uk You can find more information about the market on our Facebook page – Ipswich Country Market – and at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk Country Markets also have a national website: www.country-markets.co.uk We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane IP4 3PB. There is plenty of free parking and home baked refreshments. We offer a free tea or coffee on your first visit. The people of Suffolk are known for their warmth and hospitality and we hope to offer you a warm Suffolk welcome soon!

HOW AN ONLINE ESTATE AGENT COULD SAVE YOU THOUSANDS IN FEES Traditional high street agents charge sellers a percentage of the sale price of their property so the more your home is worth, the higher your fee. And as property prices have increased, so, inevitably, have the costs.

A typical fee is around 1.5 per cent plus VAT — but can be as high as 3.5 per cent; that means on a home worth £200,000 the estate agency fee can be between £3,600 and £8,400 including vat.

As Ipswich’s newest and most Innovative estate agent, Hizzy are committed to charging customers just a simple, fair, fixed selling fee regardless of whether the home is worth £100,000 or £1million. Our fees are just £995 including vat No Sale No Fee, or £495 including vat Pay Upfront and we only ask for a 30-day contract term, rather than the standard 12 to 16 weeks with other agents.

We believe we offer a more convenient service because, unlike most high street chains, we are open longer, seven days a week from 8am to 9pm with 24-hour customer support, as we believe most business is done outside of traditional working hours.

We still feel it’s important to offer customer’s a full estate agent service; we just do it without the shop front as a whopping 98 per cent of people now start their search online first.

We have 20 years of local property market experience and are also regulated through the NAEA Propertymark and The Property Ombudsman code of practice ensuring you will be dealing with professional estate agents.

Paula Higgins, chief executive of campaign group Home Owners Alliance, says: “Online estate agents are fast becoming mainstream and they are only going to become more popular” Visit us now at www.Hizzyproperty.co.uk or contact us on 01473 875101 for a free no obligation valuation.

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The Nearly Festival is a unique two-day tribute band festival which gives local music lovers an affordable and alternative festival experience in or near their local community. Nearly Festival goers can expect a fun filled weekend with the world’s best tribute acts live on stage alongside a mostly free ‘Kidzone’, tasty street food market and a pub priced Pub in the Park.

Local organisers Danny Banthorpe from Rushmere St Andrew and Andy Collins from Woodbridge have years of experience in local event management and production so have combined to create the Nearly Festival brand which has a family friendly ethos and targeted to all ages, not only with content but across the line up too.

Many decades have been covered across the Ipswich line-up with Rock, Pop, Ska, Reggae and Indie. Highlights will surely include an eight-piece Bruno Mars band on the Saturday night and the amazing Trenchtown Experience, another eight-piece band honouring the late great Bob Marley. Local lad Ed Sheeran has a few mimicking his talents now but the Nearly Festival brings the best one in the world, Jack Shepherd, The Ed Sheeran Experience. Jack has perfected the show down to the live looping and even has the same guitars (and the same tattoos).

The Nearly Festival launches at Trinity Park (aka The Suffolk Show ground) after two successful years at Holywells Park. The move to accommodate the growth of the event and to include camping (optional) and event parking.

The Kidzone takes a healthy approach this year with free activities, sports and a healthy kids bar with all soft drinks only 50p. Most bouncy attractions and interactions are free with a few paid for premium rides.

Local partnerships this year include Ipswich Town FC, David Lloyd Kids Club, Moo Music, Starz Dance Performance who will all feature.

The charity partner is St Elizabeth Hospice who will be in attendance throughout the festival too.

The event also runs in other impressive locations across East Anglia: Chapelfield Gardens, Norwich, Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds and Castle Park, Colchester.

Day or weekend tickets are available for all events. For more information and tickets visit: www.nearlyfestival.com

STAR 50 – CELEBRATING ST ANDREW’S CHURCH, RUSHMERE ST ANDREW June 30 sees the 50th anniversary of the re-hallowing of St Andrew’s Church, Rushmere following the addition of its modern extension in 1968.

We are planning great celebrations, starting with walks of the parish boundary on June 20 and 21, and ending with a choral evensong on July 1.

Lots of events have been planned. The church will be open from 2-7pm daily between June 23 and June 30 for an exhibition about the church and parish, music and refreshments. Also on June 23, a new book on the parish and its churches will be launched, there will be bell-ringing, cream teas and a quiz in the evening.

On Sunday 24 Bishop Martin will preside at a special service and in the evening there is a concert by the Gyppeswyk Singers. On Saturday 30 there is a BBQ and children’s activities, and on Sunday, July 1 a choral evensong.

Everyone is warmly invited to come and visit this lovely church and join the celebrations!

For more information visit: www.rushmerestandrews.wordpress.com/events/celebrating-50-years

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NEWS MUSIC AT THE THOMAS WOLSEY As part of the Saints Artisan Summer Market in Saint Peter’s Street, Ipswich, on Sunday, June 17, the Thomas Wolsey Pub will be hosting live music with folk rock duo, Silbury Hill. It is a rare treat to have music at the popular pub and Silbury Hill will be playing from 1-3pm. Entry is free.

The Artisan Summer Market in one of Ipswich’s finest streets for independent retailers will be open from 10am-4pm with shops and stalls offering a variety of crafts and gifts.

GIPPESWYK SINGERS 2018 SUMMER CONCERT TOUR Gippeswyk Singers are excited to announce a summer concert tour to the West Country this June with concerts in Bath and Frome.

They are performing a lovely programme of both a cappella and accompanied music conducted by Geoff Lavery, including the world premiere of choir member Brian Latchem’s ethereally beautiful An Abundance of Blessings written for choir, baritone and harp (Anna Wynne – harpist).

Another highlight is Bob Chilcott’s Little Jazz Mass accompanied by Peter Willsher (piano).

A pre-tour concert will be held at St Andrew’s Church, Rushmere St Andrew IP5 1DJ on Sunday, June 24 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 – available on the door, in advance from any choir member or from: paulgalley@btinternet.com Gippeswyk Singers are a delightfully expressive and accomplished chamber choir under the musical direction of Geoff Lavery.

Having formed the choir over 40 years ago, Geoff returned as their conductor six years ago, organising tours to Holland (2014) and Yorkshire (2016), and was the inspiration behind the huge success of their Snape Maltings debut last year (Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius), achieving a high standard of musical excellence with Beccles Choral Society and the Lambeth Orchestra.

They will be back at Snape again in May 2019 to perform Verdi’s Requiem, this time with Phoenix Singers added to the chorus as well. From September 2018, Geoff will be the official musical director of all three choirs.

Bipolar UK (Ipswich) and Sound On Talking Newspaper (Ipswich & District) are the local charities that Gippeswyk Singers has chosen to support with their concerts this season.

For more information about future concerts visit: www.gippeswyksingers.co.uk

HOSPICE LAUNCHES £3M COMMUNITY APPEAL TO HELP PEOPLE DIE AT HOME In Ipswich and East Suffolk only one per cent of people would like to die in hospital, but locally, our CCG reports a rate greater than 40 per cent. This stark statistic is behind St Elizabeth Hospice’s latest campaign, ‘No Place Like Home’, which is aimed at helping people who are at the end of life, out of hospital to their preferred place of death be that a care home, hospice or even their own home surrounded by loved ones.

St Elizabeth Hospice is working with the East Suffolk End of Life Programme Board to transform the way in which end of life care is delivered in the area.

As well as offering increased levels of care from its own team the hospice will act as a care co-ordinating hub bringing together organisations caring for those at the end of life to make sure patients are cared for by exactly the right person at the right time.

The hospice already acts as a central point of access to information, care and round the clock support and advice for many people and care organisations, but this project provides the opportunity for that to be expanded to encompass all who need it.

Mark Millar, St Elizabeth Hospice’s CEO, told us: “Too many people who don’t want to or need to die in hospital in Suffolk currently do. We are determined to help improve this situation. The hospice has already strengthened our community team and through this appeal we will continue to do so.

“We have received an initial grant of £400k from the Programme Board to kick start the ‘No Place Like Home’ initiative, but this is a small fraction of what it is going to cost to deliver the full project. We estimate to deliver patients choice, in addition to statutory funding, St Elizabeth Hospice will need to raise an additional £3m over the next three years to be able to sustain the project.

The initial aim, working with the hospital, is to identify the people who are at end of life who don’t want to be there and quickly get them to where they want to be. ” Sarah Godfrey, head of St Elizabeth Hospice’s Community Team said: “Not many people realise that around 70 per cent of the care the hospice provides is in the community. Our team of clinical nurse specialists, community healthcare assistants and volunteers work in people’s homes to manage the symptoms of our patient’s illnesses and look after their wider care needs.

They are our own hospice staff, employed by St Elizabeth Hospice, and are not Macmillan nurses, as some people may think.

Macmillan does not provide a community nursing service in our area as the hospice were asked to take over that responsibility from them some years ago. Supporting the ‘No Place like Home’ appeal will enable us to help more people access the care and support they need and deserve in the place that they want it.”

Anna Howe, the granddaughter of hospice patient Walter Frost, recalled how St Elizabeth Hospice helped her grandfather: “When grandad was dying, he had one last wish. To be in the place he loved most – his home. Grandad faced the prospect of being in hospital at the end of his life. Everyone in the family knew this wasn’t his wish. We wanted to care for him at home and called the St Elizabeth Hospice Community Team, who quickly arranged for a hospital bed and medication to be delivered.

Over the next two days, the hospice’s nurses visited to check grandad’s medication, wash him and make him more comfortable. On the night of his death, the hospice arranged for a healthcare assistant to stay over to support us. Grandad slipped away peacefully in the early hours. We can’t thank St Elizabeth Hospice enough for the amazing care they gave my grandad at home during his final days.”

To support to the ‘No Place Like Home’ appeal visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/noplacelikehome17

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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.

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Jane says there’s

NO place like home 48% of us die in hospital.

Only 1% of us want to.

You can help us care for Suffolk’s terminally ill at home.

Together we can change the picture Donate today at stelizabethhospice.org.uk/noplacelikehome8

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM BRASS Making music fun in East Anglia Please join our preliminary and beginners bands for Tea & Tunes at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL on Saturday, June 9 between 10am and noon. Both bands have been rehearsing hard for this event, so do come and support them. Admission is free and refreshments will be available. There will also be a cake stall, book stall and a raffle. This event was due to take place in March, but was postponed due to heavy snow. We’re (almost) certain this won’t be a problem in June!

You can catch the main band at Ipswich Music Day on July 1 and Martlesham Brass are looking forward to taking part in Martlesham Village Fete on July 14 (more details about this next month).

We would love to hear from new players, young and old, with or without experience. Our aim is to encourage anyone who feels they would like to play in a brass band to come and have a go! If you would like to join us, or if you already play or have previously played a brass instrument and would like to come along and meet us, please contact us via the website or use the contact details below.

Publicity Officer Liz Howard e_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617 www.martleshambrass.co.uk

MARTLESHAM VILLAGE FETE: SATURDAY, JULY 14 Welcome to our June update; only a few weeks to go until the big day!

SUFFOLK BOOK LEAGUE Wednesday, June 6: Novelist Ross Raisin Ross Raisin is a novelist originally from Yorkshire, with a degree in English from King’s College London and a postgraduate degree in Creative Writing from Goldsmiths. His latest novel, A Natural, dives into the heart of a professional football club: the pressure, the loneliness, the threat of scandal, the fragility of the body and the struggle to conform, both on and off the pitch.

Join us at Ipswich Institute Reading Room, 15 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AA. Doors open at 7pm, event starts 7.30pm. Members £4, non-members £8, students free with ID. To avoid disappointment on the door seats can be reserved by emailing: tickets@sbl.org.uk Payment required on arrival at the event preferably by cash (no cards accepted). Tickets for reserved seats need to be collected by 7.15pm. Pop-up bookshop courtesy of Woodbridge Emporium.

SIDEGATE LANE COMMUNITY CENTRE Tuesday Tea Dance with Teresa Brown: 01473 422427 2-4pm with refreshments, £3 for members, easy parking Wednesday Ballroom and Latin Dance Classes: 01473 422427/723070 • 7-8pm: Improvers, ideal if your class has closed down •8 -10pm: Intermediate ballroom and Latin dance steps and style £3 for members, easy parking Friday Evening Sequence Dancing Classes: 01473 712080 • 7-8pm: Sequence Dancing beginner’s class, £3 per class, ample free parking

Things are certainly taking shape; from a packed schedule of entertainments on the stage ranging from music to dance, to displays of activities carried out in Martlesham. There will also be plenty of games and activities to get involved in, so it promises to be a day of fun for all ages and interests.

• 8-10pm: General Sequence Dance Class for improvers with new dances being taught on some evenings, £3 per class with ample car parking on site.

We will have local crafts, artisan produce and artwork to admire, as well as purchase. Local charities and groups will have a big presence, giving all an opportunity to learn about their activities and support their work. There will also be the chance to win some exciting prizes! A range of tasty snacks will be available in the church, along with the Runway Café and businesses in The Square; no-one will go hungry or lack the essential summer ice cream.

Sidegate Lane Community Centre, Ipswich IP4 4HZ www.sidegatelanecommunitycentre.org.uk/sequence

Monday & Thursday Yoga Classes with Michelle: 01473 729619 10-11am, £3.50

A TASTE OF FLOWER ARRANGING

The day kicks off at 11am on the Green and continues until 4pm. With our vintage bus providing transport from ‘old Martlesham’, and the Green being in easy walking distance of houses on the Heath, the fete couldn’t be easier to get to. So, put Saturday, July 14 in your diary, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Have you ever wished you could produce a beautiful flower arrangement from the gift of flowers you have just been given, or maybe purchased for yourself? Perhaps you would like to make a gift for a friend or loved one.

Maybe you have been asked to arrange flowers in Church but don’t have the confidence to say yes.

If you wish to contact us as a volunteer helper, a potential participant or for any other reason please contact us at: mvfete@gmail.com / 01473 612632

Deben Flower Club is offering you the opportunity to learn the wonderful skill of flower arranging at our free workshop on Saturday, June 30 in Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU.

Alternatively visit Martlesham Parish Council website: http://martlesham.onesuffolk.net/welcome-to-martlesham-parish-council

BROKE HALL WI We would be pleased to meet any new ladies who would like to come and see what we do and maybe join in. We meet at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm) on the second Friday of the month at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH. We also have monthly clubs, walks, meals out, darts, crafts, theatre trips, outing and visits.

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS Friday, June 8: Memories of a Career in Teaching by Ted Wheatley Friday, July 13: The Baron, the Policeman and the Mayor (an Ipswich Riot) by Linda Sexton For information contact Sue (01473 414746) or Cynthia (01473 726068).

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This will be a fun and relaxed day, no experience is needed and our expert tutor will guide you step by step throughout the day. All you will need to do is bring along your flowers and containers. Floral foam and other sundries will be available to purchase on the day. Tea and coffee will be available but you will need to bring a packed lunch.

The class will run from 10.30am to approximately 3pm. Booking is essential, full instructions and list of required flowers will be sent when you book your place.

We hope this unique offer will then inspire you to join Deben Flower Club and learn more. The club meets in Kirton Church Hall on the second Tuesday of each month (except August) at 7.30pm Visitors are always welcome to come along and see what we do.

If you are interested in booking a place or would like more information, please contact Wendy: wa@sandlings.co.uk / 01394 411422

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OUT & ABOUT CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere with refreshments, we meet on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall from 7.30-10pm.

Thursday, June 28: A variety of different crafts with Emma There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members. New members are always welcome. For details contact Emma: 01787 373850

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP, DIABETES UK Our next meeting is on Thursday, June 14 at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich, IP3 8TH from 7-9pm. Acknowledging Diabetes Awareness Week, our guest speaker will be Bridget Turner, Director of Policy Campaigns and Improvement at Diabetes UK. This is a social gathering for people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to have the opportunity to talk to those in a similar situation and receive support. Family and friends are most welcome to join us too. Refreshments will be available free of charge. No admission charge or joining fee.

For further information please contact: dsgipswichduk@gmail.com / 07547 513730 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Our annual charter dinner celebrating the launch of our club in 1952 was held in May. The early minutes are intriguing.

The members recruited give an interesting insight into the status of Ipswich women in business and the professions. One early success was persuading local coal merchants to change their delivery systems to meet the needs of poorer women. Internationally the main concern was the plight of people displaced in Europe by the war. Maybe the issues keep changing, but our purpose doesn’t. At least we don’t have to wear hats at meetings now!

May was the start of a new club year. We want to raise our own awareness of the lives of different groups of women in Ipswich. As a start a speaker from the Street Pastors will discuss her experiences with us on June 13. We’d be very happy if you would like to join us.

In contrast we have booked a stall at Sproughton Village Fete on June 24. We shall be raising money for our new regional project, the Pelandaba Orphans’ Project in Zimbabwe. It was started by one visitor shocked to see orphan children out on the streets because they had nobody to pay their school fees.

So she did something about it.

Our club is particularly pleased to be contributing in a small way to a country which has had so many troubles. A few years ago we had a close link with Soroptimists in Harare and we partnered with the club in Ipswich Australia to fund the training of two African teachers. More history!

If you are interested in coming to hear our speaker on June 13, please contact Joyce, our secretary, for more information and directions: 01394 615659

ORWELL PROBUS CLUB We meet on the second Thursday of each month at Greshams on Tuddenham Road (opposite the Millennium Cemetery) for lunch and usually a speaker entertains us afterwards What is Probus? Probus clubs provide an opportunity for active retired, or semi-retired, gentlemen to attend regular meetings and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people who appreciate similar interests. We have social events, outings, and holidays which, of course, include spouses, partners and friends.

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

SUMMER TERM AT BRIGHT STARS Fun activity sessions for pre-school aged children on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term times from 10.30am-noon at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL. Youngsters from birth to five years old, would you like a fun start to your week this summer term?

If so, come along to Bright Stars with your parents, grandparents, friends, family and/or carers. These mornings are free and usually involve singing, games, making crafts to take home and telling stories from the Bible for the first half hour. We then have refreshments when adults can chat and the children can play until approximately noon.

This term so far has included hearing stories, making a mirror to see ourselves in, singing songs with lots of actions and enjoying playing percussion instruments.

You are welcome to come along to any of our mornings; just turn up, no need to let us know in advance. We look forward to seeing you! The remaining dates in the summer term are (please note revised dates): June 11 and 25 and July 9.

For further information please contact Sonya and Maureen Burrows: 01473 625196

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SCHOOLS MARTLESHAM & KESGRAVE PLAYSCHOOLS Our website has been revamped; take a look at: www.mandkplayschools.co.uk Thank you so much to Kesgrave High School sixth form students and their teachers who have helped us, the end result looks amazing!

Please come and join us at our Summer Fair on Saturday, June 30 from 1-4pm at the Millennium Field, Kesgrave. We will have a bouncy castle sponsored by Bates, Wells & Braithwaite, a BBQ, cakes, ice creams and refreshments, mini golf, lots of pocket money games, plus our raffle sponsored by Haart. Come and find out all about us and have a great afternoon.

Milsoms Kesgrave kindly donated afternoon tea for two as a competition prize for liking and sharing our Facebook page. The winner was randomly picked on May 19; we hope you enjoyed it!

At Kesgrave Playschool our sponsored Welly Walk was a great success.

You raised a fantastic £377 which will help us purchase new toys and replace some of our older resources. Thank you! The warmer weather allowed the children to engage in lots of water play, developing physical skills. A lollipop shop was created which supported maths and social interaction. The children have been gardening, sowing young plants to sell at our summer funday.

If you’re looking for a playschool for your child in September, come and take a look at Kesgrave on one of our sessions or contact 07746 907060 to arrange an appointment. We are based at the Millennium Jubilee Hall.

Our Facebook page (Martlesham and Kesgrave Playschool) offers lots of photographs and reviews and enables you to message any questions.

At Martlesham Playschool the children have been learning about tadpoles this half term, looking after them and watching them grow.

We have also introduced our sound of the week to prepare our schoolleavers and encourage all ages to explore and learn different sounds.

We have improved our mud kitchen area via paving half of the area; this has been beneficial for the children as they can play freely whatever the weather.

HEATHLANDS COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOL & AFTER SCHOOL CLUB We are delighted to announce that Heathlands has recently had an inspection from OFSTED and that we have maintained our Outstanding status! This is exciting and a reflection of all the hard work that continues at our setting.

We are shortly embarking upon a Skills and Cultures week and have some interesting visits planned from a dental nurse, Bollywood dancers, percussionists and taking part in some Zumba. An action-packed week ahead for us all! The children are looking forward to an educational trip at the end of May to Jimmy’s Farm. We will be travelling in style in two large coaches so we hope that the weather is kind to us.

We are holding our Summer Fete (Pirates and Mermaids theme) on Saturday, June 30, 10am-2pm. Please reserve the dates in your diaries and bring your friends and families for a day out. Everyone is welcome! This year, as well as the usual fun of the fair, we will be holding a talent show and a netball tournament. We will have some great prizes in our raffle and will be hosting a barbecue and a cake sale. Our next open evening is planned for June 18 at 7.30pm. This is a great chance for prospective parents to come in and see what we have to offer. If you are interested in attending please telephone us on 01473 417517 and speak to Marie or Julie to book your place.

Heathlands is a well-established, committee-run pre-school situated in the grounds of Broke Hall Community Primary School. We can offer funded places for eligible two year olds and for all other children the term after their third birthday. Breakfast and after-school clubs are also available. We are pleased to accept applications for a place for terms starting September 2018 and beyond.

Thank you to all parents for supporting our sponsored bounce, we have raised a fantastic £386. We were very pleased to come second in the Tesco Bags for Life scheme; we will be putting the money to good use enhancing our garden area and providing the children with lots of exciting new resources. We would like to say a huge thank you to Tesco for their support.

We can offer you term time or all year round spaces. Spaces are available from September for 15 and 30 hours of funded childcare, two year funded and non-funded sessions. Call Martlesham on 01473 625986, or visit our Facebook page (as above) or our new website for more details.

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS IPSWICH RAVENS OUTDOOR SESSIONS

BIXLEY FARM CHURCH AT TOWER HALL: SUNDAY@4 Having been at Tower Hall since September we have been looking at different ways that we can support the local community and after discussion, thought and prayer we are setting up a weekly toddler group during term time on Friday mornings.

Volleyball is loads of fun and a very friendly game. It’s the only high-energy, no-contact mixed team sport you can play indoors and outdoors – whatever your ability. It’s energetic enough to help with your fitness, but without placing high demands on your body, and good teamwork is important as well as individual skill.

This summer is the perfect time to give volleyball a go and find out why it is one of the top three most-played sports in the world. Ipswich Ravens will be holding outdoor sessions at Copleston School (entrance off Foxhall Road) every Saturday from noon-2pm. In addition to our normal grass courts we will provide the opportunity to play beach volleyball on the sand court.

These sessions are open to everyone age 14+ and cost £2 for adults, £1 for juniors. We are happy to accommodate people who want to play either competitively or just at a recreational level. All sessions are organised by qualified coaches who also give some playing advice to each individual if needed.

So why not go along and take a look? If you like what you see please introduce yourself and you will be very welcome to participate in a session under no obligation. Wear your normal outdoor sports kit, and it’s a good idea to bring water, sun cream and cheap sunglasses – also insect spray if you are prone to being nibbled.

To find out more, visit: www.ipswichravens.org.uk

To acknowledge our farm setting the group will be called Little Lambs and will start on June 8 running from 9.15-11am every Friday during term time at Tower Hall.

All toddlers are welcome, ideally accompanied by an adult. Each week there will be a different theme with a variety of play opportunities, refreshments for children and adults, craft, story time and songs.

In the good weather we plan to make full use of the enclosed garden area.

Our aim is to serve the young families of Bixley Farm by providing a fun, relaxed and engaging space for children and adults alike.

Everyone is welcome. Please help us by spreading the word. If you would like more details please contact our children and families officer Emma Allinson: families@mie.org.uk We also link up regularly with our partner churches at St Johns and St Andrews and were thrilled to see St John’s Church so full at the recent confirmation service, officiated by Bishop Mike. There were many young people, and some not so young, who made their public profession of faith including six regular members of our Bixley Farm Church.

We were also represented at the annual church parishioners meeting, held at St Andrew’s, where the priorities for our three churches (Mission Ipswich East) were set for the year ahead. One item was the movement forward by our three churches to become one parish. This process is underway and over the next year will be going forward to hopefully receive approval by the Queen.

As always, everyone is welcome to join us each Sunday for our regular weekly service at Tower Hall from 4-5pm, whether you already have a Christian faith, whether you want to find out more or if you just want someone to talk to.

There are opportunities to speak to clergy or other members of the church, time for prayer and Holy Communion is celebrated every other Sunday.

Bixley Farm Church (CofE) was initiated by St John’s, Cauldwell Hall Road and St Andrew’s, Britannia Road (collectively called Mission Ipswich East) For further information/questions please contact us at office@mie.org.uk / 01473 270978 or visit: www.mie.org/bixley

June is here and our church theme for this month is ‘Encouragement’. The Bible tells us that we are to encourage one another, but what does that mean in practice? It is to build up, to give confidence and to inspire each other.

We are also asked to think on only good things – the true, the respected, the pure, the well thought of and the loved. In this way we can encourage ourselves and pass that way of thinking on to those around us.

This is not an easy course to take as the world in which we live seems to throw the opposite at us. Positive thought patterns lead to positive lives and constructive vital lifestyles.

We have to try to make our words, actions and attitudes line up a loving God and when we get right with God then good things can fruit in our lives. In all we do let’s be an encouragement to the people we come in contact with today.

Join us on Sunday mornings at 11.30am (Café and Children’s Church 10.30am) at The Ark Church, The Drift, Nacton Road, Ipswich IP3 9QR. You can contact us via email at arkipswichuk@gmail.com and we can also be found on Facebook and on Twitter @arkipswich or online at: www.arkipswich.co.uk

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