In Touch with Ipswich East - March 2016

In Touch

™ ™©©

with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath Volume 6 • Issue No. 5 • MARCH 2016

Zachary Lokken USA by David Robinson ARPS, Ipswich & District Photographic Society – See Page 9

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In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I went along to an e-safety workshop for parents at Jack’s school last week and I’m still shaking my head in horror. I’m relatively tech-savvy, or at least I though I was, but I’m not what they call a ‘digital native’, i.e. a person born or brought up in the age of digital technology and familiar with computers and the internet from an early age. In fact I can remember being introduced to a fax machine in my first year at university and being utterly amazed that we could send a sheet of paper from one side of the room to the other! Those of us who aren’t digital natives acknowledge the wonder of digital technology and most of us use it daily, some more effectively that others, but I don’t suppose I will ever truly appreciate how ‘normal’ it is for natives like Jack. That said it is my responsibility to protect him from the negative aspects of digital communication ­– such as the possibility that someone could be watching him through the webcam on my iPad using a remote access tool! How creepy is that?

Taking what I’d learned at the e-safety session I went into Settings on the iPad and set all the appropriate restrictions. I also downloaded a child-friendly version of YouTube called YouTube Kids and a childfriendly browser. Jack hasn’t actually noticed the difference yet, but I know he’s not going to be bombarded with inappropriate content or accidentally follow links to sites which aren’t age appropriate. For now he’s safe, but kids being kids, I know he will challenge the boundaries and find ways to circumvent my efforts to control his digital adventures so I have to stay one step ahead at all times. Ironically there are some very useful websites you can visit to learn more about setting restrictions and understanding how young people use social media.

The e-safety session ended with a question: “Would you abandon your children in central London unsupervised and unaccompanied?”

If No is your answer, find out what you can do to protect them online.

In Touch

with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath

In Touch with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins We also publish Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

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

IN TOUCH WITH . . .

• Hadleigh NEW • Stowmarket • Capel St Mary • East Bergholt, Dedham & Flatford • Needham Market, Creeting St Mary & Creeting St Peter • Sproughton & Burstall • Claydon, Barham & Henley • Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Brantham • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Woodbridge & Melton • Gt. & Lt. Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Bramford, Somersham & Offton • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton

IN TOUCH WITH . . .

APRIL DEADLINE 10 MARCH 2016 is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/ipswicheast

NEWS BRIDGE FOR THE FUTURE Ipswich Hospital is joining forces with Suffolk County Council to develop the hospital site for the future.

The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust is planning to purchase, subject to trust board approval, the former Bridge School on Heath Road. The sale will mean that the hospital can plan for the future.

Nick Hulme, chief executive of the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, said: “This is such a welcome opportunity to work in partnership with Suffolk County Council and look at how we can use the school site to really benefit patients and our community.

“We hope to be able to move many clinical services to the south end of the hospital so that they are very near all of the other services patients may need, such as theatres or critical care. Bridge School will give us the flexibility to be able to move non-clinical services out of the hospital.”

“It will also mean that some areas of the hospital can be freed up and we can again work in partnership to look at how best this land should be used to address real needs such as housing,” Mr Hulme added.

A proportion of the money generated from the sale of the Bridge School site will contribute to future specialist education provision being developed in the Ipswich area.

TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHERE THE PRODUCTS WE BUY COME FROM… At the Fair Trade Shop in Upper Brook Street we make it our aim to sell only products which have been fairly-traded through reputable suppliers or are environmentally-friendly.

We are run as a not-for-profit organisation so that all the proceeds after expenses are spent in buying more stock to help those in countries where they have so little.

The Fairtrade premium means that the artisans and farmers are paid a fair wage and the community benefits too. The shop is run by volunteers, with a part-time paid manager and is enjoying its new location in the centre of town.

Please come and give us a look. Ready for Easter we have Fairtrade Easter Eggs and beautifully decorated papier-maché eggs, chickens and bunnies, a good selection of cards and many beautiful craft items for gifts. We also stock a range of fairly-traded foods and beverages which you may not find elsewhere. You may also find what you’re seeking for Mother’s Day. www.thefairtradeshopipswich.co.uk

HOME-START’S BIGGEST FUNDRAISER YET Enjoy a glamorous night of fine dining, music and entertainment at HomeStart Suffolk East Ipswich & Coastal’s Snowflake Ball on Friday, May 20 at Milsoms, Kesgrave Hall.

Tickets are £55 to include an arrival drink and three course meal with entertainment provided by the band Soul Kitchen. During the evening there will be the chance to win some amazing prizes and bid for a holiday in the auction as well as many more exciting opportunities.

For tickets or further information please contact 01473 621104 / office@homestartcoastal.co.uk or book online at: www.homestarteastsuffolk.org.uk

SIDEGATE LANE COMMUNITY CENTRE Take steps in time to music at Sidegate Lane Community Centre in our ballroom and Latin dance classes on Wednesday evenings: refreshers 7-8pm / improvers 8-10pm. Just £3 per person.

For further details contact 01473 723070 or visit: www.sidegatelanecommunitycentre.org.uk/ballroom

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NEWS SIXTH RANSOMES AND RAPIER REUNION Sunday, March 6 at Kesgrave Social Club, Edmonton Road, Kesgrave IP5 1EE, 12.30-5pm Former employees of this iconic Ipswich firm, families and friends are all welcomed. The hall has good seating and plenty of room. About 120 attended last year.

Easy parking and near the No 66 bus route. Food (toasties, sandwiches and salads) and drinks at reasonable prices. Please don’t bring your own food.

Admission £2 per person. To confirm attendance please contact: Elizabeth Townsend: 01206 734581 / estownsend@btinternet.com

ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Have you ever been to an auction? Do you watch TV programmes such as Flog It or Bargain Hunt? If you do then put this date in your diary.

On Thursday, March 17 at 7.30pm, The Roger David Burrows Music Fund presents an evening with Elizabeth Talbot MRICS talking about the life and work of an auctioneer in St Michael’s Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath. Elizabeth is the auction room director of TW Gaze in Diss and has appeared on many television programmes, including Bargain Hunt and Flog It. There will be light refreshments, admission is £5.

Further details from: 01473 625196 / www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk

MARTLESHAM BRASS Everyone is welcome to our band AGM at 7.30pm on Friday, March 4 in St Michael’s Church Centre, when we will be reviewing the past year and electing new committee members. Please join our preliminary band on March 12 for Tea & Tunes at St Michael’s Church Centre, 10am-noon. This is a chance to showcase the talents of our preliminary band. There will be refreshments throughout the morning, a raffle and a chocolate tombola.

Admission is free. Looking forward into April, there will be a concert with our main band on Saturday, April 16 at St Michael’s Church Centre.

This month we are especially focused on pies! March 7-3 is British Pie Week. Apparently 75% of people enjoy a pie at least once a month and 79% of people say they are willing to pay more for a homemade one.

We have steak and kidney pie which contains 40% steak and kidney. Our pork pies contain 30% locally reared pork with sausage meat, bacon and homemade pork stock! We also have cottage pie and Cornish pasties! Gluten free fruit pies are also available. All our pastry is made from scratch and we never use artificial additives.

All items can be ordered in advance so that you never need to be disappointed or without your favourite food! We also have a full range of crafts on offer, all created by members of our cooperative and locally made.

We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane. There is plenty of free parking, a warm welcome, home baked refreshments and free tea or coffee on your first visit too. On March 3 we are offering our bacon rolls as a breakfast butty with the addition of an optional egg. www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk

GIPPESWYK SINGERS SPRING CONCERT A concert of gloriously uplifting music to celebrate Passiontide and the coming of spring is being presented by the Gippeswyk Singers on Saturday, April 9 at St John’s Church, Orwell Road, Felixstowe at 7.45pm.

Geoff Lavery conducts a lovely programme which includes choral pieces by Parry and Stanford, culminating in a very special performance of Haydn’s magnificent Nelson Mass featuring the sparkling virtuosity of four young professional soloists and the nationally acclaimed organist, Andrew Cantrill.

Tickets (£10) are available at the door or from

www.martleshambrass.co.uk

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IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET

Phil Speirs, 2 Treetops, Felixstowe IP11 9ER (please send a SAE with a cheque payable to Gippeswyk Singers).

Profits from this season’s concerts go to local charities Got to Read (providing oneon-one help for adults needing to improve literacy and numeracy skills) and Home-Start (providing home help volunteers for families in need of support). Drinks and nibbles will be available after the concert with the opportunity to meet the singers.

For more information please visit: www.gippeswyksingers.co.uk

Stowe Veterinary Centre

Moreton Hall Veterinary Centre

Ipswich Veterinary Centre

The Mustard Pot Veterinary Surgery

The Old Tea Room Veterinary Surgery

54 Bury Road, Stowmarket

2 Boldero Road, Bury St. Edmunds

Scrivener Drive, Ipswich

Coddenham Road, Needham Market

Station Road, Elmswell

Tel: 01449 613 130

Tel: 01284 747 000

Tel: 01473 555 000

Tel: 01449 722 198

Tel: 01359 241 761

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/ipswicheast

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NEWS SINGING AND ART COMBINE FOR HANDEL’S MESSIAH An exciting collaboration between two long established Ipswich societies will be unveiled at Ipswich Corn Exchange on Saturday, March 12. One of the best-known choral works, Handel’s Messiah, holds a special place in the hearts of singers and audiences alike and is now inspiring creativity in local artists.

Ipswich Choral Society is busy rehearsing Handel’s oratorio with members of Ipswich Arts Society also attending rehearsals as observers. The art works inspired by the choir singers, the music itself and the messages it conveys, will be exhibited in the Grand Hall on the night of the concert.

MASQUE PLAYERS

For the performance itself, Ipswich Choral Society and their music director Robin Walker will be joined by soloists from the Royal Academy of Music and wellrespected local orchestra Kingfisher Sinfonietta, led by Beth Spendlove. Singers from other choirs in the Ipswich area and further afield have been invited to sing with Ipswich Choral Society, and Royal Hospital School organist Andrew Cantrill will also be performing.

Alison Murchinson, fat, straight-haired, bespectacled, has been entered into a Wedding of the Year competition by her uncle – even before he has found her a suitable husband! Could Melvyn, a frustrated inventor and an appallingly clumsy young man possibly fit the bill? However, the best laid plans...

Ipswich Choral Society presents Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, March 12, 7.30pm, at Ipswich Corn Exchange. Tickets (including programme: adults £15 / concessions £12 / children £5 / including an IBC booking fee of £1 per ticket) are available from the Corn Exchange box office: 01473 433100 / www.ipswichcornexchange.com

CHARITY NIGHT FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS Saturday, April 9 at Bourne Vale Social Club (Halifax Road, Ipswich IP2 8RE) from 7pm Dance the night away with Ed Gasket and The Rockets. Tickets (adults £5 / children £2) available from Katrina: 07932 838324 Hot food available to purchase.

This event has been organised by Katrina Hooley to support close friend Laura Allum. Katrina met Laura through an ad seven years ago when they agreed to share a horse. It was some time before Laura even mentioned her condition but Katrina continues to be impressed and amazed by Laura’s ‘can do’ attitude, only occasionally commenting about ‘her stupid lungs not wanting to work’.

Katrina says: “Laura’s bravery and happy smiley attitude has been a real inspiration to me and I decided I wanted to do something to thank her for everything she does for me. So I decided to organise this event to raise funds and awareness for this chronic lung condition that effects hundreds of lives of both sufferers and their families. Laura deserves every minute I spend on getting this night perfect. She is truly amazing and I love her with all my heart.”

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who would like to try different crafts in a light hearted atmosphere, meeting on the fourth Thursday of each month in Rushmere Village Hall, 7.30-10pm.

Thursday, March 24: Beaded Bracelet (Jill) New members are always welcome. For more details contact Jill on 01473 713534 or Emma on 01787 373850.

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Masque Players present Wedding of the Year, a comedy by Norman Robbins, at Kesgrave Community Centre from Wednesday, March 16 to Saturday 19 at 7.45pm. For tickets (£9 / £8 concessions) visit www.masqueplayers.com or call 01473 624692. Tickets will be available on the door.

Do come and see this comedy which has a surprise ending!

SUFFOLK PHOENIX BRASS Suffolk Phoenix Brass is keen to welcome new players including visitors/ students working in the area and currently has a number of vacancies, particularly for cornet players, and a number of good quality spare instruments available for loan. Many of the band have played brass instruments all their lives but several have returned to playing later in their life. Our younger members find it easy to fit us in around school/ college and university commitments.

The band has a yearly programme of events including appearances at fetes and park engagements, as well as charity concerts and rehearses at Museum Street Methodist Church in Black Horse Lane from 7pm every Tuesday (free parking). So, if you fancy joining us, we would love to meet you. For further details contact: Bob, 01473 438821 / Glenn, 01394 386584 www.suffolkphoenixbrass.co.uk

DO YOU LOVE TO SING? Well now you’ve found the friendly, fun, fabulous chorus you’ve been searching for.

Singing’s more popular than ever as people recognise the benefits it has on their happiness and health so if you fancy taking your singing out of the shower, why not try a free taster session before joining one of our groups?

We unashamedly sing great pop songs in harmony to professional backing tracks – this is unlike any choir you’ve ever heard. Recent repertoire has included Beyoncé, James Bay, Snow Patrol and Oasis. Rehearsals are very informal, with an emphasis on fun and gently developing members’ singing skills. You don’t need any experience, you don’t need to read music and you won’t have to audition or sing on your own.

Founded in Framlingham in 2012 by professional singer and vocal coach Yula Andrews, Pop Chorus offers feel-good singing for people of all abilities, with a firm focus on having fun while making a great sound. The original Framlingham group still meets on Thursday nights. In addition we have groups in Copdock (Tuesday evenings), Ipswich (Wednesday evenings), and Kesgrave (Wednesday mornings).

The first session is free with no obligation to join. For more information visit www.popchorus.org or contact Yula: 07788 585441 / sing@popchorus.org

In Touch online:

Trusted by local families since 1925 47 St Helens Street Ipswich 01473 257242 364 Foxhall Road Ipswich 01473 728445 283 Norwich Road Ipswich 01473 232837 310 Nacton Road Ipswich 01473 860040 247a Hawthorn Drive Chantry, Ipswich 01473 602414

139 Main Road Kesgrave 01473 860030 183 Hamilton Road Felixstowe 01394 583010 213 High Street Walton, Felixstowe 01394 670100

The East of England Co-op has been your local funeral service for 90 years.

We are not part of the national Co-operative Funeralcare chain based in Manchester.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/ipswicheast

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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

BROKE HALL WI Friday, March 11: Road Accident Investigations

by Jeff Cribb

Ipswich and District Photographic Society (IDPS) is holding its annual exhibition of prints and projected images in the Council Chamber at Town Hall Galleries (Cornhill, Ipswich IP1 1DH) from March 1-12, Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm (closes at 4pm on Saturday 12).

There will be a wide variety of photographs on display which have all been chosen by two external selectors.

Friday, April 8: Frock Horror! by Pauline Baker Friday, May 13: WI Resolutions Friday, June 10: Small Collectables – valuations of items bought in by Sheila Bullard (one per person) We meet at 7.30pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH. New and former members are welcome. For more information contact Sue (414746) or Chris (713546).

We are a well established, friendly club whose origins can be traced back to 1888. We have weekly meetings at Burlington Baptist Church Centre, London Road, Ipswich IP1 2EZ from September to May.

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION

Our programme includes monthly print and projected image competitions, illustrated talks by visiting photographers, days out and practical evenings which are great for anyone wanting help with their photography.

Our members range from complete beginners to those with years of experience, so don’t be put off coming along to enjoy our programme of events.

New members are always welcome and you can come along as a visitor (£5) for a particular evening if you wish to give us a try.

Seven Sisters 4 by David Robinson ARPS We hope that you can come along to view our exhibition. For more information about our club, please visit: www.idps.org.uk

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY On Wednesday, March 2, Ian Swankie will present a lecture entitled Pots and Frocks – the World of Grayson Perry. As well as being an official London guide and a guide at Tate Modern and Tate Britain, Ian lectures on a variety of subjects.

Why not come along and enjoy some good company and an interesting talk? We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months and we also organise interesting day visits. The wonderfully illustrated lectures which are presented by national and international lecturers start at 2.15pm, but we advise people to arrive by 2pm if possible. Guests and non-members are welcome, provided we have available space. A £5 donation is asked.

For more information contact Jean Bradberry: 01473 710921 / odfasmemsec@btinternet.com. www.orwelldfas.org.uk

PRE-LOVED AND NEARLY NEW TABLE TOP SALE The Lions Club of Ipswich is holding another one of its fantastic Pre-Loved and Nearly New Table Top Sales on Saturday, March 5 at St Raphael Club, 26 High Field Road (Off Norwich Road), Ipswich IP1 6DA from 1-3pm.

Tables cost just £5 so if you have items you wish to sell, this is a great opportunity to make some spending money for yourself.

With refreshments available, free parking and free admission, if you’re the sort of person who likes a bargain, then why not pop along and have a good rummage around the tables.

To book a table to sell your wares contact Maggie: 01473 259899.

The Lions Club of Ipswich raises funds for many local charities and good causes.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/ipswicheast

If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Ropes Hall, Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre at 7.15pm.

Our next meeting is on March 22 when Luke Potter, the new East Suffolk general manager for the National Trust, will give us an insight into the current work and future plans of the trust for our area. This will be preceded by a short AGM. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome. The entrance fee is £2. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

For more information, contact membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

A WONDERFUL LIFE

An exhibition of art works by Hilli Thompson

ORWELL FLOWER CLUB We welcomed Alan Smith with a demonstration entitled Fun with Flowers on February 25 and are now looking forward to our next meeting on March 24 when we will be having an in-house hands-on evening lead by our chairman Janet Greengrass. This will be a friendly meeting and visitors are welcome to join us.

The club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew. Our demonstration starts at 7.15pm but the doors open at 6.45pm to allow you to browse at our sales table and buy raffle tickets for the arrangements created in the demonstration.

Yearly subscriptions, due at the AGM in April, are £37 and visitors are always welcome at £4 a meeting. For further details please contact Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@ btinternet.com

Hilli Thompson shares over five decades of her artistic life in an eclectic exhibition entitled A Wonderful Life at The Frame Workshop Gallery, 22 St Nicholas Street from Wednesday, March 30 to Saturday, April 23 (Monday-Saturday).

The exhibition includes explorations in a wide range of media from embroidery, botanical illustration, print making, painting and, more recently, fused glass. A love of the natural world shines through the work supported as it is by a delight in gardening and the countryside.

Hilli wears a different colour every day to celebrate the new dawn and these vibrant colours dominate in both the paintings and the fused glass.

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East of England Co-op Funeral Services has been trusted by local families since 1925 to provide excellent levels of service, care and reassurance when helping to create unique and personalised tributes.

By combining their knowledge and experience they have created five prepayment funeral plans for you to choose from. Alternatively, a member of their team can help you create an entirely bespoke plan, so you can rest assured that every last detail will be just as you wish so you can get on with enjoying life.

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If you are a member of the East of England Co-op you can also collect dividend points on your pre-payment plan, which you can use visiting new places, treating yourself or doing things with friends and family.

Find out more about East of England Co-op pre-payment funeral plans, or order a brochure, by visiting eastofengland.coop/funerals.

Alternatively, you can contact your local funeral branch who can also arrange a home visit for you.

Your local East of England Co-op funeral branches are:

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ITMAR16

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Out and About is a country clothing store at agricultural specialists P Tuckwell Ltd, located at the company’s Ardleigh showroom in Colchester.

We stock many of the leading outdoor and country clothing, footwear and accessory brands, such as Aigle, Alan Paine, Crew Clothing, Chatham Marine, Le Chameau, Joules, Jack Murphy, Pioneros, RM Williams, Vedoneire and more, including our own brand of trousers.

We endeavour to keep adding new brands to our already impressive string. Stocking quality lifestyle clothing and footwear, at Out and About you will find a wide variety of products that balance function and comfort for on trend styling. With our full range of clothing for all occasions you can live and breathe the country life wearing the best selection of outfits to be seen in this season, whether it’s a day at the Races, off shooting or out for lunch in town!

We have extensive off street parking facilities and our experienced staff will provide you with the support you need to make your visit an enjoyable shopping experience.

Our customer service is top priority, our staff are always on hand to help, whether it is advice, information or ordering in a specific garment from our valued stockists.

As well as our base in Ardleigh, we also travel to Country shows up and down the county such as The Tendring Hundred Show and The Suffolk Show, displaying the in season favourites!

For frequent up-to-date information on our events and new stock like our facebook page: Out and About at Tuckwell’s

www.keepingintouchwith.com/ipswicheast

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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY The Ipswich & District Historical Transport Society (IDHTS) was established in 1963 by transport enthusiasts for followers of rail, road, air and water related subjects. Local and national speakers give presentations on their specialised subject at monthly meetings (usually held on the fourth Wednesday) held at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, 7 for 7.30pm.

On Wednesday, March 23, Squadron Leader Ray Barrett (retired) will present an illustrated talk entitled Vulcan at War (Falklands War).

For an entry charge of £3.50 including tea/coffee, visitors are very welcome to attend. An annual excursion is also arranged to a place of transport interest, this year to the Great Western Society premises at Didcot. For further details, please contact Mervyn Russen (01473 414746) or Martyn Hunt (01473 422145) or visit: www.idhts.co.uk

BAWDSEY BIRD CLUB ANNUAL ILLUSTRATED TALK This year’s public talk by Suffolk naturalists Anne and Dennis Kell will take place in Sutton Memorial Hall, Old Post Office Lane, Sutton, on Saturday, March 5 at 7.30pm We are fortunate this year to have not one but two excellent speakers, with a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm encompassing all aspects of natural history, especially birds and wild flowers. Husband and wife team Anne and Dennis Kell will inform and entertain us with a talk entitled South Atlantic Wildlife which will include stunning photographs of the wildlife found in that area.

This will be an evening not to be missed, so why not join us. Everyone is welcome and light refreshments will be available during the interval.

Admission is £3 for adults and £1.50 for under 18s. For directions and further information please contact: 01394 411422 / wa@sandlings.co.uk

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY

DO YOU WANT TO WRITE A NOVEL? Or maybe you want to improve your writing of short stories. I run creative writing sessions in Ipswich Town Centre on Wednesday evenings, 7.30-9.30pm.

COMPETITION It normally costs £10 a session, but the first three people to email me a story or poem with the title Twist can have a free introductory session. It needs to be exactly 50 words. No more, no less.

You can find more information and my email address at: www.suffolkwritersgroup.com Mai Black

The next meeting is on Monday, April 11 when Paul Constantine will present a talk about Sutton Hoo Longship Reconstruction Project.

This heritage project is based on the redeveloped site of the former Whisstock’s Boatyard in Woodbridge.

The talk will cover the Sutton Hoo Mound 1 ship itself, its significance in Scandinavian boatbuilding, and the relevance of such boats to the AngloSaxon migration. Recent developments with the replica longboat Sae Wylfing will also be discussed.

Meetings are held at the Pavilion on Martlesham Heath at 7.30pm. Admission is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

IPSWICH & DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB Which country has the largest percentage of people online – Germany, UK or USA? We do, with 89.9%. At what age can you have a social media profile – 10, 13 or 16? It’s 10. Just two of the questions put to us by our recent speaker, Janet Humphries, on the subject of child sexual exploitation and the dangers of the internet. As parents, grandparents and professionals we realised that we just don’t know enough about the risks and pressures encountered by young people, the criminal nature of some common practices or even simple facts like the age restrictions for different activities. Janet recommended Googling CEOP, Child Exploitation and Online Protection.

Strangely enough we have recently been discussing another way in which digital technology impacts on us. What is the role of clubs like ours in a world of constant, instant communication?

Joining a group, meeting with people doesn’t seem much in fashion. We do use social media and other technologies to make life easier but we get a buzz from working on a project together. Our voice is more powerful if we campaign together for something we care about. Above all we make real friendships and enjoy each other’s company. Our quiz team has just been in action and we are planning a theatre visit soon.

So if you would like to know more please call Jackie: 01473 659314

SPEAK EASY – WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SAY

Clubs and societies, committees, meetings at work and with friends and family, weddings, christenings and other occasions are all times when someone has to say something. Not everyone enjoys public speaking: large numbers of people say they would rather stand in a snake pit than speak to an audience. But if you want that promotion, if you want to speak at your daughter’s wedding, if you want to take on being the chairman, if you want to be a persuasive fundraiser or if you just want to be more confident talking to new people, you’ll do much better if you practise regularly and overcome your fears.

Speak Easy is a small friendly club, part of Toastmasters International, that meets fortnightly.

Guests are welcome to pay us a visit, free of charge, to find out what we are all about. Come along and find out how you can become a more effective communicator.

Our next meetings are on Thursdays, March 10 and 24, 7-9.30pm at the Richards Room, Felixstowe Road, Martlesham IP12 4PB.

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SUFFOLK WRITERS GROUP

UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE U3A (The University of the Third Age) has groups on practical gardening, ecology and wild life, bird watching and seven walking groups to choose from among the other 130 interest groups to help and inspire members to welcome the coming seasons. If outdoor subjects are not always for you there are talks in four locations monthly with a wide variety of very interesting subjects.

Kesgrave U3A talks take place at 2pm in Kesgrave Community Centre. The number 66 bus from Ipswich and Martlesham passes the centre around every 20 minutes. Refreshments follow the meeting.

On Monday, March 21, Chloe Cockerill will give an introduction to heraldry in a talk entitled Helms, Hatchments and Hedgehogs which definitely sounds an intriguing subject.

U3A members and visitors are welcome at any of the other three locations in Felixstowe, Saxmundham and Woodbridge. The campus co-ordinators at these locations will be delighted to give visitors more details of how to join U3A, which is an organisation for retired and semi-retired people. For information on venues, dates and subjects please visit www. u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk or call: 01473 273395 Over the next month or so there are many varied events being planned by group leaders and contacts, as well as the talks, so there must be something for everyone to enjoy this spring.

Hope you will all be able to take part in some of them.

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/ipswicheast

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CHURCH NEWS / SPORT the

Easter signifies a time of rebirth and the celebration of new life – that’s where eggs and bunnies come in – and the church shows church its gratitude for the sacrifice made for all of us on the cross. The Ark Church marks the occasion with an Easter Service on Sunday, March 27 at 11.30am. Why not join us then or any Sunday morning at 11.30am (Café and Children’s Church at 10.30am), for Wednesday Bible Study at 8pm or for Young People’s Night on alternate Fridays from 7.30pm? We also run Care For The Family courses dealing with parenting, pre-marriage and marriage.

The Ark Church, Wolsey House, The Drift, Nacton Road, Ipswich IP3 9QR. We can also be found at: www.arkipswich.co.uk / Facebook/@arkofthelord / Twitter @arkipswich or email: arkipswichuk@gmail.com (our newsletter is available via free subscription)

ARK

Recently a friend of mine died. She was one of those people who you were always glad to see. To be in her presence was to feel warm and comfortable, she always brought out the best in you. She had that gift that included bringing you into her family and her life – there was always laughter and joy.

Coming into the Lord’s presence is much like this, always warm, always inclusive, always kind and loving, you always feel the better for it – the stresses and strains of life disappear to be replaced by peace.

Because of his great love for us we have access to all that heaven has for us – love, peace and joy. Come and join us on the journey into his heart.

New Life Community Church meets at 10.30am at Heath Primary School, Bell Lane, Kesgrave.

THOUGHTS FROM ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH, MARTLESHAM Christians look forward to Easter with mixed emotions of sorrow and hope. Sorrow, because Good Friday will always remind us of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, bearing our sins so that we might be forgiven. But hope too! Because His body did not remain in the grave and go to corruption, but was raised in triumph. The Lord God Almighty, saluting Jesus in this way to show that the work of salvation had been completed.

IPSWICH WANDERERS FC Match postponements have mounted as the club has continued its run in the FA Vase, a competition that has a Wembley final. Nine years ago Wanderers achieved a fifth round place, only to be denied

by Hampshire club AFC Totton on a terrible pitch at Humber Doucy Lane. If Wanderers overcame Bowers & Pitsea in the fifth round replay they will have earned a home quarter final against Oxfordshire’s Kidlington Town. The first match, in front of 284 spectators at The Doucy, saw Wanderers draw in a match that we could have won. If we won that replay and knocked out Kidlington our fixtures for March will be dominated by a two-legged semi-final on Saturdays, March 12 and 19.

Billy Holland, our promising young midfielder, has moved to Needham

More than 80 archers from across Essex and Suffolk, including some of the counties’ elite archers, attended Raydon Hall Archery Club’s sixth annual shoot at the Wix Equestrian Centre. The competition, based on the American round but set as an indoor shoot, comprises of 90 arrows split over the distances of 60, 50 and 40 yards.

Raydon Hall Archery Club have already booked the venue for next year, and have also set a date for their annual soup shoot in April at their shooting ground in Raydon.

If you would like further details please email: richard@raydonhallac.co.uk

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL

But ‘resurrection’ is happening around us in so many ways all the time. We wake from sleep after the darkness and quietness of the night to a fresh day – that’s a kind of resurrection. When flowers open their leaves to the sunshine of a new day, it’s another kind of resurrection. A new baby is born into the world, full of promise and potential. What a joyful resurrection that is! The most spectacular of all is springtime. Nature awakens from the cold and darkness of winter. Flowers bloom, blossom colour our trees and dawns greet us with warmth and light, lifting our spirits.

So the scriptures tell us: “God raised Jesus from the dead and placed Him in the place of honour at His right hand!”

Let’s join the celebration.

Later in Division 2 we were delighted to be able to enter two teams and thus give some tournament experience to several

John Mellen

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Admission prices for first team games are £6 for adults, £3 for concessions. Bar, refreshments, programme, golden goal, club shop, free car parking – entrance in Humber Doucy Lane, Rushmere.

RAYDON HALL ARCHERY CLUB

The growing popularity of the six-a-side Indoor Series tournament is causing the organisers a few headaches trying to fit all the matches into the available time, but it’s a problem they are delighted to have. Once again this month the seven top teams from around Suffolk met to do battle in Division 1, and news of the high standard of competition has now spread to Norfolk as this time we were joined by strong National League opponents from Norwich and Diss. For once the Ravens were a little below par and we managed only one win from four games, but we were not too disappointed at being beaten by some excellent teams and we took away some valuable lessons learned.

“I cannot believe in resurrection from the dead!” you say, “Let us just accept that Jesus was a wonderful role model and an excellent teacher.”

Market in the Ryman Premier League.

We wish him well at his new club.

Meanwhile, Glenn Read has a fully fit squad as Wanderers play catch-up with all the games in hand that have accrued because of the Vase run.

All the news from the club can be found at our website: www.pitchero.com/ clubs/ipswichwanderers Home fixtures for March include: Saturday, March 12: League v Whitton United, 3pm Saturday, March 26: League v Kirkley & Pakefield, 3pm

of our developing players. Ravens III acquitted themselves particularly well, a win in the final game would have made us overall winners but we lost a close and exciting game 20-17 to the winners Stingers I. Why not give volleyball a try yourself? It’s a lively team sport, it will help with your fitness and coordination, and it’s a lot more fun than going to the gym! Ipswich Ravens hold club practise sessions every Saturday from 2-4pm at St Alban’s School, Rushmere.

We are actively seeking new members and will welcome anyone – male or female, experienced or complete beginner, and any age from 11 upwards.

We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games.

If you are interested in joining this growing sport, visit www.ipswichravens. org.uk or call/text: 07508 351875

In Touch online:

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