In Touch with Shotley - April 2016

In Touch

™ ™ ©© ™©

with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone Volume 6 • Issue No. 5 • APRIL 2016

Image by Svetlana Sewell www.landmstudio.co.uk

Wedding Open Day

Ee

Sunday 8th May, 11am - 3pm

Woolverstone Hall, Woolverstone, Suffolk IP9 1AZ

Woolverstonehall.co.uk

01473 201039

enquiries@woolverstonehall.co.uk The perfect place for your perfect day

2

In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR In a month when many of us will celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday I will also be thinking about another wonderful lady who has had an incredible impact on those who have known and loved her, my husband’s Grandma Ida. Sadly she is no longer with us but I think of her often and invariably find myself smiling when I do.

NEWS FOG CELEBRATION LUNCH FOG (Friends of Guiding), which began as Babergh Vale District Girl Guides Local Association, met for the first time on February 23, 1976. Its function was to help commissioners and guiders with outside administration work and responsibilities and to take an interest in and support the work of the local units, including Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, bearing in mind that it had no responsibility for their running. The name was changed to Babergh Friends of Guiding (FOG) in May 1991.

Ida wasn’t just a perfect grandma, she was the life and soul of the party. There are too many stories to recount here, but Daniel often talks about playing Sardines with his then 83-year-old grandma who deviously abandoned the search and hid herself away in the shower, patiently waiting for her grandchildren to realise the game had taken an unexpected turn!

Ida was the first older person I ever developed a genuine relationship with and I can honestly say she changed me for the better. She stirred both my curiosity and my respect. Meeting someone who was born 70, 80 or 90 years ago can be fascinating if you take the time to get to know them. In doing so you too will come to appreciate the fact that age in itself is a mark of achievement! Just imagine how many challenges and changes an 80-year-old has encountered and overcome, how many moments of despair and possibly even heartbreak they may have endured.

The technological revolution is one of the most significant challenges my generation has encountered. Ida faced and overcame far more serious challenges and still had a twinkle in her eye at 90. Perhaps we need to remind ourselves now and again just how lucky we are (most of the time) and to acknowledge that a lack of interest in or respect for older people speaks volumes about our own character.

Enjoy the celebrations and take a moment to consider how you might like to be treated when you ‘are old and grey and full of sleep’ (WB Yeats).

Currently FOG raises money to support local guiding units, subsidising guiders’ uniform costs and helping units when they need extra money for special activities. On this, the 40th anniversary of the very first FOG meeting, 23 ladies, all past or current members, met in the Benneworth Lounge at East Bergholt for a celebration, where they enjoyed lunch provided by the present FOG committee.

Some reminisced about their own guiding days and even sang a few guiding songs, remembering the words and actions from many years ago. Margaret Wheatley, one of the longest serving members of the committee, cut the special birthday cake as they enjoyed a glass of fizz.

Here’s to the next 40 years!

The FOG AGM will be held on Tuesday, May 10 at The Red Lion, East Bergholt at 7pm. If you are interested in helping to support local guiding please come and join us then. We have only three committee meetings a year and an annual ploughman’s lunch in November to raise funds. For further information contact Elaine Wright: 01473 311009

In Touch

with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone In Touch with Shotley, Pin Mill & Woolverstone is published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

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

Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

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

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

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

We also publish

IN TOUCH WITH...

• Hadleigh • 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 • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Bramford, Offton & Somersham • Woodbridge & Melton • Gt. & Lt. Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Ipswich East, Broke Hall, Ravenswood & Warren Heath • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham

IN TOUCH WITH . . .

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

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

2016 HERO RIDE Is anyone interested in cycling to the Imperial War Museum for breakfast on July 3 as part of the 2016 Hero Ride? A group of us are leaving in the ‘wee small hours’ to be part of this Help for Heroes fundraiser.

As things stand at the moment we have a van and driver to return with the bikes (no cycling back unless you want to!) and some of the team are organising a return coach.

This is not a race but a social cycle with a few laughs chucked in along the way I’m sure, and regular grub stops to keep everyone fully fuelled.

Please contact me if you fancy the idea. It’s a special year for me as its 25 years since I was involved in the first Gulf War so I know what a difference organisations like Help for Heroes make.

Andy White 01473 830135 / 07854 876722 / wandywhite216@aol.com

3

NEWS THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES Shotley Village Hall, February 17-20

NEWS FROM HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Training days Our next training afternoons will be Wednesday, April 13 and Thursday, May 19 when we will be shut from 1pm. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999. These dates are subject to change at short notice due to junior doctors strike action.

Patient online From March 31 any patient registered with the online service will be able to book appointments, order medications, view summary information such as current medications and allergies and coded information, such as a diagnosis of asthma. If you already have online access you will need to request access to the extended service. If you don’t already have access, please come to reception with identification and we will put this in place for you.

Although you can see straight through the plot of this famous Hans Christian Anderson story, the acclaimed Shotley Drama Group put its own unique stamp on this panto.

As always, the group showed a naked ambition in entertaining the audience who get their money’s worth in terms of a full production. Yes the gags are older than the eldest of actors, but are still groan-worthy nonetheless and no doubt even the youngest would grin and bear them. Cleverly created sets and Teresa Heath’s colourful costumes leave nothing to the imagination as the cast danced, sang and acted in the finest of panto tradition.

More mature audience members enjoyed the nod to Monty Python, Nimbyism and even Steps, while a game of guess the accent was not too much of a distraction. Once again the enthusiasm of the large cast, and indeed unsung volunteer back stage production crews, assisted

by DHE Productions, had to be appreciated and it was noticeable how many children performed with their parents, a testament to the production and recruitment skills of Mandy Peters and Carol Blumfield.

Although too many to mention them all, there were stand out performances from the outrageously flamboyant Fabulozo Fettucini (Brian Harvey), Sydnee Nicholas as Aimee Nimby and her stage beau Michelle Merrin playing Sean Preen. Newcomer Guy Johnson as Farmer Nimby gave a marvelous rendition of a Wurzel, with son Sammy a stalwart back up, while the youngest member, Adelaide Prime, gave a whole-hearted and tenacious performance.

The Gleeds, Weedings, Connells, Merrins and the Nicholas’ were all well represented, showing just what a wonderful family occasion this panto was. While the twist at the end was not as transparent as the original play, the moral of the story regarding conceit, vanity, gullibility and plain stupidity remains intact.

Derek Davis Also see page 9.

4

Fidget quilts Thank you to those who have donated wool, buttons and ribbons and to Holly who has made some beautiful fabric quilts. If you would like to have a go at making a fidget quilt for a patient in the dementia unit at Ipswich Hospital please call in and see the examples on our noticeboard. If you need some materials please let us know.

Practice Manager Julia Smith

Help to save the NHS! Recently we have highlighted the huge cost of medication, which has been ordered by patients but has not been used and has therefore been returned to the practice for destruction. We have also told you that our Clinical Commissioning Group has asked that we stop prescribing paracetamol for those who take this on an occasional basis. The next step to reduce our prescribing spend is to stop prescribing gluten free items for those aged over 18 and to reduce the prescribing of this for under 18s.

We will also be prescribing a generic equivalent of any branded medication, where this is available. Finally, we have been advised not to prescribe over the counter items, medications such as hay fever preparations that are readily available from local supermarkets. These measures to reduce spending all come from our local Clinical Commissioning Group.

Please support us, and therefore the NHS nationally, in reducing our prescribing spend by only ordering those medications you need, accepting a generic substitute and purchasing paracetamol, gluten free and over the counter medications from a local supermarket.

If you have any queries, please contact PALS on 0800 389 6819.

SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL Our last auction raised almost £500. A massive thank you to helpers, sellers and buyers. The committee is constantly looking at ways to improve the hall.

In Touch online:

Don’t have a Will or Lasting Power of Attorney?

Don’t leave it too late…

Call us on 01473 358195 to ask for your copy of our FREE eye-opening report: “10 reasons why not making a Will could leave your estate in a state” or make an appointment with no obligation.

Fresh veg delivered to your door!

Part of Realise Futures Horticulture

We provide fresh, local, seasonal vegetables and produce that are low in food miles and high in freshness through a box of veg scheme.

Large Box ‘o’ Veg Small Box ‘o’ Veg Bag ‘o’ Veg Bag ‘o’ Fruit

£10 £8 £5 £5

Call 01473 831224 Part of

www.silverliningep.co.uk

Making sense of it all…

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

www.growingplacessuffolk.co.uk

5

NEWS REPORT TO PARISHES: Alton Ward

PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw

Tips from Suffolk Police Community Safety Team

DEVOLUTION The devolution agenda continues to rumble on. A bid by Suffolk added Norfolk to be stronger. Now Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are added. My fear has been that each council would find itself more remote from decision making. Now we risk ending up as an agricultural and tourist hinterland to Cambridge and Peterborough. Elected mayor aside, the ruling ‘Council of Leaders’ will be dominated by one political group.

How many of these councils are likely to be led by a non-Conservative administration? We have many different strands of opinion to be taken into account. Think of every council area as a sort of ‘super seat’ and we have a winner takes all approach. Not very representative, democratic, accountable or local, I would say! You can follow this through the front page on Babergh’s website: http://www.babergh.gov.uk/

Identity theft or identity frauds are terms used to describe a situation in which personal details have been misappropriated for the use of personal gain. Your identity and personal information are valuable and criminals could easily find out your personal details and use them to open bank accounts, get credit cards, loans, benefits, passports and driving licenses.

BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX Babergh passed the 2016/17 budget at the end of February. I’ll write about the breakdown later. For the moment though, I will break down the council tax division for the ward. Your total annual council tax for Band D (the average and the base level) will be: Brantham £1,521.87, raising about £1.3million; Stutton £1,506.37, raising about £0.5m; Tattingstone £1,512.60, raising about £0.33m.

• Carefully check your bank or building society statements for unfamiliar transactions and immediately contact the company if there are any discrepancies. This could be a sign that you are a victim of identity crime.

Around 76% of that goes to Suffolk County Council (£1,150 pa). Another 11.5% goes to the Police and Crime Commissioner (£173 pa). Both of those parts are increasing by 2% .

Babergh district makes up just shy of 10% of the total (£150 pa). The increase is £5 a year, or 10p a week, the most allowable. It’s 3.5% but, to be fair, there has been a long freeze and we have to prepare for a steady reduction to zero in the Revenue Support Grant.

The only point of variation in these figures is the parish precepts. These vary from 2.3% in Stutton (£35) through 2.7% in Tattingstone (£41) to the dizzy heights of 3.3% in Brantham (£50.55). I’m an active parish councillor myself and firmly believe that our parish councils are a bargain in local government. The average PC precept for Babergh is £75.68.

The bottom line is about a 2.1% overall increase in council tax. More number fun next time.

PLANNING AND HOUSES This subject occupies more of our minds, more press coverage and more passion than any other. That’s true everywhere I go. Housing needs to be built to make up for the sad shortfalls of many years. Babergh has a policy of 35% provision of social housing, but somehow it doesn’t seem to be achieved very often. There are also nearly half a million outstanding planning permissions in England that have been granted and not acted upon. The last figures available show that house builders built under a third of that in one year. So planning permissions are by no means the end of the story. People are going to get upset though when applications are being considered. All I would ask is that we examine the evidence carefully and keep a cool head. Nobody is taking this lightly, but the current policies in planning, and their interpretation, have a very firm predisposition in favour of building, sustainability, viability and proportionality. Opinions differ on the meaning of these seemingly flexible words.

In favour of a rational approach to these issues, I refer to the Babergh Planning page to view, follow and comment. Information is the key here. http://tinyurl.com/z4zpjaf If you want to talk anytime, please contact me or just say hello (I’m on a blue Claud Butler bike). alastair.mccraw@babergh.gov.uk / 07812 564188

To protect you, Suffolk Police offer these simple tips: Report lost or stolen documents immediately (passports, driving licenses, cards) • Always shred or burn all unwanted bills, statements, or post with your name and address on it. Identity theft is often achieved by taking documents from your rubbish.

• Obtain a copy of your personal credit file from a credit reference agency. If you have moved house recently you should do this two to three months after you have moved and tell your bank and card users immediately that you have moved. Credit reference agencies and organisations such as www.cifas.org.uk can, for a fee, alert you to changes on your credit file that could indicate potential fraudulent activity.

• If you suspect your mail is being stolen contact the Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Line (03457 740 740) and check whether a re-direction order has been placed without your knowledge. If you move, ask them to re-direct your mail for at least one year.

• Visit www.getsafeonline.org for information on how to stay safe when using online facilities for shopping, and banking. They will also advise you on how to protect your computer and the personal information stored on it.

• If you share accommodation with other people (i.e. flats, shared houses) ensure that your mail is put somewhere secure. You can arrange to collect new credit cards/cheque books yourself from your local bank/building society.

• Protect the identity of deceased family members by contacting: www.thebereavementregister.org.uk / www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk / www.mpsonline.org.uk • You can sign up to the Land Registry’s free Property Alert service to help protect your property from fraud. They will send you an email alert each time there is significant activity that may result in a change to the register of a property you are monitoring, e.g. if a new mortgage is taken out against the property. For more information visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/property-alert

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

The helpline can provide a listening ear as well as information and signposting to services that can help. The Suffolk Dementia Helpline can support anyone who needs to talk. Perhaps you have memory worries yourself or even a recent diagnosis and want someone to talk to. Maybe you have concerns about a loved one, or need support in your caring role. Perhaps it’s just information you are after, or a confidential chat with someone. The line can help anyone who is looking for practical support and is able to provide you with local information and get you in touch with organisations that can help.

Facebook: Alton, Alastair McCraw & Harriet Steer (an open group)

6

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

7

WATCHDOG SEEKS VIEWS ON DIABETIC FOOT CARE SERVICES IN SUFFOLK Healthwatch Suffolk is working with a leading Consultant Physician of Diabetes and Endocrinology at the Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust Diabetic Centre to explore local experiences of using diabetic foot care services in Suffolk.

Good foot care is essential for people living with diabetes because it can prevent complications caused by high blood glucose levels including damage to nerves and blood vessels. In fact, active foot disease is a leading cause of amputation in the UK. That is why Healthwatch is keen to explore whether people at high risk of developing foot disease in Suffolk are receiving appropriate care. It is interested in your experiences about the full range of services that may care for your feet and this includes those accessed in GP practices, hospitals and in the community.

Andy Yacoub, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Suffolk, said: “Our aim is to ensure that these essential services are shaped by the experiences of people using them. This survey will help us to independently check that patients are receiving the right messages to help them manage their condition and that there is fair and appropriate access to foot care services across the county. If you have diabetes or know someone that does, please take part. It only takes a moment and your views could make a positive difference to care in Suffolk.”

To take part, visit: www.surveymonkey.com/r/suffolkdiabetes You can also contact Healthwatch Suffolk on 01449 703949 or by email to info@healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk to request a hard copy survey.

This survey will close on April 30, 2016.

Looking for high-quality plastering work that adds strength to your walls and helps you prepare for decorating?

Gatehouse Ipswich Ltd have the experience and expertise to handle all your internal and external plastering requirements. You can be sure of a smooth finish when you choose us.

Our services range from traditional plastering to external rendering, specialising in ornamental plastering, mouldings, cornice and heritage plastering including lime work, chalk and hair, lathwork and hydraulic lime/sand.

We have over 35 year’s experience in the industry and welcome enquiries from both commercial and private customers.

8

In Touch online:

NEWS / OUT & ABOUT HOLBROOK PARISH COUNCIL

SHOTLEY DRAMA GROUP

Key points from the February parish council meeting Reade Field: Works are required to bring the existing equipment up to the desired standard. Individually the costs are not prohibitive but there is no money remaining in this year’s budget. It was agreed that it might be necessary to use some funds from reserves for this and for temporary repairs to the pavilion roof.

Consideration of the idea of a joint-funded PCSO on the peninsula: Following a discussion, it was decided that the parish council would not pursue this matter in the foreseeable future given concerns about costs and actual benefit to the parish.

Full minutes can be found at: www.holbrook.onesuffolk.net Fly the flag for the Commonwealth By the time this article has been printed, Holbrook Parish Council will have celebrated Commonwealth Day with the students of the primary school. Further information and photos will be included next time.

Holbrook’s annual parish meeting The annual parish meeting takes place on Wednesday, April 27 at 7.30pm in the village hall. It provides an opportunity for the electors of the parish to meet and offer their opinions on the items on the agenda. If you represent an organisation or group within Holbrook and would like to display information or make a report to the meeting, please contact the clerk before Monday, April 18.

Questions or comments about parish council matters should be addressed in the first instance to the clerk, Mrs Ferial Rolfe: holbrookparishclerk@outlook.com / 07999 583017

AN EVENING OF OPEN VERSE All are welcome to join us at The Baker’s Arms in Harkstead for an evening of verse recital. Come along to listen or feel free to recite a poem, prose or folk song of your choice, or share your very own creation, followed by a delicious buffet.

2016 PROGRAMME Thursday, April 28: Paper Thursday, May 26: May Queen Thursday, June 30: Busting Out All Over Thursday, July 28: Abundance Thursday, September 29: Mellow Fruitfulness Thursday, October 27: Witches & Wizards Thursday, November 24: Earth, Wind, Fire & Water We meet at 7.30pm and break for the buffet at 8.30pm. £3 to cover buffet costs.

Months of rehearsals culminated in our latest production of The Emperor’s New Clothes and on behalf of the group I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all who came to support us. I would also like to thank the cast for their hard work in rehearsals and during production week, when most of them fell ill with colds and flu.

What a vain and silly ruler Emperor Preen (played by one of our favourites Aaron Gleed) turned out to be, but fortunately he was saved by his enduring wife Persephone (a great performance by Diane Weeding). Of course, Persephone was given impetus by her son Sean Preen (Michelle Merrin) and Amelia Nimby (Sydnee Nicholas). A special mention must go to our newcomer, Guy Johnson, who was a wonderful Farmer Nimby, ably supported by his beautiful wife Nellie, a first time dame for Brian Spalding. We enjoyed booing the flamboyant Fabulozo Fettuccini along with his henchmen Swindler and Fiddler. Thanks also go to Kailea Boyne who came in at the last minute because of illness and was a great Yorkshire Fairy. However, every single cast member played their part and I am proud of each and very one.

The group were supported by many others who also worked hard helping to make this production such a success, from choreographers, sound, lighting, catering, front of house, backstage boys, stage constructors, scenery painters and backstage aunties. Although we missed Tom Durrant who had played piano for us for so many years, we were able to obtain the services of Peter McLean. Finally, special thank you must go to Teresa, our wardrobe mistress, who, with a band of special people did an absolutely fantastic job organising our costumes, and people to help sew and alter them. I’m sure if you came to see us you would agree.

We are now looking forward to our next production, a comedy called The Village Hall. Unsurprisingly the action is set in a village hall and tells the tells the stories of the different organisations that use the hall, with a hilarious storyline running through it. We really enjoyed reading it and found it very amusing. The dates for this production are October 6, 7 and 8.

Clear the clutter – bag a bargain ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, April 9, 9am-12.30pm A chance to buy a whole range of products from local people including fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which helps present buying.

Welcome the spring and come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the lovely venue.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

Bentley Toddler Group is holding a jumble sale to raise funds on Saturday, April 30 from 2pm at Bentley Village Hall.

If you have anything you wish to donate to our sale, please bring it along to the hall from 9am on April 28 or call Pam (01473 310283) or Aimée (01473 311311) who will arrange to collect it from you.

If you would like to come to our sale, the hall will be open from 2pm. Tea and coffee will also be available.

We look forward to seeing you and thank you for your support.

9

Trusted by local families since 1925 47 St Helens Street Ipswich 01473 257242 283 Norwich Road Ipswich 01473 232837 Station Road Manningtree 01206 391855 139 Main Road Kesgrave 01473 860030

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.

10

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT GIPPESWYK SINGERS SPRING CONCERT AN ENGLISH THEME 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 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 one-on-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.

Friday, April 8 at 7.30pm / tickets £7 Light refreshments, raffle and pay bar

www.gippeswyksingers.co.uk

Book ahead by calling 01473 327255 or get tickets at the door.

SHOTLEY OVER 60s CLUB Our next meeting is on Thursday, April 14, 1.50-4pm.

SPRING SALE AND COFFEE MORNING The Friends of the historic Lambe School in East Bergholt warmly invite you to their popular Spring Sale and Coffee Morning on Saturday, April 23, 10am-noon, at the school on Gaston Street.

Attractions include cake and plant stalls, a raffle, a bucket raffle, cards, Blind Lucky Dip, Name the Bear, children’s toys, toiletries, bric-a-brac and books.

Entrance £1 including coffee and biscuits. Children free!

On Thursday, April 28 we are going to see Annie at the Ipswich Regent.

The coach leaves Shotley at 1pm and the show starts at 2pm. If anyone would find it difficult to go up the steps at the front of the Regent there is a side door which gives easy access. The show finishes between 4.305pm. The price of the coach and show is £25.

Following this, we meet on May 12 in Shotley Village Hall, 1.50-4pm, and then on Wednesday, May 18 we are going to Bury for the day. We leave Shotley at 9am and leave Bury between 2-2.15pm.

On Wednesday, June 22 we will be going to Dunwich for a fish and chip lunch, having a little tour on the way home.

On Thursday, August 16 we visit the Dad’s Army museum at Bressingham, leaving Shotley at 9am, and on Wednesday, November 23 we are having a day at Taverham, leaving Shotley at 9.15am.

For information about the club or the outings, please contact Norman and Eileen on 787358. Lifts are always available.

BATS JUNE PRODUCTION : HOLIDAY SNAP We are pleased to announce our June production of Holiday Snap, a comedy by Michael Pertwee and John Chapman. The play can be seen from Thursday, June 9 to Saturday 11 at 7.30pm in Brantham Village Hall.

This tale of comic predicament and mistaken identity unfolds with real wit and style. A Portuguese time-share villa has been double-booked, unknown to the company rep, the myopic tippler Commander “Chitto” Chittenden. When Mary and Henry arrive shortly after Eve and Leslie, Chitto manages to remain unaware that there is more than one couple on the scene. Watch the confusion compound with the missing housekeeper and her husband. How will the arrival of Henry’s mother-in-law cause even more problems? Who is the real Sir Piers? Answer these questions by coming along to see this hilarious play.

Tickets (on sale from May 1) will cost £7 from Bakes & Blossoms Café at Acacia Court, 01026 396674 or (text) 07891 974844.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

SHOTLEY WALKING CLUB Our next walk on April 10 will take us around Freston, starting at 2.30pm from the lay-by this side of Freston Boat.

If you would like to join us on one of our walks please give me a call or just turn up on the day.

I have been ill and spent time in hospital over the last two months. I just want to thank all my brilliant friends and neighbours who all have been concerned about me, doing my shopping, drying my washing, visiting with cards and lovely flowers. I have missed so many things – the village quiz, WI, bowls, the last walk, and seeing all my friends on the buses going to bingo.

See you all again soon.

Love, Jill 01473 787504

11

OUT & ABOUT SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 CLUB

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED

February draw winners

Monday, April 4: Butterflies (Jill)

1.

£25

145

Mrs S Ratcliffe

2.

£20

079

Ms S Edwards

3.

15

149

Mrs J Mower

4.

£6

030

Mrs E Bugg

5.

£5

Donated to funds

Other kits available on the evening. Samples of each month’s project are displayed the month before and other projects are available.

The Saturday workshops (10am-4pm) and Monday meetings (7.3010pm) are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms.

For more information contact Ann (01473 780298) or Jill (01473 713534).

New members are always welcome in the 700 Club. Subscriptions are £1 a month and can be paid three monthly, six monthly or by the year.

SHOTLEY WHIST DRIVE

Porch roof The main beam supporting the porch roof has been repaired. We await some dry and warmer weather for the replastering.

Our next whist drives are on Thursdays, April 7 and 21, 1.50-4pm. We play 12 games of whist before having refreshments, that more often than not include homemade cakes. We then have a draw before playing another 12 games of whist. We pay out prizes of money and a gift.

Suffolk Show We will be running a coach to the Suffolk Show on Wednesday, June 1, leaving Shotley at 8.30am and returning at 4.45pm. Entry tickets at a discounted price can be obtained. To book, contact Norman: 787358 Thursford We have been allocated tickets for the 2pm performance on Sunday, November 20. Early booking is advisable with Norman on 787358. More details later.

1st SHOTLEY SCOUTS Planting out of this world We have just found out that we have been successful in an application to take part in the space seeds programme. We will be sent a selection of seeds that were taken into space. At 4.26am on Tuesday, March 1, Commander Scott Kelly of NASA and Russian cosmonauts Mikhail Kornienko and Sergey Volkov of Roscosmos landed safely back on Earth in Kazakhstan with our seeds. The beavers will be planting them in April and we will take part in the Rocket Science Programme.

Secretary wanted If you would like to help our group but aren’t keen on the scout uniform, why not come and join our executive committee? No previous experience needed. We meet every eight weeks and try to have a bit of fun along the way. If you have any questions please contact Jane on 01473 787416.

New for old Plans are afoot for a joint cub and scout camp at Bures in the Easter holidays, and as part of this our quartermasters have been reviewing our tentage. Unfortunately they found that some of our smaller tents were a little bit worse for wear. But don’t despair, thanks to your continued support with our fundraising efforts we have dug deeply into the pot and have managed to purchase four new Vango Beta 450Xl (four man tents to you and me). We hopefully will be able to report back as to how the camp went in the next edition.

SYNC building / scout hut The open meeting was held on February 24 where the SYNC trustees formally minuted that the building would be transferred over to 1st Shotley Scout Group. We would like to thank the SYNC trustees for their generosity and support in this matter. It has been many years since 1st Shotley had their own base and we look forward to making it our home.

Sainsbury’s vouchers You still have time to pass on your Sainsbury’s vouchers; collection boxes are in the pizza shop and outside scout HQ.

12

Lifts are always available. For more information contact Norman and Eileen on 787358.

Everyone is welcome to join us – we are a very friendly group!

SHOTLEY AND ERWARTON WI After the usual business at the February meeting, members were told about the Suffolk Show competitions and invited to contribute to the soft toy and fiddle mat categories. These are not judged but after the show will be distributed to various dementia care facilities throughout the county. We were advised that the 90 plus shoe boxes filled by our members had been sent to Swaziland. Councillor Derek Davis was our speaker and talked about the Ganges development and fielded many questions. He also spoke about the Ganges Museum and promoting the peninsula as a place to visit.

The competition of a photograph on the peninsula was won by Sheila Mower. The raffle was drawn and birthday posies distributed.

Why don’t you come and join us? Visitors are always made very welcome.

Call Lyn (788203) or Jo (787311) or just turn up.

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB On March 2 Richard Walker presented When Pirates Ruled the Waves, a very local issue a few decades back, and we held our annual general meeting on Wednesday, March 16 when Graeme Forsyth stepped down after his year as president.

On April 6 David Carman will interview our new president Hew Naylor in his Desert Island Discs in what promises to be a most interesting meeting. At our second meeting of the month on April 20 Phil Hadwen will speak about the life of Edith Cavell, a British nurse who saved the lives of soldiers from both sides, without discrimination, and helped some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during the First World War. We meet at the convenient St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB. Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed. We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month in Manningtree at 10.30am. For further details please contact secretary Brian Rolfe: 01206 393665

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT 1ST SAMFORD VALLEY SCOUT GROUP (HOLBROOK) Jumble sale First of all, we’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported our jumble sale in February. It’s the first one we’ve held for years and we were amazed by the response. Not only did people donate an enormous quantity of good quality jumble but everyone was very generous when it came to buying it back. Special thanks go to April who held everything together and compensated for my rather last minute approach to things, and also to Sarah, Tessa, Carol, Sue, Mel and Janette for their tireless work on the day.

We made £250 in the space of an hour and a half and were so pleased with the result that we plan to make this a yearly, or even twice-yearly, event. We are going to spend the proceeds on billies and dixies (aka small and large cooking pots) for our four scout patrols and will put the profits from future sales towards building up more general camping equipment.

International Women’s Day Our cubs contributed to the International Women’s Day event in Stutton by setting a baffling series of questions on obscure bits of women’s history.

Did you know that the first patent granted to a woman was awarded to Amye Everard of Devon in 1637, but that almost 50 years later they were still hanging women in Exeter for witchcraft? Or that the first person to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel was a woman, Annie Edson Taylor (she sent her cat first to check that it was safe)? Or that the best-selling novelist of all time is a woman (Agatha Christie), with two billion copies of her books sold worldwide? Our favourite fact, though, was that Barbara Cartland was awarded the Bishop Wright Air Industry Award for her contribution to the development of troop-carrying gliders. Bet you didn’t know that!

Summer programmes Our section leaders are going to be working on these over the Easter break. If last year is anything to go by, our young people will be making the best of the summer weather to get out and about. Our scouts will be honing their bushcraft skills, learning a bit of teamwork along the way, and trying not to get lost on their hikes around the peninsula, while our beavers will be playing games outside, building dens and going on their annual sleepover.

Unfortunately, the outlook for our cubs this summer is considerably gloomier. Unless a knight in shining armour appears on the horizon, we plan to shut the section at the beginning of June, just after our annual summer camp. It’s a pity as it means, in the short term, that our 23 cubs will no longer be able to enjoy the everyday adventure that scouting provides and, in the longer term, it threatens the survival of the entire group.

Could you be the one to come to our rescue? If we can’t find a fully formed Akela, then someone who would be prepared to help plan and prepare our meetings would fit the bill. You just need a bit of time and some enthusiasm – training and mentoring are available to bring you up to speed with scouting methods and badge requirements. Our 23 cubs, and the beavers coming up behind them, would be forever in your debt.

If you think you might be able to help us out, even in a more minor capacity, please contact Alison on 327691.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

13

14

In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION Explorer Scouts are young people aged between 14 and 18 years old, and Cattawade Unit meets on the second Friday of each month in Cattawade with other meetings on the fourth Friday of each month or as agreed as outdoor activity meetings or weekend events.

The unit has recently recruited an additional leader to support the scout and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programmes with those registered for the award programmes increasing each month.

Most of the Explorers have recently completed our ‘out of season’ winter/spring expedition training programme and are now preparing for practice expeditions for DofE Bronze and Silver in Suffolk and DofE Gold expeditions in the Peak District and Snowdonia.

Several unit members have signed up for this year’s ocean going offshore sailing organised by Suffolk Scouts or the international events being run in the UK and overseas.

We also have a limited number of places available for young people aged 14 to 24 who wish to complete their DofE or Queen’s Scout Awards especially those who have been unable to complete their expedition section with their local organisation.

If you are a holder of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and would like to help more young people achieve theirs too, or wish to know more, please contact Roger for an informal chat.

Cattawade Explorer Scout Roger S Dann, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Leader: 01206 395285 / 07778 463172 / catt-explorers@outlook.com

STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, March 9 Charlotte Harding presented An Introduction to Warner & Sons, a talk on the 120 years of textile design and manufacture in London and Braintree, highlighting the company’s royal connections.

On Wednesday, April 13 Rebecca Parry BSc, Director of Conservation, Education & Research, will talk on Zoos and Conservation. Her talk will include the history of zoological collections, including Colchester Zoo, the zoo’s current modern roles, its breeding programmes and conservation projects in the wild.

We meet at Constable Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TP at 2.15pm. Annual membership is £12 and this entitles members to attend the meetings that take place on the second Wednesday of each month.

Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking, computer studies and gardens, churches and historic buildings visits. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust and have more than 200 members and 18 groups.

For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Val Pretty can be contacted.

It’s never too late to learn. Join the 361,477 members across 969 U3As throughout the UK today.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

Our next meeting is on April 19 when Veronica Bennett, a volunteer speaker for the National Trust, will be telling us about Felbrigg Hall in Norfolk. Begun in the early 17th century, Felbrigg surprises and delights visitors with its architectural variety, wonderful rooms and beautiful garden and woods. We look forward to another of Veronica’s fascinating and insightful talks.

May 17 sees the return of one of our regular speakers, Peter Lawrence, with a talk entitled From the Krays to the Crown. Peter is an ex-London policeman and this promises to be a fascinating insight into crime from the 1960s through to the 1980s.

As a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, you can get more out of your membership by joining the East Suffolk National Trust Association which meets (September to May) at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre (Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF) at 7.15pm.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome for a £2 entrance fee. National Trust members/volunteers can join the association for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address).

For more information contact our membership secretary – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761.

Vsit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

CHELMONDISTON WI Chelmo WI celebrated being 90 years old this month. So of course we had a lovely party with a massive cake, and a huge buffet table groaning with beautiful WI food, and Janet’s gorgeous table decorations.

We all dressed up with plenty of bling and had a really good time. Jane’s wonderful choir, Vivo, sang a compilation of songs which had been popular during the years of the Queen’s life, starting in the 1920s and ending in 2015, which naturally included a song by Queen (the group!). We had a really enjoyable sing-along, including of course a very spirited rendition of Jerusalem, and Vivo joined us for drinks and eats after their performance.

Caroline produced a mad game of catching ducks for members, and we ended the evening with us all beaming for a group photograph. Here’s to the next 90 years!

The next meeting is on April 12 and we get serious again with a speaker from Sizewell Power Station.

CHELMONDISTON & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY There’s still plenty to come this year and plenty of reasons to join us, so it’s not too late if you missed the January meeting. A year’s membership is still only £5 and there are no other compulsory charges. Visitors can come for £1 a session.

On April 26 Simon Leatherdale will be talking about Maritime Woodland.

Simon has been with us before, his career was with the Woodland Trust and he is an entertaining speaker. The meeting is at 7.30pm in Chelmondiston Village Hall.

15

OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS SHOTLEY GARDENING CLUB Suzie Davis, creator of Katies’ Garden, began her adult working life as a cellist, playing in symphony orchestras before the birth of her first child (Katie) when the family moved to Grundisburgh and she planted her first garden. That began the family business which she now runs in Newbourn.

This change of career has proved to be something of a pattern as people who have been drawn to work for her were also once something else and are, like Suzie, self-taught enthusiasts. There is a graphic designer, a teacher, a nurse, a boat builder (her husband) and a number of others who have found their niche in what seems to be a very happy, dedicated and now very knowledgeable team.

Suzie told her audience about how Katies’ Garden has developed gradually over time from being purely wholesale , supplying East Anglian businesses and local shops, to including a retail side that is going from strength to strength.

We had no idea of how finely balanced such a business is, combining so many factors, some of which like the weather are unpredictable.

She explained how the emphasis has changed over time. In the past people with gardens used to plan in the autumn and plant their gardens according to the needs of the plants and crops. Now apparently mostly serious gardeners do this and the majority tend to do nothing until the spring and then want everything ready to plant out preferably already in flower before they go away on holiday in the summer. She calls them the decorators. The decorators are followed by the tourists and then, from about September, the work turns to potting on or sowing the plants for spring. She does have her regulars and grows an impressive range of perennials and an increasing range of shrubs. Some she sources from specialist growers but many are raised in the nursery.

Suzie’s enthusiasm and knowledge shines through and I rather envy someone who has so clearly found her dream and is making it work. (She told us that she still finds time to play her cello in orchestras too.)

The plants she brought with her were impressively well grown and sturdy and, as we usually do, we took advantage to buy some for ourselves.

There was nearly a fight over a lovely and very unusual Mahonia. The losers will be heading out to Newbourn when we have given her time to acquire some more specimens.

The competition of a flower arrangement not to exceed six inches was won by June Edwards.

On April 9 the club will be using our entitlement to one free visit to an RHS garden by going to Hyde Hall instead of having an evening meeting.

BE A GOVERNOR AT CHELMONDISTON PRIMARY SCHOOL Chelmondiston Primary School governors are looking for someone to join us to support our lovely school.

School governors play a fundamental role in education, and volunteering as a governor is a brilliant way to contribute to the community. A varied governing body is a basis of enormous strength to the school; working as a team with senior leadership in a supportive and challenging role helps secure the finest education, learning environment and future for our pupils.

If you would like to help, please get in touch with the school on 01473 780576.

16

ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE DEVELOPING WORLD PROJECTS St Joseph’s College’s Developing World Projects continue to flourish. The college has established an ongoing partnership with Osiligi Obaya School in Kenya, a school for the most needy children living in the Maasai. Each summer staff and students visit the school so that over a sustained period of time the college family can follow the development of the children, the school and its community.

This summer five sixth form students will spend two weeks running a summer school for these children accompanied by staff from the college. Every child attends.

Not only because the learning activities are fabulous, but also because each child receives a mid-morning meal of porridge and tea, as well as a wholesome lunch.

It is likely that this will be their only solid meal of the day.

In addition, the school needs culturally relevant learning resources: English, mathematics and science equipment, teachers’ resources, thinking activities and games, art and design materials; musical instruments; consumerables (pens/paper, etc) and construction equipment. Dr Hine, head of the prep school at St Joseph’s College, also works regularly with Osiligi’s headteacher and all the school’s teaching staff on their school development plan. This is really taking shape and a new set of locally sourced reading books will be in situ in the coming weeks.

HORN FACTORY FUNDRAISING CONCERT Friday, April 22 at St Joseph’s College, Belstead Road IP2 9DR If you would like to support the staff and the fabulous-five St Joseph’s College students who will be travelling to the Maasai during summer 2016, please join with the incredible Horn Factory Band (featuring Steve Stone from Mansion House Publishing!) in concert at St Joseph’s College on Friday, April 22, 7.30-10pm.

For tickets (£14 / under 16s £7 – including nibbles) please visit: www.redrosechain.com For further details or to make a donation to enable the purchase of practical equipment from local Kenyan sources for these worthy children please contact Martin Hine: M.hine@stjos.co.uk

STUTTON PRIMARY SCHOOL At Easter we will be saying farewell to several members of staff, including our headteacher. We are grateful for all they have contributed to the school and wish them well in the future.

However, Stutton School is moving into a very exciting new phase. We are delighted that Dr Simon Letman from Holbrook Academy and Mr Michael Lynch from Springfield Junior School have agreed to be joint interim headteachers for the immediate future and they are working closely with governors and parents to ensure the best outcome for the children of our school.

This term we have celebrated Chinese New Year and parents came and helped the children make Chinese lanterns, dragons and Chinese noodles. Mothers and grandmothers joined us for a Mother’s Day lunch on March 3 and the children dressed up in some wonderful costumes for World Book Day. Easter craft activities have also been supported by parents and a whole school trip to the zoo and an Easter egg hunt will round off a busy term.

Visits to the school are always welcome.

01473 328531 / ad.stutton.p@talk21.com / www.stutton.suffolk.sch.uk

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

17

SCHOOLS THE ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL

NEWS FROM BENTLEY CEVC

School announced Apple Regional Training Centre

This month has been another whirlwind of activity here at Bentley.

World Book Day was ‘wild’ as we dressed up as something from the wild in honour of the book Where The Wild Things Are. We had a professional dance company come in and deliver dance workshops based on the theme and we even designed out own ‘wild places’.

The Royal Hospital School has been announced an Apple-approved Regional Training Centre (RTC) providing teachers and technical staff from schools and colleges all over the region with an opportunity to come together to access expertise, training and best practice to support their use of Apple technology in the classroom.

Apple has been promoting RTCs since 2005 with a focus on pedagogy, for sharing best practice and gaining skills. According to Apple, RTCs exist to introduce planned, effective, digital solutions to schools using Mac and iPad; to train teachers to use Apple’s tools to help enable active and transformative teaching and learning within the classroom.

Dr Jonathan Allday, director of information and academic systems at the Royal Hospital School, said: “We are delighted to be announced as an Apple Regional Training Centre. The school has mobile technology well embedded into its teaching and learning, a process that started in 2012 when all of our teachers were provided with an iPad alongside two years of intensive training. By September 2015 every pupil in the school was using an iPad in the classroom and for planning, access to resources and communication. Our recognition as an RTC is a result of this well-planned and considered approach to incorporating technology into our teaching and learning and the enthusiastic support provided by our innovative IT solutions providers, XMA.” Pupils mark Fairtrade Fortnight The geography club, eco committee and catering team at the Royal Hospital School joined up to promote International Fairtrade Fortnight, as well as to contribute towards the school’s efforts to achieve the Carbon Charter Gold Award.

Fairtrade Fortnight is an annual promotional campaign, co-ordinated by the Fairtrade Foundation, when everyone from commercial partners to schoolchildren, producers to politicians, come together to talk about and raise awareness of Fairtrade.

Fairtrade Fortnight at the Royal Hospital School kicked off with the geography club delivering an excellent chapel talk all about the benefits of Fairtrade and the unveiling of the geography corridor which had been transformed into a rainforest complete with rainforest noises.

Each break and lunchtime throughout the fortnight, Year 8 pupils led activities to promote Fairtrade. These included Fairtrade chocolate tasting, guess the product, match the produce to the country, a QR treasure hunt around the school, Fairtrade milkshake, films, poetry competitions and an afternoon conserving the trees at Princes Wood.

The campaign culminated in a whole-school quiz where 14 teams battled it out for first place, using the knowledge gained throughout the Fairtrade Fortnight activities.

Pupils were also invited to pledge their promise to the rainforest and eco-commitments by writing on a ‘leaf’ and adding this to the geography rainforest. Staff also joined in the celebration drinking only Fairtrade tea and coffee in the common room, pledging their own promises and cheering on their houses in the Fairtrade quiz. The catering department encouraged the purchase of Fairtrade products in the school café and labelled every meal served at breakfast, lunch and supper with the origins and associated food miles. www.royalhospitalschool.org

18

Our rather fantastic basketball team had a huge success at the recent basketball competition held at East Bergholt High School; they saw off all the competition to make it to the final, coming second overall. This really is a big achievement for a team coming from a small school such as ours and we are very proud of all the pupils who took part. They were praised for their excellent behaviour and sportsmanship by adults who attended the event and were super ambassadors for the school.

Easter Egg Club has been as popular as ever this year, chocolate has featured most highly on the agenda! The children have been making beautiful chocolate eggs and other Easter goodies to take home in their own special Easter basket. As well as the Easter Egg Club, we are looking at the true meaning of Easter and are preparing for and looking forward to a special Easter assembly at the church. The Worship Group (a group of children in the school who organise special events and write prayers for the classes) are involved in the planning and we can’t wait to see what they have come up with this year. As well as the importance of the Easter story, we will be having our annual Easter Bonnet Parade – always an eye opener; some parents have a very artistic flare.

Adders and Badgers Class We have started a topic on the Anglo-Saxons and are looking at how life in England then compares to life now, and what similarities there are. We are looking forward to our planned trip to West Stow AngloSaxon village later in the month and learning about the houses, animals and tools that were common place in that time. If you have any useful artefacts about this topic that you wouldn’t mind lending to us for a short while, we would love to hear from you.

We are looking at the topic of Africa. We have looked at where it is in the world, what plants, animals and land features there are and how different cultures have developed across the continent. We have been looking at the book Handa’s Surprise to help us find out about how life differs in an African culture to our own, including different foods that are eaten. As with above, if you have any items that you could lend us that would help our learning it would be lovely to hear from you.

Finally, thank you ever so much for all the newspaper we have had in, the community has rallied to the call again!

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

19

SPORT EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

LEARN TO SAIL ON THE RIVER ORWELL WITH NEPTUNE SAILING

THE LAST MONTH As we entered March, and the final stages of the campaign, the 1st team were still heading the table in the Senior Division having taken seven points from a possible nine through February. Unfortunately, injuries had mounted up and a weakened team exited the Bob Coleman Cup at the quarter-final stage.

The Reserves had a storming February, collecting a maximum 12 points and scoring 23 goals in the process. This leaves them with a reasonable chance of achieving a third place finish in the league.

The A team had a mixed month with two wins and two losses, but remain well placed in third position in the table. As you will see from their fixture list their season will be almost over as we move into April.

The players and officials are now wearing their smart new team wear with pride.

This has been generously sponsored by TravelPlus Tours.

You can follow the progress of our teams at http://touchlinesil.co.uk, referring to the Fixtures and Results tab and selecting the appropriate date(s) and competitions.

Upcoming fixtures and events

1st TEAM Senior Division

RESERVES Intermediate A Wenhaston Utd Res

Sat, Mar 26 Mon, Mar 28 Sat, Apr 2 Wed, Apr 6

Capel Plough Westerfield Utd Ipswich Athletic

A

Wickham Market

A

Wed, Apr 20

Leiston St Margarets

A

Thu, Apr 21 H

H

Achilles Res

H

Coplestonians Res

H

Grundisburgh

Bacton United 89 Res

A

We organise open-access instructor training in April and July. Each course lasts five days and requires a preassessment of personal sailing skills by an RYA coach, many of whom will work at numerous UK centres.

The most exciting is the number of young senior and dinghy instructors qualifying from our own training schemes. Our key aim as a charity is to get young people and adults out on the water to enjoy affordable sailing.

Open-access courses – Your chance to try sailing

H

Spaces are available in our youth groups which run three evenings a week for 16 weeks: Wednesday (beginners), Tuesdays (intermediates) and Thursdays (advanced). The minimum age is 10 years with applications through our website.

Neptune runs both Powerboat Level 2 (PB2) and Safety Boat courses and these support the work of local clubs. Parents of youth group members wishing to become involved will be most welcome.

Achilles Res

A

We will be working with local schools and scout groups again this year. Do get in touch if your group might be interested.

Adult sailing courses can be added as demand is identified.

Westerfield Utd Res

A

Want to get involved?

Capel Plough Res

Thu, Apr 28 Sat, Apr 30

Capel Plough Res

Neptune has grown over the years from a small youth group of around 30 members to our current 200 youngsters per week on the water.

A

H

Sat, Apr 16

Haughley Utd

Somersham Res

H

Sat, Apr 9

Sat, Apr 23

A Team Intermediate C H

Evening Youth Groups for all abilities Summer Holiday courses for young people Adult Sailing and Powerboat courses

Neptune will be afloat and operational again during April. We all realise how important safety is and as part of our safety and safeguarding procedures all of our instructors attend an annual induction evening. We are inspected each year by the RYA and AALA.

Fixtures DATE

• • •

Ipswich Valley Rangers Res

A H

Fixtures subject to change. Please refer to http://tinyurl.com/hlv54p6 and chose the appropriate competition to confirm.

Events: Awards Dinner, May 21 We are always looking for people who can help the club as committee members, whether on the playing side or just in the background.

If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you.

EBUFC is a community club with very strong village traditions. The majority of the players either live in, or have links to, the village. Please come along and give us a look sometime.

We always need more help and would be pleased to hear from instructors or volunteers who would like to join us. www.neptunesailing.org

River Orwell History Pretymans Hard, the landing place for Orwell Park House, was on the opposite side of the river from Pin Mill. When the Royal yacht Britannia was attending the Harwich Regatta, King George V came up by launch and landed here. He then went through the watergate and up to the big house to have lunch with the Pretymans.

Steve Butcher, secretary: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

20

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

21

SPORT HOLBROOK BOWLS CLUB A reminder that our green will be open for the 2016 season from Saturday, April 23, when we have our opening drive at 2pm.

New bowlers are always welcome and informal roll-ups can be arranged after this date by contacting Ray (328755), Rita (328257) or Peter (07436 019325).

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL

For members of a romantic turn of mind, our theme night in February was a huge success. A quiz with a ‘lurv’ flavour, dancing to the Bloos Brothers, and a delicious supper.

We have followed that with a very interesting talk from Will Akast from the Environment Agency about the work the agency does on our rivers and estuaries. Encouraging news about the significant numbers of birds that enjoy the hospitality of the River Orwell.

Members are now turning to thoughts of preparing their boats for the summer. It is lonely, chilly work, so the club lays on warming Sunday lunches for the workers and anyone who pops in for a pint. All the hard work is celebrated when we hold our annual Fitting Out Supper on April 9.

Watch this space for more action and entertainment. www.pmsc.org.uk / Facebook: PMSCSocial

SHOTLEY ROSE BOWLS CLUB The new season is almost upon us. We hope to open the green towards the middle/end of the month. For the exact date, contact Norman Bugg on 787358.

After a slightly disappointing result in February’s six-a-side Indoor Series tournament, in March we were delighted to put in our best performance to date finishing overall third with three good wins out of four games.

Being below only Norwich Towers and Diss, this meant we were the highest placed of all the Suffolk clubs – not bad for a club which started only two years ago! Our players are really gelling together well now and benefiting from some excellent support work behind the scenes by our coaches, who work with all players from the most experienced down to complete beginners.

Later in Division 2 our second team put in another sound performance with two comfortable wins and two close defeats in the round robin.

Division 2 continues to provide an ideal level of competition for our improving beginners where they can gain their first taste of tournament play, while being supported by players with more experience.

And last but by no means least, we’re proud to say we have now started a Ravens ladies team. We have just played our first match which was a resounding 4-1 sets victory against SCC Seagulls. All but one of our ladies have joined the club within the last 12 months so it’s a great start and we’re hoping for much more to come.

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. Qualified coaches 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

22

In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE

QUESTIONS ON CASH With Independent Financial Adviser Nick Plumb John from Haughley asks: “My wife and I each have a 15-year term life insurance policy with Legal & General each with a sum assured of £200,000. What would happen to these funds if we both died together and would our children end up paying inheritance tax on the money?”

If you and your wife died together, the policy proceeds would form part of your individual estates. If you died first, the proceeds of your policy would be inherited by your wife. If she died at the same time or a short time later, it would then form part of her estate, along with the proceeds of her own policy. If, when added to the rest of her assets and your joint assets, the total was above £650,000, (the combined total of your two Nil Rate Bands for Inheritance Tax), your children would pay inheritance tax on the excess.

To reduce the effects of the tax, you should write these policies under trust to each other with the children as default beneficiaries. A flexible family trust is ideal as the beneficiaries can be changed by the settlor, (the person who declares the trust) at a later date. This can be useful if you want to add grandchildren to the list of potential beneficiaries later on.

Having the policy in a trust will ensure that the proceeds are paid outside

of the policy-holder’s estate. This means that if you died first, while your wife would still receive the money from your policy, when she died the money from her policy would be paid from the trust to your children. As the sum assured would be paid from the trust it would not form part of your wife’s estate, and the money from her policy would therefore not be subject to Inheritance Tax. That would take £200,000 out of her estate and reduce the overall effects of inheritance tax.

If you have other life insurance policies, you might want to check with your financial adviser about putting those in trust too. Although it is easier to write a policy in trust at the time of making the application, most policies can also be written in trust after they have been placed on-risk.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services. Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham, Suffolk IP6 8JP, email nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301. Nick’s answers to reader’s questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require advice should contact Nick to arrange a complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position. Plumb Financial Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

HELP US BUILD THE WOOLVERSTONE MACMILLAN CENTRE! during treatment. There will also be new consulting rooms and quiet rooms so patients can discuss their case in private and with dignity.

The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust has contributed the first £1million to the new centre, including all donations previously raised by the Woolverstone Wish fundraising group. A new appeal was launched last year to raise the additional £3.7million which is now needed to complete the centre later this year.

As spring unfolds across the county, one local fundraiser is making a heartfelt thanks to communities across Suffolk who are supporting a local appeal to build the Woolverstone Macmillan Cancer Centre at Ipswich Hospital. Helen Glenholmes from Macmillan Cancer Support has been working on the appeal to raise funds for the £4.7million centre, which will see the outdated and overcrowded cancer facilities at Ipswich Hospital transformed.

Helen adds: “The support we have received from the public has been overwhelming – people across the county have been inspired to make a real difference to the lives of people affected by cancer and I would encourage everyone to get involved. As well as sponsored runs and coffee mornings we’ve had fashion shows and even men posing in their pants for a charity calendar! We’ve come a long way already, but we still desperately need the help of groups, businesses and individuals to make this much-needed centre a reality. Sadly, almost one in two of us will now face a cancer diagnosis in our lifetimes and we need your support to make sure that our local services are ready for the future.”

If you’re interested in holding a fundraising event or would like to choose Macmillan as a charity partner, please contact Helen on hglenholmes@ macmillan.org.uk or call the Fundraising Support Line on 0300 1000 200.

For more ideas and ways to help visit: www.macmillan.org.uk

With more than 27,000 people living with or beyond cancer in Suffolk, and more than 4,000 new cases each year, the new centre will provide state of the art outpatient chemotherapy, oncology and haematology services. The staff in the unit are admired for their skill, hard work and compassion, but it is the lack of space that means patients don’t always have the privacy and comfort they deserve. The new centre will more than double the size of current facilities allowing for 30 patients to be treated at any one time, with enough space for loved ones to join them

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

23

Dry Foam Upholstery Cleaning

Dry Carpet Cleaning Professional Local Service For a FREE no obligation quotation

call John Burch: 07870 347486

Tel: 01449 721441

First Impressions Beauty Salon Gate Farm Road, Shotley Gate

Celebrating 16 years of serving the Shotley peninsula Your first choice for waxing and permanent hair removal, Shellac manicure and pedicure, Eve Taylor facials and massage, lash and brow treatments, Sienna X spray tanning.

Easy parking on the premises - Opening hours to suit you Fully insured with BABTAC for all treatments For details of treatments and offers Visit 1stimpressionsbeauty.co.uk Call Lin on 01473 787429 24

In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS for health at Suffolk County Council. “The purpose of the initiative is to celebrate walking in the county, promote walking events and encourage new walking opportunities. The festival does a wonderful job of demonstrating how easy and inclusive walking is, and what a fantastic county Suffolk is to walk in. It is making a very positive contribution to our ambition of becoming the most active county in England.”

The 2016 Suffolk Walking Festival kicks off on Saturday, May 14 and continues for three weeks until Sunday, June 5. The varied programme of 77 themed walks across the county range in length from a gentle stroll of one mile, to a challenging 60 miles in 24 hours and will take place along Suffolk’s glorious coast, through scenic, gently undulating countryside and around our medieval towns and villages.

The annual walking festival is a partnership project supported by all of Suffolk’s local authorities and is spearheaded by the Discover Suffolk project at Suffolk County Council. This year’s festival launch, which is sponsored by Suffolk Coastal District Council, takes place at RSPB Minsmere on the Suffolk coast. The event will also mark the launch of Suffolk’s Year of Walking, which starts in May 2016 and ends in May 2017.

There are three lots of challenge walks planned, which have been sponsored by the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Mega Challenge, for the ultra fit, is a walk which will be undertaken over a 24-hour period, covering 60 miles from Lowestoft to Felixstowe. The Classic Challenge, a firm favourite among regular festival goers, is made up of five walks of between 11 and 14 miles each. As with The Mega Challenge, the route goes from Lowestoft to Felixstowe, but will be at a rather more sedate pace and spread over five days. The Mini Challenge consists of three walks of around nine miles each: Oulton Broad to Beccles, the ‘Trimley Loop’ and a walk ending with refreshments at the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo, near Woodbridge.

Other walks include two stress-relieving mindfulness walks, a ‘prambling’ walk for parents with prams, photography, birdwatching and Pilates walks, a gentle stroll for sufferers of dementia and their carers which includes views of early marsh orchids, a speed-dating ramble and the ever-popular Horrible History For Families in Ipswich.

“The Year of Walking will be celebrating two of my very favourite things: walking and Suffolk,” says Lesley Dolphin from BBC Radio Suffolk and patron of the festival. “The aim is to inspire people to build more walking into their everyday lives and to discover what fun it is!”

Some include a cream tea or other refreshments and all are an informal and sociable way to explore the county, meet like-minded people and to indulge in a leisure activity which benefits both body and soul.

“We are delighted that this year’s walking festival marks the beginning of Suffolk’s Year of Walking,” adds Councillor Goldson, cabinet member

To view the full walks programme and book tickets, visit: www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

CHELMONDISTON & HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES “YOU CAN’T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN”

AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST

Do you ever remember odd lyrics from a song but can’t remember the rest? It increasingly happens to me, but Google often helps to alleviate my frustration. In this instance at least three songs – by Alabama, the Bee Gees and New Song – came up, all using the line: “You can’t keep a good man down.”

Sunday 3 10.45am

6.30pm Sunday 10 10.45am

6.15pm Sunday 17 10.45am

6.15pm Sunday 24 10.45am

6.15pm

I remember an inflatable toy that was all the rage a few years ago, a bear about four foot high when inflated, which could be punched or knocked over but would immediately right itself for another blow. You could knock it over as hard and as often as you wanted but: “You can’t keep a good man down.” I’ve ‘Amazoned’ the toy and they are still available now as Despicable Me minions!

The song by New Song told the story of the death of Jesus on a cross, how he was put in a tomb but 36 hours later – despite a guard on the tomb – Jesus was alive. The enemies of Jesus thought they had won when they had got the Roman government to crucify him. He was cut down from the cross late on Friday afternoon, his body limp and lifeless.

He was laid in the tomb and this was sealed with a huge stone. To ensure no deception Roman soldiers guarded the tomb, but by early Sunday morning the tomb was empty, and Jesus began to appear to his friends.

“You can’t keep a good man down.”

An eminent lawyer in the 20th century didn’t believe the story and set out to write a book rubbishing all the so-called sightings of Jesus after his crucifixion. As he examined all the evidence meticulously as a lawyer, he became convinced of its truth and the book he wrote was so different from the one he had planned to write.

The New Song lyrics say “You can close your eyes, you can say it’s a lie, You can stick your head in the sand, You can turn away, even try to explain, He was just another man”, but all the evidence was that “You can’t keep a good man down”, and I and many others will tell you of the reality of the presence of Jesus still today in our lives.

We are each faced with choices, either we convince ourselves against all the evidence that he didn’t come back to life or we believe. Hatred had done its worst, but the love of God could not be kept down. Christ is Risen – we are Easter People.

The Rev Andrew Sankey: apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

Worship with Mrs Jenny Archer Circuit Service at Trinity Felixstowe Worship with Mrs Carole Almond Worship with Mr Richard Brooks Worship and Communion with The Rev Andrew Sankey Worship with The Rev Michael Ayden Worship Mr David Welbourn Worship with The Rev Chris Jowett

AT HOLBROOK METHODIST What’s on in April (HCT Holbrook Churches Together) Mondays, 2-3.30pm: Tea and Chat (HCT) Saturday 2 10-11.30am Coffee Morning Sunday 3 10am Worship with Mrs Alyson Ellis Sunday 10 10am Worship and Communion with The Rev

Andrew Sankey Tuesday 12 7.30pm Fellowship Group at Chapel Thursday 14 2pm Fellowship Group Friday 15 9am Tiddlers

10am Family Live

3.30pm Messy Church Sunday 17 10am Worship with Mr Raymond Wilson Wednesday 20 11am-4pm Knit In (with soup lunch) Sunday 24 10am Worship with Mrs Marilyn Watsham

6.30pm Something Different with The Rev

Andrew Sankey Thursday 28 2pm Fellowship Group Friday 29 9am Tiddlers

10am Family Live Please see the notice board on the front of the chapel for all events in April. For more information about Messy Church, Tiddlers and Family Live, contact Alicia Holmes: ajnholmes@gmail.com / 01473 658478

25

CHURCH NEWS SHORELINE BENEFICE ST ANDREW’S CHURCH CHELMONDISTON April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24

9.15am 9.15am 9.15am 9.30am

Family Communion Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service

ST MARY’S CHURCH ERWARTON April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24

11am 11am 11am 11am

Matins Holy Communion Holy Communion Family Service

ST MARY’S CHURCH HARKSTEAD April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24

9.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am

Holy Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion Holy Communion

ST MARY’S CHURCH SHOTLEY April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24

10.45am 10.45am 10.45am 10.45am

Worship for All Holy Communion Worship for All Holy Communion

TWO RIVERS BENEFICE ST PETER’S CHURCH, STUTTON April 3

April 10 April 17 April 24

8am 10.30am 9.30am 9.30am 9.30am

Holy Communion Worship for All at Stutton Primary School Holy Communion Holy Communion Informal Service

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, HOLBROOK April 3 April 10 April 17

April 24

9.30am 9.30am 8am 9.30am 9.30am

Holy Communion Matins Holy Communion Informal Service Holy Communion

ST MARY’S CHURCH, WHERSTEAD April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24

No Service 11am Holy Communion No Service 11am Holy Communion

ST PETER’S CHURCH, FRESTON April 3 April 10 April 17 April 24

11am No Service 11am No Service

Matins Holy Communion

ST MICHAEL’S, WOOLVERSTONE April 3 11am April 10 11am April 17 11am April 24 11am April 24 4pm

May 1 11am

26

Café Church Holy Communion BCP Matins 1662 Café Church Songs of Praise Celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday Café Church

HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Parish Priest: Fr Christopher Smith, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 We are part of St Mark’s RC Parish, Ipswich. For up-to-date information please visit: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Services for April Sunday 3 9am

Second Sunday of Easter Mass

Tuesday 5 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 10 9am

Third Sunday of Easter Mass

Tuesday 12 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 17 9am

Fourth Sunday of Easter Mass: Children’s Liturgy

Tuesday 19 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 24 9am

Fifth Sunday of Easter Mass

Tuesday 26 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Catholic Commentary The Pope’s Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ (the Care of our Common Home) was an important influence at the Climate Change Conference in Paris. The Encyclical demonstrates the church’s commitment and awareness of the challenge faced by humanity over a range of ecological issues. There were strong words too on the need for the richer countries to help poorer ones to make the transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable forms as individuals and at parish level.

In January, members of local churches met at St Michael the Archangel Church, Brantham for the annual Unity Service and it was good to note how harmonious the relations between the different churches are now. In February at another level, the very top, we saw a meeting of Pope Francis with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. The meeting took place in an airport lounge in Havana, Cuba when they spoke about their respective churches, the situation in the world, wars, orthodoxy − all matters of pastoral concern for the two leaders.

Pope Francis had touched down in Cuba on his way to visit Mexico which has the second largest number of Catholics after Brazil. We hear much of the problems of Mexico but little about the people and institutions that give Mexico its pride and distinctive culture. As a Latin American himself, the Pope was well versed to speak to and mingle with the people of this country. In spite of all the problems there are, we must never lose the sense of what is normal and good about people and the beauty and giftedness of the world we have been given. Christian hope is real and always carries through.

Minor Basilica status has been granted to the Catholic National Shrine of Our Lady, known as England’s Nazareth, at Walsingham in North Norfolk by Pope Francis. This rare designation is given by the Holy Father to places of worship which are of particular historical significance. Tens of thousands of pilgrims make their journey to the shrine every year.

In Touch online:

March Accounting & Taxation Services Ian Coombes FCCA MBA

• FREE initial consultation to discuss any tax, accounting and general business issues • Payroll, Auto Enrolment,VAT, Self Assessment, and full accounting service • Personable and professional tailored support • Fees agreed in advance • Out of office hours service available Individuals, self employed and limited companies

Please call Ian on: 01449 740285 / 07939 837939 E: ian@marchconsultingltd.co.uk

MID-SUFFOLK FENCING

SPECIALISTS IN QUALITY TIMBER FENCING

SUPPLY • ERECT • REPAIR

TIMBER & STEEL GATES DECKING PATIOS WOODEN BRIDGES FREE ESTIMATES 31 Alexander Drive, Needham Market IP6 8XG

www.midsuffolkfencing.co.uk

YOU GROW IT I’LL MOW IT

GROUNDS & GARDEN MAINTENANCE We offer the following services all year round: Grass cutting • Garden clearance Fences & Gates • Patios & Paths Hedge Cutting • Tree Cutting Sheds • Summer Houses Digger & Dumper work

For a free quotation please call Nigel Coton 01449 721025 or 07801 515505 To advertise in this section, which appears in 17 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

27

01394 461556

sales@gs-installations.co.uk www.gs-installations.co.uk

WINDOWS | DOORS | CONSERVATORIES |ORANGERIES TIMBER | ALUMINIUM | uPVC | ROOFLINES | GLAZING | GLASS BALUSTRADE

We can provide uPVC, aluminium & bespoke timber windows and doors to meet the requirements needed to suit any style of property.

Unit 845 Bentwaters Business Park, Rendlesham, Suffolk IP12 2TW