In Touch with Woodbridge - March 2016

In Touch

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with Melton & Woodbridge

Volume 5 • Issue No. 11 • MARCH 2016

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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.

Melton In Touch &with Woodbridge Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

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woodbridge@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.

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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.

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NEWS NEW SITE FOR THE DRUMMER BOY Woodbridge Town Council recently consulted the town on a suggested new home for the Drums to the Fore and Aft statue affectionately known as the Drummer Boy. The survey listed five locations in Woodbridge and people were asked to vote online or by email/letter on their preferred site. The overwhelming majority was to site the Drummer Boy on the cobbled area outside Shire Hall on Market Hill.

At their meeting on February 9 councillors agreed to this location subject to the town council obtaining planning consent and Suffolk Coastal District Council providing a new base and funding the relocation of the statue.

The town mayor, Councillor Josh Sayles, thanked the community for expressing their preferred option and said it was localism in action.

ANNUAL ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER This year’s new and improved Easter Egg Trail will take place on March 26, 10am-noon in Elmhurst Park, and thanks to the East of England Co-op there are 500 Easter eggs to give away.

The event, organised by Choose Woodbridge, Woodbridge’s business and tourism association, will take place across the whole of the park with children following a series of clues to complete the trail. The new and improved format comes following feedback from attendees and the acquisition of some enthusiastic new volunteers to organise the event.

There is no charge to take part – although the eggs will be handed out on a first come first served basis.

As well as the trail, there will be a face-painter and a visit from Millie the Tide Mill Mouse, the much-loved mascot from Woodbridge Tide Mill.

Chris Harrold, chairman of Choose Woodbridge, said: “We’re eternally grateful to the volunteers who help us to deliver the fantastic programme of events in Woodbridge.

In this instance Laura Parkin has picked up the mantel and brought a much needed freshness to this event. As a mother of two youngsters, she’s refocused the event to ensure it delivers engaging family fun – and chocolate – a winning combination.”

Christian Bone, head of member and community services at East of England Co-op, added: “East of England Co-op is delighted to support Woodbridge Easter Egg Hunt. Part of our ethos involves supporting young people across the region and anything that encourages children to be active, especially engaging with other members of the community, East of England Co-op will always be pleased to support.”

WOODBRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET Local flavours, familiar faces We will be holding a Spring Farmers’ Market on March 12 and an Easter Farmers’ Market on March 26, as always held at Woodbridge Community Hall, 9am-12.30pm. We sell the best seasonal Suffolk produce and handmade delicacies.

For more information visit www.woodbridgefarmersmarket.co.uk email Cordelia at woodbridgefarmersmarket@gmail.com or follow us on Twitter @WoodbridgeFmMkt

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NEWS Just42 – A SPOTLIGHT ON PARISH HANDYPERSON NEEDED IN MELTON Melton Parish Council is looking to employ a and the necessary equipment will be supplied.

OUR CHILDREN’S WORK

Just42 plans and delivers a number of projects for children in and around the Woodbridge area. Our children’s work forms part of our weekly term-time schedule that also includes a number of youth clubs and projects.

We currently run seven clubs in primary schools in the Woodbridge area. The week starts with clubs in Rendlesham and Wickham Market Primary Schools, then our children’s worker Ruth is in Eyke and Kyson Primary Schools on Tuesdays, Sandlings on Wednesday lunchtimes, Bawdsey on Thursdays and ends the week back in Woodbridge at St Mary’s Primary School after school on Fridays. All the clubs follow a similar theme each week and include a Bible story, an interactive quiz, some catchy songs with lots of actions and maybe a craft.

Throughout the week Ruth meets more than 100 children at these regular clubs which are run with the support of a part time worker and a few dedicated volunteers.

Just42 also runs assemblies at different schools each week, where Ruth is a favourite with the children as they love her lively stories, ideas and challenges. She is a regular visitor at eight different schools in and around Woodbridge.

In addition to these term-time activities Just42 also run holiday clubs during the Easter and summer holidays with some children attending for many years, then joining the team of young helpers when they have outgrown the clubs.

Just42 will be running a holiday club at Kyson School in the Easter break. To find out more visit: www.just42.org.uk If you would like to find out more about these clubs or any of our work please see our website or call the office. If you are be interested in supporting our work either by volunteering at a club or supporting us financially then please contact us on 01394 380992. We are always looking for new volunteers who can help either each week or on a rota basis. All of our children’s clubs are either an hour or shorter so it is rewarding and fun while not taking too much time out of your week.

HOME-START’S BIGGEST FUNDRAISER YET Enjoy a glamorous night of fine dining, music and entertainment at Home-Start 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

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parish handyperson to carry out a range of cleansing, inspections and routine maintenance tasks around the parish. The person appointed will need to have a basic knowledge of maintenance and cleansing procedures, will need to demonstrate the ability to work on his/her own initiative and have a pro-active hands-on approach to a varied range of largely outdoor tasks, and most importantly will be good at working with the public.

He/she will need to be a car driver with a current clean driving licence and access to a vehicle, for which mileage will be paid. A basic toolkit

It is envisaged that, initially, the appointee will work around 12 hours a week, which can be on a flexible basis by arrangement. The starting salary will be £7.45 per hour. It is the council’s intention to offer a workplace pension scheme in line with the new legislation.

Further details and an application form may be obtained from the clerk, who can be contacted as follows: clerk@melton-suffolk-pc.gov.uk / PO Box 323, Woodbridge IP12 9DQ / 01394 382224 The deadline for receipt of completed applications is March 10.

WOODBRIDGE GINGERBREAD TRAIL RETURNS FOR EASTER

After the success of last year’s Gingerbread Trail, the Tide Mill Living Museum and The Cake Shop Bakery are organising another trail to keep families amused over the Easter holidays.

Between March 21 and April 15, families can buy a trail sheet for £1 at The Cake Shop (from March 21) and from The Tide Mill (from March 25) and follow the trail to find the seven biscuits hidden around Woodbridge town centre.

The trail clues prompt curious kids to seek out some interesting things along the way and if they gather all seven biscuit names they will win an Easter egg-shaped biscuit baked by The Cake Shop using Tide Mill flour.

We are privileged to have the best bakery in the country so what better way to link two top Woodbridge attractions.”

Nigel Barratt, miller and chairman of Woodbridge Tide Mill Trust, explains: “The initiative is designed to be a fun way for children to learn about Woodbridge and the link between the Tide Mill flour production and the delicious things that can be made from it.

Andrea Wright, co-owner of The Cake Shop Bakery, added: “If it’s as successful as last year we’ll need to make a lot of Easter egg biscuits. The parents love the way their children embrace the thrill of the hunt and the kiddies love our biscuits… it’s very satisfying all round.”

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

WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM When I told a friend who has lived many years in Woodbridge that I worked as a volunteer at Woodbridge Museum, he replied: “I didn’t know there was a museum in Woodbridge.”

To put the record straight, there is a museum on Market Hill next to St Mary’s Church. It houses many exhibits relating to the history of Woodbridge, from pre-historic fossils found in this area to the present day. Many of the objects, particularly those referring to the First and Second World Wars, have been donated by members of the public so if you have any memorabilia which

you think may be of interest you can contact either John Hampton on 01394 380910 or Bob Merrett on 01394 385572.

The museum is open from Thursday to Sunday and on bank holidays from Saturday, March 26 until Sunday, October 30 and daily during the school summer holidays, 10am-4pm. Admission is £1 for adults and 30p for children.

You can join the Friends of Woodbridge Museum for an annual fee of £5 and attend the monthly talks given by experts on people who have a connection with Woodbridge and places in the vicinity.

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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE COMMUNITY COUNCIL: FROM START TO FINISH, PART 1 After almost 50 years, Woodbridge Community Council has finally ceased operations. The final pieces in the long, sad and complex jigsaw of the process of dissolution have finally fallen into place and we can now confirm we have totally ceased all of our charitable activities in Woodbridge.

Our community council was formed in 1966 under the leadership of Sir Ian Jacob with a mandate to provide leisure and recreational facilities for the people of the town and the surrounding area. Sir Ian had been one of Winston Churchill’s right hand men during the war, as assistant secretary to the war cabinet with the rank of Lt General.

He certainly had the drive and determination to get things done, an ideal man to lead our new group. A small committee was formed and held a referendum to determine the wishes of the people – with a heated swimming pool as first choice followed by a large community hall.

They quickly set up a number of fundraising activities to raise the funds for those major projects by running regular bingo sessions in the old National Hall in Sun Lane, a lottery scheme and a series of 50/50 shops in empty premises in the town, let at zero rent by the owners.

After six years of fundraising, Deben Pool was completed in 1973 and gifted to the town to be run and operated by the local authority. The

Project No 1: Deben Pool, completed 1973 pool was at first an open-air facility but a roof was quickly added by the district council. The total cost of the pool was £64,545 with £26,445 of the cost raised by Woodbridge Community Council.

Fundraising continued for the community hall and this was built and opened to the public on January 1, 1981, and again given as a free gift to the town. Shortly after opening, a Community Hall Management Committee was formed made up from members of Woodbridge Community Council, Woodbridge Town Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council, plus representatives from some of the regular users of the hall.

A committee room was added in 1986 with room for about 50 people and this was upgraded a few years later with enhanced heating, lighting and kitchen facilities.

These included putting in a larger mains electricity cable and switchgear, better heating and lighting and removal of all external wood cladding on the huge gable ends to be replaced with brickwork. An electric projector screen, a large solar PV system and 100 padded and linking chairs were purchased. Then in 1999 the Deben Annexe was built to seat about 50 people for meetings and small events. All of these projects were designed and supervised in-house by members of the hall management committee at no cost to the community.

The total cost of the hall in its original state

See the April edition of In Touch for Part 2

THE OK CHORALE AND HEARTBEAT IN CONCERT Back for a harmonious third year, the OK Chorale is delighted to be sharing their annual spring concert this year with the women’s ensemble, Heartbeat.

The annual spring concert will take place at St Mary’s Church on Saturday, March 12 at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £6 (£3 for under 16s) and all profits go to the charity WaterAid. Formed in Woodbridge in January 2011 by Chris Rowbury, the 50-strong OK Chorale present an evening of warm soulful harmonies and exuberant rhythms with songs of passion and joy from across the globe. The chorale will be joined for the first time by Heartbeat, formed 25 years ago to give women in the Halesworth area the opportunity to sing together. The 15-strong Heartbeat perform regularly and have a wide repertoire of world music and contemporary songs.

Expect spine-tingling Georgian church music, infectious African rhythms, AfricanAmerican gospel, medieval French dance The OK Chorale and Heartbeat, below songs, crunchy harmonies from Eastern Europe, songs from South America plus a few English songs in a vibrant celebration of harmony singing with not an instrument or backing track in sight.

Tickets available online at www.chrisrowbury.com (go to Concerts), on the door, or from Chris: 01394 610486 / chris@chrisrowbury.com

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was £128,350 with Woodbridge Community Council contributing £82,698. A number of Gifts in Kind were made by local people and businesses (chairs, tables, china, cutlery and so on) to make the hall an operating facility and the hall was virtually free of debt shortly after being opened. The hall was built very much on a shoestring with many important corners being cut to keep within budget with funding always lagging behind inflation and rising costs.

Having built the hall in the first place many of the original defects and problems were known to Woodbridge Community Council so in the following years we were able to assist with expertise and some funding to put right many of the earlier problems with around 45 improvements and enhancement projects put in place over the next few years.

WOODBRIDGE ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY Woodbridge Orchestral Society presents a programme of light classical music at Woodbridge Methodist Church, St John’s Street, IP12 1ED, on Monday March 21 at 7.30pm.

Tickets (£6 including light refreshments) are available from Helen Lewis 01394 411232 or at the door. Proceeds are for the work of the church.

SUTTON HEATH SINGERS FUNDRAISING CONCERT Spring Concert by the Sutton Heath Singers and Friends on Saturday, March 19 at 7.30pm in Sutton Memorial Hall.

Tickets £6 each. To book please phone 01394 411793/412035/384659.

Joint fundraiser in aid of church funds and the recreation ground new play equipment fund.

TUESDAY EVENING BINGO Bingo every Tuesday evening from 7.45pm at the Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge.

Run by Action Medical Research.

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LOCAL LAW FIRM CONTINUES TO GROW THROUGHOUT THE SUFFOLK REGION Gotelee Solicitors has reached agreement with Suffolk Coastal law firm Margary + Miller about merging parts of the two businesses.

Gotelee currently has offices in Hadleigh and Felixstowe in addition to its Ipswich HQ. Margary + Miller is based in east Suffolk with offices in Southwold, Melton, Woodbridge and Felixstowe. The Woodbridge, Melton and Felixstowe offices will merge with Gotelee in the early spring of this year. The Southwold office will continue to operate as Margary + Miller, and there will be no changes to this office.

Stephen Leach, Director of Margary + Miller, comments: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with Gotelee to ensure the continued provision of service to our clients in and around Woodbridge and Felixstowe by merging those offices with Gotelee. The same people will provide the same service as always, simply under the Gotelee banner.”

For Gotelee, CEO Alistair Lang added: “Our vision of a Suffolk law firm deeply rooted in the local communities will be hugely enhanced by this move. We are very pleased to have the opportunity and look forward to working with Stephen and his colleagues in Woodbridge, Melton and Felixstowe. The full range of legal services provided by the Margary and Miller team will be maintained and indeed in some ways strengthened by some new faces.”

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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

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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE LIBRARY Easter closing: Woodbridge Library will close at 5.30pm on Thursday, March 24 and will be closed all day on Friday, Sunday and Monday, March 25, 27 and 28, opening as usual on Saturday, March 26.

Please note: Owing to building work in Woodbridge Library, the events listed below are subject to change. Please phone the library on 01394 446510 to check that an event you are interested in is still going ahead.

Saturday, March 5, 9am-5pm and Sunday, March 6, 10am-4pm Fundraising sale for the Friends of Woodbridge Library – Donated DVDs and audio.

Saturday, March 19, 9-11am Caroline Page, county councillor for Woodbridge, will be holding her surgery at the library.

Thursday, March 31, 10.30am-noon or 1-2.30pm: Forensic Science Workshops Dress up as a forensic scientist and solve a crime. Have a go at dusting for fingerprints and looking under the microscope. £3 per child / not suitable for under 5s. Book now at the library counter or at: 01394 446510 / woodbridge.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

March 1-31: ArtLib This month’s exhibition is by Anne Rea. Anne is a figurative painter and illustrator living and working on the Suffolk coast. Always fascinated by coastlines and estuaries, her work involves spending time by the sea, painting boats, yachts and harbours. She also paints landscapes, seascapes and still life subjects throughout the UK and Europe. Anne works mainly in watercolour, acrylics, oil, pastel, and pen and wash and also produces etchings and engravings from time to time.

Booked Out The book and film review show hosted by Woodbridge Library staff is available at www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/bookedout and on SoundCloud. Last month the show looked at great books you might not have heard of. This month’s topic is yet to be confirmed. If you’d like to get involved, come on the show and talk about a book or film you’ve borrowed, or have a suggestion for a future theme, please contact the library or leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Book Group Meets on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm. On March 3 we will be discussing Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro. This group is led by a member of staff. Please come along if you have read this title and would like to join in the discussion.

Free computer help and advice – now available Contact the library to book a session, or to find out more. Includes information about buying

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and getting connected, computer/tablet setup or re-configuration advice, help with specific tasks for more experienced users or taster sessions for absolute beginners. Remember you can now bring in your own device to access WiFi at the library.

Games Club Meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2pm. Now includes dominoes.

Improve your vocabulary and exercise your mind muscles with Scrabble or practise strategy or balance with dominoes.

New services We now sell first and second-class postage stamps, can scan to email or USB for 30p, copy A4 documents in colour for 30p and you can print in the library from your own device: 10p black and white and 30p colour per A4 sheet.

We also have Chromebook laptops that you can use anywhere in the library free of charge for two hours and we sell 4GB USB cards for £5 that can be used on our new Chromebase and Chromebook computers.

Woodbridge Area Gamers Meets on the second Saturday of each month from 1-5pm in the library Meeting Room. This group plays modern strategy board games (Carcassonne, Powergrid, Caylus, 7 Wonders, Hey! That’s My Fish, Blokus and many more).

For more information contact nigel@foden. me.uk / 07740 173091 or see details on: www. boardgamegeek.com/guild/1150

Citizens Advice Bureau Someone from the CAB is available for help and advice every Tuesday, 10am-noon.

Every Wednesday • 10.30-10.50am: Bookstart Baby Bounce – soothing songs and gentle nursery rhymes for babies and their grown-ups.

Flagship Someone from Flagship is available for help and advice every Tuesday, 10am-noon.

Writers’ Workshop Meets once a month on Tuesdays at 5.30pm.

Interested? Please email jeannie@butterwicks. com to open doors to creative writing.

Woodbridge Novelists’ Group Meets twice a month on Wednesdays from 10am-noon. This group, for ‘committed writers aiming to be published’, wants to recruit an extra member. It aims to provide friendly feedback on members’ writing and explore topics related to creative writing and publication. If you are interested please contact Lawrence Richardson at: woodbridgenovelwriters@gmail.com Knitting Club Every Friday at 2pm. For all types of knitters, expert to beginner, come and share your knowledge or pick up some tips Drawing Group Meets the second Tuesday of the month at 10am. Each month this group explores a different aspect of drawing. No experience necessary but numbers are limited and this group is currently full. A voluntary contribution of £2 goes towards the Friends of Woodbridge Library.

Arts and Crafts Group Meets second Wednesday of the month at 10am. Enables older people and their carers to take part in activities such as collage, card making, printing and modelling.

Play Reading Meets on the third Thursday of the month at 2pm. Come to listen or join in for an afternoon of light-hearted drama, comedy or mystery. All welcome.

ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

• 11.15-11.45am: Bookstart Tot Rock Rhyme and Rhythm – music, songs and action rhymes for toddlers with their parents and carers.

Every Friday • 10.30-11am: Bookstart Story and Rhyme Time Stories and more for young children accompanied by an adult.

Every Sunday • 10.30am-noon: Kids’ Club Craft Activities

WOODBRIDGE MUSEUM TALKS Chris Walker presented a talk entitled The Weird and Wonderful Week in the Life of the Town Clerk in January, a fascinating insight into the wide variety of tasks that the town clerk comes across in the course of her week. Chris, with consummate diplomacy, treated us to anecdotes of things that had happened in the course of her duty, some of which were very amusing.

On March 11 David Eddershaw will talk about Two Working Watermills (Pakenham and Woodbridge). Please note that the meeting will begin at 2.15pm with a short AGM. All talks are in the Community Hall at 2.30pm. Entry for Friends of the Museum is £2.50 and visitors £3.50.

The next of our popular day schools is on Saturday, March 19. The topic is Jacobites and Hanoverians 1714-1760. This will be held at St Mary’s House, Market Hill. It’s still not too late to apply for places. The cost is £25.

For further information contact Anne Merrett: 01394 385572

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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 pre-payment 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.

Clearly priced, and with no hidden costs, their plans allow you to pay for your funeral in full now, or in manageable monthly payments over a time that suits you. All of their funeral plans are completely inflation proof, so by planning ahead you pay today’s price no matter how much costs may rise in the future.

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: • 43 Sizewell Road, Leiston 01728 830670 • 64 New Street, Woodbridge 01394 385456 • 139 Main Road, Kesgrave 01473 860030 • 364 Foxhall Road, Ipswich 01473 728445

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OUT & ABOUT WOODBRIDGE CHORAL SOCIETY In a joint concert with Framlingham’s Phoenix Singers, Woodbridge Choral Society will be performing Music of the Nations featuring Sergei Prokofiev’s mighty dramatic Russian cantata Alexander Nevsky in Snape Maltings Concert Hall at 6.30pm on Sunday, April 3. The Kingfisher Sinfonia will be sharing the platform with the two choirs.

The programme will also feature Samuel Barber’s Agnus Dei (based on his sumptuous Serenade for Strings), Charles Stanford’s Songs of the Fleet, Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, and Jan Sibelius’s ever popular Finlandia.

Prokofiev composed the cantata by drawing on the music he wrote for the sound track of Eisenstein’s 1938 historical film, also called Alexander Nevsky. Considered by many to be among the 100 best films of all time, the film will be shown at Woodbridge’s Riverside Cinema at 3pm on Sunday, March 20.

Woodbridge Choral Society’s musical director Andrew Leach will conduct the Prokofiev, and the Phoenix Singers’ musical director Andrew Cantrill will lead off the concert, conducting the other pieces. For tickets contact Richard Lyon (01473 620775 / treasurer@woodbridgechoralsociety. org) or William Glasse (07802 597071 / william@glasse.org.uk). Tickets are also available from Aldeburgh Music: www.aldeburghmusic.co.uk / 01728 597071

THE ROTARY CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE

MASQUE PLAYERS

Drones add a whole new dimension to exploration and photography

David then showed the audience how drones were flown by taking off and flying it across the local golf course.

A vote of thanks was given by the president, Rotarian Nigel Barratt.

Sunday, March 6 The first Snape Maltings Vintage & Makers Market of 2016 takes place on Sunday, March 6 from 10am to 4pm with organisers of the event, Deben Events, lining up a great selection of the region’s leading vintage traders and local artisans, makers and craftspeople.

The market will feature everything from oneoff vintage furniture, fashion and homewares to locally made products, artworks, fabrics, jewellery and tasty food and drink.

Tim Clover of Deben Events says: “We’re kicking off early this year with our first market of the year in the wonderful setting of Snape Maltings. It’s the chance to shake off the winter blues, do some early spring shopping, take a river walk and enjoy a slap-up lunch – the perfect Sunday.”

For more information visit: www.debenevents.com

WOODBRIDGE VINTAGE & MODERN MARKET

At the end of January Rotarian David Mortimer presented a talk about drones and the wide range of their growing use, including photography, surveying, roof inspections and getting into places that it would cost a fortune to examine in any other way.

After an in-depth talk and a brilliant slide show of pictures and jobs he had been involved in with his drones he went on to explain how everybody will soon be forced to be licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority to fly drones.

SNAPE MALTINGS VINTAGE & MAKERS MARKET

Saturday, March 26

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.

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...

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

DEBEN PROBUS Deben Probus is a club for retired or semi-retired business and professional men. Meetings are held on the third Monday of each month at Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, 12.30 for 1pm. Lunch is followed by a speaker. The club has a monthly walking group.

We held our AGM on February 15 at which our new chairman and vice-chairman were installed and the rest of the committee agreed to continue. After the AGM, one of our members, The Rev Philip Ind, gave an excellent talk on Christian/Muslim Relations in Britain, following which members had numerous questions and comments.

On March 21 Clifford Smith, a recent new member, will present a talk entitled The Martlesham Story and on April 18 our guest speaker will be Terry Hunt, the editor of the East Anglian Daily Times.

We welcome new members. If you are interested in joining us please contact the club secretary, David Pocock on 01394 386677 or via: www.thedebenprobusclub.org.uk There is also a ladies Probus club in the area, Heath Ladies Probus. If interested in joining, please contact the president, Liz Turner: 01394 446051

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The Woodbridge Vintage & Modern Market returns to its hometown on Saturday, March 26, taking over the Shire Hall and Market Hill with more than 50 stalls from the region’s best vintage traders, artisans and craftspeople.

Tim Clover of Deben Events, says: “The Woodbridge market is a unique event in Suffolk and it creates real excitement right across the town on market day. We work hard to make sure we have the best traders, who are very talented individuals with a creative eye for interiors, fashion and art.”

The market, which runs from 9.30am-4pm, will be packed with cool vintage homewares, oneoff furniture, handmade jewellery and crafts, artworks, prints, fabrics and fashion. There will also be a selection of food and drink from local producers.

For more information visit: www.debenevents.com

BINGO & QUIZ NIGHTS AT WOODBRIDGE TOWN FC Every other Sunday from 7.30pm with quiz nights on March 13 and 27 and bingo on March 6 and 20.

Just turn up or contact John for more information: 01394 385308.

The hall is available free for parties, weddings and other events on Fridays and Saturdays in June/July 2016. Maximum capacity 120.

Contact Richard Scott: 01394 385308/380187

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OUT & ABOUT ANOTHER BULLSEYE FOR DEBEN ROTARY The Rotary Club of Woodbridge Deben recently presented a cheque for £550 to Homestart, a national charity which helps parents to build better lives for their children.

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.

The money will be used to provide a much-needed holiday for a local family who have two children with autism. The money was raised

by Deben Rotary’s Summer Darts League, and our thanks go to all the darts teams who have supported the league over the years.

Our January session of the Memory Darts league organiser, Rotarian Derek Rothwell, presents Café at Woodbridge Football Club the cheque to Ella Heeney and Louise Potter of Homestart was well attended and we were delighted to welcome several new visitors, who on this occasion were entertained by local concertina maestro David Nuttall.

The Memory Café meets on the last Wednesday of every month, 10.30am-noon at Woodbridge Football Club, where we extend a warm welcome to all dementia sufferers and their carers. The next sessions are on February 24 and March 30.

If you would like to know more about this or any other Rotary activity please contact Rotarian Martin Kenyon on 01394 386933.

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.

Our meetings are always interesting: you never know what someone will talk about and you get the chance to join in as much as is comfortable. Guests are welcome to pay us a visit, free of charge, to find out what we are all about. Come along one evening 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.

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY 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 Anglo-Saxon 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.

The admission fee is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

LIONS CLUB OF WOODBRIDGE AND DISTRICT Having run successful Young Leader programmes in recent years, we are now looking to launch a further programme in 2016. The Lions’ Club Young Leaders award is aimed at young people between the ages of 12 and 18 who would like to get a taste of volunteering within the community.

Activities can include working alongside the Lions at their events, but often extend much wider. Silver and gold awards are available for young people completing 50 or 100 hours respectively in the community in a 12-month period. Participation is documented and can also count towards other award schemes.

Parents of young people who have taken part have commented to us on the noticeable increase in their son or daughter’s self-confidence when dealing with other people. To learn more about the Young Leaders scheme, please contact our secretary, John Wood: secretary@woodbridgelions.org.uk / 0845 833 2820

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EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION

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

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

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OUT & ABOUT MELTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Melton Local History Society is a membershipbased community group providing an opportunity for people with an interest in the history of Melton to get together. Our aims are to: • Arrange talks by outside experts and by our own members • Encourage members to undertake their own research projects, either as individuals or in small groups • Arrange visits to places of historic interest, both in Melton and further afield • Provide a forum where people can share their knowledge and experience and make it available to a wider audience Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month at St Andrew’s Church Room, Station Road, Melton IP12 1PX, starting at 7.30pm. Non-members are welcome for an entry fee of £3. The membership subscription is currently £10.

On Wednesday, March 2 Sheila Harrison will present a talk on Butley Priory.

For more information please contact: geof@butterwicks.com

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 nonmembers 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

WOODBRIDGE ART CLUB Do you enjoy playing with paint? The art club currently has vacancies in the painting section.

You don’t you have to be Rembrandt or Rothko; so what qualifications do you need? Just a liking for messing about with paint, pastels or pencils.

Whatever your standard we’d be happy to see you. Members enjoy weekly demonstrations and talks on a variety of subjects, occasional classes and workshops and on Fridays the studio is open for any member who’d like to come and paint in a friendly group milieu.

Plenty to encourage beginners and more experienced artists alike.

Contact the membership secretary at 15 Tidemill Way, Woodbridge IP12 1BY, or visit: www.woodbridgeartclub.co.uk or.

In the meantime summer is approaching (hopefully) and the club’s summer exhibition opens on Good Friday and will the be open every weekend and bank holiday Monday till the end of September. The exhibition of paintings changes every 4-6 weeks, and pottery and lace items are replaced as they are sold.

There is also a selection of original greetings cards. All are welcome to drop in and browse around. We look forward to welcoming our old regulars and many new faces.

GREYHOUNDS WALKING THE WALL

If you happened to be in the vicinity of Woodbridge waterfront on January 31 you might have been lucky enough to see the spectacular sight of greyhounds walking along the river. Organised by Greyhound Homer Suffolk, a grand total of 78 dogs, 72 of them greyhounds, braved the rain to walk with old and new friends.

Greyhound Homer organise a walk every month and this is the fourth year they have walked at Woodbridge. The spectacular views and friendly locals mean that this walk is a favourite and they are already planning another walk

next year. Their next event in Woodbridge is their annual Spring Dance on Saturday, March 12, when local band Travellin’ Light will be playing at Woodbridge Football Club.

Greyhound Homer Suffolk has been finding loving forever homes as a separate branch of the Retired Greyhound Trust since 2010 and since its formation has found homes for at least 500 greyhounds from kennels at Capel St Mary.

If you are interested in adopting a greyhound or simply want to find out more, contact Sara: 07715 490929 / sara@greyhoundhomer.org.uk www.greyhoundhomer.org.uk

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE

The Woodbridge talks take place at Woodbridge Community Hall, Station Road, Woodbridge IP12 4AU at 10.30am with refreshments available from 10am.

On Monday, April 4, Mark Beesley talks on The Art of Leonard Squirrel (1893-1979), a nationally known Suffolk artist. His pictures of historic buildings, villages and landscapes were

familiar to thousands due to reproductions in calendars, travel posters and books.

Although there is no talk actually planned for Woodbridge itself in March, U3A members and visitors would be welcome at any of the other three locations in Felixstowe, Saxmundham and Kesgrave. The campus co-ordinators at these locations will be delighted to give more details of how to join U3A, an organisation for retired and semi-retired people. For information on venues, dates and subjects call 01473 273395 or visit: www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk 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.

Also in March we will attend the Future Positive event in Stratford St Andrew where a team from Boots will tell us about long term skin care. We’ll have a talk on future proofing our legal affairs – plus advice on the importance of keeping moving – extremely useful as it will come just before the tea and cake.

If you would like to try us out you would be made

very welcome. Please either just turn up on the day or give me a call if you’d like further details.

Our next meeting is on Friday, March 18, 2.154.15pm, at Martlesham Heath Pavilion (next to St Michael’s Church) when Chris Pratt will present a talk entitled The Resistance Movement.

For more information contact June Parkin: 01473 625382

U3A 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.

MARTLESHAM WI It’s March and we are hoping that spring is on the horizon, plus Easter weekend and the clocks going forward means longer hours of daylight – lovely.

We shall be attending the Suffolk East Federation of WIs annual meeting at Trinity Park on March 3 – a much-anticipated event for many of us.

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OUT & ABOUT SUFFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST, WOODBRIDGE WILDLIFE GROUP Discover the secret world of Suffolk’s bats...

Secrets from the world of bats will be revealed when Duncan Sweeting from the Suffolk Bat Group gives a talk at Woodbridge Community Hall on Thursday, March 24 at 7.30pm.

served during the evening and a raffle.”

The talk is organised by Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Woodbridge Wildlife Group and chairman Phil Smith said: “The Suffolk Bat Group has done some excellent work conserving and surveying the bats of Suffolk and I feel sure this is going to be a fascinating evening. The evening is open to all with admission £2.50 for adults and children under 16 free. There will be refreshments

Wednesday, March 9, 1.30-3pm: New volunteers afternoon Find out how you can help with our activities for children at Foxburrow Farm and Rendlesham Forest. No experience necessary.

Help as little or as often as suits you.

For enquiries: 01394 380113 / foxburrow. education@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

For more information please contact: 01473 625630 / swtwoodbridge@outlook.com EVENTS AT FOXBURROW FARM

Tuesday, March 29, 2-4pm and Wednesday, March 30, 10.30am-12.30pm: Family activity Easter Eggstravaganza egg hunts, crafts and trails, £2.50 per person Thursday, March 31, 10.30am-12.30pm: Young Wardens Bowsaws and camp fires, practical conservation, £4 per person Foxburrow Farm, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Saddlemakers Lane, Melton, nr Woodbridge IP12 1NA. Please book activities at: 01473 890089 / www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org

WOODBRIDGE FLOWER CLUB

WOODBRIDGE AND TREES

Our speaker for the first meeting of the year was Pat South with a demonstration entitled Tales of the Unexpected. Pat shared many amusing anecdotes of all the unusual incidents which had happened to her on her many travels. To depict the family camping trip in Greece she used rolled phormium leaves, griselinia and bronze chrysanthemums. To complement the flowers Pat added dried aspidistra leaves.

Pat also visited Hatfield House for a flower festival, which she depicted using a variety of greenery including choisya, box, ruscus, conifer and fern. She added dark pink lilies, roses and sea lavender to form a beautiful design. Pat has also had many holidays in Mexico and told us how she had spent a day training dolphins. For her Mexican arrangement she used a circular green container and added fatsia leaves and ruscus for the greenery. Pat then used rust red canna lilies and red and green peppers to form a delightful arrangement.

The final design was based on a holiday in Uzbekistan where she was invited to a local

Take one look across the Deben from the river wall or take a short drive towards the coast and you know that Woodbridge is virtually surrounded by trees. They are a vital aspect of our environment, adding greatly to the attractiveness of the local landscape and to our leisure opportunities.

wedding. Pat used fatsia, pittosporum, laurel leaves and palm leaves for the greenery.

To this were added cream gerberas, white chrysanthemums and white roses to form a beautiful arrangement.

Pat was thanked for a most amusing and entertaining afternoon and members then enjoyed tea while the raffle was held.

WOODBRIDGE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY The Woodbridge Horticultural Society Annual General Meeting was followed by a talk by John Foster about The Wonderful World of Snowdrops.

More than 50 years ago, John and Brenda Foster began their love affair with plants when they established their one-acre garden at Redisham.

John is passionate about snowdrops and winter aconites while Brenda’s love is sweet peas.

Snowdrops were first recorded by scholars in the 1550s and originate mostly from the Mediterranean and near east. The three main species come from Italy, The Caucasus and Turkey. These were not only brought to the UK by plant hunters but often by soldiers returning form the two world wars, and many of these bulbs ended up in church yards as well as large country houses.

John showed the members of the society examples of the many different types and varieties which are in cultivation. With more

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than 1,500 to choose from his advice was to start with the more vigorous types such as Nivalis. Other varieties to look out for are E A Bowles and a white and yellow flowered Breakoff.

Breeding or propagating new varieties can take up to 10 years, which explains why new varieties can appear to be expensive. John uses a technique called twin scaling to produce up to 24 new plants from a single bulb.

Snowdrops are not difficult to look after, requiring a free draining soil to which leaf mould and compost has been added. In your garden you can split up and replant clumps of bulbs every four to five years John and Brenda open their garden every year as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

The next meeting of the society is on March 10 – My Kind of Garden and Other Photography, a talk by Richard Ford. The competition is a pot of early bulbs, corms or tubers.

What, though, about the town and particularly the conservation area? There are trees galore in public and private spaces making for an attractive townscape. Apparently many were planted around the same time and are therefore an ageing feature of our surroundings. How do we best care for them? When and why should we remove any of them? And when, why and for how long should a tree be the subject of a tree preservation order?

Nicholas Newton will present a talk entitled Trees, Landscapes and the Law to Woodbridge Society on Wednesday, April 6 at 7.30pm in the Abbey School hall off Cumberland Street. He is a fascinating speaker with extensive experience in forestry and landscaping, having worked in both public and private sectors. He is now Suffolk Coastal’s officer responsible for trees and in his talk will tackle issues around how to keep Woodbridge green.

This talk is the final meeting of the society in its 2015/16 season, but the society also organises a number of summer visits to buildings and places of interest. More information about these visits and about joining the society will be available at the April meeting or by calling the membership secretary, Gillian Barella: 01394 380418

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED A craft club for people who 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) The 2016 monthly projects list is now available and other projects are available. New members are always welcome. For more details contact Jill, 01473 713534, or Emma, 01787 373850.

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OUT & ABOUT / SPORTS 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 some stunning photographs of the wildlife to be found in that area.

Both Anne and Dennis are also involved locally with activities such as heathland study, bird ringing and the Suffolk Bat group, and judging by the photographs Dennis has shown me, photography too.

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

WICKHAM MARKET FLOWER CLUB Our golden anniversary celebrations will take place on Thursday, April 28 at Wickham Market Primary School. Members were delighted to learn that for them it would be a free event.

All our fundraising over the last year has made this possible. Guests/visitors tickets will be £12.

More about this nearer the time. Needless to say it will definitely be an extravaganza evening in true Wickham Market Flower Club style – excellent company, venue, food and speaker.

Book the date in your diary now.

The Back to Basics workshops are going really well. Those taking part are gaining confidence and enjoying learning correct procedures.

This shows in the number of entries for the practice piece this month which was to arrange a spring design without using floral foam. The winner was Betty-Ann Gael. The single stem competition was won by Jenny Moore. Val Green was the winner of the word search competition in the last newsletter and she was presented with a gift voucher.

Our speaker hardly needed any introduction as it was his 18th visit. Alan Smith is a wonderful all round entertainer/demonstrator. His witty banter and skilful, quick ability make beautiful arrangements come to life before your eyes.

New members are always welcome. The first visit is free. Contact June Allum for more information: 01394 384803

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DEBEN FLOWER CLUB Our February meeting was a members evening.

Several talented members arranged flowers.

Lots of questions were asked and everyone both enjoyed and learned from the evening. The arrangements were then raffled and members went home with the beautiful designs. Our next

meeting is on Tuesday, March 8 at 7.30pm in the church hall, Church Lane, Kirton IP10 0PU. Our demonstrator will be Sandra Price from Walton-on-the-Naze with a demonstration entitled Beauty in a Basket. Visitors are always assured of a warm welcome – £4.

DEBEN YACHT CLUB The club had an excellent series of winter talks this year. Most recently Dan Abbott enthusiastically shared his interest in sharks. At the start of the evening the audience agreed that they associated sharks with the film Jaws. After Dan explained the misconceptions around sharks and their behaviour and their importance in our oceans their attitude had changed completely.

The winter working party members have been hard at work over the last few months. As well as the regular jobs in keeping the club ship shape, like repainting the clubhouse and boat maintenance, they have dismantled and replaced the wooden slip way – a major undertaking. Thanks must go to Roger McCombie and his teams for their hard work.

After 30 years Mr Regatta Dick Finbow has handed over the job of organising the club regatta. Dick first started organising it back in 1983 when the event was called Mirror Week.

Held in August each year, it’s the highlight of the club’s sailing calendar with five days of races and fun activities. Dick was presented with a token of the club’s appreciation by rear commodore Mick Sheppard. A presentation was also made to John Adams, the outgoing commodore, who was given a painting of Woodbridge by his successor David Watson.

Looking forward, the sailing season is just around the corner starting with the Tune Up Brunch on March 25. Now is the time to get boats ship shape and in good order and to

Presentation to Dick Finbow (left) by Mick Sheppard build up boating skills. A number of courses are planned including an RYA Assistant Instructors course and a Dinghy Sailing Improvers course in April and a Beginners Dinghy Sailing course in May. The club has RYA training accreditation and prides itself on offering regular opportunities for members to learn to sail and to improve their skills so they can take part in club events.

The successful beginner’s course run last summer will be repeated again this year.

For more information about training courses contact John Prevett: 01394 385236 / john.prevett@btinternet.com

WOODBRIDGE CRUISING CLUB Club members were treated to a fascinating illustrated talk on the history of Ipswich Docks

by Stuart Grimwade who has spent a lifetime acquiring and preserving photographs of the docks. His photographs are an historic record of the development of the docks as well as a record of the development of photography itself with some unique negatives having come to light. The talk was a precursor to an escorted tour of Ipswich, which despite the cold and wet was greatly enjoyed by more than 40 members and culminated in lunch at the Last Anchor in Ipswich Haven Marina.

Mike Claxton gave the next talk on the work of Felixstowe Coastwatch. It is reassuring to learn the extent to which this voluntary organisation has taken over the void left by centralisation of the Coastguard Service. Although not manned on a 24/7 basis the newly refurbished lookout

post in the Martello Tower in south Felixstowe keeps watch at busy times and has radio links with the Coastguard, RNLI and other rescue services to give assistance when emergencies occur in the local area. A great comfort to us amateur sailors.

Finally James Adams showed us how the newly installed defibrillator on the front wall of the clubhouse should be used. James managed to make a potentially sombre topic come to life (excuse the pun) and members went home knowing a lot more about emergency first aid than when they came. Good to have the knowledge but let’s hope it’s never needed.

The fitting-out supper to mark the start of the new sailing season will take place at the club on March 19. Details of this and other club activities together with membership information can be found at: www.woodbridgecruisingclub.org

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SPORT / SCHOOLS / CHURCH NEWS IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL

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.

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

some tournament experience to several 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

NEW HEADTEACHER APPOINTED AT FARLINGAYE HIGH SCHOOL The governors of Farlingaye High School have announced the appointment of Andrew Sievewright as their new headteacher from September 1. He will follow Sue Hargadon who retires in August after over 20 years of headship at the school.

A teacher of English, Andrew’s teaching career has been based in Greater London and he has been a headteacher in Acton since 2011. He has strong family links with Suffolk and looks forward to leading the school onward.

“Having worked in a range of senior leadership roles in schools in and around

London for 16 years, I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to take up the post of headteacher at Farlingaye,” Andrew revealed.

“I have already spent some time at Farlingaye and, as someone dedicated to developing inclusive, aspirational and highly successful school environments, have been very impressed by what I have seen. I am now excited at the prospect of working with Farlingaye’s skilled and dedicated staff, and with its students who are clearly proud of their school and of their progress and achievements.

Over the next six months, I will be combining working very hard on behalf of my current school with preparing for my role at Farlingaye. I look forward to visiting Farlingaye several times before the start of the next academic year, so that Farlingaye’s staff and students and I can plan to continue the great work done in recent years by Sue Hargadon and her team.”

Tim Fosker, chair of governors, said: “Andrew takes up the post knowing the excellent track record of the school. We are confident that Andrew is very well placed to lead the school through the next series of challenges and continue to deliver an outstanding education for all of its students.”

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ST ANDREW’S MELTON We had a super Messy Church on Saturday, January 23. Thirty-five children and parents, five teenagers, 10 adult helpers and The Rev Paul met together to celebrate God’s world. We talked about the good and not so good things that are happening in the world, what made us happy and sad. We prayed for the people in God’s world who need help and thanked him for his beautiful world, a world that we should not spoil, and we sang He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.

We made an altar frontal of the world with handprints and wrote about how we can use our hands to do good, and we chose pictures of good and bad scenes in the world and wrote prayers. Then we made chocolate cake with sea blue icing and green land and circle booklets to show our place in our part of the world. Some of us made models with equipment borrowed from Melton Primary School who we’d like to thank. We finished by sharing a hot meal, thanks to all who prepared it.

Our next Messy Church is on March 12. Everyone is welcome. If you would like to join us please contact Moira Davis: moira.davies@ymail.com Bring Your Christingle With Gladness and Joy – and this we did with many thrilled children on Candlemas Sunday, celebrating the presentation of Christ in the Temple by raising our lit candles, the light of Christ. Lots of involvement by children in this family communion.

They read the lessons and prayers, gathered either side of Paul at the altar as he celebrated Eucharist, read some of the introductory sentences and were invited to receive communion. Many took a Christingle home for dad, mum or grandparents. A lovely service indeed.

It seems that we have hardly time to get over Christmas before Lent is upon us with an early Easter. Perhaps it is time to discuss setting Easter Sunday as a fixed date instead of being ruled by the phases of the moon.

Once again Churches Together are holding a Lent Lunch every Thursday through to March 24. From noon to 1.30pm you can come to the Salvation Army Hall in New Street and have a simple lunch of soup, bread and cheese and coffee or tea for £3.50 and meet lots of people. All the money goes to Christian Aid. Ash Wednesday brings a Sung Eucharist and the Imposition of Ashes. That dirty mark on your forehead is the sign of the cross administered by the priest with the reminder that dust thou art and to dust you shall return. The ashes are the burnt remains of last year’s palm crosses. On Palm Sunday the crowds rapturously welcomed Jesus as he rode a donkey into Jerusalem and threw palm branches on the road to strew his way.

A week later they were shouting for him to be crucified.

Lent is a time when traditionally we give up something, a time when you think about your life. A time I like to think when you consider what you can do to help, perhaps a neighbour who is in trouble or the many disadvantaged people in this troubled world of ours.

We do wish you all a happy and blessed Easter.

To learn more about what is happening at Easter visit: www.standrewsmelton.org.uk

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