In Touch with Ipswich East - February 17

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with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath

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Volume 7 • Issue No. 4 • FEBRUARY 2017

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR The oldest member of my family died just before Christmas. Kathleen, my great-aunt and surrogate ‘godfather’ since the death of her husband Jimmy when I was 15, died at the remarkable age of 97. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews (including my dad).

Despite her age, Kathleen maintained an aura of quiet authority which I’ve always admired. She wasn’t scary or aloof, as often those we defer to can be, but somehow demanded respect from all who knew her. She always had time to chat, putting the kettle on before you’d even sat down. The fact that she was tall and had a very distinctive voice made her standout from the other women I knew as a child. I was never afraid of her, but I would never have wanted to be in her bad books either.

Kathleen’s death has inspired me to do a little research into my family tree. I don’t plan to take it too seriously just yet, but just want to get the last couple of generations in place so I know who’s who. It has been fascinating. My dad helped with his side of the family and we did quite well, though he knows very little of his American cousins and nothing of all about their families. Most of my mum’s family still live in Ireland so that side of the tree is a bit more complete.

They had big families back then. My dad had 15 aunts and uncles! One child, as I have, would have been a complete anomaly. And the same names came up again and again. I know my parents had intended to call me Elizabeth after my grandmother, but my dad decided he didn’t want my life to be as difficult as hers so broke with tradition and found a name which made its first appearance in the Burke family tree (to some astonishment) in 1969. Elizabeth is my second name.

I now wish I knew more about the people who are my family, however distant, and also wonder how I will be perceived when my name is added to a family tree in years to come, perhaps by my great-grandniece. Mostly I wish I could spend time with my long-lost grandparents to talk about their lives. I have so many question. If you can do so, make the most of every opportunity to know those who can still share their lives with you.

I also hope I’ll be doing The Times crossword every day when I’m 97, just as Kathleen did.

In Touch

with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath

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

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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 • Martlesham Heath & Old Martlesham • Kesgrave & Rushmere • Woodbridge & Melton • Gt. & Lt. Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead • Westerfield, Witnesham & Tuddenham St. Martin • Bramford, Somersham & Offton • Copdock, Washbrook, Belstead, Bentley & Tattingstone • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Pin Mill, Holbrook, Woolverstone & Erwarton

IN TOUCH WITH . . .

MARCH DEADLINE 10 FEBRUARY 2017 is the final date for both advertising & editorial copy

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THE BUS SHELTER IPSWICH HELP RAISE £5,000 FOR AN EMERGENCY NIGHT SHELTER IN IPSWICH It all started with a single thought of helping the homeless in these cold months. My partner Sarah and I started a Facebook page – Keeping Ipswich Homeless Warmer – where we asked the people of Ipswich for donations of warm clothing, sleeping bags and pillows and the response was overwhelming. We were going out every Tuesday and Thursday evening (more frequently when the weather deteriorated), offering warm clothes, sleeping bags, socks and a coffee, just making sure people had what they needed to survive on the streets. We soon came to realise that something extra is needed for the homeless in Ipswich and we think a branch of the growing The Bus Shelter UK network is the answer.

After seeing an article about The Shelter on the Isle of Wight where Kevin Newton had converted a double decker bus into a hostel for the homeless, we decided that was what we were going to do. We have spoken with Kevin who has agreed we can use the the Bus Shelter branding and we are gaining help and advice from him and his team.

We are hoping to have our bus and the conversion completed by March 2017, which is when the night shelter closes its doors for another year and many homeless return to the streets.

Ninety percent of the conversion will be completed by myself with hopefully local companies and tradesman donating time and materials to help complete the project as cost effectively as possible. The bus will be designed to accommodate 16 to 18 rough sleepers and two volunteer watchers.

Each bed will be equipped with a USB charging point, LED lighting and privacy curtains, as well as a PO Box number for each guest to receive mail for interviews, appointments and benefits. The bus will also be fitted with a functional kitchen, chill out area and hopefully a private room for counselling or treatment. There will be a programme that each guest must sign up to which will include any rehab required, whether it be drink or drugs misuse, and a plan for volunteer work at least one day a week within the local community.

We have called the project TIFFERS after our 15-year-old daughter Tiffani who has been an inspiration throughout our journey to help the homeless. She has been with us every evening we have been out and enjoys chatting to the men and women we help. She is as dedicated to the project as we are.

We have a few meetings lined up in the new year with some big organisations who really want to help get the project up and running.

Their advice and motivation is going to be very helpful. You can find our more by visiting our Facebook page where you will find links to our justgiving fundraising page: www.facebook.com/tiffersbus Your donation, however small, will help us to get the homeless off the street to somewhere warm, dry and safe. Anything that you can afford to give will be very much appreciated.

Gareth Brenland

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.

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OUT & ABOUT EXCITING NEWS FOR FESTIVAL SCENE Following memorable summer, winter and Oktoberfest Beer Festivals at St Peter’s By The Waterfront in Ipswich, all rounded off by a sold out Saints New Year Hootenanny, 2017 promises to be even more exciting for Beer&Co supporters with a new festival date to keep.

In addition to repeating the popular festivals from 2016, Beer&Co are lining-up a new Beer & Folk Festival for the end of April, plus a Beer & Blues Festival in the autumn, which should whet your appetite for the year ahead.

And it doesn’t stop there. Beer&Co event coordinator Greg Cooper says: “We are also planning our own Secret Beer & Wine Club which will enable the public to get their hands on limited edition craft beers and wines. But none of this would be possible without our fantastic event partners such as ahead4wine, GrapevineLIVE, Stephen Foster Promotions and West End Music, and, our wonderful friends and family who have provided the most amazing support in making these events happen.”

For more information about Beer&Co events and early bird tickets visit: www.beerandco.uk

BROKE HALL WI Friday, February 10: China Past and Present (the country) with David Pyrnn Friday, March 10: The Art of Fine Wood Carving with Barry Marshall We meet at 7.30pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall, Bucklesham Road, Ipswich IP3 8TH. New and former members are welcome. For more information contact Sue (414746) or Chris (713546).

FEBRUARY AT IPSWICH COUNTRY MARKET This month we would like to invite you to a marmalade tasting on February 9. The new Seville oranges have been used by our cooks who have many unusual varieties of marmalade that are not available in the shops to tempt you with.

Personal service is what we pride ourselves on and continuing on a foodie theme, cakes can be ordered and made for any occasion. How about Valentine’s Day? Or perhaps you could buy a red tasty jam as a treat for your loved one. Looking forwards, that jam might be tasty to top your pancakes on February 28 for Pancake Day. Maybe some of our local honey would make a tempting topping too.

Did you know that February is statistically the coldest month? Available at our market from our crafters are hand knitted scarves and hats as well as polar fleece headbands, gloves and welly socks to keep you warm.

These are available in adult, baby and children’s sizes and items can be made to your specific requirements too. Just chat to the producers.

We are open on Thursday mornings from 10.15-11.30am at Rushmere Village Hall on Humber Doucy Lane. There is plenty of free parking as well as a warm welcome and home baked refreshments. We have bacon rolls on the first Thursday of the month and on the other Thursdays we offer scones or cakes so that you can ‘try before you buy’. We offer a free tea or coffee on your first visit so come and see what we can tempt you with.

You’ll find more information about the market on our Facebook page (Ipswich Country Market) or at: www.ipswichcountrymarket.co.uk

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

Thursday, February 23: Decorated Notepad (Emma) Thursday, March 23: Butterfly Banner (Emma) There are always other projects available with assistance from the committee and other club members.

New members are always welcome.

For more details contact: Jill 01473 713534 / Emma 01787 373850 4

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OUT & ABOUT MARTLESHAM BRASS Making music fun in East Anglia Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to our Christmas carolling collections. The grand total raised was £2,410.44, which will be divided between our three chosen charities: Cruse Bereavement Care Suffolk, Over the Rainbow Children’s Charity and Tools with a Mission.

On Saturday, February 25 please join our preliminary band for Tea & Tunes at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath, between 10am and noon. Admission to this event is free and refreshments will be available.

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

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

ROGER DAVID BURROWS MUSIC FUND Have you ever been to an auction?

Have you ever wondered about the story behind antiques through history and in modern life?

Do you watch TV programmes such as Flog It or Bargain Hunt?

If you do, then put the date below in your diary.

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION 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 Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre at 7.15pm.

Our next meeting is on February 21 when we are delighted to welcome Ben Cowell. Ben, formerly regional director of the East of England National Trust, will be talking about his first year as director general of the Historic Houses Association and the challenges that face historic houses in private ownership.

On March 21 Paul Forecast, the new regional director for the East of England National Trust, will be setting out his plans for the next 10 years and, in particular, how the trust will play a more active role in saving nature. The talk will be preceded by a short AGM. Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome. The entrance fee is £3. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary (membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761) or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

SPEND AN EVENING WITH THE POET AND PERFORMER HOLLIE McNISH Hollie McNish will be appearing at the Ipswich Institute, 15 Tavern Street, Ipswich IP1 3AA on Wednesday, February 22 as part of Suffolk Book League’s 2017 programme of events.

The Roger David Burrows Music Fund presents by popular demand another evening with Elizabeth Talbot MRICS when she will talk about Antiques in Context.

Elizabeth is the auction room director of TW Gaze in Diss and has appeared on many television programmes such as Bargain Hunt and Flog It. Join us at St Michaels Church Centre, The Drift, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL on Monday, March 6 at 7.30pm.

Light refreshments, admission £6. The venue is fully accessible and there is adjacent free parking Further details from the Burrows family: www.rogerdavidburrows.co.uk / 01473 625196

SPRING FASHION EVENING

In Nobody Told Me, published in 2016, Hollie writes about poetry and parenthood. Her poems are personal, touching and funny. They are brilliant to read, but hearing her perform them lends them a whole other dimension. If you want to hear how great she is there are clips of her performances on YouTube and you can check her out on: www.holliepoetry.com Doors open at 7pm with the event starting at 7.30pm. The entrance fee is £4 for members of Suffolk Book League and £8 for non-members.

Students are free on production of a valid student card. Tickets can be paid for on the door or if you want to book in advance please email: enquire@sbl.org.uk Suffolk Book League, established in 1982, is a quite unique organisation which provides what is essentially a year-long literary festival. Further information about the league, including the benefits of membership, can be found at: www.sbl.org.uk

The Orwell Singers in conjunction with Edinburgh Woollen Mills are hosting a spring fashion evening at 7pm on Tuesday, February 28 at Tower Hall, 5 Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU.

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY

Join us for a really fun evening which will include refreshments, a cake stall, a raffle and, of course, the latest fashion items presented by our very own ‘top’ models which will be available for purchase at 20% reduced rates.

Wednesday, January 25, 7pm: The Sad Story of Airship 101

Entrance is only £3.50 so make a date in your diary.

Details from: 01473 414746/422145

Full details will be available nearer the time on our Facebook page and from Debbie: 01473 635955 / 07768 911512

www.idhts.co.uk

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We meet at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich – entrance via rear car park. Visitors welcome – £3.50 at door including tea/coffee.

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Group Managing Director Marcus McGee believes that Which? have endorsed Cloudy2Clear’s long standing company policy of delivering the highest standards possible at all times. ‘Our service is simple. If your double glazing has misted up we can replace the glass at a fraction of the cost of a new window, in any type of frame, and with a new 25 year guarantee. But it’s not just about saving people money, although that obviously helps. Whilst a number

of tradespeople perhaps don’t focus on customer care as much as they should do, we make sure we turn up when we say we will, do the job the customer requires and leave their house as clean as a whistle.

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OUT & ABOUT IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB

SPEAK EASY AT MARTLESHAM

Probus clubs are for retired or semi-retired business gentlemen. The primary objective is to provide fellowship between members and to share similar interests in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

It’s not too late to act on those goals you set in January – ‘resolutions’ as we like to call them. Here’s one you can succeed at, with our help and support. Let Speak Easy at Martlesham, your friendly neighbourhood speakers’ club, help you improve your public speaking in 2017.

We meet at the Masonic Hall in Soane Street, Ipswich on the last Wednesday of each month for lunch, followed by talks and lectures on a variety of subjects. In addition we hold social events including outside visits when we invite our spouses, partners and friends to join us.

Speak Easy is a Toastmasters International club. TI has spent more than 90 years devising and refining the best ways for all of us develop our public speaking.

If membership appeals to you, please contact our secretary, Ken Stanley, for further details: 01473 274898 / kenstanley4@gmail.com

ORWELL DECORATIVE AND FINE ARTS SOCIETY After a Christmas and New Year break, the society reconvenes on February 1 when Dr Peter Webb will talk about the artist David Hockney. His lecture is titled David Hockney: Art as Biography. Dr Webb has been a personal friend of the Yorkshire artist since the 1970s.

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 are presented by national and international lecturers and start at 2.15pm (2pm arrival is advised). Guests and non-members are welcome, provided we have available space. A £6 donation is asked.

For more information contact Wendy Robbins: 07736 417347 / info@orwelldfas.org.uk / www.orwelldfas.org.uk

BRIGHTWELL UKULELES Brightwell Ukuleles will be on song again in February with meetings on Tuesdays, February 7 and 21 from 2.30pm in Brightwell Church Hall.

March meetings are planned for March 7 and 21.

We are possibly approaching capacity for membership now if we are to retain a situation where everyone gets a fair opportunity for tuition and guidance, so if you are considering joining us do let me know so that you are not disappointed. We will make every endeavour to accommodate people who want to learn to play, but we may reach a point where we have to start a waiting list.

We have set about learning the different ways of playing the instrument so that each can contribute to producing a broad repertoire of music, but still making sure all members are included in everything we do.

Finally we now a Facebook page – Brightwell Ukuleles – and also a dedicated email address shown below. Geoff Lambert 01473 624130 / brightukes@btinternet.com

Improving your public speaking also boosts your confidence and puts you on the track to becoming a better leader. Toastmasters recognises this. In addition to speaking projects, there are leadership projects and opportunities within its educational ’tracks’.

The tracks are all supported by books and other materials to guide and challenge you. It’s always up to you how far and how fast you progress.

We meet every Thursday fortnight at the Richards Room in Martlesham (behind Tesco). Our meetings are structured to include impromptu speaking, formal speaking and evaluation.

Evaluation is a vital part of how Toastmasters’ clubs operate. When you evaluate someone else speaking you not only help them, you also – through empathy and understanding – help your own speaking.

For further details or queries please call 07968 372563 or select Contact Us from the main menu at: www.speak-easy.org.uk You can just want turn up at a club meeting – you’ll find directions and club meeting dates at: www.speak-easy.org.uk/directions.html Speak Easy at Martlesham is all about learning to speak in a friendly, encouraging and enjoyable environment. We look forward to meeting you in 2017.

IPSWICH BRANCH, SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday, February 23 at 7.30pm: Breda Stringer presents Victoria and her Children – The Ultimate Family History Tree. Queen Victoria’s many children forged fascinating links to the Royal families and aristocrats across Europe. Breda takes us on a fascinating journey.

We meet at the Co-op Education Centre where the pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door. For more information contact Howard on 01473 274300 or visit: http://suffolkfhs.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

IPSWICH & DISTRICT SUPPORT GROUP The next open meeting will be held on Thursday, February 9 at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Bucklesham Road at 7pm. The main speaker will be Jenefer Roberts who will give a talk about her book Can I Eat That?, a nutritional guide for Type 2 diabetics.

Our sponsor, Martin from Silver Lining Estate Planning Ltd, will also give a short talk on estate planning, power of attorney and wills.

This is a social gathering of people who have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes to source information on diabetes and talk to other people in similar situations.

Refreshments will be available free of charge, plus we hold a draw. There is no admission or joining fee.

Caroline Sagar from Diabetes UK will give a short talk on our aims for 2017 when we meet on March 9.

For more information email: dsgipswichduk@gmail.com www.ipswich.diabetesukgroup.org / Facebook DSGroupIpswich

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB We really have just one thing on our minds at the moment – the event we are organising in partnership with the University of Suffolk and the Students’ Union as our contribution to the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of Lighthouse Women’s Aid in Ipswich.

EQUALITY: IF NOT NOW, WHEN? Friday, February 10 at the University of Suffolk There will be two speaker sessions: 1-3pm (aimed principally at university staff and students) and 5-7pm (aimed mainly at the public).

The keynote speakers will be Dr Emma Bond, associate professor at the University of Suffolk, who will review domestic abuse in Suffolk today and current trends such as the use of social media, and Melantha Chittenden, national NUS LGBT+ officer, who will talk about women’s equality within the LGBT+ framework.

There will be plenty to see in the foyer throughout the event. Lighthouse will present a Clothesline exhibition and an interactive Suitcase Journey.

There will be displays by charities and organisations which support women, an exhibition of posters/works on related topics by academics and students, a raffle in aid of Lighthouse and, of course, coffee and light refreshments.

The event is free but there will be an opportunity to make a donation to Lighthouse.

If you are interested in attending the event, places for the speaker sessions are limited so it is advisable to book via Eventbrite.

To get a ticket google Equality: If not now, when? and select February 10, 2017. We’d be delighted to see you there.

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U3A CHEERS UP FEBRUARY WEATHER Feeling blue? Don’t want to do anything till spring? Let the University of the Third Age give you inspiration.

If you are already a member you will know that the group/s you belong to always have a warm feeling when you meet to get down to your meetings and hobbies.

If you haven’t yet followed your New Year resolution to join U3A in East Suffolk, visit www.u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk or telephone the secretary on 03001 233913 right away to find out details of what we have to offer.

There are talks taking place in our four campuses in the next few months so come and have an interesting morning or afternoon with U3A where the campus co-ordinator and volunteers will be delighted to welcome you.

Salvation Army Hall, Felixstowe at 10.30am • Thursday, February 2: You Need to Talk to the Dog – the work of the charity Hearing Dogs for the Deaf by Malcolm Taylor • Thursday, March 2: So Climate Change is Real – What can we do about it? by John Midwinter Market Hall, Saxmundham at 2pm • Thursday, February 9: Hidden Treasures of East Anglia’s Secret Sea, the amazing variety of life in the sea by Rob Spray • Thursday, March 9: The Globe Theatre, how thousands of Londoners enjoyed the plays, from the illiterate to the top level of London society

by Mark Mitchels Kesgrave Community Centre at 2pm February 27: Estuary Wildlife and • Monday, Habitats, a journey around the glorious and varied estuary habitats of the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) with Alex Bass Woodbridge Community Hall at 2.30pm • Monday, February 6: Felixstowe Ferry Men by John White • No meeting in March • Monday, April 3: Giles and Ipswich, the life of the famous cartoonist

by John Field Please put these dates in your diary. Visitors as well as members are welcome to attend one talk before applying to become a full member of U3A. The campus co-ordinator or volunteers at each venue will be available to give further details of applying for membership on the day.

MARTLESHAM HISTORY SOCIETY Linda Sexton will present a talk entitled Suffolk Children in Care: The Story of St John’s Home on Monday, February 13.

After 1834, poor relief was only available through workhouses. Families were separated and conditions were purposely grim so as to deter the ‘undeserving poor’ from becoming a burden to ratepayers.

By the mid-19th century St Peter’s Workhouse in Ipswich had become overcrowded and so the guardians took the novel step of moving children, initially 53 boys, to a former pub owned by the Cobbold family to the east of the town in 1871.

Meetings are held at Martlesham Heath Pavilion and start at 7.30pm. The admission fee is £2.50 and meetings are open to all.

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OUT & ABOUT FIREWALK… ARE YOU BRAVE ENOUGH? Do you fancy taking part in the world’s shortest sponsored walk… on fire? If so, then The Lions Club of Ipswich has just the thing for you.

The Lions Club of Ipswich are hosting a firewalk on Thursday, March 9 at The Avenue Theatre, Gippeswyk Avenue, Ipswich IP2 9AF and would love for you to get involved and risk your feet for charity!

This year Lions Club of Ipswich is working in partnership with the Red Rose Chain Community Project.

The money raised at this amazing event will fund equipment to enable the Red Rose Chain Community Project to continue with their great work in the local area and also to support the Lions Club of Ipswich charity projects.

The Lions Club of Ipswich is a not for profit organisation which is run entirely by volunteers. The club helps fund and support various good causes and charities in the local area, helping out when required in whichever way they can. This could be buying a vital piece of equipment, offering manpower or with help and support when required. By taking part in this firewalk you will also be helping the Lions Club of Ipswich continue to do the work that they do in the community. This work really does change lives.

The firewalk will be 20 feet in length and, the coals can reach temperatures of 1200°F – more than hot enough to barbecue on!

More than 30 people aare taking part in the walk and members of

the public are invited to come along on the evening and offer their support. Gates open at 6.30pm and there will be entertainment to keep spectators amused, plus, a licensed bar and food for those that get peckish!

If you would like to take part in this unique sponsored walk then it’s just £25 (and a pledge to raise £150) to enter so sign up now!

For more information and to secure your place, contact Lion Neil Bowles: suffolkfirewalk@sky.com / 01394 210377 The money raised by the firewalk will be split between the Red Rose Chain Community Project and the Lions Club of Ipswich.

DISCOVER MAGIC OF THEATRE THROUGH PLAYFUL WORLD OF CASSON & FRIENDS Under the direction of Tim Casson, Casson & Friends is an exciting dance theatre company that creates engaging interactive performances with a focus on collaboration, interaction and joy. Night at the Theatre will be at the Jerwood DanceHouse on Saturday, February 4 and promises to be a fantastic introduction to dance and theatre for young people, with just a hint of audience participation.

Night at the Theatre combines a mixture of dance theatre, audiodescription and imaginative storytelling. When three friends become trapped in an abandoned theatre, little do they know that they will soon become the stars of their own show.

Perfect for those who love an adventure, Night at the Theatre will be an immersive dance theatre experience where you can let your imagination go wild.

The company works with a diverse range of collaborators from filmmakers and musicians to computer programmers and psychologists, but most often collaborates with the public, inviting them to engage with dance and performance in exciting and accessible ways.

With a passion for bringing dance to people in new and unusual contexts, Casson & Friends’ work to date has been presented in a range of settings including shopping centres, libraries, hotels, pubs, offices and football stadiums.

The company has also presented its work across the UK and internationally including at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Glastonbury Festival, Brighton Digital Festival, bOing International Family Festival, The Lyon Biennale and Downtown Dance Festival in New York.

Jerwood DanceHouse is family friendly, completely accessible and has been awarded the Family Arts Standards.

“Casson has created a hybrid story that has the wit of the physical and the playfulness of the imagination, a brand of theatre that comes from the heart as well as the head,” Nicholas Minns, writingaboutdance.com on Night at the Theatre

There is plenty of parking nearby, a family friendly café with toys and books, serving hot and cold drinks and snacks for all ages, space for pushchairs, a lift to all floors and accessible toilets with baby-change facilities.

Discover the magic of theatre at DanceEast with Casson & Friends on Saturday, February 4, a perfect weekend treat for the whole family. The

Performances at 1.30pm and 4.30pm. To book (£10, £7 concessions, £30 family ticket) call 01473 295230 or visit: www.danceeast.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/ipswicheast

Picture by Alicia Clarke

13

OUT & ABOUT WINTER AT FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN

By Shirley Sampson, warden Sun shining? Crisp chill in the air? If you feel like a bit of fresh air or are looking for somewhere to give the kids a run for an hour or two, why not visit Flatford Wildlife Garden? We’re open for the Big Garden Birdwatch weekend, namely January 28 and 29, between 10.30am and 3.30pm each day with fun family activities. We’ll be making bird feeders to take home, taking a closer look at the birds visiting the garden and doing a fun nature trail around the wintery garden.

In February we will be running two Snowdrop Weekends on 11/12 and 18/19. The garden is full of drifts of lovely snowdrops to enjoy at this time of year. We’ll also have potted snowdrops for sale and seasonal advice on wildlife gardening for you to take home.

After a bracing stroll in the garden or along the river, repair to the National Trust tearoom for a well-earned cuppa and to warm up. Park at the National Trust car park at Flatford for just £4 per day.

The garden at Flatford is designed to inspire people to help wildlife in their own gardens. Many people don’t realise that they could very easily be helping conserve local wildlife by thinking differently about their gardens.

For creatures like honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, and many birds, gardens can allow them to travel across the landscape with access to food and shelter, which is vital to their survival. Gardens are no less important for creatures without wings. Many gardens offer ideal habitat for hedgehogs, provided that the gardens are all connected. Surprisingly, hedgehogs need to travel up to two miles per night in order to find sufficient food and therefore they not only need to be able to get info your garden, but also into your neighbours’ gardens from there. Once they’re in, apart from being charming in their own right, they will munch on your slugs and snails.

Here are some ideas to transform your winter garden into a mini-nature reserve.

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14

Safe and warm in winter Don’t cut back the summer’s growth come autumn, but be patient and leave the summer’s bounty until spring. The dead plant material and autumn leaves will create an insulating blanket over the soil’s surface, creating a warm, dry haven for many small creatures hibernating away the winter months. You may then be lucky enough to have songthrushes and other hungry insect eaters rummaging in the leaf litter, searching for insect food in the depths of the winter. You can then have a satisfying tidy-up in early spring, once the worst of the winter is over.

So mulch more Mulch your borders. Choose something with an organic origin such as homemade compost, well-rotted woodchips or bark chippings. This mulch not only nourishes the soil and plants, but also provides a source of food for soil invertebrates. Healthy populations of earthworms and other invertebrates have real benefits for the soil, and hence the plants, but will also provide food for a long list of carnivorous garden friends, such as hedgehogs, all the amphibians, song thrushes, blackbirds, robins, and many more.

Winter hibernation sites Train a dense evergreen up your walls or fences as it will provide a safe haven for birds to nest or butterflies to hibernate in winter. The five common garden butterflies, namely the comma, the small tortoiseshell, brimstone, peacock, and increasingly the red admiral, all overwinter by hibernating as adult butterflies, and need somewhere dry and insulated to shelter. In many cases, a thick evergreen climber such as ivy up against a fence or wall provides an ideal hibernating place.

For more information visit: www.rspb.org.uk/flatford

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OUT & ABOUT / SPORT

Oh my goodness, February can be a gloomy month! My birthday falls more or less in the middle of it and I can pretty much guarantee that it will be raining on the day. Ah well! Spring is just around the corner though, and by the middle of this month we can usually see signs that the ground is beginning to warm up. Those first, little, bright green shoots will be on their way soon, cheering everything around them. Keep the faith – the dark days will brighten up before long.

Out on the allotments, we should be able to start doing some planting a couple of weeks into the month. It’s a good time to get garlic and shallots into the ground, and there are a fair few vegetables that can go in now too.

If you’re buying seeds, then look for varieties labelled ‘early’, and check the sowing guidelines on the packets – they’re a mine of information.

If the weather’s mild, it can be tempting to really get stuck in, but we’re still at risk of frost, so don’t do too much too soon. Think about warming up the soil by putting cloches or polythene over areas of your plot. This will help get the next batches off to a good start when it’s time to get them planted. As you continue clearing your plot of overwintering vegetables, it’s a good idea to add a sprinkling of general fertiliser as a top-dressing.

Yes, it can be cold and gloomy, but one thing I always notice is that I feel so much better when I’ve spent some time outside, even if I haven’t been able to do much on our plot. It’s good to get away from the bricks and mortar and to reconnect with nature. We are so lucky in the positioning of our allotment site – ten minutes from the centre of Grange Farm, yet feeling as if it’s miles out in the countryside. I heartily recommend it!

If you’ve ever fancied growing your own, we do have a few plots available at our picturesque Rushmere St Andrew site. New members are always made very welcome. If you’re unsure if allotmenting is for you, we have small starter plots, or there are half- and full-size plots if you’d prefer. For more information, please contact our membership secretary, Angela Brown: 01473 612283 / membership@kesgrave-allotments.org.uk Becki Ritson

SPRING TERM AT BRIGHT STARS At Bright Stars we started the term making shiny crowns to wear as we walked in the footsteps of the wise men who went to see Jesus after he was born. We followed the star around St Michael’s Church Centre, encountering hazards such as mountains and deserts which we sang our way through until eventually we found Jesus.

If you are a baby, toddler or pre-schooler who would like a fun start to your week we would love you to bring your parents, grandparents and/or carers to join us at Bright Stars. We meet at St Michael’s Church Centre, Martlesham Heath IP5 3PL at 10.30am on the second and fourth Mondays of each month during term time. Each session is full of fun children’s activities, including singing and Bible stories for children, plus games and crafts. The half hour sessions are free and are followed by refreshments and a chance to play until approximately noon, while the adults enjoy a chat!

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL January saw another big entry in the popular Suffolk six-a-side series at Maidenhall Sports Centre with seven teams in each of Division 1 and Division 2. However, it wasn’t such a successful tournament for Ipswich Ravens due to many of our players suffering from seasonal flu. Our first team in Division 1 was particularly badly affected and we lost all four of our games, two of them against sides we beat comfortably in December.

Diss II and Suffolk University both entered teams for the first time in Division 2 as well as Ipswich Ravens Women, showing how this popular sport is growing in our region. In Division 1 the Ravens continued our improvement from last month with a solid performance. Three wins and one defeat left us in a creditable third place out of the seven teams.

Captain Chris Giles said: “Our performance was much improved from last month. We really earned our three wins with some sublime hitting from chief hitter Ugis backed up by good all round teamwork.”

DIV 1 RESULTS Ipswich Ravens 13-21 Diss Ipswich Ravens 12-21 Stowmarket II Ipswich Ravens 16-21 Ipswich I Ipswich II 21-16 Ipswich Ravens However, our spirits were lifted by our improving ladies team in Division 2 who finished a very creditable fourth out of seven teams, including two wins and the narrowest of defeats by a single point. This was a fantastic performance as it was only the second time the ladies have entered the tournament. It was a result which reflected fairly on the hard work they have been putting in at our weekly practice sessions under the guidance of their dedicated coach.

DIV 2 RESULTS Ravens Women 20-21 Stingers Fil Suffolk Smashers 17-21 Ravens Women Seagulls 8-21 Ravens Women Ravens Women 11-21 Stowmarket Aces January 11 was the third anniversary of the date when Ravens was first formed. We’re delighted with the progress we have made since then.

The club is thriving and competing with other volleyball clubs throughout Suffolk who are much more established. We’re looking forward to growing the club further during 2017 and getting more people to learn what a great sport volleyball is.

For further information please contact:

Ipswich Ravens hold club practice 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 13 upwards. We have qualified coaches who run the sessions with a mixture of training drills and friendly games, making them very enjoyable while helping participants to improve their skills and fitness.

Jennie Fidler – 07584 420729 / Sonya & Maureen Burrows – 01473 625196 / Sue Lambert – 01473 624130

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

Why not come and visit us? You are welcome to just turn up on the day at any of the sessions, but if you would like further information please contact us on the numbers below. We look forward to welcoming you.

Our remaining session dates for the spring term are February 27 and March 13 and 27.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/ipswicheast

15

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS IPSWICH WANDERERS FC

KESGRAVE & NORTHGATE KARATE NEWS The year got off to a wonderful start on the evening of Saturday, January 7 with the karate club’s annual presentation evening, an opportunity for club instructors to acknowledge all the hard work that students put in.

For the Kesgrave Red Dragons, Student of the Year went to Riagan Huq, Most Improved Student of the Year went to Bethany Wright and Best Beginner went to Stephen Bishop. For the junior/senior class in the Kesgrave club, Student of the Year was awarded to William Lawton, Most Improved Student went to Eva Palmer and Best Beginner to Max Green.

In the Northgate Red Dragons, Student of the Year went to Lauren Berry, Most Improved Student went to Jessica Collinson and Best Beginner to Alex Lichota. In the junior/senior class, Student of the Year went to Oscar Hunt, Most Improved Student went to Marcus Peel and Best Beginner to Penny Barnes.

Awards also went to our affiliated club in Bury St Edmunds with the Red Dragons Student of the Year going to Oliver Currie, Most Improved Student to Joe Tully and Best Beginner to Alfie Bullock.

In the junior/senior class, Student of the Year went to Sophie Swann, Most Improved Student went to Gloria Jane Stevens and Best Beginner to Alfie Campbell.

Our final categories were for those students who had braved the intimidating arenas of competitive karate for both kumite and kata. The award for Paired Kata went to Lilly Melton and Emma Buckley, the Team Kata award went to Chloe Campbell, Daisy Hopwood and Lola Blofield and the Individual Kata award to Thomas Humphries.

Awards in kumite went to Calum Evans for the Male Kumite Competitor of the Year while big sister, Tayler Evans, came away with the Female Kumite Competitor of the Year. Overall Kumite Competitor of the Year went to Ruby Hunt.

Many thanks to all our amazing instructors and to the parents and helpers who organised the evening whether it was the food, the venue, ticket sales for the event or raffle or raffle donations. All the money raised is put back into the club, which in turn enables members to participate in both national and international competitions.

A final thank you must go to the continued support of our club sponsors M+C Diesel, IS EleCtrical and Chris Clow whose continued support means that our England competitor, Georgie Lawson, is able to compete at an international level. Watch this space for how she gets on in the Karate Championships in Bulgaria later this month.

Our club is always keen to attract new sponsors. If you are part of a company or business that feels that it would like to put something back into the community by making a small annual donation to help support our young club members achieve their aspirations and goals, please contact us at: admin@northgate-karate.co.uk

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Manager Shane Wardley must be pleased with the way his side has played of late. The outstanding result and performance was the 2-1 win over runaway league leaders Mildenhall Town. Wanderers overcame being a goal down and some fine second half football gained all three points. We now sit in the top half of the table and are showing our best form for a year. The recent draw at distant Fakenham Town (that could have been a win if our late penalty had gone in) saw us again come back from a goal down.

So there are many reasons to come along and support Ipswich Wanderers at Humber Doucy Lane and join us for the monthly Wanderers Bingo on the final Friday of the month. Eyes down in the clubhouse at 8pm.

The Christmas raffle was very productive and raised much needed club funds. Well done to the organisers and participants. We are a members’ club. We welcome new members and supporters to matches and other events. Wanderers are run entirely by volunteers. Please join us.

Our sole home fixture at The Doucy in February is: Saturday, February 4: v Swaffham Town (League) KO 3pm All the latest club news and details of all Wanderers fixtures can be found on the club website.

A GOOD TIME TO START SOMETHING NEW? I think it’s good when we decide to do something or to put it another way, when we resolve to do something. At the start of the New Year many of us resolve to start doing something new or to stop doing something we are already doing. We regard this time of year as an acceptable time to start new things or to stop old things. But on any given day we can make these decisions. It’s never too late, tomorrow always brings us another opportunity.

Maybe you’ve thought about going to church (either going again because you used to come or deciding to go for the first time), but have just not got round to doing it yet. Why not just do it this month? We would love to welcome you. We are a small, but very friendly group of people who meet on Sunday mornings from 10.30am-noon at Heath School, Bell Lane, Kesgrave.

the

ARK

church

Can you believe we’re already a month into the New Year? Time seems to fly and Christmas and New Year celebrations are now a distant memory. It’s the middle of winter and we’re looking forward to the spring with its longer daylight hours and warmth. At the Ark we have been busy sorting out lighting and maintaining the building, making it a pleasant place for anyone who wishes to join us. If you check out our constantly updated website you’ll see we have lots going on throughout the week and we’d like you to be part of it. March sees our 32nd anniversary, but more of that next month, and in April we’re hosting the National Youth Conference weekend.

Join us on Sunday mornings throughout the year at 11.30am (Café & Children’s Church at 10.30am), for Wednesday Bible Study at 8pm or for Young People’s Night on alternate Fridays (see website for details).

The Ark Church, Wolsey House, The Drift, Nacton Road, Ipswich IP3 9QR / arkipswichuk@gmail.com www.arkipswich.co.uk / Facebook @arkofthelord / Twitter @arkipswich Our newsletter is available via free subscription.

17

ON THE GRAPEVINE GET UP AND GLOW FOR HOSPICE St Elizabeth Hospice’s biggest event of the year, the Midnight Walk, is back for its 11th birthday event and if you sign up before the end of January you can save £5.

The hugely popular event, which saw a record-number of people taking part in May earlier this year, will return on May 20, 2017 and back by popular demand is the neon theme.

However, this year’s Midnight Walk will have a few alterations, with a brand new start and finish location – the Cornhill in Ipswich town centre.

There are also two brand new routes – a six mile and a 12 mile – both of which will pass the hospice on Foxhall Road so all walkers will have the opportunity to hang a personalised tag on the Tree of Remembrance.

Catherine Sheppard, St Elizabeth Hospice’s events and challenges fundraiser, said: “We are very excited to launch the Midnight Walk 2017 and we hope it will be as successful as 2016 which raised an incredible £220,000 for the hospice, making a huge difference to our patients and their families.

“The neon theme proved very popular. It was fantastic to watch Ipswich glow last year and we wanted to bring that back again to the town.”

All participants will receive an exclusive Midnight Walk 2017 T-shirt, medal and a hot chocolate at the finish line.

You can save £5 and register for just £10 with the early bird offer before January 31, 2017. From February 1 registration will be £15.

Be part of Suffolk’s biggest celebration of life and sign up now at: www.midnightwalkipswich.co.uk To request a paper form contact: midnightwalk@stelizabethhospice.org.uk

01473

707043

/

QUESTIONS ON CASH With Nick Plumb This month, I have responded to two questions from In Touch readers that landed in my email inbasket over the Christmas period.

Alan from Ipswich asks: “I have just started receiving my state pension and a company pension of £14,000 a year from the old GEC scheme. The state pension is paid to me gross with no tax deducted, but my GEC pension has income tax deducted and is paid to me net of that tax. Why is there a difference, and should I be paying tax at all?”

Yes, you will pay a certain amount of tax on both pensions, as your total pension income is above your annual personal income tax allowance of £11,000, which is what you are allowed to earn before income tax is deducted at basic rate (currently 20%). Pension income (from state or private pensions) is classed as ‘earned’ income and is therefore taxable above £11,000 a year.

Although your state pension is paid to you gross, this does not mean that you don’t pay tax on it. The tax is actually collected by an adjustment to your tax code.

Check your last notice of coding, and you will see that your tax code is different to when you were working. The pension system would not be able to cope with working out everyone’s individual income tax, so they leave the tax to HMRC, who alter your tax code to compensate.

The GEC pension is taxed at source, and tax is deducted by the company pension administrators before the pension is paid to you.

However, it is important to check that you have been put on the correct tax code as I have seen many examples of people paying too much tax on their company pensions over the years.

Peter from Needham Market asks: “I am the director of a limited company employing 12 members of staff. I would like to introduce a free life insurance scheme that pays out a lump sum to the staff member’s family if they died. What is the best way to do this through the company?”

A ‘death in service’ scheme for a group of employees is usually arranged as a Group Life Insurance scheme, which falls under the ‘tax approved’ rules that also apply to group pension schemes. Such schemes offer various tax advantages for you as the employer and for your employees.

The premiums the company pays are tax-deductible as a business expense and the premiums are not treated as a ‘benefit in kind’ for your employees, so they will not suffer a tax charge on them.

Any Lump-sum death benefit paid on the death of an employee would be paid free of income tax and, if it is paid out under a discretionary trust, it will not normally be liable for inheritance tax when paid to the beneficiaries of the deceased staff member.

Nick Plumb is an independent financial adviser and practice principal at Plumb Financial Services of Baylham in Suffolk. The information within this column is provided only as a general guide and does not constitute personal financial advice. If you would like to take advantage of a complimentary meeting to talk over your options for your own investments or financial planning you can contact Nick by email at nick@plumbfs.co.uk or by calling the office on 01473 830301. Plumb Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

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