in Touch News with Shotley - January 2017

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with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone Volume 7 • Issue No. 2 • JANUARY 2017

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I spent some time chatting to one of the mums from the school gate recently, a woman I’ve admired from afar for some time as she always has the biggest smile. Of course she’s always surrounded by other mums, as happy, engaging people tend to be. I’ve imagined how wonderful her life must be, how much fun it would be to be her for a day, how lovely it must be to begin each and every day with delight, as surely she much do. Or so I imagined.

As it turns out I was completely wrong. As we chatted and I learned a little more about this remarkable woman, I came to realise how lucky I am. Her life has been, and continues to be, challenging, even heartbreaking, in ways I never hope to experience. And yet she faces each and every day with a smile. I know I don’t, as no doubt my work colleagues can attest. It’s all relative you might say, but is it possible that I’ve simply developed a selfish streak and forgotten to appreciate what I do have? In Ireland I’d be called a me-feiner, someone who thinks only of themselves, the nastiest put down you can get on Irish soil. Have I adopted a less cheerful persona simply because it’s easier or, and this may be the crux of it, because it has become a bad habit.

Now I don’t think I’m a miserable sod, but I do have a tendency to see the dark side first, which possibly explains my addiction to Leonard Cohen.

Perhaps it’s a trait I’ve inherited, perhaps it’s cultural, perhaps it’s just who I am, but right now I’m determined to fight it. I know my worries won’t disappear overnight, but how I deal with them might make them easier to bear. My insecurities may be deeply embedded (I am 47 after all), but I’m keen to see how others react when I present a happier face to the world.

I know we all have days when all we want to do is keep our heads down and do what we have to do without interruption or interference, but wouldn’t it be interesting to see how others react if you reach out, maybe starting tentatively with a smile. Let’s do this experiment together in 2017 and hope we all have a wonderful, happier, more fulfilling and smilier year.

Happy New Year from my colleagues and I here a Mansion House Publishing.

NEWS COMMUNITY ON BOARD TO BUY PIER Excellent progress has been made in a community group’s bid to buy, renovate and restore the Victorian pier at Shotley.

A charitable communities benefit society has been registered in order to be able to launch a share issue, apply for grants and funding and fund raise to secure the future of the Shotley Railway Pier, opposite the Bristol Arms.

An application for a grant via a booster fund has been made and although there is still a long way to go, the signs are encouraging.

Sally Chicken, chair of the group, said: “We are preparing a community share issue so local people who want to support us can donate money or buy shares.”

Derek Davis, district councillor and founder member, said: “With so many good people getting behind this wonderful project it’s no surprise at how well things are progressing, even though it is quite incredible.

“The scheme where people can pledge to buy shares should go ahead this month, and if everything goes according to plan, we could have the pier in the community’s possession by late March, early April. Then the work of getting it up and running really starts.”

For more details go to Pier Interest Group Shotley Facebook page or contact 07824 167196.

Pictured above, Sally Chicken, chair of the Steering Group, Councillor Derek Davis and owner Ian Newman.

HELEN YEMN TALK RESCHEDULED

In Touch

with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone In Touch with Shotley, Pin Mill & Woolverstone is published by:

Due to a family bereavement, Downsizing Without Tears by Helen Yemm, an illustrated talk with a question and answer session, was rescheduled and will now take place at 3pm on Saturday, January 28 at Harkstead Village Hall.

Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP

Gardener, writer, author, teacher and hardy perennial Thorny Problems columnist for The Daily Telegraph, Helen Yemm suddenly found she had to ‘up sticks’ and leave her much photographed and admired two acre Sussex cottage garden. This lavishly illustrated talk – the story of how she ‘downsized’ her garden and started again with a tiny neglected patch – is personal, practical and entertaining. It is intended to provide inspiration and information for everyone, not just those finding themselves in a similar situation. The talk will be followed by an informal gardeners’ question and answer session, and refreshments.

Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

Send editorial copy to: shotley@intouchnews.co.uk

Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

Advertising Email: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

01473 400380

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

01473 400380

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

01473 400379

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

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NEWS OLD SALT JULIAN HAPPY TO TALK OF ADVENTURES

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DEREK DAVIS – BERNERS WARD

How many of us have thought about just jacking it all in, bundling our belongings in a big bag and setting off around the world?

Shotley, Erwarton, Chelmondiston, Woolverstone and Freston

Well that’s exactly what former architectural university lecturer and lone yachtsman Julian Mustoe did after going through a bitter divorce and then retiring.

A couple of world circumnavigations, two shipwrecks and a voyage following in the footsteps of Charles Darwin’s historic HMS Beagle later, Julian is laying up on the Shotley peninsula for the winter before setting off on another incredible journey.

Ancient mariner Julian, now 86, is planning a single-handed journey to the Baltic Sea on his new yacht, Hunter Horizon, to conduct a historically informed cruise based on the activities and territories of the medieval Hanseatic League.

To help fund his trip, the inspirational Julian is available to give after dinner speeches or informative talks to your group or organisation.

Julian’s contact details and book Voyage of the Harrier are available via www.julian-mustoe.com or you can contact him at: 07824 167196

NEWS FROM HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY Training days Our next training afternoon is on Thursday, February 9 when we will be shut from 1pm. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999.

Peninsula Patient Network We are in the process of re-forming our Patient Participation Group and have set up a small, core group of patients who are meeting regularly and will be able to then canvass opinion from other patients who wish to be involved. Although much of what we do as a practice comes from our governing bodies, we always appreciate patients’ views on how this is interpreted into a working model at practice level. If you would like to be contacted with small surveys or to answer questions on an occasional basis, please email peninsulapatientnetwork@gmail.com or drop your details into the practice.

Thank you to our very generous patients We do appreciate all the chocolates, cakes and other goodies that were given to staff and doctors over the festive season. It is very kind of you to show your gratitude in this way and the staff are very grateful. We’re pleased that we have many happy patients.

We have also been overwhelmed by the donations made to our surgery fund in 2016, which totalled just under £6,000. This was made up from a sponsored walk, a coffee morning, our book sales and many kind donations, some in memory of those who have passed away.

We have managed to buy a variety of items including blood pressure monitors for patients to borrow, a bike rack for those who wish to cycle, a multi-function couch, an ECG machine, chairs, two defibrillators and a number of smaller items, all of which improve our patient care to some degree. Thank you to all who have contributed.

Practice Manager Julia Smith

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Well, what an interesting year in politics 2016 was with the people speaking in a way that the pundits, experts and many politicians did not really expect. Brexit and Trump were the headline grabbers and the impact of those decisions are still to be fully understood and felt.

Closer to home swingeing cuts by Suffolk County Council have affected rural bus services, social care, children’s services and so the list goes on. It doesn’t promise to get better anytime soon and the proposed devolution deal look increasingly problematic, even with the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ in Suffolk and south Norfolk trying to salvage a deal with central government.

2017 also promises to be challenging and perhaps ground-breaking in the way we all move forward. All councils face difficulties ahead, including Babergh, but the right people with the right motives can get things done and you, as voters, can help make a difference by exercising your right to vote and not just sit back allowing things to carry on as they are.

What is more tangible than devolution is the May elections. While there will not now be a vote for a mayor, it does gives you the opportunity to make your voice heard in the Suffolk County Council elections by choosing the person whose mandate matches your aspirations.

Mobile Phone Mast Slowly but surely rural areas such as our own are getting better broadband and mobile phone services. Chelmondiston is the latest on the peninsula to move forward, with no little hard work behind the scenes by the parish council and others.

An application by Telefonica to build a mast has been passed by Babergh planners and is expected to be up and operating in the next few months.

More details can be found on the Babergh Planning Application page using reference B/16/01186.

Contact details If you have an issue you would like to discuss please get in touch: derek.davis@babergh.gov.uk / 01473 787375 / 07824 167196

SHOTLEY PENINSULA GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEMES A HELPING HAND WHEN NEEDED The Shotley Peninsula Good Neighbour Schemes are an important support network in our villages. They are run by volunteers under the umbrella of Community Action Suffolk. They can be contacted for assistance over a range of activities, including shopping, pet care, trips to hospitals and surgeries and collecting prescriptions. We are supported by parish councils and voluntary donations.

All volunteers have been DBS and reference checked and are simply people in the community who don’t mind being asked for a helping hand. The contact phone is held by a rota of volunteers who ask volunteers in turn if they are free to help with a particular task.

It is for all to use – all of us at some point are glad to be able to call on a neighbour for help.

Please contact the Good Neighbour Scheme for your village: Chelmondiston and Pin Mill: 780408 Harkstead and Lower Holbrook: 328326 Shotley and Erwarton: 07799 873881 Stutton Support Network: 327753 Tattingstone: 07895 052086

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NEWS HOLBROOK PARISH COUNCIL Key points from the November parish council meeting Reade Field improvement project update It was resolved that a charity be set up to deal with fundraising separate to the parish council, and that a bank account be opened for the charity.

It was further agreed that a 250 Club should be set up.

Alton Green Pond Councillor Meekings gave an update on works to date. The local builder had provided very useful information in response to the original scope of works, but this was going to be outside the resources of the parish council. Following discussions with Suffolk Coasts and Heaths AONB about a scaled-down scheme, further quotes were received for hire of an excavator and provision of a driver and banksman which fell within the agreed budget. The clerk delivered letters to all the neighbours so that they were aware of the plans.

Mr Halls arranged with the local farmer to remove the spoil at a later date free of charge. The pond works were carried out to a high standard prior to the planned SCH volunteer day on November 22. Mr Halls commented that this appears to have worked through the heavy rain during the weekend. There is a water leak further up the road which Anglian Water are aware of and this will be repaired soon. SCH AONB will continue to monitor the pond for the next 12 months and have another volunteer day planned in January.

Applications for the current councillor vacancies There had been three applications for the two vacancies which were considered by the council. Following a vote, Mrs J Springall and Mr C Sawyer were appointed as councillors.

Consultation on removal of BT phone box from Clench Road No comments had been received from parishioners, so it was agreed that no objections would be raised to the removal of the telephone from Clench Road. A resident of Clench Road has volunteered to take on the phone box as a book exchange. It was agreed that the parish council would pay for the cost of adopting the phone box (£1) and that the clerk would look into transferring the responsibility for it to the resident concerned.

Village Recorder scheme Mrs Leeson, who holds the village archive, would like to hand over this responsibility. It was suggested that this request should be passed on to Holbrook Society, who may be able to find a volunteer to take on the official role of village recorder.

Request to add name to war memorial The addition of a further name to the war memorial has been considered by the parish council in the past. However it was felt that, given the research being undertaken by Samantha Lanier, the decision to not alter the war memorial would be revisited in light of her findings.

Full minutes of these and all other meetings can be found at: www.holbrook.onesuffolk.net The most common issues concerning parishioners The vast majority of concerns that have been passed to councillors during the year are about the same topics, namely: •

Dog fouling

•

Inconsiderate parking

• •

Speeding through the village Overgrown trees and hedges

•

Pot holes and road surfaces

Reade Field improvement project survey We are still receiving responses to the survey about the proposed improvements to Reade Field. There is still time to make councillors aware of your views so that any decisions they make represent the views and needs of the community wherever possible. The survey is still available on the village website. Please send your thoughts to the clerk at 27 Denmark Gardens, Holbrook IP9 2BG, to any of the councillors (addresses on the website and noticeboards), or send any general comments by email.

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

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Hello and Happy New Year, I do hope that everyone has had a fantastic Christmas and is looking forward to a happy and prosperous New Year. If you have received or purchased some fabulous gifts, now is the time to think about photographing and recording the model and serial numbers somewhere. The web site below is recommended. You can record just about everything of value, and you can update it when you buy new items or get rid of old items.

Just a quick tip, when you photograph an item, put a ruler beside it so that the size can be assessed and use a colour photograph. This will help greatly if the item is lost or stolen.

Use www.immobilise.com to record the make, model and serial numbers in case they go missing or are stolen so they can be returned to you when they are found. This web site is used by police nationally to check items found.

•

Combat the sale of stolen gadgets and valuables; alert the second-hand trade and the publicly checkable stolen goods database CheckMEND if an item goes missing

•

Simplify insurance claims and police reports with certificates of ownership

•

Great member offers from Immobilise’s numerous supporters, often helping support the free provision of Immobilise

If you need to obtain a Loss Report Number for insurance purposes please visit: www.reportmyloss.com/uk Remember you can now follow the Safer Neighbourhood Team at Hadleigh on Twitter @HadleighPolice.

Benefits of Registration

Finally, from all officers and staff at Hadleigh Police Station we wish you a peaceful, prosperous New Year.

•

Immobilise helps police identify the owners of recovered property thousands of times every day

For emergency calls 999 / non-emergency calls 101

•

Property updates you make are immediately available to the police nationally

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Email: hadleigh.snt@suffolk.pnn.police.uk PCSO 3041 Stephen Cooper, Hadleigh SNT, Hadleigh Police Station

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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.

Locally Cloudy2Clear service the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas and manager Andy Kerridge agrees that this approach is a major factor in his success. ‘The truth is that it’s not just the personal satisfaction that I get from doing

a good job but also it makes good business sense. I get a huge amount of business from friends and family of people I’ve done work for, which just goes to show how much a little bit of effort is appreciated as both my customers and, obviously a body as nationally important as Which? now recognise.’

So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118 and he’ll be happy to help!

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT CHELMONDISTON PARISH COUNCIL

HOLBROOK SOCIETY

www.chelmondiston.suffolk.gov.uk

The First World War project has been postponed for a month, partly to avoid a clash with the church quiz evening on January 27. The launch is now on Friday, February 24.

RECYCLE YOUR REAL CHRISTMAS TREE AT COLLIMER CLOSE CAR PARK Trees can be left at this collection point on Saturday, January 7 and Sunday, January 8.

Trees must be less than 7’ tall and must have all decorations, stands and pots removed.

PARISH FOOTPATHS Keith Cooper has been working with the parish council for many, many years as a valued tree warden and footpaths cutter, but has now decided to retire. We would like to thank him for all that he has done. It has been greatly appreciated.

We would also like to thank Caroline Chicken who helped us out this year, but unfortunately she is not able to continue next season. So now we are looking for two people to help with the parish footpaths for the next season.

There is a possibility that we can join a visit by Holbrook Primary School Council to the Houses of Parliament on Thursday, January 26. This would include a visit to the Imperial War Museum and a meeting with James Cartlidge. The other great benefit of this is that we would have less expensive travel by coach to and from Holbrook. This is, at present, very much provisional, but please keep the date free if you are keen to join. Numbers will be limited.

REVISED PROGRAMME Friday, February 24, Holbrook Primary School, 7.30pm: Launch of the Holbrook First World War Commemorative Project

SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL

Holbrook Primary School has won a Heritage Lottery Grant to research and commemorate those who went to war in 1914. Headteacher Annie Hookway will explain what they are aiming to do and how Holbrook Society will be involved. Sam Lanier will tell us about some of the fascinating stories and facts she has unearthed so far in her parallel research at University College Suffolk. There will also be an opportunity to see the first stage of the children’s programme in an imaginative artwork centred on the memorial plaque.

The annual general meeting of the village hall takes place on Tuesday, January 24 at 7.30pm in the large committee room of the hall. Annual reports will be available. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Friday, April 21, Holbrook Village Hall, 7.30pm Frolic, Fervour & Fornication – an alternative history of Suffolk

by Pip Wright

Our next auction is on Saturday, March 18. More details next month.

The registers and papers that once lay in the parish chests of Suffolk villages contain all kinds of items that could so easily have been thrown away or never written at all. The surprises they reveal about the people of Suffolk in past centuries is remarkable. This talk is all about the things you never expected to find written in the parish records of Suffolk.

For further information please contact the parish clerk: clerk@chelmondistonpc.info

HARKSTEAD FARMERS MARKET The market has now been running for about SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 15 years and is a great place to buy fresh local produce and meet friends and acquaintances from the peninsula. Refreshments are available and there is ample parking. The first market of the New Year is on January 21, opening at 9am.

700

THE BIG QUIZ

Sunday, June 18: Open Gardens We are still hoping that some more generous souls will open their garden for us. Please call 01473 327166 if you would like more information.

Other ideas are underway, so watch this space for more news. Best wishes to you all for the New Year.

We felt that it was time we revamped the flyer; the background is based on the Harkstead Village Sign which was designed by Louise Walton.

AN EVENING OF OPEN VERSE

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 EVENTS

An evening of verse recital on the theme of food and drink. Come along to listen, recite a poem or prose of your choice or to share something you have written yourself. A donation of £3 towards the buffet (8.30pm) is requested.

THE BIG QUIZ Saturday, January 28 at Shotley Village Hall, 6.45 for 7pm. Entry £4 per person.

If your group would like to be included as one of the teams please contact Allana: 07907 841430

Where?

SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL

When?

SATURDAY 28th JANUARY

Time?

6.45pm for 7pm

SHOTLEY OVER SIXTIES SOCIAL CLUB

Our meetings for early 2017 are January 5 and 19 and February 2. We meet in the large committee room at Shotley Village Hall from 1.50pm.

Entry: £4.00 per person We have bingo, whist or dominoes and refreshments at half time.

We are going to the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich on Saturday, January 21 for the 2.30pm of Sinbad, a musical Total If yourperformance group would like to be included as pantomime. one of the teams cost £25. We leave Shotley at 1.30pm.

Names to Eileen or Norman: please ring Allana on 07907 841430 01473 787358

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Thursday, January 26 at The Bakers Arms, Harkestead, 7 for 7.30pm.

THE SHOTLEY CEILIDH IS BACK It’s time to get your glad rags on!

Back by popular demand, dinner and dancing to The Caledonian Reelers In aid of Action Medical Research For Children Saturday, March 18, 7 for 7.30pm Four course dinner with dancing, tickets £25 Contact Karen Smith on 01473 787731 HURRY: Tickets will sell out fast

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WORLD-RENOWNED PIZZA ON YOUR DOORSTEP In 1907 the Cristafaro family started what was to become a long tradition of master pizza makers in the centre of Brooklyn.

Michele Cristafaro, son of Salvatore, improved the family’s art of preparing the pizza, the secrets of which he had learned from the famous masters in Torre Annunziata (district outside Napoli city), experts in preparing and kneading the dough, as well as baking the pizza.

Michele opened his first pizzeria in 1928 where the current Brooklyn Hospital is on Dekalb Avenue, and whose construction forced the pizzeria to move. In 1943 the store was transferred to its new location, 1436 Avenue J. The historic pizzeria was often described by experts and journalists as “the sacred temple of pizza”.

Since then, three generations of master pizza makers have kept on working, following the tradition and being faithful to grandfather Michele’s instructions: “There are only two types of Neapolitan Pizza, the Marinara and the Margherita and no junk should be used in preparing the pizza because it could only alter its world famous genuineness and taste.”

The secret of Michele’s never-ending success is using natural ingredients and an old, traditional, time-tested method of leavening the pizza dough. Unfortunately the pizzeria was sold in 1996 but greatgrandson Giorgio has kept the legacy going, pleasing tastebuds around the world in seven different countries and has now brought his greatgrandfathers pizza to the UK.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

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OUT & ABOUT SHOTLEY WHIST DRIVES

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE 700 CLUB

This month we meet on Thursdays 12 and 26 in the large committee room at the village hall from 1.50pm. We play 12 games, break for refreshments and play 12 more games. We are a friendly group and you will be made very welcome.

November Draw Winners

STOUR VALLEY ARTS AND MUSIC Sunday, January 22 at 4pm: Clare Hammond (piano) at Constable Hall, East Bergholt Acclaimed as a pianist of “amazing power and panache” (The Telegraph), Clare Hammond is recognised for the virtuosity and authority of her performances and has developed a “reputation for brilliantly imaginative concert programmes” (BBC music magazine Rising Star). Recently she has played on Radio 3 and also played the younger version of Dame Maggie Smith’s character in the movie The Lady in the Van.

£25

058

Mrs D Bacon

£20

161

Mrs V Simpkin

£15

129

Mrs C Lock

£8

103

Mrs S Catchpole

£7

100

Ms C Higgs

New members are always welcome to join the 700 Club at a cost of £1 a month payable at three, six or 12 monthly intervals. To join contact Norman: 01473 787358 COACH TRIP TO NORWICH On Wednesday, February 15, leaving Shotley Gate at 8.50am and Norwich at 4pm. The fare is £9 per person payable on booking. Names to Norman please. This trip is organised by Suffolk Norse which is taking on work previously organised by Soames Coaches.

HOLBROOK BROWNIES

Generously sponsored by Grier and Partners, East Bergholt Programme: Jacquet de la Guerre, Suite no 6 in G major Beethoven, Sonata no 4 in E-flat major op 7 Ashton, Ornithology Faure, Nocturne no 8 in D-flat major op 84 no 8 Faure, Nocturne no 12 in E minor op 107 Stravinsky, Petrushka Suite The season continues with: Friday, February 10 at 8pm: Lecture by Dr Lois Oliver: Love and Loss: The Story of Orpheus and Eurydice in Art and Music at Constable Hall Sunday, February 26 at 4pm: Vanbrugh String Quartet at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt Sunday, March 19 at 4pm: Kammerphilharmonie Europa at St Mary’s Church, East Bergholt Box office and information: www.svam.org.uk / 01206 298426

ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next monthly market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, January 14, 9am-12.30pm.

Fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which helps present buying.

East End Butchers are pleased to be the market’s resident meat supplier. If you would like to place on order with them it can be collected at the market each month.

Their number for orders is 01206 392190.

Come along to mingle with your friends, have a cup of coffee and a bacon buttie and enjoy the lovely venue.

New stalls welcome. Contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777

Despite the cloudy evenings, the Brownies still managed to learn lots about the planets and stars, as well as look through a gigantic telescope.

Hopefully, the nights will be clear and starry in 2017 so we can finally see the constellations we have been learning about.

The village hall Christmas decorations added to our Christmas spirit as our cooks advanced Brownies prepared the party food while the rest of us made very cute robin, reindeer and Santa tree decorations.

Our final evening for the term was, of course, party night. We had lots of fun and laughter playing all the traditional party games and, perhaps not so traditional, wrapping a Brownie up as a snowman! Thank goodness the game of musical chairs is to take chairs away. If our pack gets any larger we will have to knock a hole in the wall to fit in more chairs! Our cooks did a fantastic job of cooking and preparing all the party food, as well as washing up afterwards. Well done girls – you’re badge is well deserved.

The Owls are busy organising next term with visits to Pets at Home and Ipswich Vets organised as part of our Friend to Animals badge.

If you would like your daughter to join the fun and adventure, please register your interest at Girlguiding UK. Brownies is for girls aged seven to 11 and we have a waiting list for six year olds.

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How a bereavement support group could help you Wherever you are on your grieving journey, one of the East of England Co-op Funeral Services’ bereavement support groups could support you in coming to terms with your loss.

Your local group offers a safe place to acknowledge your emotions with others who understand what you’re going through.

We’re here for you, for as long as you need us

Experienced Bereavement Support Counsellor Rebecca Louis runs regular support groups in towns and villages across Suffolk. You are invited to attend as many sessions as you would like, for as long as you feel you need to.

The Ipswich bereavement support group meets every second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 1.30pm and 3.30pm at the Co-op Education Centre at Fore Street. Rebecca also works on a one-to-one basis, meeting people where they feel comfortable, whether that is in their own home or in a local café or quiet space.

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As a local, independent business, the East of England Co-op only operate in the Eastern region and are owned directly by their members.

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OUT & ABOUT CHELMO WI President Pat congratulated all our members on making the Cake Heaven stall at the table top sale such a success. More than 20 cakes, plus crumbles, cup cakes and scones, were sold out by the end of the first hour. Nothing is nicer than a WI cake!

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION

The committee took over the catering for the AGM and we all had a really tasty buffet and punch before re-electing Pat for president, Caroline for secretary and the usual suspects again on the committee.

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. We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre at 7.15pm.

Pat and Caroline reported on a very active and busy year, including running two evenings for the three WIs on the peninsula, a 90th birthday party, a river trip and much more. Michele, our treasurer, told us we were in funds again and Lucy has prepared a very interesting 2017 programme for us.

Our next meeting is on January 17 when we welcome back the ever popular Mark Mitchels. Mark has a wide range of talks and this time will be telling us the moving story of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, an Aldeburgh girl who became a doctor, established a hospital and finally ended up as mayor of the town.

We shall meet on our usual second Tuesday in the month at 7.30am in Chelmo Village Hall. New members are always made very welcome.

On February 21 Ben Cowell, 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.

CHELMONDISTON OVER SIXTIES We hope you had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

Sadly Joan Potter, one of our longstanding members, passed away in November. She will be missed.

Our first meeting will be on January 5 and we look forward to seeing you all.

Mike and Michele Rutherford

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome for an £3 entrance fee. National Trust members and 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 www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

1 SAMFORD VALLEY SCOUT GROUP st

“New Year, New Challenge” they say, and this term our Cubs are taking it literally as they embark on their Skills Challenge Award. This is a wideranging badge, covering sporting, practical and creative skills and healthy eating.

To complete the badge they will be learning how to use simple DIY tools such as saws, hammers, screwdrivers and drills. On the domestic front they will learn to peel potatoes, iron their scarves, sew on a badge and change a light bulb, and their study of healthy eating will include making ‘poo’ to aid their understanding of how we digest food.

Cubs’ creativity will be put to good use when we make embossed leather bookmarks as Mother’s Day gifts and when we enter a team into the District Construction Competition, as we do every year.

Even though the spring weather can be unpredictable, we will try to get out as much as possible. We are planning to go star gazing around Holbrook with Mike Haynes as part of the astronomy badge and later in the term we will be cooking backwoods pancakes up at the Hallowtree campsite using ‘buddy burners’ (coiled cardboard in a tin of melted wax) made by the cubs themselves.

Once the clocks go forward we will be hiking from Stutton to Brantham, and looking ahead to the summer, Cubs will be climbing, abseiling, crate stacking and kayaking as part of the sporting skills section of their Challenge Award.

We have some spaces in our Cub pack at the moment for boys and girls aged eight and nine. Recent research has shown that scouting activities contribute to improved mental health and resilience in later life. At Samford Valley we do our best to put on a varied programme that will challenge and stimulate children with a wide range of interests to build the problem-solving skills and self-reliance that will pay dividends later on. And to have plenty of fun along the way.

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OUT & ABOUT VILLAGE LINK CLUB Simon Gallup will present a talk entitled Dedham, Lavenham and the Cloth Trade when we meet on January 11.

Future talks will be: Chaplin of the Methodist Homes; Wolves, Dogs and Us; Easter Parade; The Building of Bury Tower.

Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month in Tattingstone Village Hall at 10am. Following the speaker we have refreshments (when there is time for a chat with other members) and a raffle. New members and visitors are welcome to join us. Funds permitting, we hold a members’ lunch after the August and February meetings.

Roger Felgate, 01473 311684

EAST SUFFOLK ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND A local charity for local people An independent and voluntary charitable organisation promoting the welfare of blind and partially sighted people in East Suffolk since 1914.

Membership is free. We also hold a social from 2-4pm on the last Wednesday of every month at Stutton Community Hall when we provide entertainment, afternoon tea and a raffle. Twice a year, in the summer and at Christmas, we enjoy lunch at a local hotel.

If you would like to join us, please contact Ian, our community support worker, for more information: 01473 788380

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED Monday, January 9: Washi Tape (Debbie) Monday, February 6: Air Dry Clay Samples of each month’s project are displayed the month before and other projects are available.

Saturday workshops and Monday meetings are held in Wherstead Village Hall Meeting Rooms.

Contact: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534

CHELMONDISTON AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY January is the month for getting out the seed catalogues and looking forward to seeing the garden in bloom again. Autumn leaves are all very well, but we have had enough of them now.

Our first meeting of the year is membership night and the AGM on January 31. AGMs are not exactly the sort of events that get the blood racing, so we restrict it to a few minutes and then have a cheese and wine get together.

Annual membership has had to be increased for 2017 and is now £7.50, but you can barely buy a slice of chocolate gateau and a coffee for that, let alone a glass of wine, a delectable dish of cheesy nibbles and a year’s programme of gardening expert speakers.

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB Our December meetings started on Wednesday 7 with a Robin Finch presentation entitled Entertains, followed on Wednesday 21 with Paul Oliver overseeing the annual Christmas Quiz. Both meetings were much enjoyed by our members. We also held our popular Christmas meeting at The Venture Centre, Lawford on Sunday, December 11 when members and their guests enjoyed a tasty lunch.

Our only January meeting will be on Wednesday, January 18 when Tom Tyler presents When Motoring Was Fun. On Wednesday, February 1 Peter Gant will talk on 100 Years of Postcards and on February 15 Dudley Chignell will present The Four Seasons in East Anglia.

Our club endeavours to be simple in structure, free of the constraints and obligations of service clubs and involve members at minimal cost. The club is directed primarily to providing fellowship between members who are compatible with each other and the opportunity for development of acquaintances. New members are welcomed.

We meet on the first and third Wednesday of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact Brian Rolfe: 01206 393665

STOUR VALLEY U3A On Wednesday, November 9, Adrian Wright FRGS talked on Earth on Fire. Hawaiian larva oozes continuously while Krakatoa and Vesuvius have been dormant for decades, sometimes centuries, between cataclysmic events. This illustrative presentation examined volcanic variety, exploring reasons for such diversity.

While we did not have a speaker meeting in December our popular Christmas Lunch took place on Wednesday, December 7 in Constable Hall and was much enjoyed by members and their guests.

On Wednesday, January 11, Dr Geoffrey Kay, former lecturer at Norwich School of Art and Anglia Ruskin University, will speak on Drugs, Sex and Death – the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. In the mid-19th century a group of young artists began to sign their work with the initials PRB. For a short time gallery visitors baffled. What was it that united these artists and how did they determine the course of British art for the next 50 years?

On Wednesday, February 8, Prof John Midwinter FRAE, FRS, formerly at BT and UCL, will speak on The Truth About Climate Change. His lecture will explore evidence that we are changing the climate of our planet, probably irreversibly, and this will be linked to a discussion of what this probably portends and why we should be very concerned.

Our main purpose is to encourage lifelong learning for those who are no longer in full time employment and emphasis is always placed on making learning active and fun as well as helping in developing friendships. We have a wide range of groups including language study, country walking and computer studies and groups that visit gardens, churches and historic buildings. In the main, membership is drawn from communities in the lower Stour Valley and adjacent areas including Brantham, Capel St Mary, Dedham, East Bergholt, Holbrook, Lawford, Manningtree, Raydon and Stratford St Mary. We are affiliated to the ThirdAge Trust, have over 260 members and 21 groups. For further information please visit www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk where membership secretary Val Pretty may be contacted.

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

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS RSPB FLATFORD WILDLIFE GARDEN

STUTTON CEVC PRIMARY SCHOOL

Happy New Year from RSPB Flatford Wildlife Garden. Some of the earliest bulbs are starting to push their noses up through the cold earth to remind us that we’ve turned the corner into the new year and that spring surely can’t be too far off.

We had a brilliant end to the autumn term with lots of Christmas activities including a successful festive fair, a delightful Christmas Service at St Peter’s Church, a touring pantomime and carol singing at Oak House.

In addition, the children have been nurturing the chickens which hatched in an incubator in June and they have been waiting in anticipation for them to start laying. At the beginning of December, we were thrilled to find our very first egg.

Our main event this month is the 2017 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. This is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey and this year, with a new extension into the Monday, it will take place over January 28, 29 and 30.

The survey is now in its 38th year and with over half a million people regularly joining in, it helps the RSPB to monitor how our different species of garden birds are doing. It’s easy to take part. All you have to do is give up an hour sometime over the weekend to watch and count the birds in your garden or local park. Only count the birds that actually land, not those flying over, tell us the highest number of each bird species that you see at any one time – not the grand total that you see during the whole hour.

When all the data is in, we will have a ‘snapshot’ of the birds visiting gardens across the UK at this time of year. Results last year showed another drop in sightings of species such as starlings and song thrushes, sadly continuing a trend that has seen the number of both species visiting gardens decline by over 80% since the first Birdwatch in 1979. There was some good news though – the long-tailed tit entered the Birdwatch top ten for the first time in eight years, with an increase in sightings of 44%.

The RSPB is also interested to hear about other wildlife seen in gardens and green spaces, such as hedgehogs, grass snakes and stag beetles.

You’re not likely to see these creatures in your garden at the end of January, but we’d like to know if any have been seen about in the last year. Our wildlife is struggling to survive. For example, we have possibly lost more than 50% of our hedgehog population over the last 50 years.

By expanding the survey to include questions about other creatures, we will be able to monitor the distribution of other wildlife in our gardens, as well as the birds.

Taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch is just one of the actions that you can take to help nature as part of the RSPB’s Giving Nature a Home campaign. Why not also put up a nest box, create a pond or build a home for a hedgehog? You can find lots of ideas and create your own personal plan to give nature a home near you at: www.rspb.org.uk/myplan For your free Big Garden Birdwatch pack, text BIRD to 70030, or visit: www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch Flatford Wildlife Garden will be open to visitors on Saturday, January 28 and Sunday 29. Come along for more information about the survey and ideas for what more you can do to support our wonderful UK wildlife in your own garden. For details visit: www.rspb.org.uk/flatford Sharon Barker

This term the children are very excited about their participation in the Young Voices concert at the O2 on January 18. They sing with such enthusiasm and joy and we are all looking forward to hearing them sing alongside all the other schools involved.

The children are also working alongside local writer Andrew Holland, devising a story which will be woven into a community walk as part of the Year of Walking. Later in the term we will be taking part in International Women’s Day. The children have been learning about their local environment and community and will be making use of all the wonderful facilities on our doorstep, including Forest School activities in Canham’s Wood.

We are also very pleased to announce that Emma Laflin is joining the school as an interim head from January 17. Some readers may remember Emma as an acting deputy at Holbrook High School some years ago. She is now employed by Suffolk County Council as an interim headteacher and she has a wealth of experience from working in a number of different schools.

Jo Kidby and the teaching staff worked very hard during the autumn term and the school is now in an excellent place to move forward under Emma’s guidance. We wish Jo and Ginny Ryan (deputy) every success for the future when they return to Nacton CEVCP School.

Following the successful open morning held in November, we are holding another on Wednesday, January 11, 9.15-10.15am. This will give parents an opportunity to meet the staff and governors and to see for themselves what a lovely school we have here in Stutton.

01473 328531 / admin@stutton.suffolk.sch.uk www.stutton.suffolk.sch.uk

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SPORT NEPTUNE SAILING

PIN MILL SAILING CLUB

The cold winter period began with our final work party of the season.

We had strong support from a team of parents, young sailors, instructors and committee members in clearing away leaves, cleaning the building, turning dinghies upside down and cleaning hulls, ready for anti-fouling next year. Despite the fleet being ‘put to bed’, we still have a program of repairs and maintenance planned over the next few months, aiming to put everything back in good order after solid use this year.

This photograph helps me to forget about the January and February blues and start to look forward to longer days and summer weather.

Our Cheverton launch, an essential part of our support fleet, is being re-furbished with a new gear box.

The red topside will be returned to pristine condition, matching the lower sand-blasted hull, and we hope to do some work on the seats and console. Similarly, one of our RIBs need a small repair to the floor, which causes a slow, but steady leak. We do not receive regular grants and have to find repair costs from our own funds.

Sailing is a challenging and very addictive sport (health warning there!).

Our senior instructor team met late in November and agreed to look at ways to get more adults involved in sailing. We hope to offer some one-day taster sessions, perhaps a ladies only session, and some special single sessions for youth members’ parents. We offered a very successful team building evening last season and this could be of interest to many others who are keen to challenge their work colleagues.

One of our key aims is to offer young people, and adults, affordable opportunities to sail, so as not to exclude people. Our target groups include local primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges. We have been pleased to work with four schools this year and will be aiming to strengthen our links with more schools. We have already agreed to work with an Ipswich college next season, supporting one of their public service groups. If you have a school group that you would like to challenge, do get in touch.

Our new program will appear on the website towards the end of January.

Again, we will be putting on a full series of summer junior weeks, and bookings will open from April. If you need to occupy children for a week, don’t mind them coming home looking very tired, and would like them to achieve a qualification, do have a look at what we offer. www.neptunesailing.org.uk

We have had a cracking autumn/ winter of entertainment which peaked with a Christmas party for children, followed by a Christmas lunch for the grown ups. The doors of the club are thrown open to the community on Christmas Eve, followed by the Morris Men dancing on Boxing Day. To help us through to dark January, the club will be taxing its members’ brains with a quiz night. This will be followed by the annual jolly in the shape of Burns Night, when the haggis will be piped in (well, a fiddle will be played) and then addressed within an inch of its life.

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

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB November was a mixed month for the First Team, with them registering one victory, one draw and two defeats, and thereby maintaining a mid-table position. The Reserves had a great month; three wins out of three in League A has taken them up to fourth place.

The A Team advanced to the next round of the Club Colours Cup, but suffered two more defeats in League B and consequently have slipped to 10th place.

FIXTURES 1st TEAM Senior Division Tue, Dec 27: Capel Plough (A) Mon, Jan 2: Coplestonians (H) Sat, Jan 7: Witnesham Wasps Bob Coleman Cup R3 (A) Sat, Jan 14: Westerfield Utd (A) Sat, Jan 21: Crane Sports (H) Sat, Feb 4: Henley Athletic (A) RESERVES League A Sat, Jan 14: Wenhaston Utd Res (H) Sat, Jan 28: Sporting ’87 Res (H) Sat, Feb 4: AFC Hoxne Res (H) A Team / League B Sat, Jan 7: Bacton United ’89 Res (A) Sat, Jan 14: Somersham Res Club Colours Cup (A) Sat, Jan 21: Coplestonians A (H) Sat, Jan 28; Stonham Aspal Res (A) Sat, Feb 4: Haughley Utd Res (H) Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm visit: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 We are always looking for people who can help the club as committee members, whether it be on the playing side or just in the background.

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

Club strips, dugouts, banners or boards on matchdays are all potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation.

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

Steve Butcher, secretary: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

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SPORT / ON THE GRAPEVINE THE MACMILLAN MAMMOTH QUIZ

IPSWICH RAVENS VOLLEYBALL In November there was a record entry at the Suffolk six-a-side series held at Maidenhall Sports Centre, with seven teams in each of Division 1 and Division 2. 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.

The Macmillan Mammoth Quiz is back, now in its ninth year with a brand new, brain-teasing quiz for 2017. The Mammoth Quiz is Macmillan’s nationwide quiz.

Simply put, it is the same quiz, being held on the same day, at the same time, throughout the country. The mammoth quiz even holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest simultaneous quiz. We need you to help make the 2017 Macmillan Quiz the biggest and best yet.

Macmillan are looking for local groups and businesses across the UK to host a quiz on February 24 to raise vital funds for people affected by cancer. It’s a really fun and easy way to raise money for Macmillan, and you can hold your quiz anywhere from the local pub or bowling club to the office or school.

It’s free to sign up to host a Mammoth Quiz. You will then be sent a welcome pack with your quiz and fundraising materials. All that is left for you to do is book a venue and sell tickets. There is also the Macmillan Mammoth Quiz website –www.macmillan.org.uk/mammoth – where you will find tips for organising your quiz, posters and tickets, a bit of information about Macmillan and even some sneaky samples.

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.”

To register for your 2017 quiz pack, find out more about the Mammoth Quiz and start downloading sample questions and fundraising materials, please log on to www.macmillan.org.uk/mammoth or email: fundraising@macmillan.org.uk

DIV 1 RESULTS: Ipswich Ravens 21-17 Diss Ipswich Ravens 21-17 Stowmarket II Ipswich Ravens 21-13 Bury Stowmarket III 21-14 Ipswich Ravens In Division 2 we entered a team which would have been all women had it not been for a small injury to one of our ladies. We were delighted to be able to field a ladies team at this level for the first time, showing a good return on the efforts we have been putting into developing our women, many of whom were complete beginners only a year ago.

Although we lost all our games to finish sixth out of seven teams, we grew in confidence as the tournament went on.

DIV 2 RESULTS Ravens Women 11-21 Stingers Stow Aces 21-11 Ravens Women Suffolk Univ 21-17 Ravens Women Ravens Women 19-21 Diss II

On 24 Febuary 2017 take part in Macmillan’s nationwide quiz and help raise vital funds for people affected by cancer.

Macmillan are looking for individuals, groups and businesses to host their nationwide quiz. Everything is provided for you including questions, answer sheets, invitations and posters For more information macmillan.org.uk/mammoth or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk

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. Qualified coaches 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.

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

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ON THE GRAPEVINE SUFFOLK YOUTH OFFENDING SERVICE RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD Suffolk Youth Offending Service (SYOS) has been awarded an Evidence Based Practice Award for their Enhanced Triage programme at this year’s National Youth Justice Convention.

The award ceremony, hosted on November 29 by the Youth Justice Board, recognises and promotes effective practice in working with young people. The award comes in recognition of the youth triage and diversion programme which was piloted in Suffolk in 2015.

SYOS delivered the programme in partnership with Suffolk Constabulary to divert young offenders (aged between 10 and 18) away from the youth justice system, whilst also delivering interventions to address the underlying causes of their offending.

The joint approach allows young people and their families to be visited at home within 48 hours of a referral being made, meaning that a decision and appropriate work with the family could begin very quickly after the initial police contact.

The aims of Suffolk’s triage and diversion programme are: •

To reduce the number of first time entrants to the youth justice system

•

To reduce re-offending rates

•

Provide earlier and more effective engagement with victims and increased levels of victim satisfaction

•

Avoid additional cost to the youth justice system

Young people diverted as part of the programme do not receive a formal outcome for the offence committed (for example a caution or court outcome), but instead voluntarily engage with a planned programme to address their offending.

This work often includes support for parents and access to a variety of other services to ensure that the young person is receiving the available support, such as education or training and appropriate health services.

In 2016 SYOS achieved the Restorative Service Quality Mark from the Restorative Justice Council, an independent assessment that the service delivers safe and effective restorative justice practice.

Analysis of the pilot carried out by the Centre for Justice Innovation, evidenced that over six months, in the north of the county, there was a net benefit of 57k.

Councillor Gordon Jones, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for

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Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said: “I am thrilled that Suffolk Youth Offending Service has received this award in recognition of their stellar work with the youth triage and diversion programme. Working in partnership with Suffolk Constabulary has meant that SYOS and police officers have been able to make joint decisions about the best outcomes for the young people they work with. This has ultimately sped up the process, allowing young people to be referred and assessed much quicker than before.

“Since 2013/14 Suffolk has seen an almost continuous reduction in the number of young people entering the youth justice system for the first time.

We have seen a 28% reduction over the last year and Suffolk has consistently achieved a lower rate than the national average. We are confident that this figure will continue to drop, following the success of this partnership.”

Sergeant Darren Oxbrow who leads the project at Suffolk Police, said: “I am delighted that the work of youth triage and diversion programme has been recognised by the Youth Justice Board.

Youth Offending Officer Vicki Grice Our work with the Youth Offending Service has enabled us to provide outcomes that are more dynamic and effective when dealing with young people who are involved in low level crime.

“Early intervention is often the key in stopping lives spiralling in the wrong direction. Understanding that children and young people can make mistakes but that this needn’t blight their future opportunities is central to this project. We are mindful that any interventions are proportionate and appropriate to the crime.

“By giving young people the opportunity to choose again, to make better supported choices, future re-offending really can be prevented, enabling young people to continue to pursue their goals and aspirations.

The programme offers better outcomes for the suspect, improves victim satisfaction and ultimately reduces re-offending. Something we should all be proud of.”

For more information about the work that SYOS do and details of who to contact visit: www.suffolkyos.co.uk

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23

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24

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS GET UP AND GLOW FOR ST ELIZABETH 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.

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 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.

“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.”

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

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: 01473 707043 / midnightwalk@stelizabethhospice.org.uk

HOLBROOK AND CHELMONDISTON METHODIST CHURCHES DONE AND UNDONE! This article is written as we are getting our decorations out, but will be read as we are preparing to pack them away for another year, another ‘to do’ we can tick off the list. Looking back over last year, I hope you can recognise things you have done and have done well. I expect there may be some outstanding things you hoped to complete in 2016, but are carrying over to 2017. Others you might choose to abandon.

Probably for many of us there may be some regret for things we did or said in 2016 that were wrong, selfish or hurtful. There may be people we let down by failure to do something. For some of us that regret or failure may lead us to feel ashamed or guilty, and we don’t feel comfortable in the company of people we have let down or hurt. Many people carry heavy burdens of guilt and shame.

AT HOLBROOK METHODIST What’s on in January (HCT Holbrook Churches Together) Mondays, 2.30-4pm: Tea and Chat (HCT) A new group starts on alternative Tuesday evenings called Conversations, looking at puzzling questions at the chapel.

Sunday 1

10am

Tuesday 3

7.30pm Conversations Meeting

Worship with Mr Colin Westren

Thursday 5 2pm

Fellowship Meeting at 16 Ipswich Road, Holbrook

Sunday 8

Worship with Prof David Welbourn

10am

Friday 20: 9am

Tiddlers / 10am Family Live / 3.30pm Messy Church (HCT)

Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. God did what had been predicted by some of the Old Testament prophets (particularly Isaiah and Micah) some 600 years before – God sent his son, the birth of the Messiah, a Saviour for the world. Several ticks on God’s to do list! Thirty years later Jesus began his ministry, miracles were performed, healings received, life changing teaching – more prophecies fulfilled. Three years later Jesus was crucified on a cross, again predicted by the prophets in some amazing detail. Indeed the final words of Jesus as he died on the cross were: “It is finished”. God had completed his plan of salvation for the world. All that is left is for us to recognise our need and ask for that plan to be put into effect in our lives.

Sunday 15

10am

Worship with Mrs Heather Bentley

Tuesday 17

7.30pm Conversations Meeting

The regret, the guilt and the shame of actions of last year cannot be undone. We either allow it to be a burden we carry or we bring it to Jesus and ask for the burden to be lifted and receive forgiveness of sins.

In January we hold special services called Covenant Services (schedule below) where we agree with God we have made mistakes and carry guilt.

His agreement is that the death of his son on the cross pays the price of forgiveness for that wrongdoing and lifts the burden of guilt.

Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in January. For more information about Messy Church, Tiddlers and Family Live contact Alicia Holmes; ajnholmes@gmail.com / 01473 658478

January 1, 10.45am: Chelmondiston, Main Road IP9 1DZ January 8, 10.30am: Capel, The Street IP9 2EF January 15, 9.45am: Elmsett, Hadleigh Road IP7 6ND January 22, 10am: Holbrook, The Street IP9 2PZ January 29, 11am: Brantham, Gravel Pit Lane CO11 1NY You are welcome to come to any of these services, but if you are unsure, do feel free to contact me by whatever means you are able. Jesus has done all that is needed for the burden to be lifted.

Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Holbrook and Chelmondiston Methodist Churches, 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

Thursday 19 2pm

Fellowship Meeting at 16 Ipswich Road, Holbrook

Sunday 22 10am

United Covenant Service with Rev Andrew Sankey

Sunday 29 10am Worship with Mr Harry Chicken

6.30pm Something Different with

Rev Andrew Sankey (HCT) Tuesday 31

7.30pm Conversations Meeting

AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST Toddler Group: Tuesday, 9-11.30am Bible Study: Wednesday, 7.30pm Sunday 1 10.45am Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey –

Covenant Service Sunday 8

10.45am Worship with Mr Mike Stock 6.15pm Worship with Rev Kathy Flynn

Friday 13

3.30pm Messy Church

Sunday 15

10.45am Worship with Rev Michael Allen 6.15pm Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey

Sunday 22

10.45am Worship with Mrs Margaret Brock

6.15pm Worship with Rev Michael Ayden

Sunday 29

10.45am Worship with Rev Chris Hill

6.15pm Worship with Rev Derek Grimshaw

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CHURCH NEWS TWO RIVERS BENEFICE ST PETER’S, STUTTON January 1

11am

January 8

9.30am Holy Communion

January 10

9.30am Holy Communion

January 15

9.30am Holy Communion

January 22

9.30am Informal Service

January 29

11am

Benefice Service

Informal Service

SHORELINE BENEFICE ST ANDREW’S, CHELMONDISTON January 1 11am

Benefice Holy Communion at Erwarton

January 8

9.15am Holy Communion

January 11

10am

Midweek Communion

January 15

9.15am Holy Communion

ALL SAINTS, HOLBROOK

January 22

9.30am Family Service

January 1

See Stutton for Benefice Service

January 29

9.30am Benefice Holy Communion

January 8

10.30am Holy Communion

January 15

8am

ST MARY’S, ERWARTON

10.30am Matins

January 22

10am

January 29

9.30am Holy Communion

Holy Communion Joint Service at the Methodist Chapel

ST MARY’S, WHERSTEAD January 1

See Stutton for Benefice Service

January 8

No Service

January 15

11am

January 22

No Service

January 29

11am

Holy Communion Holy Communion

ST PETER’S, FRESTON

January 1

11am

Benefice Holy Communion

January 8

11am

Family Service

January 15

11am

Holy Communion

January 22

11am

Holy Communion

January 29 9.30am Benefice Holy Communion at

Chelmondiston ST MARY’S, HARKSTEAD January 1 11am

Benefice Holy Communion at Erwarton

January 8

9.30am Morning Prayer

January 15

9.30am Holy Communion

January 22

9.30am Holy Communion

January 1

See Stutton for Benefice Service

January 8

No Service

January 29 9.15am Benefice Holy Communion at

Chelmondiston

January 15

11am

January 22

No Service

ST MARY’S, SHOTLEY

January 29

11am

Holy Communion Morning Prayer

January 1 11am

Benefice Holy Communion at Erwarton

ST MICHAEL’S, WOOLVERSTONE

January 8

10.45am Holy Communion

January 1

January 15

10.45am Worship for All

January 22

10.45am Holy Communion

11am

Benefice Service, Stutton Church

January 6 7pm Epiphany Barn Dance in St Michael’s Church. Hot meal, licensed bar, live music, tickets £10.

January 8

11am

January 14

Monthly Market, 9am-12.30pm

January 15

11am

Worship the Woolverstone Way

January 22

11am

Morning Prayers

January 29

11am

Holy Communion

26

Café Church

January 29 9.15am Benefice Holy Communion at

Chelmondiston Please note that some services may change. Look in pew sheets and on noticeboards or contact the rector on 01473 781902.

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27

JOINT CONCERT WITH THE BAND OF HM ROYAL MARINES SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND THE BAND OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL

SATURDAY 28 JANUARY, 7PM

ASSEMBLY HALL, ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL, HOLBROOK, IPSWICH, IP9 2RX The third annual collaboration between the Bands of the Royal Hospital School and Her Majesty’s Royal Marines School of Music will include hits from the stage and screen, music from all over the world and soloists from both bands. The evening will culminate in a dazzling Naval finale involving the massed bands, drummers, buglers and members of the Ceremonial Guard.

FULL: £10 CONC: £7 U18: FREE

experiencetickets.co.uk/rhsmusic | 01206 573948