In Touch News with Manningtree, January 2019

In Touch

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with Brantham, Lawford Manningtree & Mistley Volume 9 • Issue No. 3 • JANUARY 2019

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Recently I spent time with an friend who is caring for her elderly dad. Sarah is exhausted, sad, stressed and worried, worn out from sleeping on chairs next to her dad’s hospital bed. She talked about the ongoing struggle to get the support they both need, the ever-changing nature of her dad’s condition and her fears for the future, but also of the people she calls ‘Angels’ who she has encountered along this difficult journey.

These ‘Angels’ are few in number, but they stand out because they are so remarkable. One she particularly remembers is Sam. He operates the overnight tea trolley in A&E at their local hospital. A&E is never a pleasant place to be, particularly so at 3am, but when Sam arrived, pushing his tea trolley quietly so as not to disturb or agitate patients, my friend was amazed by his smile and the gentle manner in which he approached people. She watched him make his away around the room and was astonished by the effect he had. People returned his smile, grateful to have a hot drink and to chat for a moment to someone who actually looked happy to be there.

As he approached, my friend prepared herself to speak for her dad, but Sam spoke directly to him. He said: “I have a cup of tea for you and something tells me you’d like it with sugar.” Her dad hadn’t said a word for hours, but to Sarah’s surprise he replied and he and Sam had a brief chat. When Sam departed with a smile and a wave, Sarah’s dad continued to chat into the morning. This one brief encounter had lifted his spirits and for a short time Sarah and her dad chatted about all and sundry. For this Sarah will forever be grateful to the ‘Angel’ with the tea trolley.

I share this story because it has had such an impact on me. I have never been, and will never be, an ‘Angel’. I try to be positive, I really do, but it doesn’t come to me naturally. If I had to push a tea trolley around A&E at 3am I’d be more likely to leave a trail of despair. I dread to think what my work colleagues might have to say!

When I’m feeling sorry for myself I think of Sam and my friend’s tears as she recalled her all to brief encounter with him. January is a difficult month for many people for many different reasons. Do you have the capacity to be an ‘Angel’ in someone’s life for a brief moment? I hope I do!

InTouch

with Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints. © 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 Brantham, Lawford, Manningtree, & Mistley is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the “In Touch with. . . ” series of magazines.

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•B eyton, Drinkstone, Elmswell, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit •B ramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham •C apel St Mary •B arham, Claydon, Henley & Whitton •B elstead, Bentley, Copdock, Tattingstone & Washbrook •D edham, East Bergholt, Flatford & Stratford St Mary •B aylham, Gt & Lt Blakenham & Nettlestead • I pswich East •K esgrave & Rushmere St Andrew •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •N eedham Market & The Creetings •C helmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone •B urstall & Sproughton •S towmarket & Stowupland • Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin, Westerfield & Witnesham •C hattisham, Hadleigh, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon •M elton & Woodbridge

NEWS ST HELENA’S TREE-MENDOUS EFFORT TO RECYCLE CHRISTMAS TREES Much to the relief of those wanting to avoid the inevitable trip to the recycling centre this festive season, St Helena has launched the Christmas Tree-cycle to once again recycle real Christmas trees in return for a donation.

The charity is collaborating with Colchester Borough Council to recycle the trees and will have a large number of volunteers out to collect them on Saturday, January 12. A donation of just £10 could pay for homecooked meals for a day for someone staying in the hospice this Christmas.

Every penny raise will help local people to face incurable illness and bereavement so please give generously.

The collection will take place in CO1-CO9 and CO11 and you can register your tree at sthelena.org.uk/treecollect19 or call 01206 931468.

St Helena is looking for volunteers to help with the collection and/or vans to use on the day. If you can help on Saturday, January 12 please contact: ldeed@sthelena.org.uk / 01206 931468

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY IN MANNINGTREE Manningtree and District Royal British Legion made sure that Manningtree remembered the fallen on the eleventh day of the eleventh month 2018 to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. More than 1,000 people from in and around Manningtree and children from the local primary schools together with their teachers and parents came along to take part.

Standard Bearers led the parade from the Market Square, followed by the children singing It’s a Long Way to Tipperary and the Air Cadets and the Army Training Corps who read out the roll of honour and carried the Branch Union flag. Military vehicles were also in attendance.

The Reverend Dom Turner led the service and the mayor, Ruth Stocks, was there to do a reading, as was Kerry King, president of the Manningtree Branch.

Jamie Robinson, Branch Chairman of the Manningtree and District Royal British Legion, and his wife Sharon, the secretary, organised the day which involved a great deal of work but they wanted to mark such a special occasion and make it memorable, which it certainly was.

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FEBRUARY DEADLINE 10 january 2019

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

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NEWS THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC

CONSTABLE COUNTRY MEDICAL PRACTICE

It really was a magical evening at St Mary’s and St Michael’s church in Mistley on December 4.

Sharing Your Medical Record Your medical record is highly confidential, but sometimes the practice needs to share it with other health professionals, such as hospital clinicians, community nurses and out-of-hours GPs, to ensure your treatment is safe and appropriate. However, the practice will only share your record with your consent.

Four local schools took part in a programme of old and modern Christmas music. The church was full to maximum capacity to listen to Highfields School Choir, Lawford Girls Vocal Ensemble, Mistley Norman Primary Choir, Highfields Girls Vocal, Lawford Young Voices and Bradfield Primary Choir.

The audience also had the pleasure of hearing Lawford Instrumental Ensemble and Highfields Band.

Mr Parkes added some humour into his conducting by wearing his Santa and reindeer hats. Host David Shearmur and accompanist Susie Hines managed the evening with their usual flair and the special lighting added to the wonderful atmosphere. This is an annual event organised by Manningtree Stour Valley Rotary Club.

There are two ways sharing can happen. First, a Summary Care Record has basic information that is useful for NHS clinicians. It shows if you have allergies and it lists your medications. Including ‘Additional Information’ will add your illnesses and any health problems, vaccinations, operations and information on how you would like to be treated.

Second, your full electronic health record held by your GP surgery can also be made available to health and social care staff if they are involved in your direct care. Staff must still ask for your permission before they look at your record. This also allows your surgery to see what other staff are doing to support and treat you. If there are certain parts of your record that you wish to keep private, your surgery can do this.

It is important to note that your record can only be seen by staff who are currently involved in your direct care, have a need to see it and have asked for your permission. The only exception to this is in case of an emergency. For instance, if you were taken to hospital unconscious, a doctor could look at your record without your permission.

Please ask the surgery for a form to give consent to share your record or let the clinician know the next time you visit the practice. If you change your mind at a later date just tell us and we will update your record.

Flu Vaccinations Despite the complexities of delivering our flu vaccination programme this year, including the introduction of an additional vaccine for over 65s and phased vaccine deliveries, our main flu clinics were a great success. At the time of writing, official NHS figures suggest the practice has vaccinated over 73 per cent of over 65s. That’s the fourth highest achievement across all 40 GP practices in Suffolk! We also raised over £250 for the British Heart Foundation and £600 for Ormiston Families, so thank you for your generosity

®

However, many patients have yet to be vaccinated, including under 65s and children. If you have received a letter inviting you or your child for a flu vaccination, simply contact the practice and we will arrange an appointment.

If you’re not sure about eligibility we can quickly check it for you. It’s not too late and we have plenty of vaccines.

Kitchen Makeovers S O U T H

E A S T

Another year has flown by...

Where has the time gone?

Training Days A reminder that the practice will be closed from 1pm on Wednesday, February 13 for staff training. The Capel St Mary building will be open to enable access to the pharmacy, but the practice reception will be closed. East Bergholt reception will be open.

Everyone at Cherry Kitchen Makeovers hopes that you had a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Invitation We are pleased to invite you all to our showroom open day on the 12th January.

There will be plenty of tea, cakes and of course bottles of bubbly for everyone to enjoy whilst looking at the new kitchen ranges we have to offer. We are offering an extra 5% off our existing 25% sale on all furniture, to everyone who attends.

CONTACT US ON

01206 615858 www.cherry-kitchens.co.uk

Please note that there will be no clinicians at either building after 1pm as they will be attending training off-site. If you phone the practice the recorded message will ask you to ring 111 for medical assistance if your problem cannot wait until the next day.

Practice Manager Pete Keeble

Lawford Parish Council You can read council minutes on the parish council noticeboards and at: www.essexinfo.net/lawford-parish-council Minutes can be collected from the parish office by prior arrangement as the offices are not open to the public.

LAWFORD LIFE Due to unforeseen circumstances Lawford Parish Council has had to change the date and venue for the Lawford Life event.

The event will now take place on Thursday, March 14 at the Ogilvie Hall.

All enquiries to the clerk: 01206 395898 / lawfordpc@btconnect.com

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NEWS DEATH CAFÉ The next Peninsula Death Café will be on Sunday, January 6 in The Compasses, Main Road, Holbrook.

We meet for an hour and a half from 10.30am. We are very grateful to The Compasses for allowing us to use their lounge where we were made very welcome in November with tea, coffee, fresh scones and muffins.

For more information about the Death Café contact Jane Gould: 01473 780777 / jane.gould@btinternet.com

ST MICHAEL’S MONTHLY MARKET The next market at St Michael’s, The Church on the Park, Woolverstone is on Saturday, January 12, 9am-12.30pm.

All your favourite market stalls selling fruit, vegetables, cakes, bread, meat and an interesting range of handcrafted items which make ideal presents.

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

MANNINGTREE TOWN COUNCIL The minutes of Manningtree Town Council meetings are available on their website, on the two town noticeboards (one at the Co-op Fiveways store and one beside the library) and at the clerk's office by appointment: 01206 390285 www.manningtreetowncouncil.org.uk

MANNINGTREE LIBRARY Free IT Support & Computer Coaching • General hints and tips on using computers, iPads, tablets, mobile phones and laptops • Need help accessing online services, online banking, setting up an email account, creating a CV and much more?

• Family History; research your family history with free access to Ancestry and Findmypast Tuesday Mornings from 11am and Thursday afternoons from 2.30pm; booking is essential. Further information from Manningtree Library or from Essex Libraries at: 0345 603 7628

BENTLEY TODDLER GROUP Thank you to everyone who helped and supported our latest jumble sale and made it a great success. If you missed this last sale, there will be another in April/May so watch this space! Please save all your goodies but, if this is a problem, we can collect sooner.

Pam Rament

STOUR CHORAL SOCIETY At Stour Choral Society’s concert at Mistley Parish Church on Saturday, December 1, the goodly audience was introduced to a new and very worthy composition to the choral repertoire, Manchester Carols, an inspired collaboration between Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and composer Sasha Johnson Manning. The collection of 12 carols linked with a gentle, entertaining narration, reshape and modernise the Christmas story.

The choir enjoyed the expanding picture created by the songs and words, added to by the soloists, Jemima Watling (soprano) and Gary Griffiths (baritone) and the readers Pamela Hanson Abbott and Brenda Green.

This was the last concert conducted by Duncan Archard as the SCS Musical Director and he inspired the singers to give of their best. The accompanist, organist Stephen Smith, captured the orchestral colour of the work using his own excellent ability.

The performance ended with a medley of Christmas Carols for choir and audience which made a grand finale.

Stour Choral Society members and friends extended to Duncan their sincere appreciation of his sixteen years as musical director and conductor and all that he achieved in that time. Following the concert a party was held and further tributes and gifts were made to Duncan to show the choir’s appreciation.

MISTLEY PARISH COUNCIL The unapproved minutes of the Full Council meetings are displayed at the noticeboards near the Rigby Avenue/Harwich Road bus stop and outside Mistley Post Office in the High Street. The approved minutes of all meetings can be accessed at: www.essexinfo.net/mistleypc/parish-council/meetings Dates of next meetings all 7.30pm in Mistley Village Hall Thursdays, January 17 and February 7: Planning Committee Monday, January 28: Full Council

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NEWS ACORN VILLAGE

STOUR VALLEY U3A

Happy New Year to you all and thank you so much for supporting adults with learning disabilities at Acorn Village throughout 2018 and most recently at the Christmas Market. Your support truly does make the difference. To start the year we have a January Sale on Saturday 26 with more details to be found on our website so please take a look. We will also have the Witchfinder Trail Run/Walk returning on Sunday, April 14.

We don’t have a speaker meeting in December but held our popular Christmas Lunch this time at the Best Western Hotel, Copdock on Wednesday, December 5. This is always a very popular event and was enjoyed by all who attended.

We hope you all had a peaceful Christmas and we look forward to seeing you in 2019.

On Wednesday, January 9 Sally Dearman will present Woman Can Fly. This is the story of one women’s journey from jumping out of a landing window, then out of planes, to becoming a civil pilot and the first women through the RAF’s fast-jet flying trains system.

An Afternoon with Joyce Grenfell by Gillain Grinham is the subject for our meeting on February 13. Gillian is an author, former teacher and a director of plays and musicals. She will perform a series of monologues and songs from Joyce’s repertoire, interspersed with details of her much loved entertainer’s life.

Family historians and authors Toni Neobard and Kate Broad will present For Better or For Worse on March 13. This will be a light-hearted look at marriage and relationships through the eyes of Victorians. What happened if they didn’t marry and what if you did but weren’t happy with your choice? It will be a glimpse at bizarre goings-on showing wedded bliss wasn’t always so!

TEA & SUPPORT IN 2019 Tea and Support, the friendly, practical support group for those recently bereaved or left living alone, meets on the third Wednesday of each month, usually at Mistley Church Hall, New Road, Mistley (just opposite The Towers), between 2 and 4pm. Transport is available on request.

Some months we have a speaker, sometimes just a get-together with a game or entertainment, plus we normally have three outings a year in spring, summer and autumn, to a garden centre or somewhere similar for afternoon tea in spring and autumn and to the coast for a fish & chip lunch in summer.

At our December meeting we gather with others from the local community for a traditional Christmas Lunch.

We offer a warm and safe place to spend time with others, to make new friends or to get some practical support. Understanding that Sunday lunchtime is often difficult, some of our members meet at the Environmental Centre Cafe in New Road for a roast lunch on the first Sunday of each month.

At our next meeting on January 16 we will be planning the programme for 2019. On February 20 we will be looking back to past times and on March 20 we will gather for lunch – all three at Mistley Church Hall.

For anyone left alone, life can become difficult and often lonely. Please come along and join us at Tea & Support or ring Joy or John Baker on 01206 391918 or Sue Orriss on 01206 395355 for further information. Programmes can be found in St Mary’s & St Michael’s Church, New Road, Mistley, at St Lawrence Church, Bradfield or at Paskell’s of Manningtree.

Tea & Support is run by members of St Mary’s & St Michael’s Church, New Road, Mistley and supported by Paskells of Manningtree.

Each month The Coffee Grinders meet at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt CO7 6SD from 10am to noon. This meeting especially welcomes new members and gives all members the opportunity to meet the activity group leaders and the committee while enjoying a cup of coffee. The next meeting is on Friday, Janaury 25..

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 Gillian Gibbs 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 in December.

BRANTHAM WEA Meets in Brantham Village Leisure Centre on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm.

Starting on January 15, Denise Bianchini will give a broad introduction to the wonderful history, culture, food and language of Italy. For full details contact 01206 396376.

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NEWS LET ROTARY HELP YOU WITH YOUR NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS!

EAST BERGHOLT HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

Does your list of New Year’s resolution look something like this?

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• Must exercise

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Sunday, February 24, 10am-noon

• Must have goals

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Look no further – let Manningtree Rotary Club help you with your 2019 resolution to get fit. Start training to take part in our Mayflower cross-country run and walk which will be held on Sunday, May 26.

This is a half marathon distance of 13.1 miles that you can run or walk, following the picturesque Essex Way from Harwich to Mistley.

Start the day with free train travel from Manningtree to Harwich courtesy of Greater Anglia.

Excellent marshalling and regular water stations are provided. Walkers have the option to finish at Wrabness – a distance of eight miles – and a free minibus will transport you back to Manningtree or to Manningtree Station. Runners will be electronically timed.

Come on – what are you waiting for? This is the incentive you’ve been looking for to start exercising, lose weight and have a great goal for 2019. Further information and entry details can be found at: eventrac.co.uk/listed-races/mayflower

BRANTHAM AMATEUR THEATRICAL SOCIETY Presenting Off to Treasure Island, a swashbuckling adventure

by Lisa Butley, at Brantham Village Hall from February 20-23 with evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets (£9 / children £6) available from December 1 at Bakes & Blossoms and at: www.ticketcource.co.uk

MANNINGTREE & DISTRICT PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY Our speaker on November 8 was George Fossey who spoke about garden photography and delighted us with some wonderful images. George has had many images published and some have found their way into hotel rooms around the world so some of us may have seen his work during our travels!

Our competition on November 22 was Photography as Art – a subject that made us think differently about our images and produced some interesting results. Some of the winning images can be seen on our website.

Our first meeting of the new year is on January 10 when two club members will show photos and share helpful hints. The meeting on January 24 is Composition Beyond the Thirds with Alan Sarsby.

Meetings are held twice monthly (on the second and fourth Thursdays) at 7.30pm at the St Johns Ambulance Centre, Station Super Moon by Mark Rivers Road, Manningtree CO11 1EB. A number of informal ‘Rookie Club’ evenings are also arranged where members can refresh their skills and share experiences.

Tables £5 in advance, £7.50 on the day Doors open 9am to set up ( 07776 291445

MANNINGTREE MUSEUM AND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP In November the group welcomed John Morris, chairman of the River Stour Trust, to talk about navigation on the Stour and the formation and purpose of the trust.

Despite objections by landowners and mill owners, the Stour Navigation Act was passed in 1705 and enabled the river to be made navigable for carrying goods between Manningtree and Sudbury, including the right of free transport for mill stones. Tow paths and 13 locks were constructed. Because of the lack of local stone, the locks were built of timber and consequently needed a lintel to keep the lock gates apart, a design feature that is unique to the Stour.

The boats were called lighters and were shorter than barges used elsewhere because of the difficulties in navigating the tight bends along the canal.

Normally two lighters were pulled in tandem and were steered from the leading boat. A team of two people and a horse would make the journey from Manningtree to Sudbury in two days. Because of the difficulty in negotiating land access, it was necessary to change banks 33 times.

Many items came to be carried on the canal, but the principal cargo was coal.

Twenty six tons could be pulled by one horse and there were often as many as 17 loads on the canal in one week. Coal became affordable for domestic and industrial purposes and for fuelling the gas works and Sudbury prospered as a result.

John described working life on the canal with illustrations from the works of John Constable; a series of paintings not only appreciated as art but also as a historical record if not always a completely reliable one.

When the railways emerged as a rival the canal gradually dropped out of favour. Locks and lighters fell into disuse. River Stour Trust was formed in 1968 as a volunteer led charity to restore the canal to some semblance of its historic past. It succeeded in forcing through the right for public navigation all the way from Manningtree to Sudbury and today the whole 47 miles of the river is available.

Stour Trust has a visitor and education centre at Great Cornard. It has five boats available for trips on the river at Flatford, Dedham and Sudbury where the recreated lighter John Constable takes passengers to Great Cornard and Great Henny. The Trust is pleased to welcome volunteers.

After the talk punch and light refreshments were served and we were entertained with music and song by Philip Bohannon, Caroline Cunningham and Gemma Gooding.

Our next talk will be presented by Peter Gant, our curator, and concerns Richard Rigby who brought prosperity to Mistley in the 18th century. Rigby was a controversial figure. He did not marry and lived the life of a very wealthy man. Peter will explain all.

New members are welcome to join us or may attend initially as a visitor.

Please contact our secretary for details on 01206 393751 / madps@post.com

We meet on Wednesday, January 30 at the Methodist Church Hall, 7.30 for 7.45pm.

www.manningtreeanddistrictphotographicsociety.co.uk

Under-18s and members free, visitors £3. All welcome as usual.

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OUT & ABOUT MANNINGTREE FIT CLUB Open to anyone looking to lead a healthy active lifestyle.

Every Wednesday evening from 7-8pm at Mistley Village Hall.

Contact: Bridie 07403 316735 / Tanya 07920 76245 Follow us on Facebook at: Manningtree Fit Club

MANNINGTREE POETRY GROUP The next meeting of Poetry Plus will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday, January 8 at the Red Lion, South Street, Manningtree.

All those interested in poetry are invited to attend either to listen to the spoken word or to read poetry themselves. Some people will be reading their own poetry and some will choose to read the work of other poets. There is no admission charge.

To keep up-to-date please visit: www.poetryplus.org.uk

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB On December 5 Peter Parfitt presented Reflections on The Scilly Isles and our December 19 meeting featured Brantham’s famous quizmaster Paul Oliver who presented his now very famous Christmas quiz.

John Hammond will explain the skill of will writing at our meeting on January 16 and we hold our New Year Lunch at the popular Haywain, Little Bromley, on February 6 when our spouses and Probus widows join us for what will be an enjoyable event and a tasty meal.

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 Wednesdays of each month at St John Ambulance HQ, Manningtree CO11 1EB at 10.30am. For further details please contact speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202

DEDHAM FOOTPATH GROUP Enjoy walking, meeting new people?

Then why not come along to walks organised by Dedham Footpath Group?

We walk 4-5 miles on the first Sunday morning of each month from various locations.

This month’s walk will be on Sunday, January 6 at 10.30am. Meet at the War Memorial, High Street Dedham CO7 6DE for a New Year ramble in and around the village of Dedham for approximately two hours. There are many options for lunch or refreshments on our return.

The group welcomes all walkers and those with well-behaved dogs, kept on leads at all times, are welcome to join us.

For more information email: Dedhamfg@gmail.com

LAWFORD WEA: WILDLIFE HAVENS OF THE UK Discover a range of wildlife habitats, flora and fauna found in the UK, shown through seasoned slides, including landscapes, nature reserves, birds and insects.

Explore cliff dwelling seabirds and plants of the south coast, orchids and butterflies of the Kent Downs, wildlife and nature reserves of the New Forest, East Anglia, the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands and islands.

Nine afternoon sessions (2.30-4pm) with tutor Alex Bass, starting on Monday, January 7 at Manningtree Methodist Hall, South Street, Manningtree CO11 1BQ. The course fee is £49.28; if you receive certain benefits you may be entitled to a free course. Contact 01206 547405 for full details.

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ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY Orwell DFAS does not meet in January so our next lecture will be on Wednesday, February 6 when Andrew Spira will deliver what we are sure will be a fascinating talk entitled The Art and Architecture of St Petersburg.

Orwell DFAS meets at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew IP4 5SU, on the first Wednesday of most months. Talks last about an hour, commencing promptly at 2.15pm, with tea and coffee served from 1.30-2pm.

Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have enough space.

Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 spaces. Please contact Wendy Robbins before the day on 01394 823807 to check if there is available space.

For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

VILLAGE LINK CLUB Wednesday, January 9, 10am in Tattingstone Village Hall: Rumour – A Suffolk Scandal Our aim is to bring communities together and over the years we have attracted members, all ages, male and female, from many villages. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am-noon. I would like to welcome former members and to see new members from all local villages at our meetings, either as visitors or members in readiness for our 25th celebration.

Chairman Linda Evans: 01473 311262

ARDLEIGH WEA The 10-week spring course, The First World War by Roger Cooke, begins at Great Bromley Village Hall (Parsons Hill, Great Bromley CO7 7JA) on Thursday, January 17, 2.30-4pm. The course will explore the causes and course of the most bloody battlefield war in history.

The course fee is £54.75 and you can book online at: http://wea-essex.org.uk Alternatively, just turn up for the first week and see if it is the course for you.

For more details contact Jill Frostick: 01026 250263 / jill@frostick.net John Terry: 01206 397101 / john@terrys.org.uk

STOUR VALLEY LADIES PROBUS CLUB Stour Valley Ladies Probus Club meets at The Haywain, Bentley Road, Little Bromley at 10am on the first and third Thursday in each month, except August. The first meeting in the month includes lunch and the second is a coffee morning. At each meeting there is a general interest speaker.

The aim of our club is to encourage interest and fellowship among our members, all of whom are retired and have a lively and informed outlook on life.

New members are welcome and anyone interested in attending a coffee morning should contact our president, Jill Nicholls: 01206 393680

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OUT & ABOUT / SPORT LAWFORD & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

MISTLEY CRICKET CLUB

The last meeting of 2018 was a wonderful flower-filled evening with a demonstration of Christmas arrangements by Jill Smith of the Floral Art Studio at Little Bromley. New ideas are always welcome and she had plenty, and she kindly allowed us to raffle off the arrangements at the end. We also enjoyed seasonal refreshments so a good time was had by all.

First Team Player of the Year: Daniel Goff

Our first meeting for 2019 will be on Thursday, February 21 at 7.30pm at Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street, Lawford. The talk will be on beekeeping. If you want to see the programme for 2019 or give the society a try, please come along. Subscriptions will be collected that evening and are expected to remain at £5 for the year. You won’t get better value than that anywhere.

Awards night for the 2018 season was held in the pavilion. The winners were: Second Team Player of the Year: Paul Garwood Third Team Player of the Year: Tom Young NECL Player of the Year: George Hutton Div C Player of the Year: Robbie Hawes Club Captain’s Player of the Year: Danny Goff 2018 Gary Marr Award: George Hutton Young Cricketer of the Year: Callum O’Connell Batsman of the Year: James Scott

Looking forward to meeting you all again in 2019.

Bowler of the Year: Danny Goff

Liz Thurlow

Clubman of Year: John Hawthorn BONUS AWARD NECL 20/20 Bowling Award: Jimmy Goff

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC November started in great fashion for the First Team with a great 3-1 victory over near neighbours Capel Plough. However, disappointingly, that was followed by two narrow defeats (the second on penalties) in both the Bob Coleman and Suffolk Senior Cups which ended First Team interest in the cup competitions for this season.

Ladies Cricket All quiet, reviews of the 2018 season to follow.

The England tour of Sri Lanka was very successful and some of our members were there to witness it. The team tour the West Indies in the New Year.

The Reserves had only one fixture, which ended in a defeat to high flying Coplestonians, but remain mid-table with games in hand.

November 2018 100 Club Winners 1: Matt Bibby (1) £115 2: Marny Macdonald (28) £55 3: Mike Slipper (3) £50

The A Team had a disappointing month with a reverse in League C and exiting both the Club Colours Cup and the Suffolk Primary Cup.

New players are always welcome; for more information please email: mistleycc@btinternet.com

UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team: Senior Division Sat, Dec 22: Claydon (H) Sat, Dec 29: Leiston St Margarets (A) Sat, Jan 5: Bramford Utd (H) Sat, Jan 12: Crane Sports (A) Sat, Jan 19: Grundisburgh (H) Sat, Jan 26: Henley Athletic (A) Reserves: League A Sat, Jan 5: Bramford Utd Res (A) Sat, Jan 12: Framlingham Town Res (H) Sat, Jan 19: Achilles Res (A) Sat, Jan 26: Sporting 87 Res (H) A Team: League C Sat, Jan 5: Somersham Res (H) Sat, Jan 19: Kesgrave Kestrels (H) Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm visit: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 Ladies and Juniors We are looking for new teams, boys or girls, of any age group to come and join us as we look to grow the club. If you are interested please contact David George: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com Darts Competition Night: January 5 Please contact us for more details.

We are always looking for people who can help the club as committee members, whether on the playing side or just in the background. If you would like to sponsor the club in some capacity we would also be delighted to hear from you. Club strips, dugouts, banners or boards on matchdays are potential exposure for your business while supporting a local organisation.

Steve Butcher: stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

LAWFORD CARPET BOWLS CLUB New members welcome. We play on Wednesday afternoons from 2-4.30pm and on Fridays from 7.30-9.30pm. We play at Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street, Lawford. We welcome people to come along and give it a try.

CAPEL PLOUGH FOOTBALL CLUB The club is running 19 teams this season, which includes 15 youth sides. The four adult sides include an over-35 team known as the Veterans with their side containing some very experienced players, some of whom used to play in the Eastern Counties League. They play in the Norfolk and Suffolk League and recent results include a 4-2 defeat against Felixstowe Town with goals from Archie Arnold and Wayne Pannell. A 2-2 draw against Bury Town in the League Cup followed with midfield dynamo Ross Dorward scoring one and making the other which was turned into the net by a defender, with the side winning the penalty shootout 5-4 to go through to the next round.

Our Sunday morning team drew 0-0 with Playford in their League Cup, but once again the Ploughmen won on penalties by 4-2 to progress in the competiton, but lost 5-1 to Walton Wanderers in the league with Oliver Blew scoring our goal.

Our Saturday Reserves are having a tough season in the Senior Reserve League and recently lost 4-1 to league leaders Claydon, while our Saturday First team had a poor November, being knocked out of the Senior Cup 5-4 at Haverhill Borough despite a hat trick from Sean Gunn, before losing 4-2 to Stanton in the Bob Coleman Cup with our scorers being Gunn and Jack Reddington.

They were also beaten 3-1 in the local derby against East Bergholt in front of a crowd of 100 spectators, with Danny Garrard our scorer, and were then knocked off the top of the Senior League after losing at home 5-0 to second place Henley Athletic.

Finally, I will finish by wishing all the club’s players, officials and supporters a Happy New Year. Enjoy your football. Up the Plough!

BOB THE PLOUGHMAN

14

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A warm welcome guaranteed Bentley Road, Little Bromley, CO11 2PL www.thehaywain.co.uk | 01206 390004

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ON THE GRAPEVINE / CHURCH NEWS MANNINGTREE METHODIST CHURCH MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY LEAVING AN EVERLASTING GIFT The Leave an Everlasting Valentine Gift Will Month is being supported

by Jackamans Solicitors (Ipswich), Ross Coates Solicitors (Ipswich) and Norton Peskett Solicitors (Halesworth), who have kindly offered their services to offer people the opportunity to make a basic single or mirror will in return for a suggested donation to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk.

The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of making a Will, as well as highlighting the work of the charity, and is a special way to make a difference and celebrate Valentine’s Day in February.

Around 60 per cent of people in the UK do not have a will and planning for later life is essential!

People are living longer and with ever-changing family lives; second marriages, extended families, civil partnerships, long-term care needs, lasting power of attorney, funeral costs, inheritance tax… Choosing who you want to leave your gifts to is ever more important so your wishes are fulfilled as complications can arise which can become costly.

Making a will gives peace of mind and ensures families and loved ones are cared for in the future. It also gives people the opportunity to leave a lasting gift to a charity that will make a difference to others as well as reduce the inheritance tax bill for the beneficiaries.

Karen Hare, Chief Executive of Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, said: “We are delighted that Jackamans Solicitors, Ross Coates Solicitors and Norton Peskett are supporting the Leave an Everlasting Valentine’s Gift scheme by giving their time and offering a will writing service for a donation to our charity. All the monies raised stays in Suffolk to help before, during and after cancer.”

For more information contact CCiS on 01473 211884 / fundraiser@cancercampaigninsuffolk.co.uk or visit: ww.ccisuffolk.org

VOLUNTEERING WITH HOME-START

South Street, Manningtree CO11 2JB Minister: The Rev Tom Osborne, 01206 396654 Sunday Services at 10.15am; we welcome visiting and external preachers January 6: Annual Covenant Service led by The Rev Tom Osborne January 13: Mr David Bavister from Gt. Clacton January 20: Mrs Jane Allison from Gt. Bentley January 27: Homeless Sunday led by The Rev Crawford Logan Holy Communion Services: please check date and times on the noticeboard outside the church Welcome Wednesdays: Bible Study on the first Wednesday of the month at 2.30pm, Holy Communion at 2.30pm on the fourth Wednesday, activities with tea and coffee on the second and third Wednesdays.

ALSO MEETING ON OUR PREMISES Monday Workers Education Association, nine lectures in autumn and spring, 2.30pm Stour Choral Society (Sept-June), 7.30pm Tuesday: Women’s Guild, 7.15pm Wednesday Gentle Fitness Class, 9.15am Art Painting Group, 10am-noon Manningtree & District Chess Club, 7.30pm Museum & History Group (bi-monthly), 7.30pm Treasurer: Mr John Holmes Church Bookings: David Shearmur, 01206 395263 A selection of pictures from the concert in Manningtree Methodist Church on December 2 featuring the Spectrum Ladies Choir with conductor Katherine Cavender and soloists Jemma, Philip and Rachael.

Home-Start met Lauren and her family shortly after their new baby was diagnosed with brain damage. Lauren and her husband were completely overwhelmed with the emotional and practical demands of caring for a baby suffering with multiple seizures and being unsettled day and night, while also trying to juggle the needs of their other children.

Life was turned upside down for the family with hospital appointments, admissions and the worry of an unknown future. Their Health Visitor referred them to Home-Start Suffolk, who introduced them to Ruth, a trained HomeStart volunteer. Ruth visits Lauren and the children once a week, providing support when Lauren’s husband works late.

Having Ruth there to share the load enables all of the children to get vital one-on-one attention: reading, playing or doing school work. Mum or Ruth cook dinner and they all sit together while Ruth holds or sings to the baby.

Lauren’s evenings are less chaotic and easier to manage with Ruth’s help.

Lauren says she felt “immediately at ease” with Ruth and found it easy to talk to her when she was having a difficult week. Although the family’s situation is the same, her visits have allowed the family time to adjust and explore what ongoing support is needed and available to them.

Home-Start in Suffolk has family support volunteering opportunities all across Suffolk. Although we value parenting experience, you don’t have to have children or grandchildren of your own to help. You just need a little time and a willingness to make a difference. By joining our team, you will receive accredited training, ongoing support and friendship. Our volunteers support a family on a weekly basis for between two and four hours.

If you think you could give some of your time to support a Suffolk family, please contact Fiona on 01473 621104. By giving the gift of time, you will help to change the lives of families in Suffolk.

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CATHOLIC MASSES Saturday at 6.30pm, St Mary & St Michael’s (Anglican) Church, Mistley Sunday at 8.50am in St Mary’s (Anglican) Church, Ardleigh Wednesday at 9.45am in St Mary and St Michael’s, preceded by Morning Prayer Manningtree, Mistley, Lawford & Ardleigh is served by the Parish of St John Payne, Greenstead, Colchester.

The Parish Priest is Father Jon Ravensdale: 01206 870460 / sjpchurch@btinternet.com Also resident in the parish are Father Michael Rear (01206 392695) and Father Mathias Odigbo.

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CHURCH NEWS BENEFICE OF EAST BERGHOLT AND BRANTHAM

LINK LINE CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

Rector: The Rev Canon Stephne van der Toorn

Un-denominational / meeting at Ogilvie Hall, Wignall Street, Lawford CO11 2JE (unless otherwise stated)

01206 392646 / revstephvdt@googlemail.com www.constablecountrychurches.co.uk SERVICES IN JANUARY Sunday 6: Epiphany 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 11am Benefice Communion, Brantham 4pm Family@Church, East Bergholt Sunday, January 13: Epiphany 2 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Communion, East Bergholt 11am Family Service, Brantham Sunday, January 20: Epiphany 3 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Communion, East Bergholt 11am Informal Service, Brantham 3pm Ecumenical Service at Holy Family, Brantham Sunday, January 27: Epiphany 4 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Choral Matins, East Bergholt 11am Communion, Brantham Sunday, February 3: Candlemas 8am BCP Communion, East Bergholt 10am Benefice Communion, East Bergholt 4pm Family@Church, East Bergholt Check the website for details. There is a BCP Communion every Sunday in East Bergholt at 8am, except between Christmas and New Year. Choral Matins is on the fourth Sunday in East Bergholt.

“For the truth of God’s Word and The Light of Christ’s Gospel”

Our Worship Services are held monthly on the second Saturday (except in May when it’s the first Saturday) in addition to other events.

Please note: there is no Cafe/Oasis Coffee Morning Event in January (re-commences on Saturday, February 9) Thursday, January 17: Supportive Outreach Great Horkesley Friendship Club Friday, January 18: Link Line Prayer Fellowship 10am The Venture Centre, Bromley Road Sunday, January 20: Supportive Outreach 3pm Songs of Praise, Fingringhoe Methodist Chapel Events News Link Line Ministries workers and friends gathered at The New Times in Tiptree on Thursday, November 28 for the annual end of year Lunch. This was a time of warm fellowship and praise to God for another year of effective ministry in the area.

Our annual Christmas Carol Service and Buffet Lunch combined with our Annual Carol Service and Vehicle Support Gift Day took place at the Ogilvie Hall on Saturday, December 8. The guest speaker was Mr Stephen Spurgeon of Ipswich (a founder committee member of Link Line Ministries.

We extend warm New Year greetings to all our friends and co-workers throughout the area.

For pastoral support and enquiries please contact: 01206 270064 / linklinecm@hotmail.co.uk

KEY TO LOVE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP Where Jesus is Love and Love is Jesus COME AND WORSHIP THE LORD JESUS WITH US – ALL ARE WELCOME Hear the teaching of our saviour and King, lively praise and worship every Sunday at 11am at the Ivell Suite at The Venture Centre 2000, Bromley Road, Lawford CO11 1AH. Do you need someone to listen or in need of prayer?

Please contact David and Rosie: 01206 615228 / 07787 572977 info@thekeytoloveministries.co.uk

Walking the Camino Portuguese May 2019

www.keytoloveministries.com

Interested in walking the Camino with a small group from the Benefice of East Bergholt and Brantham?

This will be a gentle stroll, not a route march!

Distances vary from 10 and 19km per day.

Contact Rev Steph for a copy of the brochure.

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In Touch online: 10/12/2018 22:35

CHURCH NEWS BRANTHAM & CAPEL ST MARY METHODIST CHURCHES Welcome to Manningtree Benefice, an all-age Anglican Church, meeting in St Lawrence Church, Bradfield, and St Mary & St Michael’s Church, Mistley.

Whenever I sit down to write a magazine article or letter, I’m always struck by the time delay between my writing it and you reading it. It’s strange to be sitting at my desk today, at the beginning of December, and to be writing a message which essentially says “Happy New Year”. We’ve only just begun the season of Advent, with its focus on waiting, watching and praying in the hope and expectation that God can and will do amazing things. Yet, here I am, writing as though the new year has already begun – I hope you had a wonderful Advent, Christmas, and will have an amazing 2019!

I wonder if you’ve ever noticed a disconnect between your expectations and your experiences? Currently, my experience is that of being in Advent, but my mind, and expectations, have to be somewhat ahead of this experience as I write this letter. Have you ever ordered food in a restaurant with the expectation that it will be delicious, only to have that expectation dashed by the experience of something lukewarm or badly cooked? How about a Christmas gift that either didn’t meet, or exceeded, your expectations? I’m guessing most of us have experienced something like this at some point in our lives.

I don’t know what your expectations of 2019 are. Perhaps you’re hoping that it will be a great year, or maybe your hopes are simply that it will be better than the last one. As a Christian I believe that God holds our futures in his hands, and that whatever our expectations are of him, he will always exceed them.

I pray you have a wonderful new year, and that you know God with you.

The Rev Dom Turner SERVICES FOR JANUARY Sunday 6 10.30am Joint Worship with Communion & Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 6pm Evening Prayer at Bradfield Sunday 13 10.30am Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Bradfield 10.30am Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley 6pm Evening Prayer at Mistley Sunday 20 10.30am 10.30am 3.30pm 6pm

Holy Communion (Common Worship) at Mistley Family Worship with Treasure Seekers* at Bradfield Churches Together Service at Foundry Court Quiet Communion at Bradfield

Sunday 27 8am Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) at Mistley 10.30am Morning Prayer at Bradfield 10.30am Café Church with Treasure Seekers* at Mistley *Treasure Seekers is our children’s programme for ages 3+ CONTACT INFORMATION Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Dom Turner 01206 391218 / 07934 717535 dom@manningtreebenefice.co.uk Associate Minister: The Rev John Brien 01206 397549 / brienfamily@btinternet.com Associate Minister: The Rev Claire Scargill 01206 395417 / revclairescargill@gmail.com Church Office Normally available at least 10am-1pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 07436 398801 / info@manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.manningtreebenefice.co.uk www.facebook.com/ManningtreeBenefice

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(UN)CERTAINTIES IN THE NEW YEAR As I write, there are still four weeks to the new year when this will be published.

What will the new year look like? How will the vote go in parliament over the Brexit plan? Will Theresa May still be prime minister? Are we going to have a peoples’ vote? What will be the plan for leaving the EU? I can’t remember a time when there was so much uncertainty as we enter a new year. By the time you are reading this there may be some answers to some of these questions.

Two and a half years ago the country made a binary choice and chose Brexit.

The route has raised all sorts of questions marks along the route. Those questions still abound and there is a huge amount of uncertainty along the route. We are going into unchartered waters.

I’m not going to provide the answers, because I just do not know how things will turn out. One thing I sometimes say at funerals is that there are many uncertainties in life, but one thing is certain – we will all die one day. What will happen after you die depends on decisions you have made before you die. If you agree with God that you have done some wrong and selfish things, then you can choose to ask him to forgive you. When you realise that the cost of your forgiveness was the death of Jesus on a cross, you will want to get to know this Jesus better because he has shown you love when you don’t deserve it. You will discover an unfolding plan for your life and you can choose to follow his amazing plan.

There will still be some uncertainties in that life, but you will know that the eternal destination is heaven (not because you deserve it or have earned it, but because it is the promise and gift of Jesus). There will be twists and turns along the route and even storms, but Christmas means God is with us.

Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem, was crucified outside Jerusalem for the sins of the world. He rose from the dead and offered the kingdom of heaven to all who would believe in him. That’s enough certainty for me to enter the new year with hope and a sense of expectancy, despite the turbulence of our times. Brexit can’t change my eternal destination.

The Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel Methodist Church 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 SERVICES AT BRANTHAM Minister at Brantham Methodist Rev Ian Gardner 34 Medway Road, Ipswich IP3 0QH ian.gardner@methodist.org.uk / 01473 411507 Sunday 6 Sunday 13 Sunday 20

Sunday 27

11am 11am 11am 3pm 11pm

Covenant service with Rev Ian Gardner Worship with Rev Margaret Millar Worship with Mrs Gloria Theobald United Service at Holy Family Worship with Mrs Ruth Loggie

SERVICES AT CAPEL Home Groups on various days and times – contact the Minister Sunday 6

Sunday 13

Saturday 19 Sunday 20 Sunday 27

10.30am 6.30pm 10.30am 6.30pm 3.30pm 10.30am 10.30am 6.30pm

Worship with Mr Jim Ross Prayer Worship with Rev Sue King Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Messy Church Worship with Mr Guy Fairweather Covenant service with Rev Andrew Sankey United Service for Week of Prayer at St Mary’s

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CHURCH NEWS

HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB

Parish Priest: Fr Peter Raj 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ / 01473 684963 www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR JANUARY Tuesday 1: Solemnity of Mary, The Holy Mother of God 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 6: The Epiphany of The Lord 9am Mass Tuesday 8 9.20am Eucharistic Adoration 10am Mass Sunday 13: Baptism of The Lord 9am Mass Tuesday 15 9.30am Morning prayer 10am Mass Sunday 20: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 22 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 27: Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 9am Mass Tuesday 29 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass The weekly newsletter, with weekly mass times, is always displayed in the cabinet by the front door.

negative; 9) Don’t try to convert somebody, respect others’ beliefs; 10) Work for peace.

Events & Diary Dates The 100 Club draw took place on Sunday, December 23 at Holy Family when three lucky winners shared a £157 prize pot. The club, set up to support the life and mission of our parish, has grown from strength to strength since its launch. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or online at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv & Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am-noon. We are raising funds for a new carpet for the parish room and all are very welcome to join us. The next is on Thursday, February 28.

Supporting our Local Hospice All parishioners are asked to collect used postage stamps, all year, not just at Christmas, and place them in the box at the rear of the church to help support the outstanding work of our local hospice.

The Sick & Homebound Please let Fr Peter know of anyone who is ill at home or homebound so that they can receive appropriate pastoral care. If you or someone you know is going into Ipswich Hospital and would like the ministrations of the church while there please inform Fr Peter or leave a message on Deacon Clive’s answerphone on 01206 396319.

All are very welcome to attend Holy Family services; it’s not necessary to be a Catholic and enquiries about the Catholic faith are always welcome.

Please contact the presbytery, as above, or a local person whom you know is a Catholic.

Catholic Commentary Many people make resolutions at the start of a New Year and it can be difficult to consider what they should be. So a review of Pope Francis’ Top 10 Secrets To Happiness can provide many ideas. 1) Live and let live; 2) Be giving of yourself to others; 3) Proceed calmly in life; 4) A healthy sense of leisure; 5) Sundays should be holidays; 6) Create dignified jobs for young people; 7) Respect and take care of nature; 8) Stop being

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