In Touch News with Needham Market February 2019

In Touch

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with Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market

Volume 6 • Issue No. 4 • FEBRUARY 2019

First Signs of Spring by Paula Irvine

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09/05/2018 16:33

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR My husband believes there are two kinds of people; those who see the positives in almost everything, and those who always see the negatives.

If opposites attract, we must be the perfect couple, so when Daniel played this song by Kacey Musgraves I’m pretty sure he was making a point.

It’s called Miserable.

Your heart’s as heavy as the stones you throw Can’t see the flowers for the weeds you grow You blow your bubbles just to watch ‘em burst For you it’s always bad to worse

NEWS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY to become a volunteer Do you enjoy talking to people and have a passion for helping older people in your community?

Here at Age UK Suffolk, we believe it’s important that older people in Suffolk know how and where to access all of the help and information that is available to them.

And you can’t win unless you lose You try to tell me you want happiness But you ain’t happy unless You’re miserable

Age UK Suffolk provides many services, including telephone befriending, aimed at older people who are lonely or isolated. We also have our information and benefits advice line for people who have questions about the challenges of ageing, but may not know where to turn.

Your neighbor’s dirty laundry’s cleaner And the wolf at your door’s always meaner The sky’s still grey when the sun’s around But you can’t set sail if your anchor’s down

Unfortunately, many of the people who most need our help are unaware that help is available to them, and don’t come to us until there is a crisis. By being there for people earlier, we can help to prevent a crisis with support completing benefit applications, home adaptations, a diagnosis of dementia, or just simply someone to talk to.

And you can’t win unless you lose You try to tell me you want happiness But you ain’t happy unless You’re miserable I’m miserable Can’t liven up for the both of us We have enough for the whole of us If misery loves company Then I can’t keep you company no more He got me good! I don’t think I’m this miserable, but when life is going well, I live in dread of what’s bound to come, and it’s bound to be bad! I think it’s an inherited trait, but it’s not one I want to pass on. Is it possible to change?

I sure hope so because my New Year’s resolution is to prove Daniel wrong!

InTouch

Creeting St Mary, Creeting St Peter & Needham Market

Published by:

Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP Editor: Sharon Jenkins Email: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

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

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

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

We also publish In Touch with...

•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 •B rantham, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley •M artlesham Heath & Old Martlesham •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

WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are trying to reach more of the people who need our help by raising awareness of the services we provide. To help us do this, we are recruiting a network of community links volunteers – people who are willing to become links within their community.

Your role as a community links volunteer will be to share information about Age UK Suffolk with older people, their families, carers and local groups, and also to feed back to us the wants and needs of older people in your neighbourhood in order to help us to improve our services.

If you have a few hours a week to spare, enjoy talking to people and are passionate about improving the lives of older people in your community, please get in touch with Lucy Evans: 01473 298684 / 07525 817984 / community.links@ageuksuffolk.org

THE ODD ONE OUT! Did you manage to Spot the Odd One Out in the Needham Market Mayor’s shop window challenge?

Some of the ‘objects’ were funny. Some were very tricky to find. But some detectives managed to find them all!

First prize went to George Morrison, second to Eddie Oxford and third to Lewis Morrison. The three entries were all correct and the names were drawn for their places.

Well done everybody who took part, whether you did it on your own or as a family. Many thanks to all the shops that supported this challenge at a very busy time of year.

Dawn Spurling, Needham Market Mayor

In Touch with...

MARCH DEADLINE

20 FEBRUARY 2019

is the final date for both advertising and editorial copy

www.keepingintouchwith.com/needham

This lovely picture of Needham Lake was taken on Christmas Day by Katie Brinkley. Thanks for sending it in Katie. If you’d like to submit a local image which might be suitable for the front cover (high resolution), please sent it to: sharon@intouchnews.co.uk

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NEWS CREETING ST MARY DIAMOND JUBILEE VILLAGE HALL You may like to know that our hall has now been completely redecorated by committee members and very welcome help from volunteers too. It all looks very fresh and inviting and the floor has been professionally resurfaced. We are told that this is now a very excellent surface for dancing.

Our rates remain very competitive, and we offer full Wi-FI facilities and a large car park. Also on offer are the smaller lounge area and the meeting room.

Regular yoga, dance classes, WI meetings and keep fit take place. Details via the village website or contact me on: 01449 720324 The Village Social Club is now under new management, with new ideas, and they are having the first of their Soup Lunches on Thursday, January 31 from noon-2pm. The bar will also be open and this will be the first of many community events to be held during the year. All are very welcome and the £2 ‘membership’ fee will be returned to you by means of your first drink voucher.

Chris Bingley

OPEN MIC NIGHT Since I last wrote we have had two sessions. Our Christmas gathering in December was an evening of fine music. A young lady who came along with her mum and sister had never sung in public before, but she took to the stage and wowed us all with two accompanied songs. The evening ended with regulars Carys and her friend Rosemary singing Christmas songs and carols.

We gathered again on Thursday, January 17; open mic events do tend to struggle at this time of year as no one wants to drag themselves out in the cold, We had four acts including myself and we managed to fill the evening with song and poetry. Thanks to Peter, Malcolm, Chris and Glyn we entertained a fairly full bar.

Our next session is on February 21. Why not come down to your community centre and join us as we welcome all kinds of performers, even ladies with cellos? If you can’t perform, come and enjoy the entertainment for the price of a drink or two. I might even sing the blues.

Bill Pipe

SIMPLY BRASS STOWMARKET The nights might still be dark and cold, but we’re hard at work getting ready for the summer season of concerts and village/ school fayres. The new recruits are finding their feet and getting up-to-speed with our existing repertoire at the same time as everyone is enjoying learning some new pieces!

We always like to give back at Christmas, helping those less fortunate than ourselves. This year we managed to support two very worthwhile causes.

During our Christmas concert with Mid Suffolk Brass we collected over £170 as donations for refreshments, all of which we were pleased to donate to Stowmarket Food Bank. We also teamed up with our friends at Fresh Starts, New Beginnings to entertain the customers at a local supermarket while money was collected for their funds. Hopefully we managed to get the shoppers tapping their feet and encouraged then to give generously!

If you’re interested in booking or joining Suffolk’s leading independent youth brass band please email us at simplybrassstowmarket@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. We’d love to hear from you!’

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SUFFOLK ENERGY-FROM-WASTE A free educational resource for schools, colleges and clubs In 2018, almost half of all visits to the Suffolk energy-from-waste facility were educational visits from schools, colleges and clubs. We provide age appropriate educational activities for all visitors from age seven and up and have been awarded a Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge for our commitment to sustaining high quality learning outside of the classroom.

We would like to encourage these visits even more; it’s a great opportunity to see first-hand what happens to non-recyclable waste in Suffolk as well as learning about reducing, reusing and recycling. If you know of any groups that would be interested in a visit to the energy-from-waste facility, we host visits five days a week for schools, colleges and universities, and in the evenings for clubs.

For all enquiries please contact us at: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com We’re on Twitter Did you know that Suffolk’s energy-from-waste facility is on social media?

For more frequent facility updates, fun facts and all the handy tips you could ever need about rubbish, recycling, and food waste, follow us on Twitter: @suffolkefw Any questions?

If you have any queries about our operations, please to contact the facility at: 01473 839149 / suffolkefw.uk@suez.com OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS Environment Agency: 0800 807 060 SUEZ Communities Trust: 01454 262910

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Friday, February 1, 10am-noon: Coffee and Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market

Friday, February 15, 6.45am: Breakfast The Mix Stowmarket, Suffolk To book online, follow the link at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events Don’t forget MSBE2 (Mid Suffolk Business Exhibition) will be back on March 27 at The Mix. Find out all about it and reserve your visitors’ goody bag at: https://msbe.biz

STOWMARKET CHORALE Stowmarket Chorale have recently welcomed new singers and begun the new year with rehearsals for Brahms’ German Requiem. This next concert will be held on Saturday, March 30 at the United Reformed Church, Stowmarket, and tickets costing £15 are available online or on the door.

If you are interested in joining us, please contact: secretary@stowmarketchorale.org.uk www.stowmarketchorale.org.uk

THE WHIZ THAT WOZ Barking Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) present The Whiz That Woz, a light-hearted, original pantomime, on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 February at 7.30pm in Barking Village Hall.

Tickets £8 and £4 for under 12s.

Contact: Sue 01473 658525 / Sandra 01449 722422

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/needham

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NEWS REPORT FROM KEITH WELHAM: FEBRUARY 2019 District Councillor for Creeting St Peter and Stowupland Budget Proposals and Council Tax for 2019/20 The draft budget for the next financial year has been discussed by MSDC Cabinet. Despite a projected underspend of just over £1.6 million, the council is proposing an increase in Council Tax of two per cent.

The council is also proposing further borrowing of around £25 million to invest in commercial properties; this is in addition to £25 million borrowed and invested in commercial properties such as a car showroom in Milton Keynes and Marks and Spencer in Brentwood.

There are already concerns that the current value of existing investments may be below the total purchase price; the wisdom of further borrowing to invest in commercial properties outside of our district is being questioned.

The draft budget proposes transferring the £1.6 underspend from 2018/19 to a commercial risk management reserve to mitigate risks associated with the borrowing and commercial investment.

The Green Party opposition councillors are not in favour of borrowing further huge sums of money, but would support borrowing to build homes for sale and rent.

We could provide energy-efficient high-quality homes to help alleviate the housing shortage, bringing in income through New Homes Bonus, Council Tax and rents, and helping towards securing a five-year supply of housing land, meeting our commitments for housing completions and providing homes for social rent.

Joint Local Plan and Five-year Land Supply for Housing Development Unfortunately progress on the Joint Local Plan has been delayed further and public consultation on the draft plan will not take place until after the district council elections in May. Officers have produced information in respect of the five-year land supply and they now believe that there may be sufficient land across Mid Suffolk for more than five years’ supply. Further work is being done on this and consultations carried out before the council is prepared to confirm a precise figure.

Refuse Collection Contract Cabinet have agreed in principle to extending the current contract with Serco for a further seven years, from 2021 to 2028.

Joint Communities Strategy Cabinet have approved a draft Communities Strategy for public consultation.

It is important that the parish council, community groups and clubs, and individual residents respond to this consultation. The strategy will, when approved, set out a vision for how MSDC and communities will work together in the future.

Joint Parking Plan Consultants on behalf of Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils have drafted a policy for consultation and future consideration by the two Cabinets. Policies and parking charges in the separate districts are currently very different and it will be interesting to see whether or not a compromise can be reached which is acceptable to both districts.

Locality Awards I have completed the allocation of my Locality Grants. I have provided funds towards the cost of the beacon on Stowupland Green, the Stowupland Sports and Social Club showers, equipment for the pre-school and baby and toddler group, a new floor for the bowls club pavilion, Freeman School Environmental Project, kit for Stowupland Falcons Under-10 Girls Team, display boards for Stowupland Local History Group, Mid Suffolk Axis, new windows for Creeting St Peter Church Hall, and grants to Stowupland Telstar and The Mix in Stowmarket.

Keith Welham keith.welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk / 01449 673185

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CHERNOBYL CHILDREN’S LIFELINE On December 28 we were up at 4.30am to travel to Gatwick with the group of children who had been with us for the December visit.

The children were obviously looking forward to seeing their families again, but they were also really pleased to learn that we would be travelling with them. There had been lots of fun and great enjoyment during the month, both for the visiting children and the families who hosted them. The children enjoyed everything, no matter how small, and each new experience was greeted with appreciation and delight. These children came from some of the poorest families and I am sure we have given them memories that will last a lifetime.

On arrival in Belarus the children went on their way home and we began our five-hour drive to Stolin for our Father Frost Christmas present delivery program. This was a very long and sometimes stressful nine days, but all 300 presents were successfully delivered and an additional party held for children we couldn’t reach from outlying areas. After the party one 14-year-old girl went to Santa and said: “This is the best day I have ever had in my life, thank you so much for all the fun”.

We not only visited many families in their homes, but also three different hospitals and two social shelters. Traditionally children may receive a box of sweets at Christmas and obviously for organisations that donate gifts this is the easiest option. However, we were told time and time again by children, parents and hospital doctors and administrators that receiving a Christmas Stocking full of presents had made the children so happy. It was something they had never experienced and would give them a ‘forever’ memory so that in itself made all the hard work worthwhile.

It’s not possible to detail our journey in this short article, but a full write up will go out by email to all of those who subscribe to our mailing list and further details will be posted on Facebook. Please do get in touch if you would like to receive email updates.

We are now looking towards the summer group visit and will be confirming the list of host families within the next few weeks so if you haven’t already registered your interest please do so as soon as possible.

FORTHCOMING EVENT On March 23 we will be holding a pig racing event at Stowmarket Football Club. Come and see the pigs race down the lanes! There is no entry fee, but refreshments will be available to purchase on the evening.

Link Chair Elizabeth Parker: 01449 760343 www.ccllmidsuffolk.org.uk

NEEDHAM MARKET SOCIETY We had a break over Christmas but we are raring to go with our January 24 meeting when Richard Humphries is our speaker on The Silk Road from China to East Anglia. This is followed on March 21 by a talk on The Life of Bats by Anne and Dennis Kell.

The last meeting held before Christmas was a fascinating insight of the life of Brian Cornell who worked as a lighterman and waterman on the Thames.

There were some wonderful photos of ships tugs and smaller vessels and of Brian in his waterman’s regalia accompanying the Royal Barge, as well as learning of the many day-to-day duties carrying out the trade on the river.

Meetings are held at 7.30pm in the Burton Room at Needham Market Community Centre. Visitors are always welcome (£3 entrance fee). Members’ subs for the year 18-19 (presently £5) are now due. For further details please contact Andrea Davies: 01449 721056

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OUT & ABOUT bRAVO! THEATRE WORKSHOPS

THE JUBILEE LADIES CHOIR We have now returned to rehearsals after a busy pre-Christmas period which included two concerts. The first was held in Elmswell and the second at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket. We also visited two care homes, one in Stowmarket and the other in Stowupland. Residents and staff from both homes enjoyed joining in with the choir.

For the summer term we are looking forward to learning new songs and returning to others.

The children of bRAVO! Theatre Workshops had such an amazing year in 2018, rounding off with our Christmas Variety Show at Needham Market Community Centre. The show, as always, was a huge success and the students and audiences had a great time. The whole school, ranging in age from 4-18 years, sang, acted and danced their socks off and they loved it!

We travelled to The Royal Albert Hall earlier last year to perform and also to The Ipswich Regent Theatre. We put on two musicals, a charity performance raising money for EACH, as well as three Christmas choir performances.

We’ve had fantastic LAMDA results in 2018 thanks to all the students’ hard work. We’re also very proud of two of our students, Noah Sparkes and Eleni South, who were chosen from over 70 children to perform in The Sound of Music (Bury Operatic Society) in 2019.

If you would like to join in the fun, we meet every Friday evening at The Boys Brigade Hall, Combs Lane, Stowmarket. For more details, please contact Anna at bravotw@hotmail.com or visit: www.bravotheatreworkshops.co.uk

STOWMARKET RAMBLERS Sunday, February 3: 5 mile walk south of Alton Water. Park and meet at small car park near Tattingstone Wonder at 10am / GR. TM140363.

Leader: 01449 672168 Sunday, February 10: 4.25 mile winter walk, mostly along hard surfaces around Old Newton. Park and meet at Old Newton Village Hall, Church Road, Old Newton at 10.30am / GR. TM052625. Leader: 01449 676533 Sunday, February 17: 5 mile walk in the Ixworth area. Park and meet at Ixworth Village Hall at 10.30am / GR. TL932702. Leader: 01449 676533 Sunday, February 24: 5.5 mile walk from Elmswell to Norton and back. Park and meet at Elmswell Railway Station at 10am / GR. TL989939.

Leader: 07896 622192

Here are two concert dates for your diary. The first will be on Friday, June 21 at St John the Baptist Church in Needham Market. The second will be on Saturday, July 6 at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket where we will be joined by the St Edmundsbury Male Voice Choir. We will be making donations from the proceeds of these concerts to a well known charity. More details about the concerts and our chosen charities will follow.

If you would like to join our choir please contact our chairman, Di Balaam on 01449 736374. You can also find out more about our choir by visiting our Facebook page. If you would like the choir to sing at your event please contact Norma Bolton on 01449 740439.

DRINKSTONE OPEN GARDENS Save the Date: Saturday, June 15 Come and be inspired!

There will be around a dozen gardens open including two NGS gardens, with two new for this year, all very different with something for everyone to enjoy.

Entry by programme is £5 per person, available on the day.

Accompanied under 16s are free.

Delicious homemade cakes and savouries will be available in the village hall together with our plant sale where you can pick up a bargain to add to your plant collection.

This is a fundraising event for the work of All Saints’ Church.

Contact: lynnewoodward44@gmail.com

THE UNKNOWN TRESPASSER The term ‘trespasser’ is generally used in the context of one person going onto another person’s land without permission (though there are other meanings for the legal term of trespass).

If this occurs, there are legal remedies open to the landowner – one of which is to obtain an injunction in court. An injunction is a court order that binds a person not to do something. In most cases, that person will be known – and might be, for example, a neighbour or adjoining landowner who has somehow encroached upon land not belonging to them.

In general, when a court order such as an injunction is sought, it is a requirement that the person against whom the order is sought is identified – though some recent cases have resulted in injunctions being granted against an unknown person or persons. This might involve an illegal rave or fly tipping, for example. Landowners may be aware that either of these illegal activities is a possibility – but will not know who the perpetrator is, until the event occurs.

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Now the courts have begun to move towards granting injunctions against unknown trespassers – provided certain criteria are met.

One recent case involves the Tetley brewery site in Leeds which was a target for illegal raves with concerns also about fly tipping. In this case, the owners had to demonstrate that there was a substantial risk. In such cases there has to be a demonstration of a strong probability of trespass – and also that it was likely to cause harm. It is also a requirement that the order, when made, be prominently displayed on the site.

It now seems that these latest judgements may allow landowners and developers to use injunctions to protect a property where there is a risk of illegal activities like this occurring.

Buttermarket, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1ED Telephone: 01449 613101 • Fax: 01449 615087 Email: info@gudgeons-prentice.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT NEEDHAM MARKET & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY The society begins its programme of meetings and visits for 2019 on February 7 with a talk on Alan Bloom of Bressingham Gardens. Members can renew their membership at this meeting, and we welcome new members for the modest fee of £5.

Our speaker on March 7 is Simon White of Peter Beale’s Roses. Simon will present a talk entitled Roses A – Z and look at new introductions. In April we welcome John Foster talking about The Spring Garden.

We meet at Needham Market Community Centre on the first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. Other subjects for 2019 are Dry Gardens and Drought Resistant Plants, Butterflies and Plants to Attract Them and Weeds!

Outings take place in May, June and July; our visits in 2019 include RHS Hyde Hall and Woburn Abbey Gardens. These and our harvest supper are open to members and guests for a fee.

Contact details and further information: www.nmdhs.onesuffolk.net Joint Events Organiser Pamela Cook: 01449 768640 Joint Events Organiser Hazel Mackintosh: 01449 720753

GREAT BLAKENHAM CINEMA Sunday, February 24 is a date for your diary. This is the launch of the Great Blakenham Cinema, open to all of the surrounding villages and held at Great Blakenham Village Hall. The idea is to bring the whole community together for a chance to meet neighbours, friends and family and enjoy a film without having to travel far.

Working with the Suffolk Cinema Network, films will be shown on a 10ft x 7.5 ft screen. Doors will open at 2pm with free tea and coffee. There will be a raffle and the bar will be open ready for a 2.30pm start. We are trying to make the event accessible to all and to be dementia and autism friendly.

Our first showing will be The Greatest Showman and tickets will be half price at £2 for adults and £1.50 for under-18s. Other dates for your diary are March 31 (Mary Poppins) and April 28 (Paddington).

This is a not for profit business run by volunteers with any funds raised going back into the venture to improve the experience. We have been lucky enough to be supported by Power to Change whose vision is to create better places through community business.

If you feel you could give some time once a month, or join the rota of volunteers, donate raffle prizes or help spread word, please get in touch at greatblakenhamcinema@outlook.com or call Becky on 07852 472082.

STOWMARKET GROUP Combs Wood Lots of valuable work was completed on the rides by the local winter Sunday morning work parties. The April flowers responded by increasing their numbers in spring with a good showing of oxlips and early purple orchids in addition to wood garlic, bluebells, celandine, violets and wood anemones.

A later showing of different orchids occurred in the south end of the wood in June.

The usual migrant birds were present, supplementing the indigenous species we expect to see. It was a bonus to hear two song thrushes singing. A species of butterfly, the pearl washed fritillary, which I had not seen previously seen in Combs Wood, appeared in June in good numbers enjoying the thistle flowers on the rides Local Tawny Owl Project Our local nest boxes showed very little usage by tawny owls. The boxes at Crooks Farm, Muntons Copse, Bonny Wood (2), Dagworth and Baylham Hall were all unused.

The Combs Wood box was in use by a single non-breeding Tawny. Our much larger Suffolk project involving 47 nest boxes showed a similar trend with only 16 pulli being ringed. The British Trust for Ornithology is showing concern in what appears to be a decline in numbers.

Events The programme of events for 2019 is now complete. Our first event is Creating Wildness with Michael Strand on Wednesday, February 27 at 7.30pm. This will take place at Stowupland Village Hall. Admission is £2.50 including refreshments.

Other events during the year include a walk at Bonny Wood, talks on buzzards, wildlife crime and diseases in trees.

The complete programme can be downloaded from: www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/wildlifegroups John Thompson: 01449 676471 / swtstowmarket@gmail.com

GIPPING WOMEN’S CLUB We meet on Tuesday evenings at 7.45pm during school term time at Needham Market Bowls Club, Crowley Park, Barretts Lane, Needham Market IP6 8BX. We are a friendly club, with members from Needham Market and surrounding villages such as the Creetings. We always welcome new members to our meetings and events and you can phone beforehand or just turn up one Tuesday evening.

The New Year programme restarts on February 5 with an informal meeting which will give us time for lots of chat after our long winter break.

Our spring programme of events is as follows: February 5: Dotty Dominoes February 12: Whistlecraft Family with Pip Wright February 19: Fundraising Evening February 26: St Elizabeth Hospice March 5: Book Binding with Michael Holton For information, please call Stephanie Wiggins: 01449 723440

TUESDAY TOTS Calling all mothers, grans and carers! Come along to The Ark on King William Street on Tuesday mornings from 9.30-11am in term time for fun, crafts, songs and stories for your little ones.

Only £1 per family to include refreshments.

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19/01/2018 12:04

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SCHOOLS / SPORT STOWMARKET FLOWER CLUB Would you like a new hobby this New Year? Why not come and join the Stowmarket and District Flower Club? We meet every fourth Wednesday (except August) at 7.30pm in Woolpit Village Hall (Mill Lane, IP30 9QX), when talented and experience flower arrangers give entertaining demonstrations. The results are raffled off, followed by refreshments and a chance to mingle and purchase flower arranging items from the sales table.

We also visit other clubs on their open days and shows around the area, hold workshops to show you how it’s done and competitions too. Annual membership is £30, or visitors pay £6 per meeting if you don’t want to commit yourself straight away. Come and join us; you may have a hidden talent you were unaware of! Our next meeting is on Wednesday, February 27 when Jenni Baker from Harleston is giving a demonstration entitled The Feminine Touch.

JIGSAW PRE-SCHOOL Are you looking for childcare?

Jigsaw Pre-School (Sproughton) at Needham Market is situated in a purpose built building boasting a large outdoor area. At Jigsaw we offer term time childcare for children from two years through to school age, with school intakes into a number of catchment schools.

If you would like more information or to enquire about availability, please contact Laura – 01449 722717 / info@jigsawsproughton.org.uk – or find us on Facebook: Jigsaw Pre-School, Needham Market We look forward to hearing from you.

The Drift, School Street, Needham Market IP6 8BB

HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL We are getting ready to explore Chinese New Year through food tasting, books and crafts and Valentine’s Day by cooking for someone special.

We are a small, rural and friendly setting based at Henley Community Centre. We pride ourselves on high levels of staff to children ratios and therefore providing the maximum care and learning for the children.

All staff are highly trained and continue with regular training to build their knowledge further. We provide an extensive range of resources and activities to suit all ages and abilities, ensuring all levels of development and play within the EYFS are explored. Parents play the most important role in children’s lives so we work closely together to ensure we work in partnership.

We also hold stay and play sessions each term that are very well supported by parents/carers.

Session places are currently available. We accept eligible 30-hour funded children plus two and three-year-old funded. We are open in term time only from 9am to 3pm. For further information please call 01473 833848 during session time (9am-3pm) or email Bridget Wyatt, our manager, at enquiries@henleypreschool.com Bridget and the team

DO YOU ENJOY A GAME OF BADMINTON? Would you like to start playing again?

Come and join our friendly groups on Monday and Thursday mornings from 10am to noon at Needham Market Community Centre.

We welcome brilliant players, not such brilliant players, and beginners.

We look forward to seeing you.

Contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 / sheila_norris@hotmail.co.uk

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SPORT NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB

STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB

Hello again from NMBC

Now that the festive break is far behind us and the days are getting marginally longer, we can set our sights on getting sharp for the busy season to come. There’s never a real break in activity at the club because we have our dome, but the scheduled matches, tournaments and other events pick-up as we approach Easter.

We are now well into the indoor bowls season at the Meadlands. If you need information on indoor bowling please contact David Hindley: 01449 613144 / 07717 940270 Unfortunately the carpet bowling was not well attended, mainly due to the Ipswich game being shown live on Sky the same night. Despite that, the evening was enjoyed by those who did attend.

The Christmas social was very enjoyable with a variety of games and quizzes.

A big thank-you to games master Linda Benthom and to Pat Goodrum for the food.

Friday, February 22 is ‘Big Quiz’ night. It’s getting more competitive every year, so get your brain in gear and let’s have a really good night. Food to help power the brain will be soup and a roll and pudding. Members £3, nonmembers £6.

Friday, March 22 is Bingo with a fish and chip supper; more details in a later edition.

The opening drive will be on Sunday, April 14; details will be provided in a later article.

Meet and Greet days will be Saturdays, April 27 and May 4 from 10.30am.

Work is continuing on the green and it’s looking in extremely good condition for the 2019 season. Anyone interested in helping with the green will be warmly welcomed and should contact Alistair Bailie. Anyone wishing to discuss any aspect of NMBC can contact either Alistair Bailie (01449 720759) or Pat Hadden (01473 831308).

SCORPION MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY It’s 2019 and 29 years since the Scorpion Academy was started in a garage/ gym attached to the house that Scorpion and UFKKWA founder Mark JR Trent used to live in.

Back then we only had a few students, but with lots of hard work, dedication and sacrifice the academy has grown into a hugely respected place to train, learn and grow.

We have many events lined up throughout the forthcoming year, including our usual three coloured belt exams and two blackbelt gradings, seminars, interclub competitions, fundraising, Nerf/laser gun Sundays, British championships, family fun days and plenty more. We hold classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and teach universal karate, kickboxing and muay thai. We run separate junior and senior classes and offer all new members joining one month of free training.

We have a wonderful team of instructors and masters who all offer their unique teaching skills in our many classes. A big thank you must go to the following who are there week in and week out to help and teach:

The first Grand Slam tournament of the year may well be over by the time this is released as the Australian Open begins on January 14. Already there are some big names with injury trouble or a strange drop in form.

Serena Williams has had a couple of shock defeats in warm-up events with Sharapova retiring early with an elbow and Andy Murray already going public with his doubts on his stay at the top (even if he ever gets back up there). Kyle Maclaughlin, our current men’s number 1, is also suffering from the exertions of last year to earn him the top spot and highest ever world ranking.

Our own superstars are keenly eying-up the Easter veteran’s tournament at Henly Road which is always an event where we’ve done well and taken a few notable scalps. Many of our players train with the county team players so could do very well indeed. All it takes is that extra little push!

Winter league is entering the home stretch now so by the end of February we should have a fairly good view of which pairs are being promoted. However, the last time I saw the league tables several of our pairs were right at the top so had nowhere left to climb. Well done to them all.

The coaching program is running at full speed with many different starting points whether you’re an adult, junior, beginner or advanced. There is bound to be a session or group to suit if you’d like to take the plunge and get involved. Lots of us are looking for ways to trim the Christmas tummy and tennis is absolutely perfect; you get plenty of exercise and meet some friendly faces along the way.

If you’d like any more information on how to get started just get in touch.

Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com / 07761 142372

NEW YEAR BADMINTON NIGHTS FOR LADIES AND GIRLS Stowmarket Badminton Club’s sessions for ladies and girls continue at Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre on Tuesday evenings from 8-9pm. If you fancy a new challenge for 2019, or just want to get back into badminton, why not dust off your racket, lace up your trainers and join us for some casual informal fun sessions? Rackets will be provided on the night and we have courts available to allow you to refine your skills, or just have some fun in a friendly relaxed atmosphere.

For further information please contact Mary Hughes: 01359 240811 / stowmarketbc@suffolkbadminton.co.uk

Senior Instructor Mel Walmsley, 2nd Dan Blackbelt in Kickboxing Master Dave Fell, 4th Dan Blackbelt in Universal Karate and 1st Dan Blackbelt in Kickboxing Master Josh Trent, 4th Dan in Kickboxing and Senior Fight Coach Chief Master Andy Lewis, 6th Dan Blackbelt in Universal Karate and 5th Dan Blackbelt in Kickboxing We take pride in the fact that here at the multi award-winning Scorpion Academy we not only teach martial arts but also life skills, especially with our large group of juniors, arming them with important qualities for the real world. Training with us will help your child to gain confidence, fitness, selfdefence skills, anti-bully techniques, team building skills, better learning rate, and they can train to become a blackbelt or fighting champion.

To find out more please contact Mark JR Trent, 8th Dan Blackbelt: 07708 644162 / scorpion.ufkkwa@gmail.com

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CHURCH NEWS home worship We learnt more about The Children’s Society at Home Worship in January. The society was founded by a Sunday School teacher, Edward Rudolf. When two of his boys didn’t turn up, he went to find them, only to discover they were begging on the streets. He discussed this with the church, and the Waifs & Strays Society was formed, eventually becoming The Children’s Society. Originally they had children’s homes, but this has evolved nowadays to doing work with children in the community. Our speaker told the story of one boy as an example of the work they do.

When ‘Paul’ (not his real name) was 12 his mother died; in time his father married again. Things went along alright at first, but then his stepmother began to say things like his father didn’t want him (she never said that in front of his father). She began to hit him and in time his stepbrother joined in. It got so bad he had a broken arm. The doctors at the hospital thought he had got into trouble at school, and he didn’t tell them the truth as he thought they wouldn’t believe him.

As things got worse he ran away from home and went to a big city. A man saw him begging there and said he could take him home to his family and look after him there. But this man didn’t have a family; he locked Paul in a room and abused him. Paul escaped and was living in a car park when someone from The Children’s Society saw him and asked if they could help. Paul said he was 17, though he was only 14. Two weeks later they came back and this time he accepted the help offered, and a suitable foster family was found.

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, NEEDHAM MARKET The Rev Diane Williams For baptisms, weddings and funerals please call: 01449 720316 / 07714 016554 Churchwarden: Linda Ruby, 07940 581879 Ark Enquiries: 07940 581879 SERVICES FOR FEBRUARY Sunday 3

8am 10am

Holy Communion All-Age Worship

Sunday 10

10am

Sung Eucharist & Sunday Club

Sunday 17

10am

Sung Eucharist & Sunday Club

Sunday 24

10am

Sung Eucharist & Sunday Club

Meditation Group: 6pm on the third Monday at 43 Barking Road, Needham Market, Pause for Prayer Group: 11am-noon on Tuesdays at 137 High Street Home Worship: First Monday of month, 10am at 137 High Street Mothers’ Union: Third Wednesday at noon in the Ark (King William Street)

Margaret Baxter from the parish church will lead Home Worship on Monday, February 4. Her topic is How I Came to Faith.

Tuesday Tots: 9.30am in the Ark (term time)

Home Worship always meets at 10am on the first Monday of the month at 137 High Street, Needham Market. All welcome. We always finish with a cup of tea or coffee and a friendly chat.

Cafe Church: Third Sunday at 4pm in the Ark (please check)

Wendy Marchant

Christians Together: 10.30am on Thursday at Christchurch (term time) Everybody is welcome at all our services. www.needhammarketparishchurch.co.uk

NEEDHAM MARKET EVANGELICAL CHURCH One of the interesting things about February is that it is unique among the months of the year because it is the only one with less than 30 days.

On the other hand, February is just like all the other months because it is divided up into days and weeks. What is more, the other months need February to make a whole year.

I know this is all very obvious, but it is easy to overlook the obvious.

It’s obvious to me as a Christian that Great Britain owes a huge debt to Christianity, especially over the last 500 years or so. It has given us good laws, stable family life and created a compassionate society, to name but three benefits.

Sadly, now, the obvious is being overlooked and Christianity is regarded as out of date and unnecessary. The result is creating big trouble for us; political chaos, family breakdown, legal and illegal drug abuse, violence on the screen and in the streets, sexual promiscuity, and other undesirable things.

The Bible says: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25) Peter Kinley REGULAR MEETINGS Sunday Services: 10.30am and 6.30pm Bible Study and Prayer Meeting: Tuesdays at 7.30pm For further information, if you require transport, or you would like a home visit, please contact Peter: 01394 271645 / 07570 558072 / peterkinley60@gmail.com www.needhamchurch.org.uk Ipswich Road. Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8EH

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CHURCH NEWS

LOCAL SERVICES

CHRISTCHURCH, NEEDHAM MARKET Methodist/United Reformed Church, High Street, Needham Market IP6 8AP Is it too late to wish you all a Happy New Year? I do hope that 2019 has started well for you and as the Chinese New Year starts on February 5 perhaps I’m ok!

As I write this on January 2, I’m debating whether to keep my Christmas decorations up until 12th Night (January 6) or whether to take them down before then. I usually like to keep them up until the full 12 Days of Christmas are over because otherwise the Christmas ‘Season’ seems to be over and done with in a flash. All that anticipation from November onwards and then

by January 1 the shops are starting to sell Easter Eggs!

We do seem to live in an age where we want everything yesterday and are either not prepared or able to enjoy a period of anticipation. Even the church has only four weeks of Advent as opposed to the six of Lent which precedes the Easter Festival!

To advertise in this section, which appears in 18 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

I know that this is a difficult time of year for some people as we long for warmth and sunlight. We have to wait for winter to turn into spring and anticipate being able to walk the dog without a torch in the morning, being able to turn the central heating off, or being able to be out and about meeting friends and neighbours. In the meantime we wait, and while it may be enforced perhaps we can enjoy it for what it is – an opportunity to let our batteries charge, to make plans for the future, to catch up with friends and families via phone calls and letters (remember those!) even if the weather doesn’t entice us outdoors.

So, if the winter is dragging on for you, why not pick up the phone and ring someone you’ve not spoken to for a while? Or if you are able, pop round to a neighbour who isn’t able to get out, particularly in wintery weather.

Christmas is a time when we celebrate – we talk of love, joy and peace to all – don’t let those sentiments stop on 12th Night when the decorations come down!

Rev Mary Playford Ministers The Rev Mary Playford (URC): 01449 711798 The Rev Rita Carr (Methodist): 01449 612619 Sunday Morning Worship: 10.30am (including crèche and Sunday Club) Service of Holy Communion: Second Sunday WEEKDAY ACTIVITIES IN CHRISTCHURCH HALLS Tiddlers: For mums and babies up to four years, Monday from 9.30-11.15am in term time. Contact Victoria: 07725 037026 Scrabble Club: Monday from 2-4pm. New players please contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Knit for Peace: First Wednesday, 2.30-4pm. Contact Sheila Norris: 01449 720871 Christians Together: 10am-noon. Contact Tony Leigh Pollitt: 01449 403105 Coffee Morning: Second Saturday, 10am-noon, always with a selection of cakes for sale.

OTHER REGULAR BOOKINGS Weight Watchers: Saturday 8-10am Yoga: Monday 6.45-8.45pm / Wednesday 9.15-11.15am Moosical Moo: Sing, dance and play for 0-5s, Tuesday from 9.15am-noon in term time Osteo Stretch & Exercise: Tuesday 12.30-1.30pm Karate: Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm Karate: Wednesday 5.30-7.30pm (term time) Karate: Friday 6.30-8.30pm Rainbow Guides: Thursday 5.30-6.30pm (term time) Brownies: Thursday 6.30-7.30pm (term time) Exercise Classes: Friday 9-10.30am HALL LETTINGS: There are spaces available for hire. To arrange a visit to view or for further information ring: 07851 742847 CHURCH CONTACT: Lindsey Gomez, 01449 722418 www.christchurchneedhammarket.co.uk

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