In Touch with Shotley December 2019

Craciun Fericit

Feliz Navidad

In Touch

™ ™©©

with Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Shotley, Stutton & Woolverstone

ubarak

uon Natale

Milad Mubara

Skiphire www.collins-skiphire.co.uk

For a fast, efficient & price friendly local service

Nollaig Shona D 01473 327596

Sung Tan Chuk Ha

Volume 10 • Issue No. 1 • DECEMBER 2019

orders@collins-skiphire.co.uk

Merry Christmas

Fröhliche Weihnachten

Glaedelig J Gleðileg jól

Chuc Mung Giang Sinh

ôômsaid Jôule

Boas Festas

Nollaig Shona Joyeux Noël Wesolych Swiat Sretan Bozic Merii Kurisumasu

Zalig Kerstfeest

esimkha Gëzuar Krishlindjet

Zali

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In Touch online:

A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I’m going to return to a previous subject this month because it’s constantly on my mind. Every time I drive, every time I walk down a busy street or stand in a queue, and very occasionally at home, I’m struck by how impatient we have become. Almost everyone (and I include myself here) is so terribly busy, we seem to live our lives at a rate of knots. It’s utterly exhausting, but also brings less attractive qualities – such as insensitivity and selfishness – to the fore.

This morning I witnessed three incidents of poor behaviour – one by a driver outside my son’s school, the second at the Co-op where a terribly important person huffed and puffed in obvious annoyance behind a lady who was struggling to find the correct coins to pay for her coffee, and the third at a pedestrian crossing when not one but two drivers ignored the couple waiting to cross. Not major incidents I know, and I don’t intend to draw major conclusions based on one bad morning, but am I the only one who thinks we have become a little less caring of others in our day-to-day lives?

NEWS

FESTIVE SPIRIT BRINGS PROMISE OF GOOD CHEER FOR HARKSTEAD Christmas dinner will no longer be a lonely affair this festive season for up to 40 Suffolk residents who crave the opportunity to enjoy the day’s celebrations in the company of others.

A Suffolk businessman is spearheading a community-spirited project to enable elder people in and around the area of Harkstead to tuck into a free festive roast meal, kindly hosted by the village pub, The Baker’s Arms.

Often it’s the little things which make the difference, a polite wave when a driver gives way, a smile and a thank-you to a shop assistant, holding a shop or office door open, being a little kinder to a driver who may be unfamiliar with the road or just not as quick to react…

My granddad was known to say: “Please and thank you will take you around the world.” It’s not entirely realistic, but the connotation is clear. Christmas can be a hectic time and the extra stress and expense may create additional frustrations when we’re out and about, but let’s resist the urge to snap back.

What’s five minutes either way? You’ll get there in the end and do it without getting stressed or upsetting someone along the way.

Kindness is a quality we all need to embrace a little bit more and it’s entirely free to give. Perhaps my granddad wasn’t so far off the mark after all.

And on that note, my colleagues and I here at Mansion House Publishing wish you and yours the very best for the Christmas Season and the New Year.

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP EDITOR: Sharon Jenkins T: 01473 400380 Send editorial copy to: sharon@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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ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379 E: steve@colourplan.co.uk 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 Shotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd as part of the In Touch series of magazines.

In Touch Titles • S towmarket & Stowupland • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew • Melton & Woodbridge • Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley • Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath • Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit • Needham Market & The Creetings •S hotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone • Martlesham • Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton • East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford & Stratford St Mary • Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham • Capel St Mary (Capel Capers) • Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone & Washbrook • Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead •W esterfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Wed 4 December is the advertising and editorial deadline for the January edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

Jeremy Buitenhuis, who runs accountancy firm An Accounting Gem Ltd, was inspired to initiate the concept after hearing of more and more people who are likely to spend Christmas on their own in Suffolk this year. Determined to make a difference to some, he approached Baker’s Arms landlady Libby, who was delighted to embrace the idea.

Jeremy has confirmed that he will fund the first 30 places for senior citizens from the surrounding area, but he is now keen to find generous sponsors for a further 10 places. He has also appealed for those with the time and transport to be able to escort each of the dining guests to and from the venue on the day.

“I’m in a very fortunate position of being able to enjoy a magical Christmas with family and friends every year, but I know that that just isn’t the case for so many,” he said. “I was out for a walk one day, thinking about what small contribution I could make to create a different festive experience for some of the people who would otherwise be lonely, so I decided to approach Libby at my local pub, and she was fully behind the idea.

“To spread the word and extend the initiative even further, I began talking to the founders of Shout About Suffolk at their entrepreneurs’ lab in Melton, and they’re now throwing their weight behind helping me to fund additional places and identify people who can effectively be a Christmas Day taxi service for our dining guests.”

Jeremy and the Shout About Suffolk team have already set up a crowdfunding page to further the potential of the initiative, and have developed a Facebook event page to encourage more people to share the requirement for drivers.

Julia Durrant from Shout About Suffolk said: “The spirit of working together to achieve good for the community is what we’re all about here at Shout About, so Jeremy’s idea felt really appealing to us and we’re keen to do all we can to help. We now really want people to spread the word and enable us to fund more places, and to cover the transport requirement on the day. This will not only benefit the diners on the day, but it’s a known fact that volunteering is great for mental wellbeing, so we see it as a win-win for many.”

Steve Stone, Managing Director of Mansion House Publishing, is also helping to spread the word and hopes In Touch readers and advertisers will support Jeremy’s idea. “Help with transport on the day will be critical to the success of this initiative,” he says. “We know how precious the day is to families who are fortunate to be together, so taking a little time out to escort a guest to and from The Baker’s Arms is a vital contribution.”

To offer your help and support, call Jeremy on 01473 744700. You can also visit the Just Giving and Facebook pages: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/no-one-should-be-alone-on-christmas www.facebook.com/events/391908871690159

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NEWS PUDDING AND PROSECCO EVENING

FUNDRAISING FOR SHOTLEY PIER

A Pudding and Prosecco Evening organised by Heather Chaplin and held at The Rose Inn, Shotley, raised £1,460 for Alzheimer’s and dementia charities.

Regulars at The Rose enjoyed a sweet and bubbly evening with a quiz and raffle and lots of desserts and bubbly.

Fundraising Coffee Mornings 2020 The Red Lion, Chelmondiston, 10.30am-noon on Wednesdays 8 January, 5 February, 4 March, 1 April, 6 May, 4 June, 1 July, 5 August, 2 September, 7 October, 4 November and 5 December.

Heather enlisted the help of top chefs Mike and Pauline Mulvihill and helped

by Pauline’s students from Year 11 at Holbrook Academy – Gabby Read, Pippi Bateman, Chloe Kirk and Ethan Colwill – produced some stunning desserts including rhubarb and polenta cake, passion fruit cheesecake, chocolate fondant tart and lemon and Prosecco syllabub puddings, all helped down with Prosecco served by Sarah and Donna at a packed pub.

Each month, a different artist displays their work. A £5 ticket includes tea/coffee and a large slice of delicious cake! Pier memorabilia is for sale as well as original art.

The evening was enhanced with donations of raffle prizes as well as Prosecco from Sarah and dozens of eggs from Daphne Cordell, but special thanks must go to Mike and Pauline. Well done everyone.

HOLBROOK PARISH COUNCIL Reade Field Lottery Fund The Holbrook Lottery has started again for its second year. If you’re interested in joining please contact the clerk. All funds raised will go towards the Reade Field Project.

Councillor Vacancy The parish council currently has one vacancy. In particular there is a need for representation from Lower Holbrook. If you are interested in applying, please contact the clerk for further information.

Full minutes of all meetings are available online or by contacting the clerk at: holbrookparishclerk@outlook.com / 07999 583017 Future meetings: December 17, January 20, February 17 www.holbrook.suffolk.cloud

Come and join us …

Training will be given for a variety of roles.

Join our team of Weekend Attendants who will support you on a summer rota for just one day every so often, on – a Saturday, Sunday or a Bank Holiday – or help us maintain the Museum on a Wednesday morning.

We need assistance in a range of different areas.

Do you have skills to share?

*Accounts *Administrator *Archiving * Sales *Data Input * Local History/Heritage *Photography * Cleaner *Social Media *Fundraising

Please get in touch to find the right role for you.

This is an Accredited Museum with free entry, run entirely by volunteers to uphold the memory of the former 160,000 Ganges lads who proudly trained here at the Ganges Naval Training Establishment 1905-1976, and went on to serve in the Royal Navy.

We are open between Easter and the end of October on bank holidays and at weekends 11.00am–5.00pm and on Wednesdays 9.30am-1.00pm.

➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢

Pop in to see us at Shotley Marina when we’re open.

Check out our website at www.hmsgangesmuseum.com Follow us on Facebook at The HMS Ganges Museum E-mail the secretary, juneelawford1@hotmail.co.uk, or Telephone June Lawford-Randall on 01473 788723

Registered Charity No 1039452

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More than 500 people have already joined our Charitable Community Benefit Society to renovate the derelict pier. Visit our website or Facebook page to learn more, or come along to a coffee morning where you will be made very welcome.

Facebook: ShotleyPier / Twitter: @ShotleyPier / www.shotleypier.co.uk Image by kind permission of local artist Anne Plummer.

BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR DEREK DAVIS Ganges Ward (Shotley & Erwarton) Our Trees for Life initiative is underway and all those who have had a baby born, or have adopted or lost a child between 1 January 1 and 31 December 2019 can apply. Families in Shotley & Erwarton are encouraged to apply before the January 12 deadline, and trees can be planted anywhere within Babergh. If you don’t have room in your garden, we can arrange with the Viking Project to plant it in Golden Wood, or we can provide a plant pot grown tree.

The initiative benefits families, communities and the environment by boosting the number of trees in the district and so enhancing our biodiversity. Eligible applicants will be invited to choose and collect their tree at a tree giving event in early 2020, where they will be able to learn more about how to plant and maintain their tree.

Go to the Trees for Life page on the Babergh website to apply. Feel free to contact me if you have any problems or queries.

Free Swims I’m delighted to confirm our hugely successful Free Swims initiative will continue during the school Christmas holiday. Those who have already taken advantage don’t need to reapply, and those under-17s who want to take part can register online at the Abbeycroft Leisure website.

Housing Doing our absolute best for our residents is key at Babergh and it was with this in mind I invited senior officers and the housing portfolio holder to visit the ward and see for themselves some of the issues which can annoy people. This has led to an action list being undertaken to offer support and advice for those tenants whose gardens have become overgrown or unkempt, have a tidy up of council owned areas and a highways survey to see what can be done to solve a couple of parking issues, especially in Kingsland.

Ganges The site owners are working exceptionally hard with Babergh’s planning team to complete all the conditions in order to actually start building houses, starting with the spine road through the former HMS Ganges base. It is hoped, and expected, all will be done by the end of this year, or in January and we will see movement in the early part of the year. However, this is a large project and will still take up to five years to complete.

If you have an issue you would like to discuss, please contact me at: derek.davis@babergh.gov.uk / 07824 167196 My Facebook page is: Derek Davis – independent Councillor

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

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NEWS BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCILLOR MARY MCLAREN – STOUR WARD General Election – 12 December 2019 Babergh District Council is working hard to deliver the election and ensure that everyone is able to vote. Postal votes will have been received by all residents on 28 November. There is a moratorium on all committees with the exception of Planning and Licensing hearings.

In advance I would like to thank all those who make it possible for us all to go out to vote with ease and without fear of recrimination, the village hall committees who may have had difficulty fitting polling day into the diary at such short notice and everyone who works a very long day at each polling station to keep the wheels of democracy going.

Scam Aware At this time of the year when we are bombarded by adverts and messages, and people selling us wonderful things, we become alert to possible scams.

When someone rings you purporting to be the council, or on behalf of the council we respond because we think it’s important. So called ‘Conservation Officers’ are currently contacting residents to offer a free loft insulation check.

This is a scam. Advice to residents has been posted on the BDC website.

Hang up – do not share your address or bank details. Report it to Suffolk Trading Standards or call them on 03454 040506 and let your friends and neighbours know.

The same applies if anyone contacts you about your Council Tax payments being underpaid. Hang up and report to Babergh District Council.

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year for excitement and anticipation, especially for our young people but also for older people. Giving and receiving gifts, family parties, carol singing and karaoke, traditional fare or an environmentally friendly alternative, however you celebrate, remember those who may not be so fortunate – a lonely neighbor, an elderly person on their own, families struggling to make ends meet and those who have nowhere to call home.

Have a very Happy Christmas and a very peaceful 2020. mary.mclaren@babergh.gov.uk

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM Now that we officially in the winter months can we remind everyone to take a few minutes to check their vehicles to ensure all lights are working as well as tyres being correctly inflated with plenty of tread. Also carry a blanket, torch and emergency equipment in case of bad weather.

Suffolk continues to experience fraud with members of the public being asked to send money or transfer money from bank accounts. Please remember your bank or police will never phone you and ask you for your full PIN or password, or send someone to your home to collect cash, PINS, cards or cheque books.

Please report any fraud to: www.actionfraud.police.uk Suffolk Police are recruiting again at the moment. Do you fancy a job where every day is different? Walk a new path and join Suffolk Police as a constable.

Please look at our website for further information.

December is a time to look back on the year and reflect on what we have done to help our village. Aside from keeping a few footpaths clear and well maintained, we have done 12 short health walks (the last one of the year is on Wednesday 18 December, 11.30am from the village hall), five walks during Suffolk Walking Festival, two First World War submariners commemorative walks, installed a bench at the top of Bristol Hill and kept our accreditation with the national Walkers are Welcome scheme. Not to mention working with the county council and district council teams to help look after our river estuaries, and creating a new peninsula family activities leaflet with Shotley Peninsula Tourist Action Group.

For us it’s all about working together and being stronger together, that’s what makes us a great team and a great village. A massive thank you to all our supporters who turn out to mow, strim, sweep, brew, laugh, moan, walk, fall, lead, backmark, plan, plot, purchase, quiz, or help in any way. Many who support us are also active in other groups and organisations, so thumbs up for giving valuable time for SOS. The Around and About Shotley calendar for 2020 is a beautiful picture guide to what makes Shotley a great place to live and visit. Our secret is out and more and more people are choosing to become residents, with builders all around. Hopefully, with good information available we can look after our precious open spaces and help preserve their natural qualities for future generations.

A step in the right direction came on Monday 4 November when we were asked to help Shotley Primary School with a project, What Makes Shotley a Healthy Place to Live. Four of us joined with 26 Year 1 pupils under the control of Miss Rivers and followed the SOS route markers for two miles round Shotley Church and Golden Wood. Besides learning about doing healthy things like swimming, sailing, walking and bike riding, we saw how some people kept allotments to grow their own fresh vegetables. A highlight was when Sam stopped his digger and came over to chat about the work he was doing cleaning out a pond. Plus we had to stand very still when Mr Coulson drove past on his way to church or he would have splashed us with the puddles.

We also have a defibrillator being installed at Shotley Gate in December thanks to funding support from Shotley Sailing Club and Councillor David Wood. The unit itself is being donated by a very close friend of Geraint Pugh, one of our founder members.

If you still haven’t purchased a 2020 wall calendar there are a few still available from the usual Shotley outlets or any SOS committee member, or you can email Marian at: marian.pugh@btinternet.com Again, thanks for your support. Have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year. Cheers!

Finally, after 28 years PC Porter is retiring from Suffolk Constabulary. Your point of contact will continue to be PC Sarah George. PC Porter would just like to thank everyone for making her career a happy one. She has enjoyed her latest role at Hadleigh Police Station.

Report by Gary Richens

If your group or club would like a police visit, please contact PC George to arrange. Perhaps you would like a personal safety talk or an informal chat over a coffee. Please email Sarah at: sarah.george2@suffolk.pnn.police.uk You can report non urgent crimes online via: www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us

Meetings take place in the village hall, with planning meetings at 7pm and parish council meetings at 7.30pm. Dates for 2020 are January 7, February 4, March 3, April 7, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3 and December 1.

You can also call the police on 101 to report crimes and other concerns that do not require an emergency response. In an emergency always call 999.

The 2020 annual meeting of the parish council is on Tuesday 5 May at 7.30pm and the annual meeting of the village/parish is on Tuesday 19 May at 7pm.

Kindest regards,

Planning meetings will depend on whether planning applications are received.

PC Sarah George and PC Diane Porter

Any queries please contact the clerk: clerk@chelmondistonpc.info

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CHELMONDISTON PARISH COUNCIL

In Touch online:

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In Touch online:

NEWS

DEATH CAFÉ The Death Café met at the Compasses in Holbrook on Sunday 3 November. We had a lively time of discussion with information exchanged and experiences shared around the subject of dying and death.

Many find that this area of our lives, one that we will all face eventually, is often avoided in conversation because we don’t have enough information or understanding. In previous times people died at home, with family and friends, and we grew up with dying and death as a normal part of our lives. Today our living mostly comes to an end in hospital or hospice and we seem to have ‘outsourced’ the process to the professionals, and yet it is one of our most significant and personal events.

The Death Café movement is worldwide and was founded in the UK in 2011 by Jon Underwood. We meet at The Compasses from 10.30amnoon on a Sunday morning every two months to talk about anything to do with death or dying. There is no agenda, no speakers, just us having an interesting chat. This is not a support group. We are comfortable talking about these matters and sharing with others our interest and experience.

If you are interested in joining us, maybe just to see what we are about, maybe to join the conversation or simply listen, we next meet on Sunday 5 January and also on Sunday 1 March.

For further information please contact Jane Gould: 01473 789777 / jane.gould@btinternet.com

HOLBROOK AND SHOTLEY SURGERY GP and Staff Training Afternoons Our next training afternoons will be Wednesday 11 December and Thursday 6 February. The practice will be open for patients to come in to collect/ drop off prescriptions and book appointments/make enquiries at reception.

However, there will be no clinical staff on site and our telephone lines will be switched over to the out of hours’ service on these afternoons to allow for staff training. Please ring 111 for advice if your query cannot wait until the following day. In an emergency, dial 999.

Flu Vaccines Thank you to all the patients who attended our flu vaccination clinics.

We vaccinated nearly 1,200 patients across the four clinics and for the most part it was a steady flow of patients after the initial rush.

If you are eligible and have yet to have your vaccination, please contact reception to book this as soon as possible.

Building Work Update Phase one of our building work is complete and some staff have moved upstairs temporarily while phase two gets underway. We will be making improvements to the offices at the back of the practice as well as fitting out two new consulting rooms and replacing doors and windows.

One of the lobby doors will become an ‘assisted door’ and we can then revisit the outside to re-site our bike rack and make a buggy area. Thank you for your patience while we are making these improvements.

Private travel vaccinations We are no longer able to offer private travel vaccinations that are not supplied by the NHS. These include Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and Hepatitis B. Patients can review their own travel requirements by visiting the Fit for Travel website (www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk) and our nurses will continue to supply NHS vaccinations. If you require private travel vaccinations, there are a number of travel clinics in the local area.

Practice Manager Julia Smith

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

TREE FOR LIFE FOR NEW ARRIVALS A new Tree for Life scheme means families across Babergh can join those in Mid Suffolk in claiming a free tree to mark the arrival of a child, enhancing biodiversity in the districts.

The initiative, which has been running in neighbouring Mid Suffolk since 2018, offers parents with a new born or newly adopted child the chance to mark their arrival by planting a tree – benefiting families, communities and the environment by boosting the number of trees in the district.

Open to families who have welcomed a new arrival between 1 January and 31 December 2019, the scheme is also available to parents who may have lost a child during the same period to apply for a memorial tree.

Any Tree for Life must be planted within the two districts; a plant pot grown tree will also be available for those without access to a garden.

Families in both Babergh and Mid Suffolk are now being encouraged to apply for this year’s trees, ahead of the 12 January 2020 deadline.

Councillor Elisabeth Malvisi, Babergh District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “I’m thrilled to be able to officially launch the Tree for Life scheme in Babergh. Across the world people are becoming more aware of the importance of leaving a healthy and richer environment for future generations. We recognise the importance of this too, and hope the initiative enables our new families to take the first step whilst marking their new arrival at the same time.”

Families can apply for their tree at: www.babergh.gov.uk/tree-for-life Eligible applicants will be invited to choose and collect their tree at a tree giving event in early 2020, where they will be able to learn more about how to plant and maintain their tree.

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

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

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

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

HOLBROOK’S COMFORT CORNER Jenny, our new Rector, has kindly offered the use of the Rectory Room (not to mention the rectory kettle) as a warmer and more comfortable venue for the winter months so this month’s meeting will take place on Wednesday 18 December at Holbrook Rectory, 15 Denmark Gardens, IP9 2BG at 3pm as usual. Any queries to Cynthia Anderson: 01473 328538

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT PENINSULAR PIX

Shotley Rose, every Tuesday from 11.30am-1pm Do you feel like the weekend has dragged?

Are you fed up with your own company or new to the area?

Come along and enjoy a free cuppa and some friendly chat. #dontbeonyourown Meet Up Mondays Suffolk @meetupmondaysSu www.meetupmondays.org.uk

Peninsular Pix’s December Christmas film is Rocketman, a biopic of the life and career of Elton John directed by Dexter Fletcher. I’ve seen it and it’s a doozy. It’s got real songs and everything. You might want to amble along in your overcoats, scarves and gloves to Tattingstone Village Hall for an 8pm start on Thursday 5 December.

I’m sure we’ll have some Christmas treats for half time: mulled wine and mince pies, seasonal fare to warm the cockles for the walk home, hopefully on a crisp, clear evening with stars at their brightest.

This movie grossed almost $200 million in the States, the sort of money that makes people think it’s got to be good. If the weather’s bad, get your skis or snowshoes out, or put chains on your tyres. You can’t miss this film just for a few snowdrifts.

FATHER CHRISTMAS DELIVERIES SHOTLEY Father Christmas and his elves are busy getting their sleigh ready to deliver presents to Shotley and Shotley Gate on Christmas Morning. We start at 7.30am at Corner Garage and work towards Shotley Gate. Presents no bigger than 250mm x 200mm x 500mm (10” x 8” x 2”) should be clearly marked with the child’s name and address and handed in to The Shotley Rose by 22 December. A minimum donation of £2 per present is requested with the money being donated to Kidzone and other children’s activities. We thank you for your support.

HOLBROOK If you would like your child to receive a present from Father Christmas on Christmas morning please leave a small gift with their name and address attached to it with: Millie Gilson, 11 Gifford Close, Holbrook by Saturday December 21. (01473 327016)

SHOTLEY PENINSULA BRANCH We wish you all a Happy and Blessed Christmas. MU sends Christmas gifts to the Women’s Refuge in Ipswich and teenagers there receive gift cards to make their own choices. Gifts also go to young mothers and their babies with Peppercorn Lodge, off Wherstead Road.

Our Advent Carol Service on December 4 is at 2pm in St Andrew’s Church and will be led by Andrew Coulson. This year we invite you to bring a guest and share in a Christmas soup and pud lunch provided at 1pm in the Church Room; booking isn’t necessary but if you can say ‘yes’ that would be so helpful.

Our first meeting of 2020 will be on Wednesday 8 January which will be a social afternoon called All Sorts, chasing away the January grey! While you have pen in hand, please put 2pm on Wednesday 5 February on your calendar; we look forward to learning about L’Arche in Ipswich, a community that cares for adults needing support to live independently. Our speakers are Tony Gibbings and Rowland Howarth.

Wishing you peace and joy for the New Year.

P Ross: 01473 780796 / C Ward: 01473 780621

SHOTLEY OVER 60’S SOCIAL CLUB HARKSTEAD VILLAGE HALL Following the success of Common Ground Theatre Company’s production in September, they are returning to Harkstead in December with their Christmas production, Sherlock Holmes & The Warlock of Whitechapel.

This promises to be a classic comedy caper with all the Common Ground trimmings – wit, ingenious staging, hilarious songs and surreal flights of festive fancy.

Put the date in your diary, Thursday 12 December, staring at 7.30pm.

Book tickets (£10/£7) on 07807 341364 or via: www.commongroundtc.co.uk

SHOTLEY VILLAGE HALL The new light in the car park is proving to be a great help.

We now have a few more regular snooker players, but if you would like a game contact Michelle on 01473 787405.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all readers and magazine staff.

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This month we meet on Thursday 19 and our first meeting of the new year is on January 2.

We have had a very good year with meetings, outings and concerts and we’re currently discussing next year’s outings. The majority who come on our outings have difficulty walking very far so we are lucky to have a bus with a lift which is very handy.

We have booked our concert for next year. We had to go for November 5 as October is very full. More details nearer the time.

The club would like to thank Norman for his help and I would like to thank the members for their support because I haven’t been very well and the club took over many of the jobs I usually do. We wish everybody a peaceful Christmas.

We will be sorting out our outings for next year in the new year. If anyone knows of an outing which involves very little walking, please tell any member of our club.

For further information please get in touch with Norman or Eileen: 01473 787358

In Touch online:

www.keepingintouchwith.com/shotley

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OUT & ABOUT CHELMONDISTON SOCIAL CLUB SHOTLEY & ERWARTON WI Our October speaker was Alison Mayston who had set out a wonderful display of her crafts, a range of handmade products from polymer clay animals and fused glass art to silver clay jewellery and her striking Zentangle drawings. Alison has spent many years battling serious health problems and now runs the Craft Loft in Burstall for art therapy to let go, learn something new and enjoy art.

She talked to us about Zentangle which derives from the American word for doodling patterns, or tangles, and Zen as they see it as a form of meditation. Using a range of five pens, start with a shape and draw lines randomly in the blank spaces. You could fill them with more lines or patterns. You could leave a silhouette, add colour, draw an animal or a house, anything in fact, and fill them with any design. It’s freeflowing and there are no mistakes. Alison then gave us a piece of card and a pen for us to try ourselves.

Our next meeting is on 18 December, 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start.

Our speaker will be Pip Wright talking about the Suffolk Gypsy. We meet in Shotley Village Hall and anyone interested in joining the WI would be welcome to come along without making a commitment. We are a friendly group and would love to meet you. For more information contact Jo Lee: 01473 787311

VILLAGE LINK Our next meeting is on Wednesday 11 December at 10am in Tattingstone Village Hall when Barbara Faulkner will present a humorous talk on The Man in Red.

We wish all our members past and present a very Merry Christmas and happy and healthy New Year.

Our Christmas meal this year is on December 12 at the Holbrook Compasses.

Our last meeting of the year is December 19 and we will be back in 2020 on January 9.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us and our club this year.

We welcome new members so please come along and see us in 2020 for a cuppa and a chat. We meet every Thursday afternoon from 2-4pm in our village hall.

Merry Christmas, enjoy the festivities!

Michele and Michael Rutherford: 01473 780718

SHOTLEY CHURCH HERITAGE October 700 Club Winners 1: Ms E Fleming (012) £25 2: Ms W Sadler (002) £20 3: Mr L Stebbings (041) £15 4: Mrs S Suckling (011) £5 5: Mr K Berrill (040) £5 New members are always welcome. The cost is £1 a month which can be paid at three, six of 12 month intervals. If you’d like to join please contact Norman on 01473 787358. Large sums of money have been raised over the years, but more is always needed.

Committee Members Needed As reported last month, we need some new committee members. For information, please contact Norman.

Our aim is to bring communities together and over the years we have attracted members from many villages, men and women of various ages. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month from 10am to noon. I would like to welcome back former members and to see new members from all local villages, either as visitors or members.

If you wish to take part in our Christmas tombola please bring a small wrapped present to include. Also bring a small plate of food to share with refreshments.

Chairman Linda Evans: 01473 311262

STOUR VALLEY MEN’S PROBUS CLUB Our speaker on December 4 is Simon Gallop with The Unknown Constable Country and we end the year with our popular annual Christmas quiz. It’s rumoured that there are some valuable prizes to be won on this occasion!

We will not meet on January 1 so our first meeting of 2020 will be on Wednesday 15 January when fellow member Michael Hole will present a talk entitled First and Second World War Prisoner of War Camps. On February 5 Carole Wheatley will enlighten us on Internment in Guernsey during the Second World War and on February 19 Colin Hopper will present The Story of London Bridge.

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, 10 for 10.30am. For further details please contact speaker secretary Dave Carman: 01255 880202

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STOUR VALLEY U3A We don’t hold a speaker meeting in December but instead a Christmas lunch and this year it’s being held on Wednesday 11 December at the Ipswich Best Western Hotel, Copdock IP8 3JD. This is always a very popular event so an early reservation is advised.

On January 8 Chris Parfitt, a retired teacher, will enlighten us on The Mysteries of Easter Island. Chris will present an illustrated talk in which he will look at life on this remote island today and explore its unique history revolving mainly around the famous statues and some of the theories surrounding them.

Tracy from the Giggly Pig Co will talk on The Life & Times of an Essex Bad Girl on Wednesday 12 February. Just how did she manage to change the direction of her life into being a pig farmer and successful sausage producer?

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.

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 31 January.

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OUT & ABOUT SHOTLEY WHIST DRIVE Firstly I would like to thank the members who come to our whist. Also I would like to thank Mac for his tremendous support. Unfortunately he hasn’t been very well lately and had to give up helping me but Christine and Peter have kindly taken over and we wish you all a peaceful Christmas.

Our dates for January are Thursdays 16 and 10, 1.50-4pm. For information or lifts, please contact Norman or Eileen: 01473 787358

ALTON BELLES WI In October we welcomed Vicky and Dawn from BJs Hair and Beauty Studio in Bentley to our meeting at Tattingstone Village Hall. They arrived with lots of different products to show us. They were both very knowledgeable and were able to answer the members’ questions on hair and beauty. Great fun was had with an app on an iPad that shows you what you would look like with different coloured hair.

Several members attended a group meeting at Chelmondiston where they were entertained by Iestyn Edwards with My Tutu went AWOL. Many members dressed in fairy costumes; great fun was had!

A few members met for coffee at the coffee shop near Landguard Fort. It was a beautiful day and the river provided much entertainment.

We held our AGM in November and welcomed a speaker from the Lighthouse Project. Members collected all kinds of toiletries and bags for the speaker to take back to the project.

If you are interested in joining our vibrant and forward looking WI, but feel nervous about coming along on your own, just contact our secretary, Sheila Paxman, who will make sure you are looked after: 01473 327319

CRAFTERS UNLIMITED We look forward to seeing members past and present to share our Christmas refreshments and enjoy making a Pom Pom Holly Card on Monday 2 December. We also hope to tell you about some ideas we have for projects in 2020.

The first meeting of 2020 will be on Monday 6 January.

Contacts: Ann 01473 780298 / Jill 01473 713534

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EAST SUFFOLK ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND An independent and voluntary charitable organisation promoting the welfare of blind and visually impaired people in East Suffolk since 1914.

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

If you would like to join us, contact Ian, our community support worker, for more information: 01473 788380 We are always in need of volunteer drivers to assist us with our monthly social event. If interested please contact Barbara McDonald: 01473 328907

ORWELL DECORATIVE & FINE ARTS SOCIETY Our talks cover a broad spectrum of art and are delivered within a relaxed and welcoming environment.

On November 6 we enjoyed a lively and interesting talk by writer, lecturer and broadcaster Daniel Snowman on the impact the Hitler emigres had on British artistic and cultural life. The last talk before our winter break is Pantomime: A Very British Treat by Giles Ramsay on December 4. Giles is an independent theatre director and producer. He combines academic analysis with hands-on experience to bring a unique insight to the world of the theatre.

Our programme will resume on February 5 with a talk by Aliki Braine titled Same Old Same New. We meet at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew on the first Wednesday of most months. Meetings begin at 2pm and last about an hour, with refreshments available from 1.30-2pm. Guests and non-members are welcome provided we have available space. Exceptionally popular lectures will have a visitor limit of 20 so please contact Wendy Robbins in advance to check if there is available space: 01394 823807 For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk

CHELMONDISTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY At our last meeting we had an interesting talk and demonstration from willow weaver Deb Hart. Deb wove some wonderful creations for Christmas, including a lovely winter wreath.

Both Linda and Enid have decided to retire, so if the club is to continue, we urgently need a secretary and a chairperson. Please give it some thought for the AGM in January.

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS SHOTLEY GARDENING CLUB We were pleased to welcome Matthew Tanton Brown as our speaker in November. He arrived with a collection of delightful plants which he used to demonstrate the planting of various containers, with skillful combinations of colour and texture, advising us as to the most appropriate containers for winter survival and showing us the order of planting and appropriate depths.

And no, it is not too late to get the tulips in (but do it now!).

We were pleased to welcome two visitors to the meeting and would like to repeat our welcome to anyone who might like to come to one of our talks.

The programme for 2019-20 was printed in last month’s In Touch.

On February 6 we intend to take a coach to visit Anglesey Abbey to see the famous snowdrops and the winter garden and expect to call in at a garden centre on the way home. We are hoping that friends and neighbours will join us. The coach is £15 and if you are a National Trust member, entry to the gardens is free. If not it’s also £15.

Please contact Karen (787731) or June (787422) if you would like to come.

June Edwards

STUTTON TODDLER AND BABY GROUP Everyone is welcome when we meet on Tuesday at Stutton Community Hall from 9.30-11.30am. Children and babies up to five years old, new faces and families can join us for a free taster session on your first visit to the group.

Join us for our special Christmas Party session on Tuesday 17 December. We will be having some festive fun with a very special visit from Father Christmas, Christmas music, crafts and nibbles. Open to all.

Every week we get creative with crafts such as painting, drawing and making themed art. Toy cars, animals and trains are a firm favourite as well as whizzing around the hall on the ride-on toys. Whooshing down the slide, crawling through the tunnel and catching bubbles also offers lots of fun.

Singing and story time also offer a chance for the children to express themselves and use their imaginations. Each session is £3 per family, including a healthy snack for the little ones and a tea or coffee for parents and carers.

We are a small, friendly group of mums, dads, grandparents and carers who look forward to meeting you very soon.

The autumn term is now in full swing and we are busy planning our next fundraising event, our Christmas Fair at Chelmondiston Village Hall on Saturday 7 December, 10am-2pm. Join us for a bit of Christmas shopping, try your luck on the raffle, enjoy a nice hot soup and visit the big man himself to tell him what you want for Christmas. Yes that’s right, Father Christmas will be at the event in his grotto where you can have your photo taken with him and receive a special gift.

We are also looking to add new faces to our committee. We need people who can play an active part in fundraising, decision making and bringing new ideas to the setting. If you like to bake cakes, organise events, get creative with posters, letter drop, carry out gardening and DIY duties we need you!

For more information on this please contact Becky Fox: 07500 018672 For any queries or questions that you may have relating to new starters or the work of the playgroup in general, please call contract us at: 01473 780948 / chelmoplaygroup@yahoo.co.uk

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CHELMONDISTON PRIMARY SCHOOL The start to the school year is always a very busy time for both teachers and children.

School Councillors All classes now have class representatives for our school council and they have already been very busy organising a pyjama day for Children in Need on Friday 15 November. For a contribution of £1 children can wear their pyjamas for the day if they wish to. We will spend some time looking at what Children in Need do to support disadvantaged children throughout the United Kingdom.

House Captains Our four school houses – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter – all have newly appointed house captains to encourage team working over the year, culminating in awarding the House Cup after sports day. All children can participate in collecting house points by positive behaviour, reading and acts of kindness throughout the year.

Outdoor Classroom We held an opening ceremony for our fantastic outdoor classroom.

Thanks to Mr Driver’s donation in memory of his late mother, and the amazing fundraising of Chelmondiston PTA and all who have supported their events, the children have an outside room to use as a base for learning outside.

Junior Road Safety Officers The JRSOs organised a Bright Day for the whole school to raise awareness of the importance of being visible when out and about.

Prizes were given to those most brightly dressed children and adults.

They had a very difficult job deciding this as everyone had made a great effort to be very bright!

Harvest Festival Our Harvest Festival was well-attended by parents and others from the local community. Each class presented songs, poems, prayers or thoughts about harvest. All of the wonderful harvest gifts received by the school have now been delivered to Ipswich FIND, Families in Need, our focus charity for this year. Thank you to all who came to celebrate harvest with us and for the generous gifts to support FIND and the work they do. This is a very practical way to demonstrate courageous advocacy and make a difference in our local area.

Book Nook The Book Nook is a popular place for reading-based fun and learning during lunch play. It’s located on the school field and was in need of a bit of TLC. Adults and children gave up time over a weekend to repaint the Enchanted Forest on the outside of the Book Nook. The Book Nook is run by very enthusiastic and committed Year 5 children for the benefit of others.

Visitors and Visits History was brought to life for children in Key Stage 2 when a Roman soldier visited the school! A range of workshops were delivered throughout the day. Our Year 6 children recently visited the Royal Albert Hall for the Primary Proms. Adults and children had a fantastic day.

Looking forward into December, we will be having our Christmas performances during our last week at school before the Christmas break. We will also be attending St Andrew’s Church for our Christmas Service at 2.45pm, marking our final day in school before children return on Tuesday 7 January.

A huge thank you to all who have supported the school in many ways during the autumn term. We wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and prosperous New Year.

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SCHOOLS HOLBROOK PRIMARY SCHOOL I am very pleased to be able to share some more fantastic highlights from the last few weeks at our school.

Pupil Voice With their eco-hats on, the school councillors have carried out an energy audit across our school. This gave them an insight into areas where we could save energy and recycle even more. In assembly they shared our brand new Eco-Code.

As well as looking after the environment through Pupil Voice, we are raising awareness around healthy eating and lifestyles. Our pupilled School Nutrition Action Group (SNAG) will shortly be carrying out surveys on healthy eating. They are also selling healthy cakes during a charity football match as part of our Children in Need fundraising day.

Also linked to healthy eating, we will be holding an EYFS roast dinner day, bread making workshops and a healthy eating assembly.

New Intake Parent Tour Many thanks to all the prospective parents who came to our tour and met with myself and Mr Cloke. We were overwhelmed by how many of you attended and relished in the opportunity to share our exciting curriculum offer. If you would still like a visit please contact the school office on 01473 328255.

Blind Veterans Visit As part of their Second World War topic, Year 6 were extremely fortunate to be visited by Britain’s first Blind Veterans UK community choir, Vision in Song. The veterans spoke to some of the Year 6 pupils over lunch and a special bond between these two important generations began to form.

It was an especially emotional moment when the Holbrook pupils sang Long Way to Tipperary together with our visitors.

Collaborative Dance Masterclass Pupils from our partner school, Birchwood Primary, joined us for a dance masterclass. They learnt to perform a contemporary dance routine to Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years. This was a wonderful opportunity for pupils to work together from both schools.

Year 2 Celebration Topic As part of their topic, Year 2 learnt all about the Hindu festival of light and held their own Diwali day. This themed day included wearing bright colours, creating rangoli patterns, making samosas and reading the story of Rama and Sita. They have used drama to learn about why we celebrate bonfire night and wrote their own version of Oliver’s Vegetables as part of their harvest festival celebrations.

More celebrations are around corner for us all. I would like to take this opportunity to wish our whole school community a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Head of School Mr C Perry

RHS COMMITS TO PLANTING A TREE FOR EACH NEW PUPIL The Royal Hospital School is planting a tree for every new pupil joining the school over the next seven years and challenging other schools to do the same. Launched at its open day on 9 November, the tree planting is part of its new Grow with Us campaign, which also includes a range of initiatives aimed at sustainability and promoting well-being.

Scientists have stated that if one trillion trees are planted in the next few years, the amount of carbon in the atmosphere would be reduced by 25 per cent, levels the world has not witnessed for at least a century. RHS hopes its example will encourage other schools to do something similar. If every school in the world (of which there are three million) planted 200 trees a year over the next seven years, over four billion trees would be added to the total.

The school has recently stopped purchasing single-use plastic bottles and provided every pupil with a refillable, stainless steel water bottle. It has also replaced the use of non-biodegradable items at its events and this weekend will see everyone attending the open day receive a packet of butterfly and bee-friendly seeds.

Commenting on Grow with Us, RHS headmaster Simon Lockyer said: “We are fortunate to live and work in a beautiful part of Suffolk and our pupils are constantly seeking and suggesting ways that will protect both the local ecosystems and global environment. They are environmentally conscious and recognise that through their collective individual actions they can make a difference.”

SHOTLEY PRIMARY SCHOOL It had been a busy term with lots of rich learning and experiences for the children of Shotley Primary.

We continue to focus on reading as a key area of development for the school with children learning the key skills of reading as well as embracing a pure enjoyment of books. To achieve this we use the Power of Reading (clpe.org.uk/powerofreading) which has helped us in raising engagement and attainment in reading and writing for all children. Alongside this we have our own school and trust (asseteducation.co.uk) reading advocates who have supported the launch of our new library area including pupil librarians and book groups for children.

This together with bespoke training opportunities for the staff has enabled the school to make really positive progress within the last 12 months with the outcomes that the children have achieved. We are also working really carefully on our curriculum offer for pupils and making sure we provide a curriculum that’s right for the children of Shotley. This has involved us looking carefully at the areas that will drive our curriculum. Further to this, we have been making sure we have the right skills and knowledge progressions in place for all subjects so children are taught things in the right order.

As a school we regularly use St Mary’s Church to celebrate Harvest, Remembrance and Christmas. I was so proud of the school during our Remembrance Service in November, specifically the respect they showed in the church and afterwards as they walked calmly around the war graves before listening to the last post played by one of talented Year 6 pupils.

Our aim at Shotley is for everyone to be the best they can be, for children to be self-confident (resilient and ready to take on a challenge), honest (to make mature and fair choices, to be inclusive), kind and caring to all, nurturing (to support and guide) and to excel.

Visits to the school from prospective parents are warmly welcomed; please phone the school office to make an appointment and we will be delighted to show you around. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate in getting in touch and we will do our best to help you. Your thoughts and views on how we can all work together in a meaningful way are always welcome.

Headteacher Richard Dedicoat www.shotley.suffolk.sch.uk

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS

EAST BERGHOLT UNITED FC The 1st Team have continued their high scoring form with one 7-0 and two 4-1 victories sandwiching an extra time exit in the Morrison Freight Cup. The Reserves have also been amongst the goals, scoring five in advancing to the next round of the Suffolk Senior Reserve Cup, seven in a victory and four on two occasions, one draw and one defeat, in the League. The A Team didn’t have any wins in October, but the young team have acquitted themselves well.

Laying-up and Fleet Storage

UPCOMING FIXTURES 1st Team: Senior Division 23 Nov: Westerfield Utd (H) 30 Nov: Henley Athletic (A) 14 Dec: Achilles (H) 21 Dec: Trimley Red Devils (A) 28 Dec: Bourne Vale Utd (H) Reserves: League A 23 Nov: Haughley Utd Res (A) 30 Nov: AFC Kesgrave Res (H) 7 Dec: Old Newton Res (H) 14 Dec: Coplestonians Res (A) 21 Dec: Trimley Red Devils Res (H) A Team: League C 23 Nov: Hundon Res (A) 30 Nov: Wickham Market Res (A) 7 Dec: Leiston St Margarets Res (A) 21 Dec: Stowupland Falcons Res (A) Fixtures are subject to change. To confirm visit: http://fulltime.thefa.com/Index.do?league=4358069 Sponsorship We would like to thank our sponsors for this season: Smy IT Specialists, JAK, Riverside Taxis Manningtree, Marquis, Bergholt Travel, G & C Timber & Joinery Ltd, Primus and Kitchen Worktops Online.

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

Ladies and Juniors We are looking for new teams, boys or girls, of any age group to join us as we look for the club to grow. Also ladies who would like to join are welcome. If you are interested please contact David George: davidgeorge5000@hotmail.com Events The darts tournament will be held in January 2020. Keep an eye on our social media feeds for details.

The FIFA tournament will be repeated and is open to all-comers so keep an eye out for the next one.

This upcoming season is the 125th anniversary of the club, there will be special events to mark this momentous achievement.

We want to get in touch with as many former players and officials as possible. Please let us have your details by contacting our secretary or on our Facebook page. Keep in touch for details, but keep Easter Sunday 2020 free.

We planned for a large working party to lay up our fleet, derig, turn over larger boats and put smaller boats in racks, get powerboats ashore and tidy up workshops to allow craft to be repaired. This was planned for November 2 and all groups informed, ideal timing for high tide. What could go wrong?

On the day 40mph winds and torrential rain meant the Orwell Bridge was closed. Despite all this, a team turned up and we achieved 95 per cent of our objectives thanks to all concerned.

It’s always a bit sad to have all boats out, de-rigged and upside for cleaning and anti-fouling. Usually it’s a nice day and we would rather be sailing, so this year we were more concerned with getting it done between the showers.

Next Season Although it’s months away, if anyone is considering sail and powerboat training next year, youth sailing (minimum age 10 years) or adult sailing, contact us via the website. Advance notice of interest will help us to plan our groups. Also, maybe you will help us fitting out! This is an ideal way to become familiar with our craft, meet instructors and, if intending to get your own boat, a chance to appreciate what’s involved.

If you are a RYA senior or instructor and would like to help us at Neptune, please contact us via the website. www.neptunesailing.org.uk

CHELMONDISTON CARPET BOWLS CLUB Our fish and chip supper was a great success with more than 40 people enjoying the meal and lovely puddings. Once again we where joined by our friends from Harkstead Bowls Club. The quiz taxed our brains and the raffle prizes were won.

In the league it’s a case of ‘so far so good’ with two played and two won. If only this would continue. Congratulations to Adam and Karen for making the county squad.

We are on the lookout for new members so why not come along on a Monday at 7.30pm and give it a go?

THE PENINSULA BAPTIST CHURCH Pin Mill Road, Chelmondiston IP9 1JE

We invite you to join us on Sunday morning at 10.30am.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Contact Dave Kelland: 01473 788441 / 07970 312705

Follow us on: Facebook: East Bergholt United Football Club Instagram: east_bergholt_united_fc Twitter: @EBUFC1 Steve Butcher (secretary): stevebutcher55@btinternet.com

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CHURCH NEWS

SHORELINE BENEFICE, DECEMBER 2019 Please check church website and noticeboards for any changes to services.

ST ANDREW’S, CHELMONDISTON Sunday 1 9.15am Holy Communion with Harkstead* Wednesday 4 2pm Advent Carols Mothers’ Union, Mr A Coulson Sunday 8 9.30am Service at Harkstead, Revd T Crosbie Tuesday 10 10am Tuesday Midweek Communion* Sunday 15 6pm Carols by Candlelight, Mrs C Ward Sunday 22 9.15am Morning Prayer, Mrs C Ward Tuesday 24 2.30pm Family@The Crib, Mrs C Ward Wednesday 25 9.15am Family Communion, Revd D Newton ST MARY’S ERWARTON Sunday 1 4pm Sunday 8 10.45am Sunday 15 11am Sunday 22 11am Tuesday 24 6pm Wednesday 25 11am

Celtic Evening Prayer with Baubles* Service at Shotley* Holy Communion BCP* Holy Communion BCP* Nine Lessons and Carols* Holy Communion BCP*

ST MARY’S HARKSTEAD Sunday 1 9.15am Service at Chelmondiston* Sunday 8 9.30am Holy Communion, Revd T Crosbie Sunday 15 9.30am Holy Communion, Revd Canon C Chapman Sunday 22 5pm Carols by Candlelight* Tuesday 24 11.30pm Benefice Midnight Communion* Wednesday 25 10am Family Communion, Revd T Crosbie Sunday 29 9.30am Benefice Service of Holy Communion* ST MARY’S SHOTLEY Sunday 1 10.45am Sunday 8 10.45am Sunday 15 10.45am Sunday 22 4pm Tuesday 24 4pm Wednesday 25 10am

Family@Church/Christingle, Mr A Coulson Holy Communion with Erwarton* Worship For All, Mr A Coulson Carols by Candlelight, Mr A Coulson Crib Service, Mr A Coulson Worship For All, Mr A Coulson

*Service led by Revd Canon L Oosterhof

TWO RIVERS BENEFICE Advent and Christmas seem to come around more and more quickly each year. It’s a wonderful, but busy time in the parishes, and I’m really looking forward to my first Christmas in the Two Rivers Benefice.

Keep your eyes open for the service schedules in each parish. One of the special things about rural parishes are the lovely traditional Carol Services, often candle-lit and accompanied by mulled wine and mince pies! All of you are invited to join us, to hear about the birth of Christ and how the light of Christ entered the world. This is such a special time for Christians, as we accompany Mary and Joseph on their journey, wait with them in the stable, celebrate His birth at the wonderful Midnight Communion Service on Christmas Eve, and watch in wonder as the visitors come and pay homage to a child who went on to change the world. The things he said and did still change lives today, and the light he brought into the world still lights our hearts.

If you wish to share in our journey, the Church of England encourages us to ‘Follow the Star’ with them. You can sign up for daily texts and readings during Advent and right up to Epiphany at: www.churchofengland.org/followthestar I look forward to seeing you at our Christmas services. Many season’s blessings to you all.

Jenny The Rev Jenny Seggar The Rectory, 15 Denmark Gardens, Holbrook IP9 2BG 01473 327951 / 07733 195866 ST PETER’S, STUTTON Sunday 1 10.30am Worship for All at Stutton School Sunday 8 5pm Christingle Saturday 14 Noon Soup & Roll Sunday 15 9.30am Holy Communion, Rev Jenny Wednesday 18 2.30pm Prayer Group at Bay Tree Farm Sunday 22 6pm Carol Service, Rev Jenny Tuesday 24 11.15pm Midnight Mass, Rev Jenny Wednesday 25 9.30am Holy Communion at Holbrook Sunday 29 10am United Benefice Service at Holbrook

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ALL SAINTS, HOLBROOK Sunday 1 4pm Sunday 8 10am Sunday 15 10am Tuesday 17 7.30pm

Sunday 22 9.30am Tuesday 24 6pm Wednesday 25 9.30am Sunday 29 10am

Afternoon Tea Matins Informal Service, Annette Steggles Nine Lessons & Carol Service, Rev Jenny/Annette Steggles Holy Communion, Rev Jenny Crib Service, Rev Jenny/Annette Steggles Holy Communion (including Stutton) United Benefice Service

ST MARY’S, WHERSTEAD Sunday 1 No service Sunday 8 11am Holy Communion, Rev Jenny Sunday 15 4pm Carol Service, Kevin Widdick Sunday 22 No service Tuesday 24 4pm Christingle, Rev Jenny Wednesday 25 11am Holy Communion, Rev Jenny Sunday 29 10am United Benefice Service at Holbrook ST PETER’S FRESTON Sunday 1 11am Matins, Malcolm Farman Saturday 7 2pm Christmas Bazaar in Freston Village Hall Sunday 8 No Service Sunday 15 4pm Carols by Candlelight,

Rev Jenny/Malcolm Farman Sunday 22 No Service Wednesday 25 10am Communion, Annette Steggles Fridays 9am Ring Malcolm on 01473 677050 to confirm Sunday 29 10am United Benefice Service at Holbrook ST MICHAEL’S, WOOLVERSTONE Sunday 1 10am BCP Communion, Rev Jenny

11am Café Church, Jane Gould/Duncan Myatt Sunday 8 11am Worship the Woolverstone Way Sunday 15 11am Morning Prayer, Duncan Myatt/Jane Gould Friday 20 7pm Carol Service Saturday 21 Wedding Sunday 22 11am Holy Communion, Rev David Newton Wednesday 25 9.30am Holy Communion at Holbrook Sunday 29 10am United Benefice Service at Holbrook

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CHURCH NEWS CHELMONDISTON & HOLBROOK METHODIST CHURCHES Seeing for Myself Have you ever been told something and passed the information on to others and then discovered it was untrue? It can be a bit embarrassing and we may protest, “Well that’s what I was told”. We may even go so far as to name the person who told us. A girl bought up in the centre of England far from the coast, was walking with her boyfriend’s family near the sea. There was a lot of stringy seaweed and he told her that there must be a string factory around the headland and what she was seeing was the offcuts thrown in the sea. At first, she believed him and enquired more, expressing disgust that a factory could discharge its waste into the sea. Before she had a chance to go to the shoreline and examine the ‘string’ herself, she realised that it was a joke that she had fallen for.

I grew up in a Christian household, I was told the stories of Jesus, I went to Sunday School and loved my Sunday School teacher. I loved the stories and many people around me believed the stories. A few knocks to my simple faith came and I began to wonder whether it was a joke, stories just made up.

My brother told me about a group of young people meeting in the Potteries which had grown from four to 150 young people in four years. I went along and for these young people the stories were vividly true – not just in the historic case of in Jesus’s time, but God was speaking to them personally. A girl younger than me got up at the end of the meeting and said anyone can come and meet Jesus. I realised then that I knew lots about Jesus, but I didn’t ‘know’ Jesus. Like I know a lot about the Queen, but I don’t know her, and she doesn’t know me. That evening, I ‘came’ to Jesus, discovered he knew my name and everything about me – including the wrong things I had done, and despite that, he still loved me and I could talk with him.

Two thousand years ago on the hillside outside Bethlehem shepherds were told of the birth of a baby, born to be the Saviour. It could have been a joke, a fantastic laser light display with sound effects, but they said, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see if it’s true for ourselves”. They hurried off and found the baby and all the detail was exactly as they had been told. As they returned to their sheep, they told everyone what they had heard and seen. I still love introducing people to Jesus. I would love for to see for yourself. You can’t rely on my faith, Jesus knows you and he wants you to know him. Jesus came into our world 2,000 years ago in the flesh, now he comes by his Spirit and you can know him.

Rev Andrew Sankey, Minister at Capel, Chelmondiston & Holbrook Methodist Churches 8 Roundridge Road, Capel St Mary, Ipswich IP9 2UG apsankey@gmail.com / 01473 311178 / 07966 187216 AT CHELMONDISTON METHODIST Sunday 1 10.45am Worship and Communion with

Rev Andrew Sankey

6.15pm Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 8 10.45am Worship with Mr Paul Finch

6.15pm Worship with Rev Michael Allen

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Sunday 15

Sunday 22

Christmas Day Sunday 29

10.45am 6.15pm 10.45am 6.15pm 10am 10.45am

Worship with Mrs Vickie Vallow Worship with Rev Diane Smith Worship with Mr Chris Jowett Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Worship with Mr David Cordle Worship with Rev Joan Pell

We invite you to join us in the following activities, as well as our worship together on Sundays at 10.45am and 6.15pm.

Toddlers: 9.15-11.15am: Friends young & older! Songs, crafts, toys and lots of fun!

Fellowship for All: Tuesdays 2.30pm (held fortnightly) December 10: Margaret Brock (last one until Feb 11) Midweek Bible Study: Wednesdays 7.30pm Hope Café: Second and last (dementia friendly) Wednesday of each month, 10am-noon. Everyone welcome. Why not call on your neighbour and offer to bring them? Fresh coffee, delicious cakes and great company!

Call to Prayer: Saturday 7 December, noon-2.30pm. Join and leave at any time (bring your own packed lunch). Noon-1pm informal praise & worship; 1-1.30pm lunch break; 1.30-2.30pm intercessory prayer for our community, friends and family. All welcome.

Messy Church: Friday 6 December at Holbrook & Friday 13 December at Chelmondiston SPECIAL CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS Sunday 22 December Holbrook: 10am Family Service (fun with the Instant Nativity) Chelmo: 4.30pm practise for Instant Nativity with families, shared tea and Carols by Candlelight at 6.15pm Rachael Wainwright, Pastoral & Outreach Worker: 01473 603616 AT HOLBROOK METHODIST HCT: Holbrook Churches Together Tea & Chat (HCT): Mondays from 2.30-4pm Home Groups: Second & fourth Tuesdays at 7.30pm Sunday 1 10am Worship with Mr Mike Castle Friday 6 3.30pm Messy Church (HCT) Saturday 7 10-11.30am Coffee Morning Sunday 8 10am Communion with Rev Michael Allen Sunday 15 10am Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Wednesday 18 7pm Carol Service Sunday 22 10am Nativity Service Christmas Eve 11.30pm Communion Christmas Day 10.30am Worship with Rev Andrew Sankey Sunday 29 10am All Saints – Worship with Rev Derek Grimshaw Please see the noticeboard on the front of the chapel for all events in December. For more information about Messy Church and Tiddlers (HCT) contact Gerald Laws: geraldolaws@aol.com / 01473 328507

In Touch online:

CHURCH NEWS HOLY FAMILY ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH Ipswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TB Fr Paul Vincent, 180 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QQ 01473 684963 / www.stmarksparish.org.uk SERVICES FOR DECEMBER Sunday 1 1st Sunday of Advent 9am Mass Tuesday 3 9.30am 10am

Morning Prayer Mass

Tuesday 10 9.20am 10am

Eucharistic Adoration Mass

Sunday 15 9am

3rd Sunday of Advent Mass

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Sunday 8 2nd Sunday of Advent 9am Mass

Tuesday 17 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass Sunday 22 9am 11am

4th Sunday of Advent Mass, Holy Family, Brantham CO11 1TB Mass, St Mark’s, Ipswich IP2 0QQ

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The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Mass

Tuesday 31 9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Mass

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CATHOLIC COMMENTARY Coincidental with this issue of In Touch, we begin the Season of Advent, the period of preparation for Christmas. The preparations are intended to be spiritual as well as material and often include a penitential service, or for some, individual confession. The Nativity of Christ is followed in early January by the Epiphany (the coming of the Magi-the three Kings-to acknowledge and worship him) and the Baptism. Eastern Orthodox Christians tend to make more of these two feasts than do Western Christians and see the celebrations, taken together, as but one revelation of God incarnate in Jesus Christ.

Bishop Alan Hopes installed Fr Paul Vincent as our parish priest on Sunday 6 October. Fr Paul has now been joined in Ipswich by his fellow Carmelite priest, Fr Benny, with the prospect of a third member arriving from India next year. In the Catholic Church each religious order has a distinctive charism, the spirit of contemplation in the case of the Carmelites. Of course action has to follow prayer, but a model of Christian community is significant in itself. The Carmelite charism can also be followed by lay people in their own lives, in the family, in their work or professions.

EVENTS AND DIARY DATES The 100 Club draw took place on November 17 at Holy Family when three lucky winners shared a £166 prize pot. The next draw takes place on Sunday 15 December at Holy Family, Brantham. New members are always very welcome and the newsletter, that includes an application form, can be found at the rear of the church or at: www.stmarksparish.org.uk Every last Thursday of the month a Bring & Buy Coffee Morning takes place at Viv and Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, Whitehorse Road, East Bergholt CO7 6TR from 10.30am to noon. We are raising funds for the new carpet in the Parish Room and all are very welcome to join us. The next coffee morning is on Thursday 30 January.

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