In Touch with Stowmarket April 2020

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ALL BUILDING, CAVITY WALL & LOFT INSULATION WORK UNDERTAKEN

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In Touch with Stowmarket

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Vol. 19 • Issue No. 2 • NOVEMBER 2013

Volume 25 • Issue No. RESIDENTS 7 • APRIL 2020 FREE to STOWMARKET & STOWUPLAND 50p where sold

Stowmarkets Operatic & Dramatic Society, p12

Friday 3rd – Thursday 9th April ONWARD (U)

Fri 3rd: 4.30, Sat 4th: 1.00, Sun 5th: 4.30 Mon 6th – Thurs 9th: 1.00

MISBEHAVIOUR (12A)

Fri 3rd – Mon 6th: 7.00, Thurs 9th: 7.00

MILITARY WIVES (12A) Sat 4th: 4.00, Mon 6th: 4.00 Thurs 9th: 4.00

The Regal is now closed for our £3.6m redevelopment project and is planned to re-open in December 2020.

So we’re taking the Regal on the Road to the John Peel Centre. We had planned to launch with No Time to Die…So we’ve made new plans!

Launch Day: Thursday 2nd April 1917 (15) Thurs 2nd: 2.00

EMMA (U)

Thurs 2nd: 5.00

PARASITE (15) Thurs 2nd: 7.45

We will only show 5 minutes of adverts before films screened at Regal on the Road

Temporary Box Office

Stowmarket Town Council, Milton Road South, Stowmarket, IP14 1EZ Monday, Tuesday, Friday & Saturday: 11am-2pm

01449 612825

Regal on the Road is at the John Peel Centre, Church Walk, IP14 1ET

www.regalstowmarket.co.uk

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Friday 10th – Thursday 16th April TROLLS WORLD TOUR (U) Fri 10th – Thurs 16th: 1.45 & 4.15

MY SPY (12A)

Fri 10th – Thurs 16th: 7.00

No films from 17th to 26th April to allow for the staging of Half a Sixpence

Monday 27th – Thursday 30th April MILITARY WIVES (12A) Mon 27th & Tues 28th: 1.00 Wed 29th: 7.15, Thurs 30th: 1.00

EMMA (U)

Wed 29th: 1.00 & 4.00 IMPORTANT

The above programme may be subject to late change in response to any directives issued by the government after this magazine went to print.

POCKET MONEY MOVIES

Children £2.50, Adults £free!*

SPIES IN DISGUISE, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, DOLITTLE, FROZEN 2

Check out our website for screenings & details

* 1 x free adult per paying child, additional adults £2.50.

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR My parents came to stay recently and as the weather wasn’t great we spent a lot of time at the kitchen table with cups of tea and my mum’s scones.

It was fascinating to talk again about their early lives and the various trials and tribulations they have faced over the years.

My dad was only 11 when he ‘unofficially’ took over the family farm. That was the end of school for him but he is one of the most astute men I know.

Mum stayed at school until she was 14 when she was taken to work at a country shop and pub about 20 miles from home. She had to live in, only making it home once a week by bicycle. Even now she struggles to talk about this time in her life. It must have been incredibly lonely for a little girl who had never been away from home, living with strangers and expected to work ridiculously long hours. She really wanted to stay at school and her aptitude for numbers still puts the rest of us to shame.

Mum left her job when she married and together she and dad have run the farm for more than 50 years. Life was tough at times and money was often tight. Dad contracted TB soon after they married and while he recovered mum took the reins. Those were the make and do days, the days when all our clothes were home-made and almost everything we ate came from the farm or was home-baked. We even made our own butter.

It was interesting too to talk about the changes they have experienced, such as ‘new’ money (twice), increasing bureaucracy and paperwork, internet banking, mobile phones and, most recently, the climate emergency. Just as they accepted change in many other aspects of life over the years, they are now doing what they can to save the planet, even using a shampoo bar instead of buying plastic bottles.

My parents are living proof that we can overcome difficulties and unexpected challenges (I haven’t even mentioned the shooting accident!) and somehow find the strength to carry on. Those of us who are fortunate to have family and friends to support us are the lucky ones and we must look out for those who are alone, particularly now.

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.

ADVERTISING

T: 01473 400380 E: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk DISTRIBUTION

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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 Stowmarket & Stowupland is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

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In Touch Titles • Stowmarket & 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

NEWS SKULDUGGERY IN STOWMARKET Suffolk’s crime writers’ festival returns for a third year Stowmarket Library is pleased to announce that it will be running the third Skulduggery in Stowmarket crime festival during the last weekend in April.

Skulduggery in Stowmarket will take place at Stowmarket Library over three days from 24 to 26 April, returning after its successful launch in 2018 and a well-received return in 2019.

More than 300 people attended talks at the library in 2019. This year, the line-up includes Henry Brett, Louise Millar, Rebecca Tope and Simon Brett among others.

Manager Ursula Scott said: “Last year’s festival was hugely successful with more than 250 people attending the various events and this year’s festival promises to be even bigger and better. We received great feedback from the event last year including, “Brilliant – wish I had done both days”, “lovely atmosphere”, “exceptionally well run” and “sparkling!”.

The weekend starts on Friday 24 April with a live music event by local band Skiffuffle playing a mixture of skiffle, Americana, novelty and other songs from the 20s to the 70s. There will be a licensed bar and the ticket price includes a pizza supper.

On Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April, the library will play host to five authors on each day, each giving talks and Q&A sessions about their books and styles of writing. The authors on Saturday are Rebecca Tope, Harry Brett, Louise Millar, Jim Kelly and Rory Clements. Sunday’s authors are Michael Jecks, JM Hewitt, Ruth Dugdall, Laura Purcell and Simon Brett.

Tickets can be purchased to attend a single talk. All-day or weekend tickets are also available. To book, visit the events section of the Suffolk Libraries website.

STOWMARKET BELLS UPDATE The belfry is looking very different now. You can check out progress on our website and Facebook page. The original bells will be removed later in April when the bellhanger will take them away for maintenance and tuning. There will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for people to see them before they go. Updates and pictures will also be available to view on the board inside the church, so do look out for these.

The bells have now been taken out of use and you won’t hear ringing from our tower again until we have the new ring of ten bells. This will include three new bells which will be cast at Royal Eisjbouts in Asten, Netherlands, two additional bells at the lighter end of the ring and the third which replaces one of the old bells.

The church clock will also be going out of use for a while but this is only a temporary measure. A time lapse camera is being used to record the works so there’ll be plenty of pictures to see in the future.

Meanwhile we are also preparing for a plant sale on 30 May, so watch this space. www.stowmarketbells.org.uk / Facebook: Stowmarket Bells.

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Tuesday 7 April

is the advertising and editorial deadline for the May edition

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

1ST COMBS SCOUT GROUP DUCK RACE Saturday 6 June, 2pm at Pikes Meadow, Combs Ford Rides, refreshments, stalls, games – entertainment for all the family

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NEWS PHILIP HUGH DADE 11-04-1935 – 22-11-2019 Former sub-officer of Stowmarket Fire Station, Philip Dade has sadly passed away at the age of 84 after a brave battle with cancer.

Phil was born in The Bungalows on the High Road in Great Finborough, eldest son of Ernest and Winifred Dade. He had a happy childhood growing up in rural wartime Suffolk, playing soldiers on the high and lower roads around the village and in Buxhall while his father Ernie was a sergeant in the Home Guard and hardworking Winnie worked in the local farms picking vegetables. Phil loved the family dogs Laddie and Lassie. At the age of six a returning Canadian bomber crashed in the fields opposite killing all six crew. Phil was convinced that the pilot had managed to avoid crashing into their house at the last moment.

Younger brother Christopher arrived in 1948 and by this time Phil had developed into a very good goalkeeper representing the villages of Finborough and Buxhall. He had also joined the Stowmarket ATC and this was to have a significant impact on his life. Phil soon discovered that he was an excellent shot with a rifle and he became one of the King’s 100, the best marksmen in the country. In 1953 he joined the RAF and during his three years’ service as a regular he served in various bases in the UK and abroad, earning the rank of Acting Sergeant with rapid promotion. Phil was selected to be in the RAF platoon for the Queen’s Coronation on a very wet afternoon in June 1953.

Uniquely, during his service he also managed to play in goal for two St Ives football teams in Cornwall and Cambridge.

short courtship they married in 1957, initially living with Mary’s parents in Combs Lane, Stowmarket. Phil and Mary moved to Baldwin Road, Stowmarket on their third wedding anniversary in 1960 and they remained there until Mary’s death in 2012. Phil was still living there independently until his recent death in Cedrus House. The first 11 years of their marriage produced four children: Gary, Cheryl, Nicola and Nigel. On Phil’s demise the family had expanded to include nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Phil was very proud of all their many and varied achievements.

In 1964 Phil was approached to join the local retained fire service in Stowmarket, which he served with distinction for 26 years until his compulsory retirement at the age of 55 in 1990. Phil moved through the ranks to leading fireman before becoming sub-officer of the station in 1981.

He also represented Suffolk Fire Service at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday 1967 and received many favourable comments about the shininess of his boots. Phil attended many callouts and one particular busy August resulted in nearly 60 ‘shouts’, a record for a retained station at the time.

Phil never full got over the fatal multi-vehicle incident he attended as senior officer in charge on a very foggy November day six months before he retired, often referring to it as Black Wednesday. Phil considered the fire service and his fellow crewmates his greatest achievements in life outside of his family.

In 2016 Phil became an associate member of the inaugural Stowmarket branch of the Royal Naval Association and he provided the funds to purchase their standard in honour of his late wife Mary.

On leaving the RAF in 1956 Phil passed his entry examinations to join the Metropolitan Police. However, the week before he was due to join he was spotted playing in goal for Stowmarket FC by the chairman of ICI (Paints Division) who offered Phil a position in the decorative marketing team as a colour matcher. Phil remained with ICI in Stowmarket for the rest of his working days until retirement in 1994. He also doubled up as works convenor, acting as a diplomatic conduit between the management and the work force.

Incredibly Phil only had three days absence (after a motorbike accident when he broke his ankle) in almost 40 years of employment. He also formed part of the very successful ICI works fire brigade and drill team who won countless trophies across the country. Somehow he also managed to serve in The Gladstone Arms public house in Combs Ford in his spare time!

Phil’s many interests centred on sport, particularly watching football, rugby union and golf, also locally Needham Market FC and Stowmarket FC. He was a keen walker, a well-known local character en route to visit Mary in Wade House twice a day during her long illness, incredibly covering over 11,000 in her four and a half years there. He was also an avid cyclist; he impressed his family by cycling around Alton Water at the age of 80. Phil was also very good at darts, winning many trophies with the excellent ICI Works and Huntsman (Stow Fire Station) teams. He had a lifelong love of music which began with the big band orchestra sounds of Joe Loss, Ted Heath, Glenn Miller and James Last. In recent years the Andre Rieu Orchestra was a big favourite.

Phil particularly enjoyed holidays and travel, visiting cousins in the United States and a North American cruise visiting the Rockies and Alaska with Mary.

His final holiday was to Las Vegas to celebrate his 80th birthday with his brother Chris.

Phil soon met and fell in love with Mary Baker from Stowmarket and after a

Phil will be sadly missed by his family and many friends in the local community.

LET YOUR HEARING BLOSSOM As spring has officially sprung, The Hearing Care Centre is encouraging anyone experiencing hearing difficulties to let their hearing blossom by attending one of a selection of special hearing care days in Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Needham Market throughout April.

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Friday 3 April, 10am-noon: Coffee and Networking Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market Friday 17 April, 6.45am: Breakfast The Mix, 127 Ipswich Street, Stowmarket IP14 1BB To book online follow the link at: www.stowmarketchamber.co.uk/networking-events

During the events, the company’s expert team will be providing free hearing assessments (usually £30) along with complimentary professional advice about your hearing test results and possible solutions that could help improve your hearing. All services are available by appointment only.

Karen Finch, managing director and founder of The Hearing Care Centre, said: “Early identification of hearing loss is key in maintaining hearing health.

Having your hearing checked regularly is the best way to identify any degree of hearing loss and to take the earliest possible action. The first step towards better hearing is as easy as making an appointment for a hearing test.

From that point we will do all of the hard work for you.”

To book an appointment call The Hearing Care Centre on 01473 230330 or for more information visit: www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk/events

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NEWS BOSWELL OFFICE SUPPLIES – WE KNOW OUR BUSINESS AND YOURS In a global marketplace isn’t it good to know there’s a local supplier with a long history which has not only survived in an increasing competitive industry, but has secured its place as a preferred supplier based on quality of service and value for money.

Boswell Office Supplies has a long history and still operates out of Ipswich as part of Mansion House Group. Led by Jon Emerson (pictured left), the current team of four has nigh on 100 years of industry insight and knowledge which customers can access.

“Knowledge is everything in this industry,” explains Jon. “Because we know our product range intimately we can quickly identify what our customers need and provide solutions when a specific need exists.

For example, we don’t just deliver office furniture – we can put it together too!”

In fact the very term ‘office supplies’ is somewhat inadequate to describe what Boswell can offer. Of course they provide every variation of every office product you can envision, from paperclips to chairs, but the product range has expanded in recent years to include furniture, shredders, print consumables, first aid kits, arts and crafts supplies, clothing, computer software, cleaning materials and equipment, even catering supplies.

If it’s something you need in your office, village hall, community centre, sports club or school, you’ll probably find it at Bowell Office Supplies.

“We relish the opportunity to find the best products for customers,” says Jon who runs the office with Mark (pictured right). “Not many people understand our passion for office products. In fact we talk in code a lot of the time, using reference numbers we’ve stored in our memories over many years. ”

Jon and Mark are always available to take calls but more and more customers order online, a simple process once an account has been set up. It’s easy to find specific products on the website where special offers are regularly highlighted.

As part of Mansion House Group, which also includes Mansion House Publishing, Colourplan Print and Musical Marketing, Boswell can provide a range of additional add-on services including a full print service, advertising in any one of several regular publications and a range of online/social media marketing options.

“We are stronger and more competitive as a group,” explains Jon. “Many of our customers come to us for a mix of products or services, knowing we have their best interests at heart but also because it’s easier, quicker and cheaper to deal with a single supplier. Many Colourplan Print customers have become Boswell customers and vice versa. Trust is key to our success and the fact that Andy, our main delivery driver, and Nick, our field sales operative, are well-liked and knowledgeable doesn’t hurt either.”

So whether you need a regular supply of essential products, clothing or office furniture for new staff, first aid kits for staff on the move or any one of the thousands of products Jon and this team can source on your behalf, check out the website or give the office a call if you have a specific enquiry.

“Buy locally, use our local knowledge and get your office supplies delivered right into your office or school,” says Jon. “We are good at what we do because we love what we do. For us it’s personal and that’s why so many of our customers have been with us for many years. We look forward to working with you too.” www.boswellofficesupplies.co.uk 01473 212000 / officesupplies@boswell.co.uk

Stowupland Village Hall Saturday 4 April from 2pm

The Stowmarket Carnival committee is delighted to introduce the 2020 Carnival Court.

Pictured left to right with Stowmarket Town Mayor Councillor Paul Ekpenyong (centre) are Prince Harley Beckett, Princess Brooke Campbell, Princess Caitlin Chenery, Queen Faith Jolly Harley, Brooke, Caitlin and Faith were selected at the very successful Carnival Fun Day held at The Mix on March 7. The mayor kindly judged the fancy dress competition.

In addition to jumble there will be stalls including cakes, a draw, bric-a-brac and tombola.

Admission is 20p and teas will be served.

Proceeds for Stowupland Chapel.

Please come and support us.

MENDLESHAM STREET FAYRE Mendlesham Community Council is currently making plans for the 40th annual street fayre which this year takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 25 May (later than usual due to the VE Day celebrations at the beginning of May).

As it’s the 40th anniversary, the theme of this year’s fayre is ruby red and extra entertainment has been booked. There will be something for young and old to enjoy with stalls, Morris Men, a hog roast, a craft show, bygone farm machinery, vintage cars, children’s entertainer The Tricky Twister, the famous Ruddy Muddy graffiti artist, live music from Sun of Elvis (Andy Ottley), kid’s rock band Ricochet, Felix Simpson Music and a variety of refreshments to choose from.

Put the date on your calendar now and look out for updates as the date approaches.

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9TH TO 31ST MAY THE SUFFOLK

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OVER 120WALKS AND EVENTS www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

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NEWS / OUT & ABOUT THE 2020 SUFFOLK WALKING FESTIVAL Have you ever crafted in the wild, enjoyed baking over a campfire or foraged for a cream tea? If not, then this year’s Suffolk Walking Festival is for you!

The 13th Suffolk Walking Festival launches on Saturday 9 May with over 120 guided walks and countryside events over three weeks across the county.

This year also sees plenty of brand new events including Castle on the Hill celebrating Ed Sheeran’s favourite castle, a fun photography scavenger hunt in Orford and a spooky day head hunting in Ipswich.

The event finishes at the end of half-term week with plenty of family-friendly activities. Here are just a few events to whet your appetite.

A sell-out every year is Walk n’ Water, a short walk and boat trip along the River Stour in Sudbury with a free hot drink at the end. RSPB Minsmere is one of the most special places in Suffolk, famous around the world for its wildlife. Surprising Spring Wildlife shows off the site, introducing you to some of its iconic species. Another icon of Suffolk is Orford Ness and Walk with a Shepherd and a Sheepdog is a guided walk by Kite, the sheepdog who manages the island’s very own herd of sheep. It’s a very fun walk and a joy to watch Kite in action.

Campfire Make and Bake at Thornham Walks brushes up your whittling skills before making damper bread over an open fire in the woods. Family Wild Crafts at Brandon Country Park lets you get crafty in the woods as you collect natural materials such as sticks, leaves and rushes to make, and then keep, your creations. And The Nasty Normans at Clare Country Park is a fun take on the history of the Norman Conquests with an actor narrating the story as you’ve never heard before!

The festival kicks off at Clare Country Park on Saturday 9 May and runs for three weeks until 31 May. See the full programme and purchase tickets at: www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT Councillors Rachel Eburne and Keith Welham, Haughley, Wetherden and Stowupland Ward Budget and Council Tax The budget and financial strategy was discussed at the council meeting on 27 February. A Council Tax increase of 1.66 percent was agreed; this equates to a £2.76 pa, 5p per week, increase for a Band D property. Some of our group’s proposals to make Mid Suffolk more sustainable – from housing to transport to biodiversity – were accepted by the Conservative administration but some were not. Among those rejected were suggestions to make Stowmarket more accessible by providing much improved bus services from nearby villages and offering free parking one afternoon per week. Our group’s suggestion to borrow in order to build low energy council homes and the proposal to run a house design competition were also rejected by just one vote.

Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre and Stradbroke Swim and Fitness Centre have recently been named as some of the country’s best following a national industry assessment. Their GP exercise referral scheme was assessed by Quest and awarded the status of ‘excellent’. The assessment looked at all aspects of performance and the final report praised the high level of coordination and effort that goes into the exercise referral schemes at both centres.

Needham Market Rail Station Improvements Needham Market railway station is set to receive £380,000 in government funding to improve accessibility including an access for wheelchairs to the Ipswich-bound platform. The funding from the Department of Transport Access for All programme will benefit Needham Market, giving a further boost to plans to regenerate Needham Market station and providing access for all to both platforms Council and Cabinet The leader of the council has cancelled a number of council meetings in the coming months, reducing the opportunities for councillors to hold the administration to account. Also, portfolio holders’ reports will in future be presented to cabinet rather than to full council; this will mean that any councillor wishing to put questions to a portfolio holder will need to make an extra trip to Ipswich.

Locality Awards The payment of grants from our locality budgets should now have been completed. In Stowupland we allocated funds towards equipment for the short mat bowls club, a glass washer for the sports and social club, Telstar magazine, football kit for Falcons Under-14s, a noticeboard to be sited at the village hall, Freeman School Sensory Garden, equipment for the baby and toddler group and fencing at the bowls club.

Public Realm Green Spaces We were given a tour around the four parishes by Peter Garrett, Corporate Manager of Public Realm. He suggested that the crown of the tree at the junction of Hornbeam Road and Sycamore Road should be lifted and that there may be opportunities for tree planting on grassed areas in Oak Road, Reeds Way and Barley Close. A wildlife corridor alongside FP38 from the green to the football pitches could be considered – perhaps this could be a project involving students from the high school. Trees and funding for stakes could be sought from MSDC. keith.welham@midsuffolk.gov.uk / rachel.eburne@midsuffolk.gov.uk

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OUT & ABOUT HOW TO AVOID RUNNING INTO TROUBLE – PART TWO Last month we started talking about ways to help avoid injuries when you start out with running. Here are the next couple of top tips to help you avoid pits falls many a runner has fallen foul of.

Get strong Time and time again the research supports us telling people to get strong.

• Being stronger appears to help with running performance – so there can be a duel benefit here – run better and probably reduce your chances of injury too.

• The stronger you are, each time you land or propel yourself forwards you are using less of your maximum capacity from the system. If you use less from your capacity each time it gives you longer before things fatigue – fatigue is often a big reason why the system fails and breaks.

• You don’t necessarily need to go to the gym to get strong – yes that weight stack in the gym is a very efficient way to work your muscles hard and drive physical changes in the muscles, joints, bones and nervous system, but completing exercises at home – as long as it’s hard work for you – should get an adaptive change.

Running technique If you were taking up golf or tennis you would likely have some lessons to make sure your technique was good. Well running is a skill – so have you made sure your technique is sound? Non-ideal running technique can put a lot more stress through the body, giving a greater chance of injuries but also reducing your efficiency making life harder to get across the finish line.

• Don’t think that the running shop has given you a comprehensive running analysis. Often they have just been looking at how your feet land on the treadmill and there’s a good chance they didn’t look at anything higher up the chain. A comprehensive analytical look at your technique from top to toe is vital. In 18 years of being a physiotherapist I’m yet to come across that perfect running technique in the clinic.

• After the analysis there is likely to be some or a lot of work to be done. The good news is that good running technique is not difficult to do, but the trick is the time it takes to master better technique.

It takes time and lots and lots of practise to nail it down. Don’t expect to perfect it after a week or two, it’s going to take time, but the results can be stunning. A specialist technique center or professional formally trained in running technique is certainly worth a visit to.

• Brain training – as well as improving technique, improving brain processing and speed is becoming better researched now and showing very positive signs of helping performance, efficiency and helping the brain to age in a more healthy state. Brains more able to process information and act on that quicker may be able to avert disaster when you land unexpectedly on that stone while running or don’t see that pothole or curbstone. Cognitive challenges while performing physical activities is a great way of improving your brain speed and processing skills.

WOOLPIT STEAM RALLY The 2020 Woolpit Steam Rally will take place over the weekend of May 30 and 31 at Warren Farm, Wetherden IP14 3JX by kind permission of R & P Baker. Last year’s rally saw £17,200 donated to local charities and community groups.

What makes Woolpit Steam different from many other shows is the organiser’s desire to present historic and rare machinery not normally seen on display. This encourages the true enthusiast to travel from all parts of the country, but equally captures the imagination of the casual visitor.

Woolpit Steam is probably best known for its selection of rare and unusual veteran tractors and this year is no exception with around 20 pre-1930 tractors anticipated. A further 70 tractors built before 1965 will be on show, together with a display of trailed farm implements which would have been commonplace on farms before the three point linkage revolutionised farming methods.

Twelve full size steam vehicles are entered, including examples of showman’s engines, road rollers, lorries and even a steam car. There will be 80 stationary engines driving an array of mills, pumps and other machinery together with a wood sawing display which will all add to the atmosphere of a bygone age. Vintage cars, motorcycles, commercial and military vehicles are all represented and a number of models and displays will provide something of interest for everybody.

If you are looking for a gift or that elusive spare part, there will be craft, trade and auto jumble stalls to tempt you. There will also be refreshments, a traditional fun fair and a full ring programme to keep the family entertained.

Gates are open from 9am to 5pm on both days. Car parking is free and the show is easily accessible from Junction 47a on the A14 eastbound, or Junction 49 west bound.

For further information contact David Seeley on 01449 737443 (after 7.30pm) or via: www.woolpit-steam.org.uk

FLOWER FESTIVAL AT ST MARY’S CHURCH St Mary’s Church, Little Finborough IP14 2LE is holding an Easter flower festival from Saturday 11 to Monday 13 April, with the church open from 11am to 4pm each day.

The theme for floral displays is Caring for God’s World, with a wide variety of arrangements, many depicting issues facing the world today.

The festival opens with an Easter Egg Hunt for children on Saturday 11 from 10am to 1pm at just £3.50 per child. There’s also a chance to see a Thomas the Tank engine model layout on Saturday.

Refreshments, including cream teas, will be available every day and ploughman’s lunches on Monday.

Come along and enjoy our beautiful rural church in the middle of the fields.

Here’s to many happy miles of pain free running!

Robert Grainger MSc MCSP MHPC CSCS Practice Principal PhysioFixx Physiotherapy Clinic Sports Physiotherapist

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OUT & ABOUT HALF A SIXPENCE AT THE JOHN PEEL CENTRE

THE REGAL IN APRIL The Regal redevelopment is well underway so we’re excited to be launching Regal on the Road at the John Peel Centre from 2 April. We had planned to open with the new James Bond film No Time to Die, but the delay of the release meant we had to make other plans.

Emma (2h 04m): In 1800s England, a well-meaning but selfish young woman meddles in the love lives of her friends.

1917 (2h): Winner of Best Film at the Baftas. Two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap.

Parasite (2h 12m): Winner of Best Film at the Oscars. A poor family, con their way into becoming the servants of a rich family, but their easy life gets complicated when their deception is threatened with exposure.

Come and join Stowmarket Operatic & Dramatic Society this at the John Peel Centre in Stowmarket for our spring musical, Half a Sixpence, as we follow Arthur Kipps, a young working-class man who splits a sixpence with his childhood sweetheart Ann in the hope they will one day be reunited.

However years later, Kipps is engaged to a high-class woodwork teacher and a chance encounter at a cricket match leads to disaster. With the help of his shop worker friends, not to mention the outlandish Mr Chitterlow, will Artie right his wrongs and save his relationship with Ann? Directed by Meryl Bunce and starring Mark Littlewood and Jess Ellis as Kipps and Ann, this hugely popular and celebrated British musical will delight audiences young and old. With its lively and unforgettable music numbers, such as Long Ago, A Proper Gentleman and Flash, Bang, Wallop!, and an array of colourful and eccentric characters, it’s another special night at the theatre with SODS. The show runs from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April at the John Peel Centre.

Tickets are available from www.wegottickets.com or from the box office on 01449 774678. You can also visit the box office in person any time between 10am and 2pm weekdays. Tickets are £14 (£12 concessions).

Onward (1h 47m): New from Disney, set in a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on a quest to discover if there is still magic out there.

Misbehaviour (1h 46m): A group of women hatch a plan to disrupt the 1970 Miss World beauty competition in London.

Military Wives (1h 55m): With their partners away serving in Afghanistan, a group of women on the home front form a choir and quickly find themselves at the centre of a media sensation.

Trolls World Tour (1h 30m): Poppy and Branch embark on a daring mission to unite the trolls and save the diverse melodies from becoming extinct.

My Spy (1h 39m): Having been sent undercover to watch her family, a hardened CIA operative finds himself at the mercy of a precocious nine-yearold girl.

SIMPLY AT SNAPE

You may not have heard too much from us here at Simply Brass over the last couple of months but we’ve been very busy. As well as a complete re-vamp of our uniform we’ve also been getting ready for a performance at Snape Maltings as part of the Celebration 2020 schools project.

Normally only open to schools, the organisers kindly extended an invitation to youth community groups this year and we were lucky enough to be chosen.

On Saturday 7 March we were given the honour of opening the final concert in the programme and entertained a sell-out crowd with a lively performance.

Huge thanks to the Snape team for extending this marvellous opportunity to our band, something we’ll remember for a long time.

As summer approaches we’re now concentrating on the nicer weather and getting ready for events like Needham Market Raft Race and Earl Stonham Hullabaloo to name just two.

If you’re interested in joining Suffolk’s leading Independent youth brass band, or you’d like to book us for your event, please contact us at simplybrassstowmarket@gmail.com, via social media, or find us at: www.simplybrassstowmaket.org.uk

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Rehearsals for our glorious summer concert at the United Reformed Church in Stowmarket on Saturday 20 June will begin after the Easter break.

Choir members love to broaden their repertoire with music from a range of genres so the main piece chosen for this concert is Mass in Blue by Will Todd. Todd is a British composer who combines jazz and blues with choral music, while keeping the traditional structure of the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Angus Dei. It promises to be a wonderful musical experience, with jazz musicians and soloist, plus other choral songs with a jazz/blues theme.

Future concerts will be Handel’s Messiah in November and Verdi’s Requiem in March 2021. We rehearse every Wednesday evening from 7.309.30pm at Combs Primary School on Glemsford Road. Non-members are always welcome.

For further information contact: secretary@stowmarketchorale.org.uk

In Touch online:

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Caring is at the heart of everything we do...

Together we respect, with compassion we care, through commitment we achieve

Barking Hall

Hillcroft House

Uvedale Hall

Part of the Healthcare Homes Group

Part of the Healthcare Homes Group

Part of the Healthcare Homes Group

Barking Hall, Barking, Near Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8HJ

Hillcroft House, Finborough Road, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1PW

Uvedale Hall, Coddenham Road, Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8AX

Tel: 01449 720793

Tel: 01449 774633

Tel: 01449 722250

Specialising in general nursing, dementia and end of life care.

Specialising in dementia care.

Providing residential care.

ď‚‚ HealthcareHomes

healthcarehomes.co.uk 14

Barking Hall, Hillcroft House and Uvedale Hall have been rated Good in all areas by CQC (2019)

Good

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OUT & ABOUT WOOLPIT AND DISTRICT MUSEUM Open from 2-4.30pm every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday from the beginning of April until the end of September, and on Wednesday afternoons in August from 1-3.30pm.

The museum opens again on Saturday 4 April and we are making final preparations for the new season. Our two popular permanent displays, the Brickworks and the Victorian kitchen, have been cleaned and refreshed and we have created a semi-permanent display about The Green Children of Woolpit as many visitors ask about this legend.

We are keeping the model of St Mary’s Church as our centrepiece for another year, along with the timeline marking important events in its long history and the display has been newly extended to include pictures and information about the primitive Methodist chapel in Heath Road and Woolpit Room Christian Fellowship. Also new for this year is a display about the artist Sybil Andrews who lived and worked in Woolpit in the 1920s. We have a collection of fascinating photographs of the village dating from circa 1900 to about 1930, which complement all the displays, and more pictures have been added for this year.

VINTAGE CHARITY CYCLE RIDE IN AID OF COMBS CHURCH BELL RESTORATION

So, although we think we are the smallest museum in Suffolk, there is plenty to see and we look forward to welcoming you soon. We can open by prior arrangement at times other than those specified above and welcome small group visits.

If winter has left you feeling rusty, it’s time you lathered up your leather saddle, slipped into some rough tweed trousers and sallied forth from Battisford by bike.

For more information email museum@woolpit.org or visit: www.woolpit.org/museum

However keen a cyclist you may or may not be, your participation is always welcome on our annual ride. Perhaps you have an ancient cycle or some vintage clothing, or possibly, like me, you are yourself an antique! Either way, you’ll find the short circular route beginning and ending at the Punch Bowl and visiting the Six Bells, Preston St Mary, a sociable but not strenuous cycling adventure.

A lovely buffet lunch is included at the finish and prizes will be awarded to best turned out, greatest combined age of cycle and rider, distance travelled to the start, and most alarming bell or horn.

Join us on Saturday 25 April at 11am. Entry is £20 though larger donations are always welcome.

For information call Joe Whitehead: 07971 599001

DRINKSTONE ANNUAL SALE TRAIL Saturday 2 May at Drinkstone Village Hall and village, 9.30am-2.30pm Households around and about the village open up their garages to sell their wares while others prefer to sell from a table top in the village hall.

Come along to our sleepy Suffolk village and enjoy the fresh country air while ‘bagging lots of bargains’.

Car parking, refreshments and accessible toilets at the village hall.

Admission is free, and maps are on sale.

All profits to Drinkstone Village Hall.

Contact: 07816 394990 / suefoulshamster@googlemail.com

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ELECTRICAL STANDARDS – CHANGES FOR LANDLORDS This month I thought I would highlight two changes in the legislation relating to the private rented sector that are coming up in the course of the relatively near future.

The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards Regulations – which are commonly referred to as MEES – set a minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties.

These apply to properties that are let on particular types of tenancy agreement and are legally required to have an Energy Performance Certificate (or EPC).

register for an exemption. Later in the year, regulations are intended to be laid before parliament intending to impose new duties on landlords in relation to electrical installations. It is proposed at the moment that from the 1 July 2020, the regulatory requirements are in relation to electrical safety are expended.

At the moment, landlords must keep electrical installations in a property in good repair and proper working order. However, under the proposed new regulations, landlords have to ensure that an electrical inspection has been carried out before the start of the tenancy, that inspections are repeated at regular intervals of no more than five years, and that the prescribed electrical safety standards are met when the property is occupied.

When these regulations first came into effect, they provided that from 1 April 2018, private rented property could only be let to new tenants if the property had a minimum energy efficiency rating of E. There are various exemptions that apply to this.

However, from 1 April 2020, all properties must have an energy efficiency rating of E or above, even where there hasn’t been a change in the tenancy. Up until now the minimum efficiency rating only applied where there was a new tenancy so therefore all landlords have until the 1 April 2020 to deal with non-compliant property if it continues to be let, or

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

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

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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET CONCERT BAND

VE DAY SWING DANCE 2020 marks the 75 anniversary of VE Day and the Museum of East Anglian Life will be marking this important date with an afternoon swing dance on the bank holiday, Friday May 8. th

Enjoy an afternoon of music from the Glenn Hurst Band, swing dancing (including lessons for beginners) and sharing of memories from VE Day. We are giving away 75 free tickets for over 75s – first come, first served!

For more information visit www.eastanglianlife. org.uk or pop into the museum shop to register for your tickets.

NEEDHAM MARKET RAFT RACE 2020 We are very excited to announce that this year’s raft race will be at Needham Lake on Sunday 28 June. The theme for 2020 is Back to the 80s.

Now is the time to start getting a team together and to put your entry in. Maybe you fancy designing a tribute to a classic band from that decade, styling yourselves in some incredible revived fashions or recreating an iconic film or TV show. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Come on down and boogie back to the 1980s with us!

With lots of hard work and some generous grants, we have been able to raise funds to purchase some great new instruments. The four Sovereign basses are massive (and rather costly) but are making a great difference to our sound and when we have sold the old ones we will be able to replace several smaller instruments. This ensures we can continue to provide great music and great opportunities for our many young members.

We are very grateful to our customers and clients for their continued support and huge thanks are due to Councillor Gerard Brewster of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils and Councillor Nick Gowrley of Suffolk County Council for contributions from their locality budgets.

We are very excited for our year ahead with a very interesting calendar for our bands and ensembles. The next two rounds of ABRSM music medals are underway for our trainees and we have 12 brand new players to train up.

A particular date to watch out for is our VE Day Commemoration Concert with the Wattisham Military Wives Choir on 2 May in aid of the Royal British Legion. Tickets are available now, so do please contact us to reserve yours. info@StowmarketConcertBand.org.uk / 07527 901746

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT CAMERA CLUB Monday 27 April: Colin Stubley Shield (Portraiture) and A/V Trophy to be judged by Alan Sarsby.

Monday 11 May: AGM followed by club night

Full information for entrants and anyone wishing to hold a stall (plus some great pictures from years gone by) can be found on our Facebook page and at: www.needhamraftraceblog.wordpress.com If you can’t find what you need, please contact us on 07534 948935 (Dan) or 07966 552295 (Jean).

NEEDHAM MARKET RAFT RACE 2020 The annual Raft Race, we’re sure you’ll agree, is an exciting day out for the whole family.

There’re games and raffles, and raising awareness, groups making money in the spirit of fairness.

But let’s not forget what the day’s also about, We need lots of entries as well as people to shout.

Get a team of four, grab some of your ‘mateys’, dress you and your raft and ‘Step Back to the 80s’ There’s House Music, Dance, New Wave and Hip Hop, Thriller and Live Aid, and don’t forget Pop. Karate Kid’s Flashdance, Chucky’s Fatal Attraction, Top Guns Rocky and Rambo Die Hard to get action.

Log on to our website or find us on Facebook, the date, time and rules are there if you look.

Fancy Dress judging at 1.30 on June 28, races start prompt at 2, we’ll see you there soon.

If you can’t make a raft, sit down and ‘chillax’, come down to Needham Lake, cos Frankie says ‘Relax’.

Debbie Cadman

www.keepingintouchwith.com/stowmarket

New members are always very welcome. You don’t have to be an expert photographer; all you need is a camera – any camera – and a real interest in using it. Our members use DSLRs, mirrorless, compacts and bridge cameras.

Regular meetings, which start at 7.30pm, are held at Stowmarket Community Centre, Hillside, Stowmarket IP14 2BD, usually on the second and fourth Monday of the month between September and June. We’d love to see you there, so why not join us?

For more information visit: www.stowmarketanddistrictcameraclub.onesuffolk.net

STOWMARKET BRIDGE CLUB Arrangements for the club’s 50th anniversary pairs event can now be confirmed and are set to take place in Elmswell on Sunday 26 July. Players from other clubs are invited to join the celebrations and will receive a warm welcome. Entry details are on the website.

A number of club competitions are reaching their final stages. The Upside Down Cup is still led by Willson’s Warriors, closely followed by Riley’s Rockets and Aldous Aces. Bim and Sam Wilson have joined Linda Patterson and Mervyn Pearson and Nancy Williams and Andy Billinge in the semi-final stage of the Myrtle Cottage Cup. The Wednesday and Friday pairs competitions are currently headed by George Moody and Tony Aldous, David Willson and Kevin Fletcher and Andy Billinge and Sekhar Pillai. Eric Smith currently tops the most improved player category, closely followed by Linda Patterson and Mervyn Pearson.

Eight pairs from the club recently qualified for the Suffolk Pairs competition, four of whom finished in the top 20, David Willson and Simon Riley lead the way, closely followed by Brian Pinson and Mervyn Pearson, Tony and Sue Aldous and Caro Hunt and John Heath.

We are keen to welcome new members. Please see our website or contact Andy Billinge: a.billinge@btinternet.com / 07815 101513 / 01449 736895

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OUT & ABOUT RIVER GIPPING TRUST We have been granted planning permission for the new footbridge across the River Gipping just above Baylham. This now means we can embark on a £25,000 fundraising appeal to purchase the bridge components and install it with our own volunteer workforce. The bridge will sit on top of existing 230-year-old brick abutments, be two metres wide and of hard wood construction.

When complete, it will mean that people who regularly walk the Gipping Trail will avoid a two kilometre detour away from the river. The old footpath alongside the railway line is often impassable in the winter due to flooding and overgrown with weeds in summer.

Over the last few weeks volunteers have been clearing up fallen trees and removing river flow restrictions after the floods between Needham Market and Baylham, and collecting litter alongside the river that has often been washed down with the high river levels and fast flowing water. In one day we picked up over a dozen footballs! Where do they all come from?

Our AGM is on Friday 22 May in Needham Market Community Centre at 7.30pm. We are hoping Dan Porter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, will be our guest speaker. All are welcome, refreshments available.

Trust volunteers continue to meet up every Wednesday either at Pipps Ford or Baylham, and we would very much welcome new volunteers and members.

For more information on volunteering or joining, please email me at: ian@rivergippingtrust.org Restoration Manager Ian Petchey

ROTARY CLUB OF STOWMARKET GIPPING VALLEY Members of the Rotary Club of Stowmarket Gipping Valley recently painted a room for Phoenix Counselling Practice in Stowmarket. The room is to be used for play therapy, improving the environment they can offer for the counselling of young children. The club used their existing connection with the Men’s Shed to organise and pay for the provision of shelving, reconstruction of a trolley carrying a sand tray and the supply of a new window blind and light fitting.

The club felt that Phoenix offered both long and short term counselling and psychotherapy to the local community, their aim being to provide, without delay, the kind of counselling needed at an affordable price. There is a considerable delay in the time it takes for the state to provide such assistance and in many instances it can be too late. Their services include a wide range of valuable counselling available not only to family members, but including employee counselling and helping people with disabilities. For more information visit: www.phoenix-counselling-practice.com The Rotary Club’s assistance was organised and supported by Rotarians Jeff Stern, Mike Matthews and Peter Andrews. “After the talk given by Alice Dobby of Phoenix Counselling Service, members were extremely impressed by the valuable work they are doing for the community and that they are a local charity deserving of our support,” said Jeff.

The Rotary Club meets every other Thursday evening at the Cedars Hotel, Stowmarket and if you want a taste of what they are about, whether you be young or old, male or female, you would be very welcome. For more information contact Richard Tingey: richard@tingeys.co.uk

STOWMARKET RAMBLERS Sunday 5 April: 4.5 mile circular walk at West Stow. Park and meet in West Stow car park at 10.30am / GR. TL800714. Note: parking fee of £2. Leader: 07795 420512 Sunday 12 April: 6 mile walk via Darmsden. Park and meet at Needham Lakes (not the toilet side) at 10am / GR. TM 095548. Leader: 07831 373154 Sunday 19 April: 5.5 mile circular walk in Great Finborough. Park and meet at the car park adjacent to children’s playground in Great Finborough at 10am / GR. TM 013576. Leader: 01449 674763 Sunday 26 April: 6 mile circular walk from Norton. Park and meet at Norton Village Hall at 10am / GR. TL957659. Leader: 01359 232096

STOWUPLAND LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Wednesday 1 April: Becoming a House Detective by Stephen Poulton Ray Whitehand’s talk has been rescheduled to August so in a change to the schedule we welcome Stephen Poulton with Becoming a House Detective.

Have you ever been curious about the history of your house? Stephen will look at some resources and methods that will help to trace its past life.

Wednesday 6 May: Witches in Suffolk by Pip Wright Belief in the existence of witches was very real in the Middle Ages and persecutions of those suspected of dealing with the devil culminated in the infamous witch trials initiated by self-appointed witch-finder general Matthew Hopkins. He was invited to Stowmarket where he duly discovered a number of witches. However, his services didn’t come cheap and the town had to raise a special rate amongst the inhabitants to pay him.

We meet at 7.30pm in Stowupland Village Hall IP14 4BQ. Visitors are always welcome and refreshments are available. Admission is £1 for members, £3 for non-members.

For more information, please contact Judy Clarke: 01449 615386

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Woolpit Nurseries_Bury Golf Club_200x138mm_PRINT.pdf 1 15/12/2016 10:02:38

OPEN Mon-Sat 9 till 5 & Sunday 10 till 4

01359 240370

If you’re looking to be spoilt for choice when it comes to your garden then come and see us The majority of our bedding plants are grown here at Woolpit Nurseries.

We grow 90% of our plants on site so we are able to focus on producing only the finest quality products.

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We have over an acre of growing greenhouses, plus half an acre of outside growing space and a large net sided poly tunnel.

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We are specialists in hanging baskets with over 2000 produced every spring.

We offer a large range of plants including seasonal bedding, a range of structural Italian plants, structural shrubs, small trees & ‘instant gardens’ with ready-to-go pre-planted hanging baskets and containers.

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Ever expanding, we also offer a wide range of gardening products including stoneware, pots & baskets, plus fertilizers, plant foods and grit and a variety of composts.

With a qualified horticulturist on site we are able to provide professional & friendly advice to gardeners in need.

www.woolpitnurseries.co.uk

Old Stowmarket Road, Woolpit, Suffolk, IP30 9QS

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OUT & ABOUT STOWMARKET LOCAL HISTORY GROUP Monday 20 April: Stowmarket Manorial Disputes from the 14th Century by Hannah Salmon, two disputes that took place in the 14th century concerning the Market Place and the seizing of the Manor of Stowmarket in 1322.

Monday 20 May: Remembering the Roman dead and a new perspective on early settlements at Great Whelnetham by Andy Peachey.

Archaeological investigations have begun to reveal a more unusual population, suspicious deposition of objects and a high number of decapitated skeletons.

Meetings are held at 7.30pm at Hillside Community Centre, Stowmarket IP14 2BD. Members £1, non-members £3.50.

For further details contact Jeannette Baldry: 01449 675271 www.stowmarket-History.co.uk

PMR/GCA EA – EAST ANGLIA SUPPORT GROUP The next meeting of the PMRGCA (Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis) East Anglia support group will be held on Thursday 23 April at Needham Market Community Centre, School Road, Needham Market IP6 8BB. The hall will be open for refreshments and socialising from 10.30am.

A short AGM at 11am will be followed by a presentation with a Q&A session.

Our guest speaker is Consultant Ophthalmologist Simon Hardman Lea who will talk about the structure of the eye, visual problems, eye care and treatment, particularly with respect to PMR and GCA. We look forward to hearing from him and hope you will join us to listen to the talk and to meet others who suffer from these conditions.

Entry £1 and it’s not necessary to be a member of the organisation to attend.

For more information contact: 07909 530311 / pmrgcachair@btinternet.com

STOWMARKET SUGARCRAFT CLUB

LION RIDE 2020 Stowmarket Lions are holding another great cycle event this year on June 28.

The Lion Ride builds on the success of the former Suffolk Villages Charity Bike Ride which has attracted riders from all over the country for many years.

Riders looking for a challenging ride around the Suffolk countryside should brush off their bikes and lycra shorts and head to the website to register for this popular event. Riders from clubs or companies are welcome to enter teams of six or more.

With the money raised last year Stowmarket Lions were able to make a difference to many local families and we hope to be able to do the same again this year.

Riders who have taken part in previous years have complemented us on a thoroughly enjoyable ride around some beautiful Suffolk countryside. We will again be running three distances (25km, 50km and 100km) with all routes starting and finishing at the Blackbourne Centre in Elmswell. www.stow-lions.org.uk/lion-ride

BACTON & COTTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY Tuesday 21 April, 7.30pm at Bacton Village Hall: The Suffolk Medieval Cloth Industry by Dr Nick Amor Dr Amor has written two books – Late Medieval Ipswich: Trade and Industry and From Wool to Cloth – The Triumph of the Suffolk Clothier. He is an Honorary Fellow of the University of East Anglia and chairman of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History.

He will talk about the medieval woollen cloth trade in Suffolk based on original research material.

Members £3, non-members £4.

ACTIVITIES AT ORCHARD BARN As the weather warms up Orchard Barn will be flourishing with activities and opportunities.

Our courses started last month with hurdle making and lime finishes and we’ll be continuing into April with an introduction to timber framing course run by Rick Lewis.

We enjoyed a very interesting and informative demonstration at our March meeting by one of our most popular demonstrators, Linda Garnham. Linda is very well-known in the sugarcraft world as a respected teacher and judge as well as a very talented cake maker.

Her demonstration was centred around decorated biscuits with clear instructions on making and baking biscuits suitable to be decorated. Linda made the decorating look easy and finished by showing how to make the biscuits into gift boxes suitable for many occasions Linda has agreed to come back soon and show us a Japanese style sugar flower arrangement so that will be a date for the diary.

The April meeting will be our AGM when we will enjoy a light supper following the business of the meeting. Our demonstrator in May will be Gemma Parker from Gemma’s Crafty Cakes in Felixstowe. The demonstration is tantalisingly called A Faulty Tower, and yes, it is a cake! This will be a very interesting evening.

We are passionate about teaching you the skills needed to be selfsufficient. This course, and several others coming up, could be perfect for homeowners to learn the maintenance skills needed to look after their own homes.

There’s also a wonderful opportunity to make a shave horse with Will Wall and learn about the fantastic things you can make by using one.

We are also welcoming new volunteers. All volunteers are taught skills they can then use in their day to day lives and are given the opportunity to be part of a fantastic growing community of likeminded individuals. We would love to have more people learning to grow their own food in our garden and learning general conservation skills.

If you would like to join us for the evening and want more information, visit our website or ring Glenda on 01449 615382.

If you’d like to find out how you can get involved and learn, create or volunteer with us at Orchard Barn, Ringshall, visit our website drop in between 10am and 4pm Tuesday to Thursday, or whenever our gate is open (IP14 2LY).

www.stowmarketsugarcraft.co.uk

www.orchardbarn.org.uk

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OUT & ABOUT

THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, STOWMARKET AND DISTRICT Branch News Details of this year’s Remembrance events will be circulated soon so please keep an eye out and add them to your diary.

This year we commemorate the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day. The first is, of course, VE Day which we will commemorate on Saturday 9 May with an event at the club premises – a street party themed dinner with music provided by Ralph and the Tuck Shop Boys. The food will be something from the era. Doors open at 7.30pm and tickets (£15) are available from behind the bar.

We will also be holding a veteran’s lunch on Sunday 19 April, 12.30pm for lunch at 1pm. £8.50 for a two-course lunch followed by a talk on the RBL from the Suffolk County Chairman, Mr Ken Rowbottom. Contact Fiona McGee to book: f_mcgee@sky.com We have a branch calendar, available from the club in Tavern Street, which provides details of the many events and activities throughout the year, and don’t forget to visit our website for more information: www.branches.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/stowmarket New members are always welcome so please come along to branch meetings held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm to find out more and meet the committee and other members.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WOMEN SECTION (STOWMARKET) Sue welcomed a new member (Ros) to our February meeting. Mike and Hazel, who run Stowmarket Foodbank, then gave an informative presentation as to how food is distributed, especially during an emergency.

ROYAL NAVAL ASSOCIATION In March the branch held its AGM and the committee reported that it had been another successful year for the branch, providing the opportunity for shipmates, friends and guests to enjoy a warm and friendly environment and to participate in a varied programme of events, talks, visits and social evenings.

The branch continued to foster close ties with other branches of the RNA, in particular Beccles, Brightlingsea, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich. We have also enjoyed a good relationships with our local town council, various ex-service groups within Stowmarket, the Submarine Association, the Royal British Legion and Bury St Edmunds and District Branch Royal Anglian Regimental Association, along with attending monthly veteran’s breakfast clubs in Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds as their ‘local’ naval contingent.

Our strength lies in our willingness to adapt to change, to be progressive and not sit back on our laurels. Like all good sailors, we always have a keen eye on what may come over the horizon. Over the past 12 months our shipmates have continued to recognise those who may be less fortunate or in need and have raised money during social events and gettogethers, not just for naval charities but also those charities who carry out sterling work for the community of Suffolk.

They work with local organisations like social services, NHS, schools and Citizens Advice Bureau to identify individuals and families who can benefit from their services. As well as food and dry goods (toiletries and washing products), money donations are also welcomed to allow them to replenish low stock. They recently went to Tesco and brought trolley loads of toilet rolls to the amusement of other shoppers.

Proudly upholding the traditions of the Royal Navy, we always endeavour to do the best we can and ensure that our gangway is open to those who want to pop in and say hello. So, here’s to the year ahead and ‘Up Spirits’.

If you’d like to visit or join Stowmarket RNA, we meet at the RBL Club on Tavern Street on the third Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm.

Some of the local supermarkets also donate out of date goods at the end of the day and these are available the next day at a pop-up shop at Hillside Community centre, where they are based. They also run a holiday club during school holidays where entertainment and lunch is provided for children, in addition to a monthly community lunch club for adults.

Members brought in food bank donations which were appreciated, and a box will be available at each meeting for further donations. They were thanked by Sue who said it certainly opened our eyes as to what they did.

ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION STOWMARKET BRANCH We have just held our annual general meeting where the branch officers presented their reports and the present committee were re-elected en bloc. Following this, we were entertained by the Stowmarket Strummers. We couldn’t resist foot tapping and were encouraged to sing along.

We then had a themed quiz based on anagrams of towns or places that have a related food or drink. Lynda secured first place, Ardell second and Joyce third; they each received a small gift for their efforts.

A welcome day was held at the RBL Club to inform members of the public what the RBL and its associations are all about. It proved to be very rewarding with some prospective new members.

Sue also thanked members who were honoured at the recent Poppy Appeal awards; Josie (5 years), Hazel M and Carole P (20), Maureen R (25) and an amazing 40 years to Bridget. A lot of money has been raised by their dedication to standing outside supermarkets with their tins and trays of poppies. Well done to them all.

Our meeting on 15 April will be a Chinese Auction when members are asked to bring along a new item with a value between £4 and £6 which will be bid for by purchasing raffle tickets.

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We meet at 7.30pm on the third Wednesday of the month at the RBL Club and new members are always welcome. Coffee mornings continue at the Osier Café on Wednesday 1 and 22 April – everybody welcome.

Sue can be contacted on 077092 87816 for any information regarding the WSRBL Stowmarket.

Once Navy, Always Navy

This month’s speaker will tell us what it was like growing up in the Rhonda Valley.

Our first outing will be to RAF Marham, home to the F35 Lightnings. This will be interesting and nostalgic for some of our members who were stationed there. In May we will visit to St Peter’s Brewery where we have booked a tour. After that we will be heading to Thorpe Abbotts, home of the USAF 100th Bomb Group Museum.

There will be commemorations in May to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the day that ended the Second World War in Europe. This will include a concert by Stowmarket Concert Band and the Wattisham Military Wives Choir on 2 May in the United Reform Church. All proceeds from this concert will go to the Royal British Legion (Stowmarket Branch) Poppy Appeal. Other events will be held at the Museum of East Anglian Life.

We are always pleased to welcome new members. If you would like any further information, please contact our secretary on 01449 676871.

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS OLD NEWTON OPEN GARDENS 2020 June 13 and 14 between 11am and 5pm

STOWMARKET & DISTRICT FLOWER CLUB

About 15 gardens and the village allotments will be open along a circular route and scarecrows will stand about the village.

This month’s meeting is on Wednesday 22 April at Woolpit Village Hall at 7.30pm. Why not come along and learn how to do something new as four of our talented members show how to make stunning arrangements in four different designs?

Sunday ends with a Songs of Praise.

We welcome visitors and new members to every meeting. Annual membership is £30 but if you just want to see what we do, visitors pay just £6 per meeting. We look forward to seeing you there.

Admission by programme (£5) which will be available from the Village Institute (IP14 4ED) or any of the gardens.

Children free when accompanied by an adult.

STOWMARKET WILDLIFE GROUP The first meeting of 2020 was very well attended. Darren Tansley entertained us with his enjoyable and informative talk about the members of the weasel family and their lives in Suffolk and Essex.

CHILTON COMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL Table Tennis Astroturf Renovation

Martin Sanford will present an illustrated talk on Hedgerows, Herbs and Medicines on Wednesday 29 April in Stowupland Village Hall at 7.30pm.

He will look at some common plants of Suffolk hedges and waysides, discuss their use for foods and medicine and how we use them sustainably.

Everyone is welcome to attend our meetings; just come along. Admission is £2.50, children free. Please pay on arrival. A hearing loop is available on request.

John Thompson 01449 676471 / swtstowmarket@gmail.com

ST PETER & ST MARY’S PRE-SCHOOL We have had an intensive maths week looking at numbers and shapes anywhere and everywhere. Our aim was to be able to recite some numbers and recognise numerals, and to make maths fun. The children particularly enjoyed the challenge of finding the correct key to unlock the padlock.

Our pupils are enjoying a new outdoor area thanks to a generous family. Mr Tricker of GTS & Sons Ltd and his family were invited to open the new table tennis area as a thank you for their time and hard work spent creating it.

Mr Tricker, whose sons attend the school, donated his time over weekends and during school holidays to clear and prepare the area and lay astroturf.

The astroturf and table tennis tables were funded through a successful grant application to the Healthy Pupils Capital Fund: money levied from the sugar tax to be re-invested to improve sports facilities and healthy lifestyles.

The area has proved very popular with pupils. A big thank you to the family for their time, hard work and support to create this amazing new space.

World Book Day Dress-Up

We always like to provide a challenging environment, to encourage a ‘can do’ attitude and arm the children with the resilience they will need going forward, while still having fun. The children also cut fruit and vegetables into a variety of shapes to make dinosaurs, people and interesting creatures. We then tried a variety of all these for snack, even some we hadn’t tried before. As our role play was a pizzeria, we made a healthy pizza to take home – good maths activity for cutting in half or quarters.

We celebrated World Book Day and everyone thoroughly enjoyed dressing-up. With Sports Relief to come we can look forward to more dressing up and a cake stall.

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On Friday 6 March we held a dress-up day for our pupils in honour of World Book Day. The variety of costumes included several Harry Potters and even an inflatable dinosaur! Pupils were each given a £1 World Book Day token to spend on a new book. We would like to thank all our staff and pupils for their continuous efforts.

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SPORT STOWUPLAND BOWLS CLUB

STOWMARKET TENNIS CLUB

As the start of the outdoor bowls season approaches, it’s time for our first article of 2020. Bearing in mind the wet conditions we have experienced recently, the bowling green is looking in good condition thanks to our greenkeeper and his team. We are all eager to try our hand, although it will probably take a few practise occasions to find our way again.

The winter months are fading now and having survived four weekends of vicious winds, the dome is due to come down at the end of March. As we undertake this work ourselves, we can choose to leave the dome inflated for a bit longer if further wind and rain is forecast. All of the league pairs will have finished their matches by the time this reaches you but the final positions are yet to be decided. From the results I’ve seen there are many pairs looking to be promoted or to at least keep their level for next year.

Actually our season begins on 9 April (subject to the weather and the green being ready) and will close towards the end of September. Apart from league and league cup matches in that time, our programme includes our own events and three occasions when we will welcome Elmswell Fire Fighters, Mendlesham Bowls Club and the East Anglia Kit Car Club for friendly encounters.

The May edition will have more details but meantime we would very much like the people of Stowupland to join us on 30 May to try their hand at bowling on our open day. We can assist with footwear and woods if necessary. Then on 13 June we will be holding a further club competition which will be open to past or present bowlers resident in Stowupland who can share the afternoon and participate with our players.

Although we have lost a few members for this season due to private reasons, and needless to say they will be sadly missed, we have gained three new members from Stowupland.

During March a leaflet was distributed throughout Stowupland asking people to consider trying the game of bowls and naturally we are hopeful of some response. Please remember you can call our chairman, Frank Boxhall (01359 244591), our secretary, Graham Newman (01359 248046), or myself, David Begg (01359 242025), to discuss anything relating to bowling before making a commitment.

David Begg

NEEDHAM MARKET BOWLS CLUB Indoor bowling at the Meadlands is now coming to an end and once again Needham Market BC has provided more bowlers than any other club. Thanks go to all the captains of the teams for their work in providing competition for our bowlers.

The opening drive will be on Sunday 19 April at 2pm (refreshment is an American tea) and Stowmarket League matches start on Monday 20 April. Last year was a good year and I hope you all enjoy your bowling again this year.

Last year we played our club pairs and triples competitions over the season rather than having finals days. This year we are going back to having final days and as well as pairs and triples, Brian Locksmith is running a singles competition. Please add your names to the list if you are interested in playing.

The winter socials have now finished and dates for summer events have yet to be decided. There will be emails from Pat Hadden as well as further In Touch articles with details.

The green is looking really good thanks as usual to the hard work of the green team. You will notice that the edges have been raised and a new support installed to prevent bowls rolling down the slope and into the ditch. This and improvements to the clubhouse, which is ongoing, have been made thanks to a grant from the club and institute, so thanks go to their committee.

Meet and greet days will be held on May 2 and 9 at 10.30am. Anyone who would like to try bowling can just turn up, talk to members and enjoy tea/coffee and a biscuit. Bowls will be provided. It really is a sport for all ages but is especially suited to the older active person.

To discuss any aspect of NMBC, contact either Alistair Bailie (01449 720759) or Pat Hadden (01473 831308).

On Saturday 7 March we hosted a fun junior ‘match’ against a team from David Hall Tennis in Bury. The afternoon was aimed at children who had never played a proper tournament. About 20 children took part with everyone enjoying a mixture of fun matches, coaching and a few drills.

It was great couple of hours and a chance to catch-up with a coaching colleague of over 25 years. Well done to all the children involved for playing so well, so hard, and in such a friendly and respectful manner.

Easter Camp will almost be upon us when this magazine is delivered but if you’d like your child to take part do get in touch. There may be a place or two remaining for this introduction to tennis which has always been perfect for under-12s new to tennis.

There are also big changes coming to the mini-tennis programme. After Easter there will be a new fun session for ages five and under on Wednesdays from 4-5pm, and a new session for six and seven year olds on Thursday s from 4-5pm. These new sessions should help those unable to attend on Saturday morning or wanting to come along straight after school.

There’s lots going on and lots to get involved with so if you’d like any more info, just send me an email.

See you on court!

Senior Club Coach Chris Cunningham chris@chriscoaching.plus.com

STOWMARKET CRICKET CLUB Our youth season is now under way following our fun evening launch on Monday 30 March at Chilton Fields. However, it is not too late for boys and girls to join our thriving youth section that meets every Monday evening at 6.15pm.

So why not come and give it a go? Enjoy two taster sessions before signing up; our annual membership fee is £25 with considerable discounts for other siblings.

On top of the weekly sessions led by experienced and qualified coaches, we have many competitive matches across all age groups.

Our under-9s will play in seven soft ball festivals. Under-11s and under-13s both have eight league matches and the under-15s a staggering twelve. Cup matches are in addition to the aforementioned.

Our weekly senior outdoor nets commence on Thursday 2 April from 6pm.

The season commences as Stowmarket host Suffolk v Essex in an Over-60s fixture on Tuesday 14 April, 12.30pm start. The first league fixtures for the first and second XIs are on the 18 and 25 April.

In addition to welcoming youngsters, we are also keen to attract senior players, volunteers and spectators. For further information, including a full fixture list, please see our website or contact Clive Witherly: 01359 240019 / 07769 731958 / wigg51@btinternet.com www.stowmarket.play-cricket.com

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SPORT / CHURCH NEWS INORI AIKIKAI AIKIDO DOJO We are excited to announce the opening of a new Aikido class on Monday 6 April at Woolpit Village Hall. These sessions will run weekly from 7-9pm and are open to both beginners and experienced students from age eight plus.

Aikido is a dynamic Japanese martial art suitable for men and women of any age, size and build. The art focuses on using the attackers’ movement against them and includes a combination of empty-handed techniques, along with weapons including sword, staff and knife, all practised in a safe and friendly environment.

Regular classes also run at Woolpit Village Hall on Thursday nights and are taught by sensei Adrian Munteanu, 4 Dan Aikikai, Fukushidoin. Sensei Adrian is Coach Level 1 and 2 qualified, DBS checked and first aid qualified.

Beginners are always welcome and the first lesson is completely free.

For more information contact: Jamie Bunting: jambunorig@gmail.com Sensei Adrian: 07793 658748 / inoridojo@yahoo.com Facebook: @Inori Dojo www.inoridojo.wixsite.com/aikidosuffolk

STOWMARKET STRIDERS RUNNING CLUB The fantastic members of Stowmarket Striders Running Club have donated an incredible £1,500 to the MS-UK charity.

The club do this as a gesture of gratitude to the late Robert Tomlinson and the Tomlinson family who generously allow use of Tomlinson Groundcare as our race HQ for the Stowmarket Half Marathon.

NEWS FROM STOWMARKET URC Extra tables had to be found as we welcomed visitors to our annual pancake party. This free event, with an opportunity to support the church with a donation, has grown in popularity over the last few years, its reputation coming from the mouth-watering pancakes and their delicious savoury and sweet fillings, supplemented by a number of varied quizzes.

Shrove Tuesday precedes the period in the church calendar known as Lent.

Traditionally described as lasting for 40 days, in commemoration of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the account during this time. Throughout this period we are running two Lent courses, one on Tuesday mornings at 10.30am and the other on Thursday evenings at 7pm.

Please see our noticeboards for more details.

On 1 March we celebrated the 65th anniversary of the opening of these premises, replacing those destroyed by a bomb in 1941. It was a wonderful occasion which saw the Rev Andrew Royal returning to his home town to lead our worship. The congregation also included friends from Stowupland, Mendlesham and Haughley URCs, as well as a large number of visitors.

A bring-and-share lunch followed by a chance to enjoy performing small playlets of Christian stories brought this special day to a close.

Why not come and see what’s on at the URC?

STOWMARKET GOSPEL HALL

The race has recently been renamed The Robert Tomlinson Half Marathon in memory of Robert who was a fantastic support to the club.

Stowmarket Striders are a running and triathlon club based out of Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre in Stowmarket. They meet on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

All ages and abilities welcome.

For more information visit: www.stowmarketstriders.org.uk

SCORPION MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY In the thirty plus years that I have been teaching we have seen many thousands of children, young people and adults come through our doors.

Our Holiday Bible Club this Easter has a medieval theme. We’ll be following Sir Falot and his faithful squire as they search for the real king. They have many adventures and everyone can join in the singing, stories, quizzes, games and crafts.

It will be a great time for all children aged five to 12 years and it’s all free. It will be held each morning from Monday 6 to Thursday 9 April from 10am to noon. Look out for the leaflets in local schools or visit www.stowmarketgospelhall.org.uk for more information.

No need to book; just turn up and have fun!

We teach karate and kickboxing and specialise in particular on the selfdefence aspects that are so relevant in today’s society. An old martial arts quote is that you learn how to fight so you don’t have to. This basically means that by training with us you learn valuable life skills that give you confidence, speed, strength, mental agility and the ability to assess risk.

We run separate junior and senior classes throughout the week at our two fantastic locations: Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre and Needham Market Community Centre. You will always get the best tuition from our wonderful team of instructors.

Kickboxing offers you the opportunity to get super fit and conditioned with lots of pad work drills and plenty of sparring. Universal karate includes throws, weapons, grappling, sparring and self-defence.

As part of our support for the local community we are running four free selfdefence workshops over the year. These are held at The Mix in Stowmarket.

To find out dates and to book a place please call reception.

We are one of the very few clubs offering one month free to all new members.

Please visit our Facebook page and for more information contact Mark JR Trent: 07708 644162 / scorpion.ufkkwa@gmail.com

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CHURCH NEWS THE SALVATION ARMY Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket IP14 1NE Weds 1 April

7.30pm Live Lounge at Costa

Sunday 5 April

11am & 5.30pm Services

COMBS & FINBOROUGH GROUP Messy Church All children with accompanying adult welcome for craft activities, games, children’s worship, Bible stories and fun.

EASTER WEEK Monday 6 April 7.30pm An Easter Pilgrimage of Prayer Tuesday 7 April 7.30pm An Evening of Easter Music Weds 8 – Sun 12 7.30pm Prayer Stations

– Moments of Quietness and Contemplation

St Andrew’s Church, Great Finborough 3.30pm on Fridays 3 April and 1 May

Thursday 9 April 7.30pm Maundy Meal and Reflections Friday 10 April

10am Good Friday Service 11am Churches Together Walk of Witness

Sunday 12 April

9am Easter Breakfast 11am Easter Sunday Morning Celebration 4pm Easter Songs of Praise – Come and sing your favourite Easter hymn

5.30pm Faith Tea (bring-and-share)

Saturday 18 April 10am

Coffee Morning

Combs Church Hall, Poplar Hill, IP14 2AY 10am on Sundays 5 April and 3 May Soup Lunches Lent is a time when we ‘give up’ something in recognition of Jesus’ time in the wilderness when he fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. It is a time of reflection when many of us think about what we have that others may not. With this in mind, we will be hosting soup lunches with money raised going to Third World charities:

Sunday 19 April 11am & 5.30pm Services

Saturday 4 April: noon-1.30pm at Combs Church

Sunday 26 April 11am Service / 4pm Café Church

Saturday 4 April: noon-1.30pm at Buxhall Church

Sunday 3 May

For more details please contact Revd Chris (details below).

11am & 5.30pm Services

EASTER MESSAGE FROM MAJOR JAMES LLOYD Because it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19:42 When people get older, they think about arranging for a burial place or making funeral plans. After all, we are mortal and our bodies break down and die. Executed on a cross, Jesus had made no preparations for his burial and most of his followers had scattered. Was his body simply to be dumped in a common grave for prisoners and debtors? The body of the Son of Man, who had “no place to lay his head” while he was alive (Luke 9:58) needed a tomb to borrow.

This called for the help of Joseph and Nicodemus. Earlier these men were afraid to be known as Jesus’ followers, but now they came forward to give his body an honourable resting place. They used their connections with the governor, Pilate, to ask permission to take Jesus’ body for burial.

Pilate approved. After all, Jesus was dead and had to be buried. Joseph and Nicodemus had resources to prepare the body and they had a place to bury it. So they wrapped Jesus’ body in linen and with burial spices and set it in Joseph’s own tomb nearby (see Matthew 27:57-60). They did all this quickly before sunset on Friday, because it was the Day of Preparation for the weekly Sabbath on Saturday.

Imagine the fear and sadness of Jesus’ followers hiding behind closed doors that day. What a cheerless Sabbath!

But we know that tomb was just a temporary resting place. And by faith in Jesus, we know that’s true for us too.

We have interesting and varied activities during the week and well-attended Sunday Services; everyone is most welcome. If you would like any more details or information, please ring Jenny on 01449 614133.

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Bishops’ Environment Lent Challenge Booklets will be available in each of our churches for you to take part in this project which is not about raising money, but is a fun way in which you and your family can think about ways in which we can all protect God’s creation. Have a look: www.cofesuffolk.org//bishops-lent-appeal-2020 EASTER Maundy Thursday 7.30pm St Mary’s, Buxhall: Holy Communion with hand washing Good Friday: Building an Easter Garden and more…

9.30am Messy Church: Trinity Hall, Onehouse 10.30am Procession of Witness: Starting from Trinity Hall, Onehouse 11am Messy Church: St Mary’s Church, Combs 2pm The Last Hour: St Augustine Church, Harleston Easter Day Services Little Finborough: 9am Holy Communion Buxhall: 9.30am Sung Eucharist Shelland: 9.30am Family Communion Harleston: 9.30am Holy Communion Onehouse: 11am Holy Communion Great Finborough: 11am Family Communion Combs: 11am Holy Communion (with Sunday School) For more details about any of our services or events please contact Revd Chris Childs – revcchilds@aol.com / 01449 673280 – or Revd Canon Pauline Higham – 01449 771791.

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