In Touch News with Westerfield April 2019

In Touch

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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 9 • Issue No. 5 • APRIL 2019

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Signs of Spring by Sanri Harvey

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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR I often write about how fortunate we are to live in a part of the world where ‘community’ is valued and where there are endless opportunities to engage with those who share our little part of the planet. Finding that special place to lay your roots and raise your children, where you know you will be greeted with a smile when you pop into the local (shop or pub) and share your day-today existence with neighbours you can call on in an emergency is something to treasure. If you’re lucky you may even have family close by. A recent trip home to Ireland to celebrate my dad’s 80th birthday has reminded me how distant I have become from my extended family, inevitable when you move away. Events like weddings and significant birthdays have become treasured opportunities to catch-up, to meet new family members and to get to know others a little better.

And so it was on this occasion.

For possibly the first time ever, I had an opportunity to have a proper girly chat with my dad’s three sisters, a chat which started when they admired my dress.

Well in no time at all they were telling me about the way they dressed going to dances and balls when they were young. They howled with laughter as they told me about cycling six miles to dances at the Emerald Ballroom and back home again at 1am. They talked about the music, the dancing (proper dancing!), the way all the men lined up on one side and the women on the other… and the dresses. They’d all learned to make their own dresses but occasionally paid a local dressmaker to create something for a special occasion. The planning and effort they put into these events was extraordinary. Everyone had to get their hair properly done and in those days hair-dos were an architectural phenomenon. Hair pieces are not a new invention! They laughed in horror when they remembered having to sleep on their faces because their hair had so much lacquer in it!

I know it wasn’t all dressing up and dancing, but boy did they know how to party, and alcohol wasn’t mentioned once (which is probably why they remember every tiny detail). If you do have older family members in your life, or neighbours who would like nothing better than an opportunity to reminisce, don’t wait for an occasion. Put the kettle on and get to know someone a little bit better while you’re fortunate to have the opportunity.

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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham

NEWS

Witnesham and Swilland Village Show Witnesham and Swilland Village Show is coming up again on Saturday, July 13 in Witnesham Village Hall.

There will be the usual vegetable, salad and fruit classes, with a new class for any vegetable not usually included. This is a chance for you to start planning and grow something different this year.

The wonderful flower and flower arrangement classes will continue and, of course, the cookery and craft classes. Men, this year we would like to see a coffee and walnut cake so you can get practising. We also have some interesting photography classes to appeal to all.

Children, your classes have a hint of magic this year!

The full schedule will be published in next month’s In Touch, with your hard copy being delivered at the beginning of June.

We also hope to have hard copies on the village noticeboards and on the village website.

The committee has made all the arrangements already, so are hoping for a bumper crop of entries and lots of visitors on the day.

Once again there will be delicious tea and cakes provided by our WI and some new entertainment for all will be available courtesy of Witnesham Baptist Church.

We are excited about the show and hope you are too, so please save the date, Saturday, July 13.

The Village Show Committee

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UPSTAIRS MOW by the barley players Goodly readers, I wish and pray that this notice finds you in good health and that you are straining in the slips in preparation for another production by the Barley Players which I can now announce will take place at the Le Panto Theatre, Manor Farm, Witnesham, on Friday, May 31 and Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2. Times and ticket details will follow in the next issue of In Touch.

The play, a musical, will concentrate on the little-known fact that during Shakespeare’s wilderness years he apparently went in search of his long lost uncle Henry (Red) Shakespeare and eventually found him housed in Witnesham in a building later to be known as the Barley Mow. We have some familiar names on the cast list as well as some new ones.

We have also been lucky to find some talented musicians and sound and lighting experts, so along with our regular set and costume experts we are in a position to dazzle you with a night out to remember.

So please keep you eyes peeled for this forthcoming event. If you are interested in sponsoring the event or helping back or front of stage, please contact me. All help would be much obliged.

Steve Henley

DEMENTIA Together Call Free 08081 688 000 3

NEWS / OUT & ABOUT ASHBOCKING FROM THE ARCHIVES ASHBOCKING NEWS

Notes from Arthur Mees

Normally I would say thank goodness February is over. However, in the midst of March winds and rain, I look back to that month rather fondly.

But the daffodils are coming into bloom and they do raise one’s spirits and give hope for sunshine and wellbeing.

In the 1940s Arthur Mees carried out research on many places throughout the UK with special interest shown to churches and other prominent places in each town or village. In previous issues of In Touch I have looked at his comments on Witnesham, Swilland and Tuddeneham. This time we look at the village of Ashbocking.

I’m pleased to report that the parish council has passed the idea of planting more bulbs in the area of the crossroads and in the vicinity of Nelson Close. Also, if anyone has space between their boundary and The Green road, we’d like to give you some bulbs to plant for the benefit of all passing by. But that’s a plan for next autumn!

I thank all of you who were happy to team up and collect rubbish along the length of The Green on Sunday, March 10, although strong, cold winds and intermittent showers meant it was postponed until March 17 when 13 folk turned out.

On the second occasion we filled about eight black bin bags with assorted rubbish, particularly plastic bottles, drink cans and car bits. As expected, the worst area was the crossroads. Two of the team (Katy Vernau and Lauren Cheney) even managed to remove a complete toilet from the hedgerow!

It has a pleasant green by which the Romans camped, and a medieval church which has seen the Tudor Hall close by changed into a farmhouse with water still left in the moat about it. For centuries the Tudor house was the home of the Bockings, whose portraits are in brass on the walls of the church. Set in a wooden frame are five brasses showing Edmund Bocking in armour with his two wives in brocaded petticoats, and their two daughters. The father died a few years before the Spanish Armada.

The church is 13th century, but has a Tudor brick tower. It has much of the old timbers left in the roof, the arms of Charles Stuart still on the walls, a fine chest eight feet long with four locks, old benches with poppyhead and carved ends, and a Norman font bowl which has a rich oak cover with a very curious little window deeply recessed within a pinnacled canopy. The cusps of the arches above it have little faces hanging from them. There are more quaint carvings outside, where a little grotesque is squatting on a buttress, and the brick porch has an angel set in the wall. Two rectors call for a special mention, Maurice Byles Cowell who was rector for 56 years till the end of the First World War, and Adam de Westhale, the pastor of Ashbocking whom Chaucer may have known.

Please let me know of changes or any questions. Remember these were findings made nearly 80 years ago. In the next edition I will look at Westerfield.

Village Historian and Recorder Steve Henley

ASHBOCKING, SWILLAND & WITNESHAM WI April brings the birthday party and this year we look forward to meeting journalist Lynne Mortimer. There will be the usual buffet with a wide choice to nibble.

Many thanks to the team for their efforts and to Ben at the garage for allowing us to make use of his wheelie bin.

The In Touch deadline rarely falls well with parish activities. I had hoped it would be possible to slip in more details of the quiz at the church later this year but the quiz meeting is happening later this week! I would like to thank Tony Rubin, a very experienced quizmaster, and Sue Rubin for agreeing to take charge of the quiz which is on Saturday, May 18, 6-10pm. Children are welcome and there will be light snacks and a bar. All proceeds will go towards better facilities at All Saints Church in Ashbocking.

Annual Parish Meeting: Monday, April 29 One more date for your diary is the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday, April 29 at SWT at 7.30pm. The parish councillors are always appreciative of your support and I have had feedback that the meetings are always quite enjoyable as well as informative.

Make a note in your diary for July 13, the date of this year’s village show when the WI will be serving tea and cakes in the afternoon.

Currently we have 34 members with room for more, so come and join us for a try out on second Wednesday each month at 7.30pm in Witnesham Village Hall. If you plan to visit us in April then come at 7pm.

DAVID THORN It is with much regret that I have to record the passing of David Thorn. The popularity of the man was plain to see by the number of people who attended his burial on February 18 at St Mary’s Church.

Finally, I’d like to officially welcome Jo Boast to the parish council as assistant clerk and a valued member of the team, and thank her for her input into the efficient working of the council.

Those who attended heard a tribute to David which included tales of early life and his contribution to village life here in Witnesham.

David came to my house in the autumn to record some music for our forthcoming play, Upstairs Mow, and it will be my pleasure to make sure the recording is included in the production.

Roll on April, Liz Stegman

Village Recorder Steve Henley

The Neighbourhood Plan is still in progress and making progress!

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Alex Bass, who has a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife at Minsmere, will be guiding us around the reserve on April 12. We finish the walk at the Eel’s Foot Inn in Eastbridge, so can also look forward to a pleasant lunch.

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OUT & ABOUT DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING Events take place in the village hall unless indicated otherwise.

Booking Clerk: Mrs Anne Debenham, 01473 785798 It is always advisable to check with Anne to see if the village hall is available.

Parish Clerk Mr Steve Barron 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com WEEKLY EVENTS Mondays: Pilates Class, 7-8pm.

Tuesdays • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm • Carpet Bowls from 7pm. Contact Peter Elmy, 785754 Wednesdays: Coffee, Conversation & Cake at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.30-11.30am. Donations welcome to cover the cost of refreshments.

Thursdays • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9am-12.30pm • Carpet Bowls from 2pm • Tai Chi classes with a new beginners’ class from April 4 from 5.45-7.15pm.

The regular class is from 7.30-9.30pm. Both have tea breaks.

Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Fridays • Mums and Toddlers Group in Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.15-11.15am, term time only. Contact Mrs Jean Pearson: 01473 785478 • Pilates Class, 9.45-10.45am. Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com • Bums and Tums, 11.30am-12.30pm EVENTS IN APRIL Thursday 4: Village Voices at Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm.

Contact Christine Laughlin: 01473 785138 / christinelaughlin4@gmail.com Saturday 6: Messy Church at St Mary’s Church. This is run by members of St Mary’s and friends from the Baptist Church. The afternoon is based on Palm Sunday through fun, crafts and games for children who are accompanied by family and friends. It starts at 2pm in Witnesham Village Hall and finishes after a tea at about 4.30pm.

WESTERFIELD CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS Art Class A weekly class for newcomers and improvers. For more information contact Lisa Ann Puhlhofer: 01473 878734 / 07834 280287 Westerfield Bowls Club Members enjoy playing outdoors from April through to the end of September. Teams compete in local leagues as well as playing friendly games against other clubs. For further information contact Tony Baker: 01473 411347 Village Coffee Mornings Held in the village hall every Wednesday at 10am. Everyone is welcome.

Westerfield & District Gardening Club Meets at 7.15pm on the first Wednesday of the month.

• April 3: A Year in the Life of Pellys (Pelargoniums) by Bernard Revans from Ipswich Geranium Society • May 1: Fuschias by Terry Cook, Chair of Felixstowe Fuschia Society For details contact: Michele Doick (252330) / Barry Reeve (251843) Beavers, Cubs & Scouts 1st Westerfield Scout Group was founded in 1955. Using the village hall as its headquarters the group consists of: Beaver Colony Thursday, 5.45-6.45pm Boys and girls, 6-8 years old Beaver Leader Jenny Kent: 218501 / jennyk.kent1@gmail.com Cub Pack Tuesday, 6.45-8pm Boys and girls, 8-10½ years Cub Leader Joan Gibson: 785510 / gibsonjoan785@gmail.com Scout Troop Friday, 6.50-9pm Boys and girls, 10½-14 years Scout Leader Peter Runnacles: 785298 / peter@runnacles.plus.com

Wednesday 10: WI meets for its birthday party with entertainment by local broadcaster Lyn Mortimer. The evening starts at 7pm (note the change of time for this meeting).

If your child is interested in joining us please use the contact form on our website from where your enquiry will be forwarded to the appropriate leader: www.westerfieldscouts.org.uk

Thursday 11: Mobile Library visits the Green, Ashbocking, 12.15-12.25pm

Westerfield WI Lively meetings at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month, with different speakers on a variety of topics.

Wednesday 17: Swilland & Witnesham Annual Parish Council Meeting, 7.30pm Thursday 18: Mobile Library visits Weyland Road, Witnesham (9.5010.20am), the Moon & Mushroom at Swilland (10.25-10.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45-10.55am) Thursday 25: Village Voices at Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm Monday 29: Ashbocking Annual Parish Council Meeting at Suffolk Wildlife Trust HQ, 7.30pm FUTURE DATE FOR YOUR DIARIES Saturday, June 23: Witnesham St Mary’s Church Fete on Manor Farm Meadow, Church Lane, Witnesham from 2.30pm

FUTURE DATES AT WITNESHAM VILLAGE HALL Wednesday, April 24, 7pm: Village Hall AGM Saturday, November 23: The Christmas Market

• April 11: Trek for Life by Tina Oldfield. Competition: Item Letter C • May 9: Birthday Party. Competition: Novelty Egg Cup New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Janet Phillimore: 01473 415749 Pilates Mondays from 10.30-11.30am and Wednesdays from 6-7pm. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 Chi Kung Tuesdays from 2.15-4pm and Thursdays from 7.15-9pm. £12 per class, suitable for all ages. Contact Sally: 01394 384013 Yoga Thursday mornings from 9.40-11am. Eighty minutes of yoga stretches and relaxation for all. Contact Caroline: 01473 464204 / 07746 860380 Please note that there is now an online calendar to check availability of the village hall. For more information visit: www.westerfield-village.co.uk

Saturday, November 30: Witnesham’s Got Talent

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OUT & ABOUT INTERESTED IN FLOWER ARRANGING? Ipswich Flower Club would like to invite you to its meeting on April 8 when the demonstrator Vicki Hease will present Treasured Moments Part 1. The meeting starts at 2pm at St Augustine’s Church Hall on Bucklesham Road.

The cost for visitors is £5 which includes tea and biscuits. You will be warmly welcomed if you just turn up, or for more information please contact Janet on 01473 415749.

On May 13 Alan Smith will present a demonstration entitled Floral Magic.

Ipswich Flower Club meets on the second Monday afternoon of the month.

We also have six Friday afternoon workshops during the year which are suitable for all. The workshop on May 3 will be a modern contemporary arrangement and will be tutored by Janet Greengrass.

If you are interested in the workshop, which will cost £5, please phone Stella for more details and to book a place: 01473 711946

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

On March 6 Chris Garibaldi’s talk on The Fine and Decorative Arts of Horse Racing opened our eyes to the history of art relating to the Sport of Kings and was entertaining from the start through to the finishing post.

We next meet on Wednesday, April 3 when the guest speaker will be Simon Inglis. Simon is a writer and historian, a regular contributor to radio and television who specialises in the architecture and heritage of sport and recreation. His talk has the interesting title Beer and Skittles.

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

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUSt ASSOCIATION If you are a member of, or a volunteer for, the National Trust, we invite you to get more out of your membership by joining our association where a warm welcome awaits you. We meet at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1JF at 7.15pm.

Our next meeting is on April 16 when an ambassador from Trinity House will talk about the lighthouses that are located around the coastline. He will explain their origins, maintenance and everything to do with lighthouses.

Trinity House is a 500-year-old organisation based in London and Harwich. It is the general lighthouse authority for England, Wales and he Channel Islands, making the seas around us safer for mariners carrying out their business.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome; the entrance fee is £3. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 per year (£12 per couple at same address). We publish three newsletters a year for members and enjoy interesting day outings and other events.

For more information, including details of future events and outings, contact our membership secretary at: membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, April 24: The Steam Tug by Janet Hall Wednesday, May 22: The History of RAF Bircham Newton by David Jacklin We meet at 7.30pm at the Salvation Army Citadel, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich; entrance via the rear car park, visitors £3.50, members £1.50 including refreshments.

01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk

For the latest events and news please visit: www.orwelldfas.org.uk The Steam Tug ‘Brent’ is looked after by the Hall family

ORWELL FLOWER CLUB Our meeting on February 28 saw a return visit from Kath Stangaard from Hornchurch. Kath gave us seven lovely arrangements, all ready to take home without having to rearrange them as they weren’t too big for that special space. Her knowledge about her flowers was amazing and the whole evening was enjoyed by all who attended.

Terrie Potter from Chelmsford will present a demonstration entitled Attic Attack on Thursday, March 28. If you are free why not come along and enjoy an evening of flowers?

In September we are holding an open meeting at Kesgrave Community Hall, Bell Lane, Kesgrave. This year Lee Berrall from Northampton will be the demonstrator. Tickets are £18 to include a buffet before the meeting and there will be various stalls for you to browse at. Tickets are available now from Delcie Corbett, details below. We look forward to seeing you and many visitors.

Orwell Flower Club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at Tower Hall, Broadlands Way, Rushmere St Andrew. Demonstrations start at 7.15pm but the doors open by 6.45pm to allow you to browse at our sales tables and buy raffle tickets for the arrangement created in the demonstrations.

The £40 annual subscription is due on March 31. Visitors are always welcome at £5 per meeting.

For further details please contact Delcie Corbett: 01473 623371 / gil.corbett@btinternet.com

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GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50’s CLUB Open to anyone over-50 living in Great Blakenham and the surrounding area. We meet from 2-4pm in Great Blakenham Parish Room (opposite the Chequers PH) on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. The building is fully accessible.

The cost per meeting is £2 which includes whatever activity is programmed for the afternoon, refreshments and the raffle. On afternoons when we may play a couple of games of bingo the tickets are £1 each.

For our February meetings we had a brief history of the origins of Valentine’s Day and a social afternoon with some quizzes, one of which (identifying counties from a map of Europe) proved quite difficult.

Forthcoming Programme April 10: Spring Raffle and Bring-and-Buy April 24: Celebrating the Queen’s Reign May 8: Games Afternoon May 22: Social Afternoon with Brenda June 12: TBC June 26: TBC July 10: Social Afternoon with Sandra July 24: Summer Party New members are always welcome so if you would like to come along and see what goes on we will be pleased to see you.

Jackie Durrant: 01449 672690

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OUT & ABOUT Suffolk Family History SocietY Thursday, March 28 ,7.15pm: A Suffolk Bevin Boy Thursday, April 25, 7.15pm: What did your Grandfather do in the Great War? David Empson has a lifelong passion for all things military and has collected medals for 50 years. He will help you learn more about your Great War or Second World War ancestors.

Bring along your medals, documents, details and artefacts.

We meet at the Co-op Education Centre where the pedestrian entrance is at 11 Fore Street, Ipswich IP4 1JW, and the car park entrance is in Waterworks Street IP4 1JG. Admission is £2 for society members and £2.50 for non-members, who are warmly welcomed. You can join the society at the meeting if you wish. Tickets are not required, just turn up and pay on the door.

For more information contact Howard: 01473 274300

SPEAK EASY AT MARTLESHAM Toastmasters International (TI) is a world-wide organisation of affiliated speakers’ clubs. Established in 1924, TI has spent nearly 100 years devising and refining the best ways for all of us to develop our public speaking and to boost our confidence to help become better leaders. Pathways, TI’s new educational framework, is full of speaking and leadership projects. There are online and downloadable learning materials to guide and challenge you, putting you in control of how far and how fast you progress. You can find out more at: www.toastmasters.org Speak Easy at Martlesham is your friendly neighbourhood Toastmasters International speakers’ club. We meet every other Thursday evening at the Richards Room in Martlesham (alongside Felixstowe Road, behind the Tesco).

Our meetings include impromptu speaking, formal speaking and evaluation.

Evaluation is a vital part of how TI clubs operate. When you evaluate someone else speaking you not only help them, you also – through empathy and understanding – help develop your own speaking.

www.suffolkfhs.org.uk

For further details please call 07968 372563 or get in touch via: www.speak-easy.org.uk

OTLEY & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

You’re very welcome at any club meeting. You’ll find directions and dates online. Speak Easy at Martlesham is all about learning to speak in a friendly, encouraging and enjoyable environment. We look forward to meeting you soon!

We meet at 7.30pm on the first Monday of the month at Otley Village Hall, Chapel Road, Otley.

After our AGM on Monday, April 1, Lucinda Skinner will present a talk entitled Ornamental Grasses.

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT SOROPTIMIST CLUB

All welcome, join up or just come along. Admission is £1.50 for members and £4 for non-members. Annual membership is £10.

Do you need a bit of decluttering? If so, and if you are into sewing, we could help you out. Is your work space filling up with bits of material left over from previous projects? You have probably kept them in case they might ‘come in useful’. Well, we have a use for them!

To find out more, contact either Alan Trevelyan (01473 890563) or Isabel Lincoln (01473 890826).

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT PROBUS CLUB Join us on the last Wednesday every month (excluding July & August) for a three-course lunch followed by an interesting speaker and a prize raffle. On the second Wednesday we meet for coffee and a chat.

In July and August, and at Christmas, our wives, partners and friends are invited to join us. They also accompany us to theatres, shows, musicals and trips to places of interest in East Anglia and beyond.

Why not come and meet other gentlemen, all retired or semi-retired and from a wide range of careers, interests and backgrounds?

Our objective is to provide fellowship for members and their families.

Prospective new members are always welcome and there is no requirement to have belonged to any other organisation previously.

If you wish to join us, as a guest initially, or require further details, please contact our secretary, Malcolm Kemp: 07711 689130 / secretary.ipswichprobus@gmail.com

IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY We are holding a Stamp Fair on April 27 at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Centre. All are welcome. There will be dealers from across the region and the AEPS (Association of Essex Philatelic Societies) will be displaying and judging their spring competition entries. This does give you the opportunity to see what stamp collecting is all about and the many different ways that you can collect. The fair is open from 10am until 4pm. Entry is free and refreshments are available so come and have a look.

For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904 / michaelsmith1949@gmail.com www.ipswichphilatelic.uk

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We are making bags for syringe drivers, small pumps which some patients have to carry around with them, in particular if they need constant medication to relieve pain. The bags are like mini totes with a cross body strap.

At the moment we are making them for patients of the hospice, a complete cross-section of men, women and ages. It’s going to be fun to expand soon into making bags for children cared for by EACH. We would be really grateful if you would like be part of this project by passing on to us any pieces of material which you think would be suitable for the bags or their linings. Obviously large pieces would be helpful, but an attractive remnant about 60cm x 25cm would be fine for making the outside of one bag. If you have any designs for children they would be especially welcome.

Please contact Jenny on 01473 714252 or Joyce on 01394 615659 if you have materials to offer, and thank you.

What else are we doing? Throughout 2018 we came across all sorts of interesting women’s groups about whom we would like to know more.

These include Kim Trotter from Future Female Society, one of the many organisations involved in the Women’s Voices, Women’s Votes festival back in October, who is our guest speaker in March. www.sigbi.org/ipswich-and-district

IPSWICH AND DISTRICT KIDNEY ASSOCIATION QUIZ Sunday, April 14, 7.30pm at Kesgrave Social Club on Edmonton Road, Maximum six per team, £2.50 each. Licenced bar, food available to purchase and pre-order for the interval.

For further information contact Carol Negus: 07922 155181

In Touch online:

SPORT / SCHOOLS BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB

CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL

We held our AGM at the end of March and have some big plans for the 2019 season. We will be looking to retain our brilliant introductory membership offers and are also introducing an online clubwear store with branded club kit. So now you can play tennis and look very cool at the same time!

Spring is now upon us and it’s good to see so many students taking advantage of lunchtime and after-school clubs as well as the many trips, visits and activities on offer.

Tennis4Kids: The LTA’s flagship programme for kids aged 4-11 is coming back from May 2019.

From just £25 (plus postage and packing) your child will get six weeks coaching, a racket, a personalised t-shirt and a pack of mini-tennis balls. Places are limited so contact Carl quickly to express your interest: 07553 966380 Social Tennis: Starting from late April, we will be introducing regular club social tennis afternoons on Saturdays from 2-4pm. Come and join us for a hit and maybe a drink afterwards in the pavilion.

Road to Wimbledon: Saturday, May 4 at 2pm: Fun singles tournament for kids 14 and under with the winner going on to represent the club at regional finals and possibly going all the way to Wimbledon!

One of the key messages we give our young people is to take opportunities that arise, so I was delighted to see so many students, especially Year 7, wanting to be involved in the forthcoming school production of We Will Rock You. As preparations and rehearsals take place there is a building sense of excitement, so please keep July 9 or 10 free and do come along!

Our most able mathematicians in Year 10 took part in a Maths Feast at Kesgrave High School on March 6, where they competed in teams of four against eight other schools in the county. Our A team were outstanding, winning all four rounds and subsequently crowned overall winners of the competition. The B team walked away with a joint runner-up certificate for scoring highly in all of the rounds. We are incredibly proud of their achievements.

Mini Tennis: Mini Tennis RED (ages 5-7) and Mini Tennis Orange (ages 8-11) squads will return to the club after the Easter break and are a great way for kids to continue to build their tennis skills after Tennis4Kids.

Great British Tennis Weekend: A free tennis open day taking place towards the end of May 2019. Come along and meet our coach, have a go against the ball machine or just meet other tennis minded people. Exclusive membership offers available on the day with adult starting from just £25 a year and juniors from just £10 a year.

Contact Carl for more information: carl.douglas@talk21.com / 07553 966380 www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub www.facebook.com/BramfordTennisClub

HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL Thank you to Miss Way from Henley Primary School for visiting us and sharing useful and early phonic ideas with us. From this we have been looking at letters and sounds, encouraging the children to learn these in a fun and ageappropriate way.

We are also preparing for Easter, cooking Easter nest cakes and creating crafts as well as our traditional egg hunt in the garden.

April brings us to the end of spring term and when we return we look forward to new children joining us.

We are a small, rural and friendly setting based at Henley Community Centre.

We pride ourselves on high levels of staff to children ratios and therefore providing the maximum care and learning for the children.

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

Session places are currently available. We accept eligible 30-hour funded children plus two and three-year-old funded. We are open in term time only from 9am to 3pm.

We have a well-supported Facebook page that provides lots of information and you can see what the children have been doing. It’s also another way to contact the setting directly.

On March 7, a group of Year 8 students took part in the BBC’s annual School Report Day. Students spent the day planning, researching and interviewing staff and students, before writing articles which are featured on a dedicated online news website. Every single article was written from scratch to a 2pm deadline, which was a tough challenge.

The enthusiasm, dedication and commitment shown by all students was very impressive. Please visit the ‘News’ section of our website to read reports produced on the day: www.claydonhigh.co.uk On Monday, March 25, the art department held an exhibition featuring work from our students alongside work by students at our feeder primary schools.

Students and parents/carers were invited along to view the colourful work on display, which included some ‘ragged’ hedgehogs on hessian boards from Year 3 students at Claydon Primary School and mixed media volcanoes from Bramford Primary.

Elsewhere in school, the PE department has been busy with rock climbing sessions, a hockey tournament, trampolining competitions and a trip to watch the Junior Indoor Rowing Championships at the Olympic Park. In English, we have had a Book Mastermind Competition and a visit to the Globe Theatre to watch Romeo and Juliet.

A group of Year 8 and 9 students took part in the Magistrate’s Court Mock Bar Trial on Saturday, March 9. The competition involved a team of students taking on the roles of magistrates, lawyers, witnesses and court staff to prepare a specially written case. The schools competed against each other at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court.

Time is flying by and we are nearly into the Easter holidays with only one more term left in this academic year! Our Year 11 students are revising hard for the final stage of their journey at Claydon High School.

For further information please call 01473 833848 during session time (9am-3pm) or email Bridget Wyatt at: enquiries@henleypreschool.com

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Tuesday, April 30. Please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders, on 01473 836110 to book a place.

Bridget and the team

Headteacher Maéve Taylor

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

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SCHOOLS THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY The children took full advantage of the wonderful spring weather we had last month, enjoying being outside without the confines of big coats and running in and out of ‘dens’ that form part of our lovely nursery garden. When lifting a rubber mat at the bottom of the slide we were surprised to see a worm moving around. This opened up a full afternoon of learning with several of the children used their ‘kind hands’ to hold the worm. Lots of wonderful words came forth like “it’s wiggling”, “it’s jiggling”, “slimy”, “tickles” and questions like “where are its eyes?” and “where are its feet?”. Standing in the sunshine watching the faces of the children as they marvel at this wonderful creation is a real honour.

We have painted boxes, material, paper and cardboard. One piece with holes in became part of a Spiderman adventure as the exact colours were chosen.

We were told the holes made him invisible and then asked if we knew this meant we couldn’t see him. Wonderful!

We have washed dinosaurs, dogs, pigs and cars in the pond, have balanced on stilts (very tricky), slid down slides and whizzed on our scooters. We visited ‘big school’ and made penguins, celebrated World Book Day and Red Nose Day. We now prepare for Easter with an Easter Egg Hunt event with our parents and friends and also a holiday club Easter playday for children from nursery and school.

Our transfer to join Helmingham Primary School as part of the Consortium Academy has now been agreed to start on September 1, the beginning of the autumn term. To arrange a visit call: 01473 890950 For our spring newsletter visit: www.theoldschoolhousenursery.com

STONHAM ASPAL PRIMARY SCHOOL Welcome back to the second half of the spring term. The weather has been surprisingly dry and mild so the children have already had the opportunity to use the field which has been a great hit. Our new playground apparatus has also been popular. The old tower has been replaced, as has the wobbly bridge. The old ‘sandpit’ has gone and in its place is a lovely wooden train.

Other repairs were completed and a fabulous all-weather service has been installed underneath our play house. These instillations were funded by the school and the PTA and I would like to thank everyone for their support in enabling this to happen. The children are loving using the apparatus.

Cross Country Six children took part in the High Suffolk Cross Country event. Boys and girls raced separately. Three of our competitors came in the top five in their event and will now progress to the county finals; a very impressive achievement.

Well done to everyone who took part. All our children did really well.

Share Afternoon It was lovely to see once again that so many parents and carers were able to come along to have a special time with their children looking at their work – every available space was taken!

Hockey Tournament Six children from across Years 5 and 6 attended a High Suffolk hockey tournament. Our team lost their first game but went on to win all their other games in their section – very convincingly. Only the winners of each section progressed on to the semi-finals so it was a tense wait to find out how our opposition had got on. Sadly, we came second in our section by one point! It was a great performance all round with great team work and some impressive attacking and defending skills. Well done to the team for a great effort.

Headteacher Mrs Sharon Waldron

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WITNESHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL Our children love our special weeks and GIANT week was no exception. The children were immersed into the world of giants: there were giant people, giant objects and giant activities!

The children found a giant bed outside, a giant footprint and the remains of a giant’s meal at lunchtime. They found giant glasses and playing cards and put together pieces of a giant letter. They created giant art works, built giant structures in the playground, and scaled giant walls (the dizzy heights of a climbing wall).

Working in this way engages the children and brings learning to life. The children were absorbed in the writing, creative and practical work that was woven around the theme. When asked what they had enjoyed the most, Lily in Class 2 said: “When we found out about the giant and knew that it was another exciting thing to do in school.” Jess in Class 4 said: “The best thing was the rock climbing even though it was terrifying.” It was certainly a long way up especially for our youngest children!

This term it was also time for our biennial parents’ survey. Governors and staff alike greatly value feedback from our parents and we were delighted to receive so many positive comments of which these are just a small selection: “Fantastic school ethos and brilliant staff” “Provides a family feeling to the school and ensures children are happy” “Provide a safe and welcoming learning environment” “Nurturing and treats every child as an individual” “A very well-balanced and exciting curriculum. Lots of enriching activities and opportunities to promote life-long learners” “Has brilliant teachers and teaching assistants who seem to care very much about the children” “This is a wonderful school and would highly recommend it to others” “We feel very privileged that our children attend this school” Never ones to rest on our laurels, the school is looking carefully at those areas where parents felt that we could do even better.

The school places great importance on the development of our staff and this term we wave a fond farewell to two members of staff who are leaving us on promotion. Mrs Lankester has led the teaching of French and music in the school for many years and has been promoted to the role of deputy head at a local primary school. Mrs Frost joined us as a teaching assistant and we are delighted that she will be starting a new role as a fully qualified teacher in September. We also say goodbye to Mrs Risby who has helped the children in her care in a positive and supportive way. We wish them all every success in their future endeavours.

WITNESHAM AREA PRE-SCHOOL EASTER EGG HUNT Saturday, April 20, 11.30am-2pm Barbecue, Hot Drinks and Cakes Please pre-book in advance by calling 01473 784934 or contacting us via the website or on Facebook so that we can buy enough eggs.

The egg hunt costs £2.50 per child, BBQ and refreshments at a small additional charge. Proceeds from this event will go towards improving the pre-school. Our current focus is to save up to build a conservatory.

In Touch online:

HOW LONG IS A PIECE OF STRING? When meeting new clients and taking on claims for personal injury, one of the first questions that we are often asked as personal injury practitioners is “how long will my case take to settle?”

Unfortunately, this is a difficult question to answer. It tends to be case specific and is dependent upon a number of factors: • What further evidence is required before we can submit a claim for personal injury and loss on your behalf to the person who we deem to be at fault.

• Whether responsibility for your accident or illness is accepted at an early stage by the person at fault or whether further evidence is required before a decision can be made as to whether the claim can be pursued.

• What the extent of your injuries are.

• Whether you require further treatment to assist in your recovery. If this is the case then it depends on when we are able to obtain a final medical report detailing the extent of your injuries and loss.

• What further evidence we will then need to calculate the financial losses that flow from the injuries or illness that you have suffered, and when we can obtain the information required.

Once the above information has been gathered, then your case can either proceed to a settlement, normally by way of negotiation with the person at fault (or more likely their insurer.) Or if fault has not been admitted and we are still of the view that the case should be brought against the person who we deem to be at fault, then at a court hearing.

Fortunately, the vast majority of cases are settled without proceeding to court, but the process can take a matter of months or longer depending on the circumstances of the specific case.

It is worth remembering that as personal injury practitioners, we are here to guide you through the personal injury claims process, and to assist you through to the conclusion of your claim as quickly as possible. This includes obtaining appropriate treatment for you where necessary to aid your recovery.

If you would like any advice or assistance arising out of an accident or incident and would like to pursue a personal injury claim, please contact our Louise Plant: 01473 232121 / lplant@prettys.co.uk

at

EASTER FAMILY FUN FUN @ FYNN VALLEY - EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Our experienced personal injury lawyers handle accident claims arising out of incidents at work, home, on the roads, on holiday or in a public place in the UK or abroad.

You will receive professional dedicated support throughout every part of your claim to help you recover the damages that you deserve.

Contact us

FOOTGOLF just £4 per child for 1hr of fresh air, fun and, if over 11yrs and you feel comfortable, independence for them on the footgolf course! If you eat at Café Terrace during or after the round of Footgolf... you’ll get 10% discount too. So a great, fun, affordable day out for all the family. Open 7 days a week.

www.prettys.co.uk

01473 232121 enquiry@prettys.co.uk

Friday 19th - Monday 22nd April 10.30 am - 11.30 am daily.

Book today or sign up before 10.30 am on the day - £5 per child.

Taking place on the Par 3 course which will be used exclusively for this event. Under 12’s only. If you would like to have lunch in our Terrace Café afterwards booking is strongly advised.

TO BOOK CALL: 01473 785267 or EMAIL: Golf@fynn-valley.co.uk T: 01473 785267 A: Fynn Valley, Witnesham, Ipswich, IP6 9JA W: www.fynnvalleyterrace.co.uk E: enquiries@fynnvalleyterrace.co.uk

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield PR534 Personal Injury Advert (InTouch) v3.indd 2

EASTER EGG HUNTS

13 09/05/2018 16:33

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In Touch online:

OUT & ABOUT / CHURCH NEWS SUFFOLK WALKING FESTIVAL Now in its 12th year, the Suffolk Walking festival (May 11 to June 2) has established itself as one of Britain’s premier walking festivals with over 120 walks and events across our county. Last year all walkers collectively walked 24 million steps over 23 days across Suffolk!

The 2019 festival is going to be the most creative, imaginative and ambitious one to date. From a dawn chorus to hidden orchids, Arthur Ransome to John Constable, and from Anglo-Saxons to naval heritage, there’s even murder, myths and a little bit of magic.

The festival has something for everyone: short strolls, gentle rambles, long hikes, family walks, history walks, nature walks, story-telling, art lessons, photography courses, walks with boat trips, walks with breakfasts, walks with train rides...

Some of the highlights include: • A walk with Kite, the Orford Ness sheepdog, and her shepherd owner who will explain how they manage the reserve for wildlife.

• Night Safari will enter an ancient woodland just after sundown to experience the wood’s nocturnal life and talk to owls!

• A walk to Eye Airfield will reveal its wartime history with a ride back in vintage military vehicles!

• A walk discovering the fascinating history of Ipswich’s Waterfront, followed by a Thames Barge cruise down the River Orwell.

All walks are ticketed and all tickets must be purchased in advance.

Brochures are now available in various outlets including libraries, leisure centres, country parks, Tourist Information Centres, visitor information points and Cotswold Outdoors.

To find out more and buy tickets visit: www.suffolkwalkingfestival.co.uk

WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH As I wrote last month, with April comes Easter. Schools break up early and return to school more or less straight after the Easter weekend.

We are not able to offer a holiday club as many churches do, but we have got a Messy Palm event happening on Saturday 6 at the village hall and St Mary’s Church from 2-4.30pm.

Palm Sunday itself is on April 14. This is the day when Jesus rode into Jerusalem for the last time as at the end of that week He was crucified by the Romans. But on the Sunday (our Easter Day) He rose up from the tomb to live for evermore.

I’m aware that most shops have Easter displays enticing people to buy a range of things. I see chocolate Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and hot cross buns, and items to make eggs, bunnies and hats in the craft shops. What disappoints, but doesn’t surprise, me is the total lack of the real meaning and event of Easter.

Do you know the real, factual story of Easter? Obviously we retell the story in our church services on Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday and I invite all to come along to any or all these services.

If you are unfamiliar with the story of Easter, please contact me so I can explain it without expectation of anything more than helping you understand why, as a Christian, Easter is central to our faith.

Happy Easter to all, Pastor Andrew DIARY DATES APRIL 2019 Morning Services begin at 11am (except when stated otherwise) Sunday, April 7: Morning Service with Pastor Andrew including Holy Communion Sunday, April 14: Morning Service, Pastor Andrew

BRAND NEW OBSTACLE COURSE AND MUD RUN FOR SUFFOLK FAMILIES A brand new event is coming to Suffolk this June as the makers of the Whole Hog and Boss Hog launch The Piglet, Junior Hog. The Piglet, Junior Hog will be an entry-level version of the popular obstacle courses and mud runs that have been part of the Suffolk calendar for over 10 years. It will be aimed at those who want to take part with their children or who would like to run a shorter route and benefit East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Sponsored by Taylor Wimpey, the event will take place on Sunday, June 9 on the lands of Wantisden Hall near Woodbridge, with two courses for runners.

One will be over two kilometres and feature at least 10 obstacles. Children aged eight to 11 can take part, provided each is accompanied by a participating adult.

The other will be over four kilometres and feature at least 20 obstacles. It will be open to anyone aged 12 and over.

Maundy Thursday, April 18: Evening Communion at 7pm Good Friday, April 19: Morning Service at 10.30am Easter Sunday, April 21: Morning Service, Team Ministry Sunday, April 28: Morning Service Family Time Together: every Sunday from 9.30-10.15am.

All families are welcome for a special time together with crafts, singing and stories.

Monday, April 1: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club, 12.30pm Please contact Heather for details: 01473 785321 Tuesday, April 2: Tuesday Craft Corner at 2pm Tuesdays, 7.30pm: Open House topical discussion group Saturday, April 6, 2-4.30pm: Messy Palms at Witnesham Village Hall – the usual games, crafts and tea, plus a special guest appearance.

Every Wednesday: 3Cs café from 9.30-11.30am for coffee (or tea), cake and chat – all welcome Fridays, 9.15am: Mums and Toddlers Group (not April 12 or 19) Wednesday, April 10, 11.30am: Prayer Fellowship Wednesday, April 24, 11.30am: Bible Study

Louisa Smart, EACH Suffolk Community Fundraiser, said: “Having been a charity partner of the Whole Hog for the last two years, we’re delighted the organisers’ support is going a step further this year. Families who come along are guaranteed a muddy, fun-filled day out, with obstacles such as cargo nets, tunnels, rivers and monkey bars likely to feature.”

In the church we have a collection box for FIND (Families in Need).

Non-perishable food is very welcome. Thank you.

Runners will set off in waves at 9.30am, 10am, 10.30am, 11am and 11.30am.

Tickets range in price from £12.50 to £17.50. Everyone will receive a medal at the end. Food and refreshments will be available.

The post office is in our conservatory on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. Please use this service to help keep it in the village.

Outside the church there is a clothes bank on behalf of the Salvation Army. We have bags you can use (please ask) or you can use your own. Thank you.

For more information and to book tickets, go to: www.each.org.uk/piglet

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

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The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham

In Touch with WTW

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Why don't they fix the date of Easter Day?

Week to Easter, and beyond to Pentecost. Everything else stays relatively normal.

On Maundy Thursday we use a Christian version to this day and it’s very moving.

We celebrate Easter late this year (21st April). The date of changes because it’s related to ancient Jewish celebrations that were based on a lunar calendar. You might wonder why Easter is linked in this way.

We have to go to the Passover (an event that happened way back in the history of Israel) to find the link.

You may recall the plagues that God imposed upon the land to persuade the Egyptian Pharaoh to let the Israelite slaves leave.

Maundy Thursday comes a few days before Easter Sunday, and the significance of this day is what links it up with Passover. The Israelites in Egypt were told to daub the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a lamb that had been slaughtered for the last meal they would eat in Egypt. This was a mark for the angel. They were saved through the blood of a lamb.

I have seriously entertained the argument for allocating the same date each year if only to allow teachers and pupils to have school terms of similar length. Very long terms make for tired children and tired teachers. Parents probably feel it, too! There's even a 1928 Parliamentary Bill for setting the date in April, but it was never enacted.

The Church Year contains groups of weeks like ice floes that move together - from Ash Wednesday, through Lent, Palm Sunday and Holy

The last of the plagues was the death of all the firstborn, both livestock and children. It's a gory narrative, but when the angel of death came at night he passed-over the houses of the Israelites and did not harm them. The Israelites came out of Egypt and went through the sea safely.

The story of that night has been reenacted in Jewish households every year for almost the last three thousand years.

CHURCH SERVICES April-May Day / Date Mothering Sunday 31st March Fifth Sunday of Lent 7th April Palm Sunday 14th April

St Martin’s Tuddenham St Martin

On Good Friday we commemorate the death of Jesus (‘the Lamb of God’) the man who by his death on a cross saves from eternal death all those who call on him as Lord.

We'll be holding services each day during Holy Week (the week before Easter). You are welcome to join us at any of them. Details are on the next page.

Paul

This information was correct at the time of going to press (early last month) occasionally it can be necessary to make changes—please cross reference with our website for the most up-to-date information at www.wtandw.org.uk

St Mary’s Witnesham

St Mary Magdalene’s Westerfield

9.30am Mothering Sunday Service

10am Mothering Sunday Service

8am Holy Comm’n 11am Mothering Sunday Service

9.30am Family Communion

10am All-age Worship

11am Family Communion

9.30am All-Age Worship

10am Family Communion

8am Holy Communion 11am All-Age Worship

See panel on next page for details of services in Holy Week Easter Day 21st April

Second Sunday of Easter 28th April

Third Sunday of Easter 5th May

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10am Easter Day Service

11am Easter Day Service

8am Holy Communion 9.30am Morning Worship

10am Family Communion

11am Morning Worship

9.30am Family Communion

10am All-age Worship

11am Family Communion

9.30am Easter Day Service followed by Easter Egg hunt

followed by Easter Egg hunt

followed by Easter Egg hunt

In Touch online:

In Touch with WTW

The Churches of the United Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham

Church Events—April

Who’s Who:

Mothers’ Union—Thursday 4th April : Bring and Share Lunch at Westerfield church room Ͳ 12.30pm start with Bring & Buy Stall (visitors welcome—contact Branch Leader Revd Catherine Forsdike 252904).

MINISTRY TEAM:

Benefice Youth Group—meet on Wednesday 24th April at 6.15pm (contact Julia 785497 for more details) Village Voices—meet on Thursdays 4th and 25th April and 2nd 16th and 30th May at 7.30pm in Witnesham Baptist Church (contact Christine Laughlin 01473 785138) Kingdom Kids—meet on Saturday 6th April for “Messy Church” 2pm in Witnesham (contact Gill Thorley 890821)

Church Floodlighting

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NON-STIPENDIARY PRIEST-IN-CHARGE: REV’D ALAN FORSDIKE t: 01473 252904 e: Alan@wtandw.org.uk NON-STIPENDIARY ASSOCIATE PRIEST: REV’D CATHERINE FORSDIKE t: 01473 252904 e: Catherine@wtandw.org.uk To enquire about Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, telephone or email Rev’ds Alan & Catherine Forsdike.

READERS: Paul Laughlin

01473 785138 Paul@wtandw.org.uk

Carol Rivett

01473 717404 Carol@wtandw.org.uk

ELDER Julia Farmer

01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk

CHURCHWARDENS: Could you sponsor the church floodlighting?

The money helps the church to maintain and run the lights which really make our churches stand out in the community.

At St Mary Magdalene Westerfield, sponsorship is £7.50 for a week.

Ring Judy on 230188 or email Judy@wtandw.org.uk Sponsorship at St Martin’s Tuddenham is £5 for a weekend.

Ring Jim on 785296

Tuddenham 01473 785296

Jim Punton Jim@wtandw.org.uk

Tuddenham 01473 784545

Monica Pipe Monica@wtandw.org.uk

Westerfield 01473 230188

Judy Northfield Judy@wtandw.org.uk

Westerfield 01473 713285

Mary Scholey Mary@wtandw.org.uk

Witnesham 01473 785673

Derek Austin Derek@wtandw.org.uk

KINGDOM KIDS—WITNESHAM Gill Thorley 01473 890821

Gill@wtandw.org.uk

BENEFICE YOUTH GROUP Julia Farmer

01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk

Website: www.wtandw.org.uk Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wtandw/

Holy Week 2019 Daily at 6.30pm for about 40 minutes: Monday 15th April Witnesham Church Tuesday 16th April Westerfield Church Wednesday 17th April Tuddenham Church then... www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

Maundy Thursday 18th April Witnesham Church at 6.30pm Foot Washing, Holy Communion and The Stripping of the Altar Good Friday 19th April Westerfield Church 12noon-2pm Vigil and 2-3pm ‘The Last Hour’

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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEW FROM SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING GOING GREY It’s Ash Wednesday. The sky is grey, the streets and buildings of Ipswich look grey, here and there someone has a grey smudge on their forehead, my mood is grey. And that’s not all – grey continues steadily to take over on the top of my head, and inside it, the grey cells no longer function with the certainty and confidence they once had.

The glorious white of resurrection awaits us on Easter Day, but first, Lenten grey must darken into the black of Good Friday. How will it be on the Wednesday after Easter? Like every day, it will be a gift from God, unique with newness and possibility. But we will still be burdened with the tasks of the day and I suspect that only half of me will be turned towards God – the other half of me will be elsewhere. Pain, suffering and mortality will still confront us if we care to look. I, for one, will still have doubts and questions about how Easter means victory, salvation, hope and glory, both for me and for the world.

I used to think in far more black and white terms about my faith and Christian discipleship, as indeed I did about many other subjects. I felt more confident about presenting my views, whether as a reader, parent, solicitor or with friends. I may well have been insensitive to those of another view or who seemed to sit on the fence or not care. I hope I’m not alone this Lent in rethinking things I once took for granted.

Those (of whatever age) who grow grey gracefully seem to have learnt not just to be accepting of themselves (with or without grey hair), but of the world with all its greyness. All around us, many of British society’s former certainties (blacks and whites) have either fallen away or been openly challenged – respected institutions, accepted standards of morality, scientific ‘rules’, political and religious convictions. Fortunately, I have met ‘graceful greys’ (some Christian, some not) who seem able to live with this and to impart wisdom at a deeper, broader level. Often it is the same people who, by coming to terms with their personal pain or loss, have developed a deeper empathy for others’. Alongside their example (an outward expression of their ‘love’), I never cease to be surprised by the new things that familiar Bible passages reveal about the God who is Love. Together, these may be factors why I no longer feel embarrassed or guilty at asking questions about my Christian faith and about what I really ‘believe’.

Lent also asks us to reflect on the word ‘sin’. What do I/you do to cloud or spoil the love of God for the world, which in His view, is good? We bemoan the damage done in the name of political conviction or the convictions of other faiths, but what about the damage done by some Christian convictions that need revisiting? It is a sad fact that many Christians lose their faith because they have been taught an over-narrow view of God, or because their church has isolated them for the realities of secular society. Some have presented them with too many hoops before ‘membership’, and some have treated them harshly or hypocritically.

Of one thing we can all be certain – whoever, however, whatever we are, God loves us. He shares the black, white and grey of our world so that it and we can enjoy the Easter victory.

James Hall, with thanks to Marked by Ashes by Walter Brueggemann SERVICES THROUGHOUT APRIL Sunday, April 14: 11am APCM Service followed by meeting, Ashbocking Sunday, April 21: 11am Family Holy Communion, Swilland

11am Easter Holy Communion, Ashbocking HOLY WEEK SERVICES Monday 15 9.30am: Holy Communion, Hasketon 7pm: The Passion Story in Poetry, Ashbocking Tuesday 16 9.30am: Holy Communion, Clopton 7pm: The Passion Story in Music, Swilland Wednesday 17 9.30am: Holy Communion, Culpho 7pm: The Passion Story in Art, Burgh

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Maundy Thursday 18 7pm: Otley Good Friday 10.30am-noon: Messy Church in Hasketon 2-3pm: An Hour at the Cross in Grundisburgh EASTER SUNDAY COMMUNIONS 8am: Grundisburgh 8.45am: Clopton (bacon butties before 9.30am service) 9.30am: Burgh, Hasketon & Otley 11am: Ashbocking, Boulge, Grundisburgh & Swilland CARLFORD GROUPS Coffee Mornings Ashbocking: First Friday of the month Burgh: Occasional throughout the year Clopton: Third Wednesday of the month Grundisburgh: First Saturday and first Wednesday Otley: Second Thursday of the month Swilland: First Saturday of the month Hobbies Knit and Stitch: First Monday of the month Hobbies Group: First Wednesday of the month Gardening Club: First Monday of the month Bridge Club: Every Monday Lunches Hasketon Community Lunch: Fourth Thursday of the month Otley Community Lunch: Fourth Thursday of the month Burgh Soup Lunch: Occasional throughout the year Prayer and Study Groups Ashbocking House Group: Second & fourth Wednesday Going Deeper: First & third Wednesday Monday House Group: Third Monday of the month Otley House Group: Second & fourth Monday of the month Beyond Belief: Spring and Autumn Groups Children—All Ages Baby Café: First Tuesday of the month Tiddlywinks: Second & fourth Tuesday Sunday Club: Second & third Sundays Discovery Club: Second & third Sundays Messy Church: Once a month on Sundays Quarterly Events BBC: Four Tuesday mornings throughout the year Men’s Group: Occasional Mondays throughout the year Lent Groups Monday, April 1: 2pm and again at 7.30pm, Grundisburgh Upper Room Wednesday, April 3: At noon in Burgh School Room with a simple lunch Please just come along to any of these, you’d be very welcome.

We look forward to seeing you.

THE BIG PHOTO We would like to take a group photograph in each church on Easter Day as part of a celebration of our life together.

ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETINGS This is the season of Annual Meetings, a chance to review the year of 2018 and look forward to 2019. Meetings will happen on Sunday mornings with a short act of worship, followed by the official business.

April 7: 9.30am Otley / 11am Boulge April 14: 11am Ashbocking April 28: 11am Grundisburgh April 29: 7pm Hasketon BEYOND BELIEF, SPRING 2019 A small group which meets to discuss areas of Christian Faith at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10.30am-noon. Sessions are fortnightly on Mondays, April 8 & 29 and May 13. Enquiries to Paul: 01473 738474 / paulwiffen222@btinternet.com

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