In Touch News with Westerfield November 2018

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with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, Westerfield & Witnesham Volume 8 • Issue No. 12 • November 2018

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WE WILL REMEMBER THEM ERNEST JOHN WILLIAM ARTHUR CLARENCE THOMAS BERT HAROLD HOWARD JAMES ROLAND ABRAHAM EVELYN MICHAEL CHARLES EDWARD EARL HARRY PAUL JOSEPH HENRY ALFRED FRANK FREDERICK GEORGE GUY MARY ROBERT DAVID BERNARD REGINALD ANDREW PETER VINCENT ERIC CLAUDE WALLACE BARRINGTON HANFORD LAWSON PERCY AUSTIN ALBERT ALPHONSE CONRAD EPHREM EUGENE HENRI OSCAR PHILIAS SAMUEL WILBERT FLOYD GREY LIONEL HARVEY PAUL GILBERT ALECK LEO JERRY RAULIN ALLEN BAXTER BERNARD BRUCE DONALD FRED GORDON LORNE CLIFFORD FRANCIS CLARENCE JEREMIAH WILFRED CYRIL HOWARD ALLISON ADDISON WESLEY STEPHEN FLORENCE WOULDRIDGE ARMOS OLIVER HILLIARD MILTON OSWALD SIDNEY WILFRED GILBERT ARCHIE LANCELOT DUNCAN RICHARD SETH MERVIN FREEMAN ROY AUBREY ALLISON FELIX ROSAIRE CELESTINE EXIBE JEAN OCTAVE FABIEN ODILON POLYDORE GEOFFREY DICK HORACE OTTO BURTON HERBERT MAURICE MIRIAM SELVIN DOROTHY THEODORE BEATY CERIC ISAAC EDWY ROSS COSMOS EDGAR LESTER FREELAND WALTER DELPHI SYLVAIN ALCIDE WILLIS IAN OMER ADOLPHUS ORA URBAN ROMMIW AUBREY RUSSELL MOODY KENNETH COLIN JASPER HORACE WILLIS ELSWORTH CHESTER EBENEZER ELIZABETH BERNSLEY SILAS LEONARD LESLIE STUART MELVIN SHILTON ROY STANLEY OGLE FLORENCE MERLE MURPHY ELGIN MEDLEY ARCHIBALD VICTOR LORNEY DEXTER WALTON HUBERT CYRUS LEVI HOMER CHRISTOPHER MORTIMER HUGH MARINUS CARROLL ELLIOTT FULTON STIRLNG MAXWELL ROLAND ENOCH MASON MURRAY GUILFORD MAURICE WELDON GAVIN GILBERT GRAHAM ISDOR LINN GRANT RANDOLPH RODERICK ROBERT GERALD ADAM ORAL NICHOLAS EELIS ODICE LLOYD IRIE ELDER HERMAN CALVIN BENDICT ZACRE CARL GARVIE AXELL ALPHAEUS ANGUS IRA EARL AUGUSTUS BENJAMIN BERTRAM JOSIAH THERON MATTHEW COREY CURRIE LIONEL FRANKLN THEODORE NEWRON ROY HOLMES HART LYNN DARRELL SYDNEY ALONZO RUFUS NORMAN MURDOCH ROB ALEXANDER HERBERT JEFFREY AGNES MORRIS SECIL BERT ALISTER MELVILLE ROBIN CORNELIUS LACKLAN SAMUEL WRAY REX KARL LOFTUS IRVIN VERDON CLARENCE DEWEY OLAF RALPH JULIUS BRIAN WILMER LUCIUS HUGO FAY GLEN MARIUS BERNIE LEON DELVIDA ISADORE DAMAS NICKLES ROMEO SYLVESTER URGEL CLAUD CHRISTIAN ISIAH JOE WALLACE CELT ROLLAND JULES GEDEON FORRESTER VICTOR ISAAC ELMER HORACE EDITH WALTER WESLEY SMITH AVILA DORILA HEW PERCIVAL ETHEL ORLAF DOUGALL HARVEY DAN LUC CASHELL LAWRENCE EMMANUEL HOWARD EDGAR MELVIN JACK ESMOND ARMOSS FRANCIS BRANT CAMERON CAL BASIL IVAN CYRUS RICHIE ERNEST VICTOR MIRIAN IRVING OSWALD SOLOMON LEWIS STEWART DOUGLAS MANLY JEREMIAH ERNEST JOHN WILLIAM ARTHUR CLARENCE THOMAS BERT HAROLD HOWARD JAMES ROLAND ABRAHAM EVELYN MICHAEL CHARLES EDWARD EARL HARRY PAUL JOSEPH HENRY ALFRED FRANK FREDERICK GEORGE GUY MARY ROBERT DAVID BERNARD REGINALD ANDREW PETER VINCENT ERIC CLAUDE WALLACE BARRINGTON HANFORD LAWSON PERCY AUSTIN ALBERT ALPHONSE CONRAD EPHREM EUGENE HENRI OSCAR PHILIAS SAMUEL WILBERT FLOYD GREY LIONEL HARVEY PAUL GILBERT ALECK LEO JERRY RAULIN ALLEN BAXTER BERNARD BRUCE DONALD FRED GORDON LORNE CLIFFORD FRANCIS CLARENCE JEREMIAH WILFRED CYRIL HOWARD ALLISON ADDISON WESLEY STEPHEN WOULDRIDGE ARMOS OLIVER FLORENCE HILLIARD MILTON OSWALD SIDNEY WILFRED GILBERT ARCHIE LANCELOT DUNCAN RICHARD SETH MERVIN FREEMAN ROY AUBREY ALLISON FELIX ROSAIRE CELESTINE EXIBE JEAN OCTAVE FABIEN ODILON POLYDORE GEOFFREY DICK HORACE OTTO BURTON HERBERT SPENCER MAURICE MIRIAM SELVIN DOROTHY THEODORE COSMOS BEATY CERIC ISAAC EDWY ROSS EDGAR LESTER FREELAND WALTER DELPHI SYLVAIN ALCIDE WILLIS IAN OMER ADOLPHUS ORA URBAN ROMMIW AUBREY RUSSELL MOODY KENNETH COLIN JASPER HORACE WILLIS ELSWORTH ELIZABETH CHESTER EBENEZER BERNSLEY SILAS LEONARD LESLIE STUART MELVIN SHILTON ROY STANLEY OGLE FLORENCE MERLE MURPHY ELGIN MEDLEY ARCHIBALD VICTOR LORNEY DEXTER WALTON HUBERT CYRUS LEVI HOMER CHRISTOPHER MORTIMER HUGH MARINUS CARROLL ELLIOTT FULTON STIRLNG MAXWELL ROLAND ENOCH MASON MURRAY GUILFORD MAURICE WELDON GAVIN GILBERT GRAHAM ISDOR LINN GRANT RANDOLPH RODERICK ROBERT GERALD ADAM ORAL NICHOLAS EELIS ODICE LLOYD IRIE ELDER HERMAN CALVIN BENDICT ZACRE CARL GARVIE AXELL ALPHAEUS ANGUS IRA EARL AUGUSTUS BENJAMIN BERTRAM JOSIAH THERON MATTHEW COREY CURRIE LIONEL FRANKLN THEODORE NEWRON ROY HOLMES HART LYNN DARRELL SYDNEY ALONZO RUFUS NORMAN MURDOCH SECIL ROB ALEXANDER HERBERT JEFFREY AGNES MORRIS BERT ALISTER MELVILLE ROBIN CORNELIUS LACKLAN SAMUEL WRAY FAY REX KARL LOFTUS IRVIN VERDON CLARENCE DEWEY OLAF RALPH JULIUS BRIAN WILMER LUCIUS HUGO GLEN MARIUS BERNIE LEON DELVIDA ISADORE IRENE DAMAS NICKLES ROMEO SYLVESTER URGEL CLAUD CHRISTIAN ISIAH JOE WALLACE CELT ROLLAND JULES GEDEON FORRESTER VICTOR ISAAC ELMER HORACE EDITH WALTER WESLEY SMITH AVILA DORILA HEW PERCIVAL ETHEL ORLAF DOUGALL HARVEY DAN LUC CASHELL LAWRENCE EMMANUEL HOWARD EDGAR MELVIN JACK ESMOND RAYMOND ARMOSS FRANCIS BRANT CAMERON CAL BASIL IVAN CYRUS RICHIE ERNEST VICTOR MIRIAN IRVING OSWALD SOLOMON LEWIS STEWART DOUGLAS MANLY JEREMIAH IRVIN VERDON CLARENCE DEWEY OLAF RALPH OLIVER FLORENCE HILLIARD MILTON OSWALD SIDNEY WILFRED GILBERT ARCHIE LANCELOT DUNCAN RICHARD ROB JAMES BERT PETER LEONARD CECIL LIONEL VICTOR SPENCER WILLIAM FRED LESLIE ALBERT HENRI ANDREW PERCY JOE WALLACE CELT ROLLAND JULES GEDEON FORRESTER VICTOR ISAAC ELMER HORACE EDITH WALTER WESLEY SMITH AVILA DORILA MATTHEW AUSTIN ISAAC CLARENCE FELIX VINCENT JEFFREY SETH JOHN PATRICK STANLEY REX GEOFFREY

InTouch

NEWS MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING AT THE MOON & MUSHROOM

What a fantastic turn out; we looked like a cake shop!

All our customers rallied and donated the most fantastic cakes.

My staff gave their time free of charge and The Moon & Mushroom donated cakes, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

Thanks to our amazing customers we raised £346 in two hours.

THROUGH WITNESHAM AND SWILLAND TO THE ROMAN ROAD Have you heard about the body buried in Jack’s Field, or of Witnesham as a hotbed of civil disobedience?

Following the history of our parishes published in 2012, a further volume, Through Witnesham and Swilland to The Roman Road by Barbara Butler, is to be launched at Witnesham Village Hall on Saturday, November 17, 2.30-5pm, with tea and cakes and a history exhibition; everyone welcome at no charge Sponsored by Councillor Robert Whiting, Suffolk Coastal DC and Witnesham and Swilland Parish Council.

JOTTINGS FROM SWILLAND

As a churchwarden in Swilland I'm loathe to become involved in local politics, with Ashbocking, Swilland, Tuddenham, but I feel a safety issue is fair game for all of us in the village. That being so, I went to observe a site meeting of local parish councillors Chris Rush (chair) Westerfield & Witnesham

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and Terry Everett with Mary Evans, Suffolk County Councillor portfolio holder with overall responsibility for Highways, and Robin Vickery, our local county council representative, at Gibraltar Road crossroads, the site of numerous accidents, near misses and at least one fatality in the last decade.

For those of you who are in the dark, the issue concerns the speed of traffic on the ‘main road’ (B1078) passing the crossroads. If you look when you travel along you will see there is a 40mph limit at the Ashbocking part of the main road and similar as you approach Otley College. Between the two, drivers in ever increasing numbers let rip and it’s only a matter of time before there is another major accident.

Chris Rush has bombarded county councillors for nearly a year by email for a site meeting and that finally took place belatedly on September 27.

The upshot is that the Highways Committee is now very aware of the problem and will seek to remedy the problem as soon as possible. When is that I hear you say? Mary Evans stated she could not give us a ball park expectation, but even so I felt positive vibes with singularity of purpose, particularly after I offered my two pennyworth and suggested probably all of us, both locals and elected representatives, would likely sleep badly if there a were major incident or a death at the crossroads prior to local government reducing the speed limit to produce a seamless 40mph limit along the whole stretch of road.

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Mary Evans was particularly concerned as to the safety of children using a school bus. I understand the Debenham bus picks up and drops children off at individual houses in High Road, but does the Farlingaye bus stop to order similarly or is the crossroad a pickup point at present? Clarification on this point would be greatly appreciated.

10 November 2018

To anybody who has chapter and verse of an accident, or near miss, I should be really grateful if you would either telephone or email me – 07768 285670 / bfwdent@btinternet.com – so I can add it to the portfolio of evidence Chris Rush is assembling to support the push for safety.

DECEMBER DEADLINE

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NEWS CABARET NIGHT IS BACK!

CHRISTMAS MARKET AT WITNESHAM VILLAGE HALL Saturday, December 8, 10am-noon Saturday, December 1 at 7pm Join us at Witnesham Village Hall for an evening of light music and entertainment.

Featuring folk group Silbury Hill and many talented local musicians.

We are still looking for anyone who would like to perform music, song, poetry or storytelling. If you have a talent and would like to join us please phone Christine Laughlin: 01473 785138 Free entry – donations to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Bring your own drinks and nibbles See you there!

Tea, coffee and cake, art, crafts, toys, books and more!

The perfect place to find unique Christmas presents.

We still have some tables available at £5 each.

If you are interested call Anne: 01473 785798 There is still time to fill out the village hall survey.

An online version can be found on the village website or contact Rose on 01473 785068 to get a paper copy.

TO ALL the MEN OF WITNESHAM! A new venture by the two churches of Witnesham (Baptist and St Mary’s) takes place this month and is an invitation to all men of Witnesham.

For no particular reason other than why not, we are having a Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, November 17, 9-10.30am at Witnesham Baptist Church.

Why not come along and enjoy a bacon butty, croissant and coffee? During the time together we will have a Thought for the Day. This will be a short talk to get people thinking, similar to what you might hear on Radio 4 or Radio 2 of a morning.

MURIEL IRENE SOUTHGATE (NEE MARKWELL) 09.01.1929 – 29.08.2018 Muriel was raised in Witnesham as one of nine children. Her father was a bell ringer and grave digger for Witnesham Church. She married her best friend, Basil Southgate, at Witnesham Church on 20 October 1951. They had been together since they were nine years old and lived many happy years in Witnesham where Muriel played a huge part in village life. She worked for Carl Giles and his wife, sang in the church choir and ran the youth club in Witnesham. She was involved with Mothers’ Union, WI and ran a Derby and Joan club. Muriel was also a ‘film star’ appearing in Requiem for a Village which centred on and was filmed at Witnesham Church. This film was recently shown at Aldeburgh Cinema.

Muriel and Basil had three children – Rosie, Caroline and Jon – and six grandchildren.

Muriel had a heart of gold with a brilliant sense of humour. She helped so many and touched the lives of many more. Muriel enjoyed arts and crafts and cooking; she cooked for the actors at The Arts Theatre in Ipswich then set up the Cardinal’s Table at The New Wolsey Theatre, which she ran with her daughter Caroline until she retired in 1984. Muriel and Basil left Witnesham to live in Thorpe-Le-Soken for 27 years before returning back to Suffolk last November to be closer to family.

Sadly, Muriel suffered a lot with ill-health, but she put up a very brave fight.

She passed away on 29 August 2018. She will be very sadly missed by all of her family and friends. The funeral took place at Witnesham Church on September 24 and there were a lot of people there to pay their respects to a remarkable lady. The number of people at the funeral is a testament to how special she was. We are truly blessed to have had her grace our lives.

On behalf of all the family, thank you so very much for your kind words, love and support at this difficult time.

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To help with catering please could you let us know by Tuesday, November 13 if you’re planning to attend.

Andrew Croft: 07851 060482 / andrew.croft06@btinternet.com Paul Laughlin: 07587 150203 / paul@wtandw.org.uk

MORE FROM THE ARCHIVES Following on from last month’s comments by Arthur Mee regarding Witnesham Church, he also made other notations regarding Witnesham and I can record as follows: Mee’s records that it was interesting to discover that the service of four rectors in Witnesham extends to nearly two centuries: John Godfrey 45 years in the 15th century; Thomas Warren 53 years in the 17th; John King 46 years in the 18th and 19th and William Potter 49 years in the 19th century.

The character of William Potter was wonderfully acted by Michael Trotman in the last production by the Barley Players, The Great Exhibition of Witnesham 1851.

A shining name on the roll of honour is that of Spencer Bent, VC, a drummer who in 1914 took charge when his officers were killed and held a position with courage and coolness, repulsing several attacks before he was relieved.

Witnesham Hall gives the village a place in literature, for it was the birthplace of William Kirby, a famous naturalist, who became parson at Barham.

Beginning here his study of insects in the 18th century, he lived to help in founding the Linnaean Society and to publish a description of the insects during two of Sir John Franklin’s Artic voyages. More recently, followers of the Barley Players will recall that the Kirby family featured in their production of The Ghost of Witnesham Hall, with Malcolm Goodall playing the part of William Kirby.

A domestic record cherished by the village is that of Fredrick William Webb, who in 1928 won the Royal Agricultural medal for 64 years on one farm, one of the longest records Mee had come upon at the time.

I intend to include facts regarding Swilland in the next addition.

Village Historian and Recorder Steve Henley

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NEWS SWILLAND AND WITNESHAM GROUPED PARISH COUNCIL Parish Council Meeting, Wednesday, September 19 Clerk: Mr Steven Barron: 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com Present: Mr Lightfoot, Mr Rush (Chair), Mr Stanley, Mr Templeman, Mr Everett, Mrs Shaw, Mr Johnson, Dr Nicol, Mr Hindle and Mr Wilks. District Councillor Robert Whiting arrived later in the meeting.

Playing Field and the B1077 be cut back by September 25 had been received.

A quote of £624 plus VAT had been received plus two days traffic management (price as yet unknown). Council agreed for clerk to proceed.

Mr Whiting reported on items which included: • grants from SCDC for village hall improvements • dog fouling issues in Coopers Close

SAVID (Safer Village Driving) Mr Johnson reported that there was funding for a SID for SAVID, but the funds could not be released by Robin Vickery until a specific parish council had agreed to be the host purchaser and an AGM had been held by SAVID. Mr Johnson had agreed to take over as SAVID chairman provided there was a working party steering group set up to produce a list of recommendations.

This was needed prior to the AGM.

Mr Hindle asked for support on planning enforcement at Homeland House.

Councillor Whiting’s full report can be viewed on the parish council website.

Footpaths Mr Hindle informed the meeting that there may be an encroachment onto Witnesham FP 22 (north side of Saw Mills site, Mow Hill) by some gate pillars and an accompanying fence. This had been reported to SCC Public Rights of Way to check the footpath line and for any confirmed encroachment. Also the building of the pillars and fence could have planning implications. Formal enquiry would be sent to SCDC Planning Team.

Mr Rush reported that dog fouling in Coopers Close had resulted in two unpaid fines to date and court action was now pending with SCDC. Planning The Local Plan had been updated with 20 dwellings at Mow Hill plus existing Street Farm. The Homelands House application had been withdrawn and enforcement was pending, which Mr Hindle said should be chased by the parish council. There was a drop-in event at Ashbocking about the proposed development at Green Farm and access being opened from the B1078, which by implication, opens a very large area which might be liable to development.

Mr Wilks reported that there had been two meetings since July. At the last meeting an application to build a three bedroom cottage at 1 Mill Lane, which had a history of two previous refusals and two appeal dismissals, had been unanimously objected to. Also there was an application to build 20 dwellings on Street Farm.

Due to important information not yet being available, the committee sought to have a deferral with SCDC which was subsequently agreed with the planning officer. The applicant was considerate and wanted to engage and was willing to supply further information.

There was a site visit on September 15 attended by residents, Mr Rush, Mr Hindle and Mrs Shaw at which the developer went through all the issues.

A planted hedge on the boundary would be part of the application and maintenance thereof, with specific plant types not yet submitted. Committee had concerns over a 10m rise from the lowest point to the dwellings on the high part of the site.

At the last meeting Mr Wilks announced that he was standing down from the planning committee. The committee had then resolved that Mr Hindle would take over as chairman of the committee until the AGM in May. Mr Rush thanked Mr Wilks for his contribution to planning and his expertise over the years, which was also echoed by councillors present.

Highways Mr Rush reported that a meeting was due with Mary Evans (SCC Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs) and Robin Vickery about the Gibraltar Crossroads on September 27. It was open to parish councillors and residents.

The B1077 will be closed between the War Memorial and past Rose Hill in Witnesham for four weeks from October 1 for drain work. Mr Rush agreed to respond to Highways road closure notice expressing concern at the length of the closure, the lengthy diversion route via Woodbridge which could easily utilise Henley Road, and to request suitable and adequate signage for the golf club, business users and residents and to include signs at both ends of Tuddenham Lane to prevent a repeat of previous grid lock situations.

A demand from SCC Highways that the vegetation on the boundary of the

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Playing Field management Committee Mrs Bailey would chair the next meeting on Monday, October 15.

There was a possibility of a CIL bid to help fund the school toilets revamp and an application could be made for 2019-20. It was agreed that the finance committee should consider a CIL plan to be discussed at the next finance meeting.

VHMC Mr Johnson reported on a VHMC meeting held on September 7.

• Two new members have joined VHMC. • A request for more tables had been discussed. VHMC to obtain a quote for between six and ten tables and to consider storage and any costs associated.

• A new charging policy of an hourly rate for short sessions had been adopted.

• A trial of ‘free use for free to attend community events’ had been agreed.

• To encourage wider use of the hall, there were plans to use online surveys and In Touch. Council agreed that the PC email list could be freely advertised and residents added to assist with any implementation.

• On the sound quality issue, Mr Lightfoot had circulated a report which included sound absorbent surfaces which he deemed quite expensive.

Mr Lightfoot endorsed the VHMC’s efforts on trying out cheaper options such as fire resistant curtains.

Allotments Two plots had been given up recently in Coopers Close bringing the number of vacant plots to three. Clerk would advertise after the rate review had taken place at the next finance meeting.

Mr Rush had yet to follow-up on the question of bee keeping on one of the plots and would update at the November meeting.

Correspondence A local farmer had asked for the parish council’s assistance in dealing with the increase of garden waste being tipped over their fences into adjacent fields causing the spread of unwanted weeds, especially grass weeds which are difficult to control. This was happening from properties in Witnesham at Burwash and behind Hill Farm and in Swilland, from properties either side of High Road, including Half Moon Cottages.

The parish council was disappointed to learn of this activity and agreed through the minutes to ask residents to stop this and to advise the landowner to take up with individual residents if the issue persisted. The district council is the authority to pursue cases of illegal fly-tipping.

Matters to be brought to the attention of the parish council Mr Johnson asked if the pre-school could be considered as a regular agenda item. Chair pointed out that this could be covered under PFMC, which was agreed. Mr Hindle asked about bulb purchasing for this year and was reminded that there were adequate approved funds in the budget.

Mr Wilks announced that he was resigning from the parish council. Mr Rush stated that he was very grateful for Mr Wilks’s efforts over the years, which was endorsed by all other councillors present.

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OUT & ABOUT DIARY DATES FOR WITNESHAM, SWILLAND AND ASHBOCKING Booking Clerk: Anne Debenham, 01473 785798

Saturday 24: Christmas Workshops run by the WI from 9am-4pm. See page ?.

It is always advisable to check availability with Anne. She will also put up notices for your organisation on the local noticeboards.

Thursday 29: Village Voices at Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm

Parish Clerk: Mr Steve Barron 07719 176917 / swill-witpc@outlook.com WEEKLY EVENTS All events take place in the village hall unless indicated otherwise.

Tuesday • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 12.30-4pm • Carpet Bowls Club from 7pm. Contact Peter Elmy: 01473 785754 Wednesday • Coffee, Conversation and Cake at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.30-11.30am. Donations welcome to cover the cost of refreshments.

Thursday • Post Office at Witnesham Baptist Church, 9am-12.30pm • Carpet Bowls from 2pm • Tai Chi Classes from 5.45pm. Other established classes follow this relatively new one. Contact Marc: 07860 471748 Friday • Mums and Toddlers Group in Witnesham Baptist Church, 9.15-11.15am.

This group only meets in term time. Contact Jean Pearson: 01473 785478 • Pilates Class, 10-11am. Contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com IN NOVEMBER Thursdays 1 & 29: Mobile Library visits Weyland Road (9.50-10.20am) in Swilland, the Moon & Mushroom (10.25-10.40am) and Sunset Cottage (10.45- 10.55am) Thursday 1: Village Voices at Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm.

Contact Christine Laughlin: 01473 785138 / christinelaughlin4@gmail.com Monday 5: Fireworks Party at The Barley Mow, Witnesham. Opens at 5pm with a BBQ at 5.45pm. The bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and from 7pm there will be music from James Barr.

Tuesday 6: Tuesday Craft Corner at Witnesham Baptist Church, 2-4pm. Come along whatever your craft and share what you’re doing or help others over a cup of tea.

Sunday 11: Services at our local churches to mark Remembrance Day, 10.45am & at Witnesham War Memorial at 10am Monday 12: Ashbocking Parish Council meets at SWTrust HQ, 7.30pm Wednesday 14: WI meets for their AGM at 7.30pm

IN DECEMBER Saturday 1 • Village Hall Christmas Market, 10am-noon • Cabaret Concert in Witnesham Village Hall at 7pm. Free entry but donations welcome for Alzheimer’s.

Saturday 8 • Swilland Church Christmas Draw • Christmas Fayre in the afternoon at Witnesham Nursing Home.

Organised by the Friends to raise money for entertainment, crafts and gifts for the residents.

BEST WISHES TO THE FOLLOWING STUDENTS Charlie Boast from Ashbocking has already started her course at Newcastle University where she is studying for a BA (Hons) in French and Spanish.

Apologies to Olivia whom I incorrectly named in the October edition. Her entry should have read ‘Olivia Lyle from Witnesham is studying for a BA in Spanish and Russian at Bristol University’.

CHRISTMAS APPEAL FROM FIND On behalf of Families in Need I am writing to ask if you might feel able to support this year’s Christmas Appeal.

Throughout the year we have continued to support those in need with furniture and household goods (free of charge) and helping rough sleepers in a number of ways. We are well known for our Food Bank, based in Ipswich, from where we deliver emergency food bags, increasingly to as many as 20 families each day. We thank those of you who have given us dry goods for hot meals, toiletries and donations from time to time to help keep our shelves stocked.

Last year we delivered well over 1,000 Christmas hampers and individual gifts for all members of those families whose names were referred to us by the many statutory authorities and caring charities, as well as schools in our local community.

Could you now help us by donating any Christmas fayre such as Christmas cakes or logs, special tins of biscuits or boxes of chocolates? These we shall add to the boxes of food which we have started to pack with dry goods to cover meals over the festive period. Churches, schools and businesses are already collecting individual gifts.

Wednesday 21: Swilland and Witnesham Parish Council meets at 7.30pm

We shall be most grateful for any help you can give, to be delivered to me if possible, at the latest by the end of the first week of December to allow our volunteers to pack these into the hampers.

Thursday 22: Mobile Library visits The Green, Ashbocking, 12.15-12.35pm

Heather Cade (FIND Trustee), 5 Coopers Close, Witnesham / 01473 785464

Thursday 15: Village Voices at Witnesham Baptist Church Room, 7.30pm

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TUESDAY CRAFT CORNER

Do you feel isolated or alone?

Do you feel it would be good to meet up with others?

Parents, do you want somewhere to chat about life?

Why not join an informal group of people who enjoy crafts?

Well pop along to Witnesham Baptist Church where in an informal, relaxed style you can enjoy: *Coffee / Conversation / Cake (Children’s Corner) Perhaps read a magazine, have a game of chess, dominoes or cards.

Knitting, crochet, felting, quilling, painting, origami, card making, calligraphy, jewellery… Whatever your craft, come along and while crafting have a cuppa and share what you’re doing or help others.

We meet at Witnesham Baptist Church from 2-4pm on the first Tuesday.

Donations of a £1 per morning welcome towards cost of drink/cake.

Every Wednesday morning between 9.30 and 11.30am. *tea or a cold drink

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OUT & ABOUT SUFFOLK FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY Thursday November 22, 7.15pm: The Fun and Fascination of Churches, a specially written talk by Roy Tricker, known across Suffolk for his love and appreciation of the glory that is Suffolk Churches, and what’s inside them.

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 information contact Howard (01473 274300) or visit: www.suffolkfhs.org.uk

EAST SUFFOLK NATIONAL TRUST ASSOCIATION

AKENHAM CARPENTRY & JOINERY

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 Ropes Hall War Memorial Community Centre, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF. The start time is 7.15pm.

Fitted kitchens, bedrooms, offices, windows, doors, staircases etc in any timber

Our next meeting is on November 27 when Hugh Belsey will talk about his work in cataloguing the works of Thomas Gainsborough. Hugh is a renowned art historian, being an expert on Fiona Bruce’s television programme Fake or Fortune. He has spent the last 14 years researching Gainsborough’s work, contacting owners, tracking down and researching paintings. This has taken him all over the world and in his talk Hugh will tell us about this challenging project.

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There is no meeting in December so the next one is on January 15 when Mark Mitchels will be talking about the River Deben.

Visitors (even if not National Trust members) are welcome, entrance fee £3 each. National Trust members/volunteers can join us for £8 a year (£12 a 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 – membershipesnta@gmail.com / 01473 723761 – or visit: www.membershipesnta.btck.co.uk

IPSWICH PHILATELIC SOCIETY On November 21 Christen Finn will display her collection of GB Second World War Miscellany. I don’t have details of the content, but I’m sure it will be very interesting and I guess forgeries will be involved somewhere. This meeting is at Cedarwood Primary School, Wilkinson Drive, Kesgrave at 7.30pm.

On December 5 we have our first afternoon meeting at Kesgrave War Memorial Community Hall IP5 1JF at 1.30pm. We have a dealer coming, Sarah Brooks, who will talk and sell material to us. A chance to enhance your collection or grab a Christmas present!

Visitors are welcome and you’ll find more information on our new website: www.ipswichphilatelic.uk For further information contact Mike Smith: 01473 403904 / michaelsmith1949@gmail.com

IPSWICH & DISTRICT HISTORICAL TRANSPORT SOCIETY Wednesday, November 28: Richard Garrett, Past, Present & Future Illustrated talk by Stuart Hines 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. Contact: 01473 422145 / www.idhts.co.uk

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OUT & ABOUT OTLEY & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB

WESTERFIELD CLUBS & ORGANISATIONS

Patron: Matthew Tanton-Brown

Art Class Weekly class for newcomers and improvers. To book or for more information contact Lisa Ann Puhlhofer: 01473 878734 / 07834 280287

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

Monday, December 3: Christmas Floral Craft with Sue Montgomery Compare gardening notes over tea/coffee and biscuits. All welcome.

Admission £1.50 for members and £4 for non-members.

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

NEW £2M VENUE UNVEILED AT FYNN VALLEY

Westerfield Bowls Club The club has more than 50 members who enjoy playing outdoors from April through to the end of September. Our 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 Every Wednesday at 10am in the village hall. Everyone is welcome.

Westerfield & District Gardening Club Meets at Westerfield Village Hall at 7.15pm on the first Wednesday • November 7: Climbing Plants and Wall Shrubs, Barry Gayton from Desert World Gardens • December 5: An Eccentric look at Suffolk by writer and broadcaster Charles Haylock For further details contact Barbara Bell (01473 231411), Michele Doick (01473 252330) or Barry Reeve (01473 251843).

Beavers, Cubs & Scouts 1st Westerfield Scout Group was founded in 1955. Using the village hall as its headquarters the group consists of:

Set in stunning countryside in Witnesham, the brand-new £2m venue at Fynn Valley was unveiled on Saturday, October 13 and open for all to enjoy.

The venue incorporates the Café Terrace, which is open seven days a week, with in-house chefs serving the best local Suffolk fare for delicious breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes. There is also a lighter menu for those who simply want to meet up for coffee and homemade cakes and the venue is fully licensed.

“We are incredibly lucky to have Head Chef Gary Oliver with us who has a focus on the freshest, local ingredients and has put together a tantalising menu for fabulous dishes,” says Jenny Holmes, Fynn Valley Sales Director.

“Choosing between eggs benedict, a medley of mushrooms or a Full English will not be easy. Our long lunches are there to tempt too, including dishes such as braised leg of free range chicken, a trio of mini burgers or our fresh fish of the day. We have a daily board of dessert choices to finish, which includes a Suffolk dairy ice cream or there is always the option of our delicious homemade cakes with a coffee at any time.” Jenny adds: “I can imagine people arriving for breakfast at 8am and leaving when we close.”

Set within picturesque countryside, the stunning new, oak-beamed building features panoramic windows looking out to a south facing terrace. From inside and out, views can be enjoyed over the lawns and beyond to the beautiful golf course the area is famous for.

In addition to the Café Terrace, for larger social events the Oak Room has a capacity to host 120 and is perfect for weddings, special occasions, private parties and charity events. For smaller parties the Acorn Room accommodates up to 34 seated, making it ideal for more intimate celebrations.

Christmas parties have always been big at Fynn Valley and this year they are even bigger. The diary is filling up fast for those who are keen to be among the first to enjoy the festive season at the new venue.

“The whole team can’t wait to open the doors and welcome those who want to come and enjoy our fabulous new venue and the beautiful setting we have here,” adds Sarah Purkis, Fynn Valley Catering Operations Manager.

“Whether enjoying dishes from our fantastic new menu, joining us for a cup of Paddy and Scott’s coffee by the log burner or a glass of wine while watching the sunset across the terrace, to partying the night away at Christmas, we look forward to giving the warmest welcome.”

Fynn Valley Café Terrace is open daily from 8am-4pm. No need to book. For more information and details on weddings, special events and Christmas parties please visit: www.fynnvalleyterrace.co.uk

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Beaver Colony: Thursday, 5.45-6.45pm Boys and girls, 6-8 years old Beaver Leader:Jenny Kent: 01473 218501 / jennyk.kent1@gmail.com Cub Pack: Tuesday, 6.45-8pm Boys and girls, 8-10½ years Cub Leader Joan Gibson: 01473 785510 / gibsonjoan785@gmail.com Scout Troop: Friday, 6.50-9pm Boys and girls, 10½-14 years Scout Leader Peter Runnacles: 01473 785298 / peter@runnacles.plus.com 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 Westerfield WI Lively meetings in the village hall at 7.30pm on the second Thursday of the month with different speakers on a variety of topics. The membership is 42 at present.

• November 8: Annual Meeting. Competition: Favourite Photo • December 13: Christmas Party New members and visitors are always welcome. For further details please contact Janet Phillimore: 01473 415749 Pilates Classes in the village hall on Mondays from 10.30-11.30am and Wednesdays from 6-7pm. Beginners welcome and equipment provided. Please contact Kat: 07804 909083 / katspilates@live.com Chi Kung Classes in the village hall on Tuesdays from 2.15-4pm and Thursdays from 7.15-9pm. £12 per class, suitable for all ages. Contact Sally Askew: 01394 384013 / sally_askew@hotmail.com Yoga Thursday mornings from 9.40-11am. Eighty minutes of yoga stretches and relaxation. Contact Caroline Glason: 01473 464204 / 07746 860380 / caroline@still-yoga.co.uk 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

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OUT & ABOUT / SCHOOLS ASHBOCKING, SWILLAND & WITNESHAM WI

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE NURSERY

The WI Annual Meeting is on November 14 starting at 7.30pm. It’s not all business – we will find time for fun too! Come to Witnesham Village Hall and find out what we get up to.

There are a few places left on our Christmas workshop at Witnesham Village Hall on Saturday, November 24. There are two sessions: • 9am-noon: we will make a table decoration using fresh materials • 1-4pm: Sharon from Wigglywoo’s Craft Emporium will help us create a door wreath from material Each session costs £10 and if staying, don’t forget your packed lunch. Contact Pat to book: 01473 785370 WI ladies will be serving tea/coffee and cakes at the table top sale on Saturday, December 8 at Witnesham Village Hall, 10am-noon, and we look forward to a fused glass demonstration by Alison Mayston on December 12.

The children have had great fun running a fire station and a cafe with lots of telephones, computers, cameras and clipboards as they organise themselves in their play. Using cardboard boxes, a large piece of red material and lots of black hoses, they created their own fire engine and made the noise of the siren as they raced to the fire. One child told us that the end of his hose was “in the water tank”.

The children have made good use of the good weather this autumn, constructing with big blocks and sorting into colours, as well as the ever-popular painting.

GREAT BLAKENHAM OVER 50s 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 children are now being dentists as we use toothpaste in our mark making tray. The nursery smells really minty! A handprint turns in to an upside down tooth with a brush made by the children using floss, a timely reminder in prose of why we need to look after our teeth.

November 14: A visit from Wiltshire Farm Foods November 28: Call My Bluff with Sandra December 12: Our Christmas meal, this year at the Best Western in Claydon New members are always welcome; if you would like to come along to see what goes on we will be pleased to see you.

Our week continues with cooking sessions on Monday, dance with Miss Pamela on Wednesday, music and singing on Thursday and the woodland walk on Friday, ending each week with an opportunity to sit and listen to the wind in the trees and gather our thoughts.

Jackie Durrant, 01449 672690

Our scaffolding is still up with work being carried out on the roof so we will be ready for the transition to join the school as it becomes part of an Academy Trust.

For our autumn newsletter please visit: www.theoldschoolhousenursery.com

HENLEY PRE-SCHOOL As a committee run pre-school we held our annual general meeting in October. We have a strong committed team who continue to keep the preschool functioning to a high standard. So far this term we have been exploring autumn through nature walks and collecting natural materials for our craft activities. We have made bread in the shape of hedgehogs and the children worked hard kneading and shaping their dough. Halloween was fun with pumpkin carving and spider biscuits and this month we look forward to Diwali and Bonfire Night. Christmas will be celebrated with a trip to the New Wolsey Theatre to see The Ballard of Rudy.

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

We pride ourselves on high levels of staff to children ratios and therefore providing the maximum care and learning for the children. All staff are highly trained and continue with regular training to build their knowledge further.

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

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

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SCHOOLS CLAYDON HIGH SCHOOL On Wednesday, September 26 we welcomed over 500 prospective parents/carers and their children to our school for our annual open evening. Following a short presentation, visitors were able to tour the school and experience our fantastic resources and facilities. Staff and students were on-hand to showcase their work and visitors took part in various activities including exploding Jelly Babies in Science, French and Spanish food tasting in Languages, a rowing challenge in PE and much, much more. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our 200 plus Claydon High School student helpers who helped to make the evening such a success. Much of the feedback I received from visitors commented upon how helpful, friendly and polite our students were.

In other areas of the school, the PE department has had an eventful start to the term with football, netball and table tennis fixtures and a cross country competition. Year 10 GCSE PE students also had the opportunity to demonstrate leadership skills when they ran a successful Year 6 sports morning for over 150 students from our feeder primary schools. A range of activities were on offer, including table tennis, football, netball and fitness and rowing challenges. Our Year 10 leaders made the sessions really fun and competitive and were a credit to the school.

Year 11 students have been particularly busy with various activities including a Business Studies trip to Colchester Zoo, where students learnt more about the zoo as a business, focussing on how staff are organised and understanding their job roles. Languages students travelled to London to visit Westminster University to find out about studying languages at degree level as well as visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum where students had the chance to enjoy a range of collections including the much acclaimed Frida Kahlo exhibition.

Design and Technology students visited the Design Museum in London which included a hands-on workshop with their on-site designers.

While the primary school awaits their carpark we remain busy at the end of the day with parents/carers collecting from both schools.

I would like to assure the local community that we request drivers not to arrive too early and to be mindful of local residents. For health and safety reasons we cannot open our gates earlier as students are crossing the playground which is used for parking.

Finally, as I write this article, WOW Week is nearly upon us and I look forward to sharing all of the wonderful activities our students will have experienced in December’s edition. Please watch this space!

If you would like to visit the school and see us in action, then please come along to one of our open mornings. The next one is on Wednesday, November 14. Please telephone my PA, Ms J Saunders, on 01473 836110 to book a place.

Headteacher Maéve Taylor

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STONHAM ASPAL PRIMARY SCHOOL Welcome back to the 2018-19 school year and a very warm welcome if you are joining us as a new parent/carer this year. The children are excited about being back at school, or joining us properly. They are full of stories of their holidays as well as catching up with their friends.

Over the summer holidays we have been very lucky to be able to refurbish several areas of the school. Lots of adults have contributed to this work. Mrs Robinson has worked very hard to coordinate all the different areas and work forces. Miss Simpson has overseen the library, Mrs Corsie the playground.

Mrs Garnham has had a busy summer ensuring all had access and that the school was cleaned and ready for the new school year. I think you will agree that it has been a great team effort with super results.

Our wrap-around care facilities look amazing including stunning artwork by Mr Clifford and the space is now truly multi-purpose as it can be used for WAC, for small group work and for cooking.

Our library has had a wonderful makeover as well; thank you to Miss Simpson for the coordination of this and Mr Clifford for his amazing artwork. It now has a woodland theme and lots of other features. A book swap system is to be introduced for the children very soon.

Our playground has a wonderful collection of new markings; thank you to Mrs Corsie for planning these spaces. It is aimed at encouraging children to be more active and also to use the outside space for their learning.

The play equipment itself was due to be refurbished over the holidays, a joint effort by the PTA and school. The tower and wobbly bridge are to be replaced and a few other parts are being added. Sadly, the suppliers let us down and could not fit us in during the summer holidays so this work is now planned in for the October half-term.

Are you deciding which school you should send your child to? We think you would choose our school. We are extremely proud of what we achieve.

We have been recognised by the diocese as ‘Outstanding’ and by OFSTED as a ‘Good School’. We have also been recognised by the Department for Education for our excellent work with closing the gap in attainment for our vulnerable children, ensuring all our children achieve good results.

If you would like to find out more about our school please come along to our open morning on Thursday, November 15 from 9.30-11.30am, or on Monday, November 19 from 1.45-3pm. If you are unable to make these dates please feel free to contact the school office and book in another time that is convenient to you.

Headteacher Mrs Sharon Waldron

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SCHOOLS / SPORT WITNESHAM & OTLEY FEDERATED PRIMARY SCHOOLS

WITNESHAM PRE-SCHOOL

Earlier this month we were proud to raise £145 for the Jeans for Genes charity, supporting families of children with genetic disorders. The school staff would like to extend our thanks to all the parents who contributed towards this cause.

Harvest celebrations happened in October and we are very grateful for all the kind donations. The children produced some fantastic poems and artwork and shared some Harvest songs together. It was a very positive experience for them all.

If you would like to support our schools, we are able to receive money from Easy Fundraising, a cashback scheme for shopping online. With Christmas only three months away, now would be an ideal time to get involved. Please visit the following website for more details: www.easyfundraising.org.uk OPEN MORNINGS Finally, our schools will be hosting two open mornings this month. Witnesham Primary School’s open morning is on Thursday, November 15, and the Otley Primary School open morning is on Friday, November 23.

Please come along and visit us to see the fantastic work happening in our schools. If you are a parent considering either of our schools as an option for your children and would like more information, please contact the school offices: ad.witnesham.p@talk21.com or ad.otley.p@talk21.com

SIR ROBERT HITCHAM’S MACMILLAN COFFEE MORNING This annual Sir Robert Hitcham Macmillan Coffee Morning in Debenham took place a week later than the rest of the country as the Year 6 pupils were on a residential trip to Sizewell Hall. While on their trip, the pupils developed problem solving and team building skills. They had to learn to communicate effectively and work with a range of different people. All of these skills were then required during their fundraising coffee morning.

Preparation for the event started well in advance as pupils planned the menu and wrote invitations. On the day before the coffee morning the room was set up and the children were briefed on how to carry out their roles safely and courteously.

The coffee morning was run almost entirely by the pupils. Their guests were met by greeters and raffle ticket sellers. The waiting staff took orders and served food and drinks and the bankers had the all-important job of collecting money. Behind the scenes, a team of tableclearers and washer-uppers worked tirelessly to ensure that there was always clean crockery and tidy tables. The children carried out their roles efficiently and staff received many compliments about the pupils’ polite and friendly manner.

We are glad to finally be back in our setting after all the refurbishment. We would like to share with you some photos of our newly decorated classroom and outdoor play space.

Witnesham Pre-school is a friendly, rural preschool accepting children aged two-five and open from 9am-3pm weekdays.

Call us on 01473 784934 for more information or find us on Facebook.

BRAMFORD TENNIS CLUB Who said tennis is just a summer sport? #GOHITIT As well as serving up plenty of smiles, tennis is good for your physical and mental health. It can help lower body fat while improving muscle tone, strength and flexibility. In terms of mental health, exercise is hugely important in maintaining a good state of mind. Playing a game of tennis will release those happy endorphins to help you feel great!

Of course, tennis is also a fantastic way to spend some time with family and friends and will provide you with the opportunity to meet new people. We have opportunities at Bramford Tennis club for people of all abilities and ages.

To get involved throughout the autumn/winter period, keep reading and feel free to get in touch.

FOR ADULTS Our LTA coach, Carl Douglas provides adult one-to-one coaching and runs a ladies only group tennis session every Tuesday at 6.30pm. The ladies group session is a mixture of drills, exercises and fun games to help you sharpen your tennis technique.

Also, just started at the club is our new Cardio Tennis class on Thursdays at 7pm, though these are not for the feint hearted as they are high energy fitness style classes that require a reasonable degree of fitness. Get in touch with Carl on 07553 966380 for details. We also run teams in the Ipswich Winter League and are always on the lookout for new players. If you are interested in some team tennis please contact Graham on 07981 842517 for further details.

The coffee morning is very much a community event. Guests included ex-staff, governors, parents, grandparents and members of the parish council. It would not be possible to make it happen without the many parents and grandparents who provided cakes. Family members were also part of the serving team, carrying out the roles that pupils can’t do.

FOR JUNIORS Our LTA Coach, Carl Douglas, offers one-to-one coaching for juniors and also runs a number of group based Mini Tennis Squads. Mini Tennis REDS (ages 5-7) runs on Mondays at 4.30pm and Mini Tennis ORANGE (ages 7-11) runs on Tuesdays at 4.30pm. Carl is also a qualified Tennis for Kids coach and has been running numerous Tennis for Kids courses at the club and in the local primary school throughout the year. Additionally, at key points in the season we run several one-off theme-based tennis festivals including the Great British Tennis Weekend, Summertime Slam and Monster Smash. For more information on any of these please contact Carl on 07553 966380.

An end of the day cake sale helped to boost the final total and make the most of the generous cake baking efforts of the school community. The target was to break the £1,000 barrier for the third year in a row. This was achieved and the total raised was a fabulous £1,050.

To find out more at about any of the items mentioned above please visit: • www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/BramfordTennisClub • www.facebook.com/BramfordTennisClub • Monster Smash: www.clubspark.lta.org.uk/CarlDouglasCoaching/Events

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CHURCH NEWS WITNESHAM BAPTIST CHURCH As no doubt you are aware, November is a month of remembrance with the main focus of remembrance on Sunday 11 being 100 years after Armistice Day, the end of The First World War. This year we at the Baptist Church will be joined by members of the local branch of the British Legion at our service on Sunday 11, starting at 10.50am. The service will include the two minute silence of remembrance.

We welcome you to worship at 11am each Sunday

The First World War was from 1915 to 1918, ending on November 11.

It was initially called the Great War or The War to end all Wars because back in 1918 it was hoped that such a war would not or could not happen again. Unfortunately history shows that it could and did with the Second World War being 1939 to 1945. Although since then and currently, all the world is not at war, there remains numerous wars that are affecting millions of people across the globe.

Family Time Together We welcome all families to our Family Time Together on Sundays at 9.30am. This is a time when parents and children can come together and do a craft activity, hear a Bible story, sing and pray: all within 45 minutes!

Remembrance Day should, surely, have two elements. Firstly to, yes, remember those who lost their lives in those wars and the families that suffered through that loss or disability caused by war. These folk helped at the time to defeat tyranny and dictatorships and so maintain democracy and human rights. This leads to the second element of remembrance – to learn from the past atrocities and look to them never happening again.

Unfortunately, I feel that we collectively across the nations have not heeded the lessons as we continue to see dictators abusing people and various factions and governments at war.

Our country fought these two world wars to protect peoples’ freedom and we benefit from that in this country. However, our freedom is only in part. We may have lots of freedom to do, think and say what we want, but many are still under external influences, powers and authorities we cannot see. These influences are not always obvious and most deny their existence and do not see the need for a change. We all serve someone – knowingly or not. Back in 1979 on the Slow Train Coming album, Bob Dylan wrote and sang: You’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed You’re gonna have to serve somebody Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord But you’re gonna have to serve somebody We don’t need to go to war to gain freedom from the bad influences because Jesus who, as the Son of God, took on those bad powers/ authorities and the bondage we are under when He died on the cross and defeated them (the Devil) through His resurrection. Coming to accept and trust in Jesus releases us into real freedom to have life in all its fullness now and into eternity.

So, every Sunday we remember and celebrate Jesus and freedom in Him at our morning services. Please join us. But yes, on Sunday, November 11 we will still remember those who have died through war over the last 100 years.

Pastor Andrew

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Sunday, November 4: Service/Holy Communion, Pastor Andrew Sunday, November 11: Remembrance Service – starts at 10.50am Sunday, November 18: Morning Service – Team Ministry Sunday, November 25: Morning Service

EVENTS IN NOVEMBER Tuesday Tuesday Craft Corner on the first Tuesday of each month; November 6, 2-4pm (see page 8) Varied Church Open House – every Tuesday at 7.30pm Wednesday 3C @ WBC meet for coffee, tea and chat every Wednesday from 9.3011.30am (see page 8) Every Friday (in term time): Mums and Toddlers group, 9.15-11.15am.

Mums, dads, carers, babies and children under-five all welcome.

Contact Jean: 01473 785478 Monday, November 5: The Munch Bunch Lunch Club, 12.30-2pm.

Light lunch and good company. Contact Karen: 01473 251787 Wednesday, November 14: Prayer Fellowship at 2pm Saturday, November 17: Men’s Breakfast, 9am; all welcome.

Wednesday, November 28: Bible Study at 2pm Sunday, December 8: Messy Church The church is open for prayer and listening every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am-5pm; at other times please contact Pastor Andrew.

The post office is open on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings in the conservatory.

In the church we have a collection box for FIND and welcome any donations of non-perishable food to help families in need locally.

We now also have a clothes bank in our grounds on behalf of the Salvation Army. We have plenty of bags which can be picked up from our back room for you to use, or you can use your own bags.

Pastor: Andrew Croft, 07851 060482 Secretary: Anne Camp, 01473 785448 www.witneshambaptist.org.uk

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CHURCH NEWS CHURCH NEWS FROM SWILLAND & ASHBOCKING Peace and War This year Remembrance Sunday has a very special significance: the end of the First World War, the Great War as some called it; The War to end all Wars as others naively hoped. The horror, devastation and loss of life were surely a catastrophe. In his book In Defence of War, Nigel Biggar argues that war is always evil, never a first response, but is sometimes justified. Many Christians, including padres and soldiers I’ve known, share that view, though of course some Christians and others are pacifists.

If we are Christians, then we look to Jesus’ life and teaching to guide our beliefs and attitudes. But Jesus was a realist: “Countries will fight each other; Kingdoms will attack one another.” (Mark 13:8) Yet in the midst of such evil and suffering, some good may be found, just as poppies grow again on battlescarred ground.

One person still remembered from the First World War is the padre Studdert Kennedy, often referred to as ‘Woodbine Willie’ from his habit of offering cigarettes to soldiers as he started up a conversation. Studdert Kennedy was able to speak of hope as he encouraged soldiers to serve with honour. Yet he had revulsion for the vileness of war, and a deep sense of the presence of the crucified Christ sharing in the suffering. One Church of England padre I knew told me that before going into to action in Afghanistan, lots of soldiers – religious and non-religious – would come up to him and say: “We want the mass, padre, the bread and wine.” I’m reminded of the words about Jesus: “He will not break a bruised reed, or put out a flickering lamp.” (Matthew 12:20). The 19-year-old son of a friend of mine who was killed by an I.E.D. in Afghanistan, had that very morning said to a fellow soldier: “I guess when push comes to shove, I believe in God.” After a war, sometimes something not perfect, but good – is born: The League of Nations after the First World War, closer cooperation between European nations after the Second World War. Sheenagh Pugh’s cautiously optimistic poem expresses it well: “Sometimes things don’t go, after all, from bad to worse.

A people will sometimes step back from war.”

A few weeks ago, I was listening to Karl Jenkins’ very moving work, The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace. It has the line: “Better is peace than always war.”

When we come to a Remembrance Day Service, we come with gratitude for the sacrifice of so many; with practical concern for all victims of war; with prayers for world leaders; and for many of us, with the certain hope that one day God’s purposes will be fulfilled.

Jenkins’ oratorio ends: “God shall wipe away all tears, And there shall be no more death, Neither sorrow nor crying Neither shall there be any more pain.”

(Revelation 21:4) The Rev Fred Woods

WHAT’S ON November 8: Midweek Communion at 9.30am followed by Otley Coffee Morning November 13: Carers Support Group meet at the home of Sue and John Goode in Grundisburgh, 10am November 13: Boulge PCC meet at 54 Gurdon Road in Grundisburgh, 2pm November 13: Hasketon and Grundisburgh PCC meet at Grundisburgh School, 7.30pm November 18: Messy Church in Hasketon Village Hall, 3pm Sunday, November 18: Holy Communion Family Service, Swilland, 11am November 22-25: CRIBFEST in Grundisburgh Church November 22: Midweek Communion at 11.30am followed by the Hasketon Community Lunch at 12.15pm. Contact Claire Harrington: 01394 380644 November 29: COSA PCCs meet at Clopton Village Hall, 7.30pm Carlford Social Groups Baby Café: November 6, 9am at Grundisburgh Hobbies Group: November 7, 10am at Clopton Swapshop: November 7, 10.15am at Grundisburgh Church Tiddlywinks: November 8 & 22, 2.30pm at Grundisburgh Carlford Prayer and Study Groups Ashbocking House Group: November 14 & 18, 7.30pm at Ashbocking Going Deeper: November 7 & 21, 10am at Ashbocking Grundisburgh Sunday Club: November 11 & 25, 10.45am at Grundisburgh Monday House Group: November 19, 7.30pm at Grundisburgh Otley House Group: November 12 & 26, 1.45pm at Otley Beyond Belief: November 5 & 19, 10.30am at Grundisburgh Let Us Remember Coffee Morning Saturday, November 10, 10.30am-noon at Burgh Schoolroom.

Proceeds to the Royal British Legion.

Beyond Belief A small group which gives us the opportunity to discuss areas of Christian Faith at six meetings held at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms, 10.30am–noon. The remaining dates are Mondays, November 5 and 19 and December 3.

Why not come and try our group? Enquiries to Paul: 01473 738474 / paulwiffen222@btinternet.com / Shoebox Packing Party Thursday, November 15, 2-4pm at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms This is for those who would like to take part in this worthwhile appeal, only do not want to fill a whole box, i.e. you may like to knit hats or some mittens if you have some spare wool.

To give you more idea of what is required please pick up a leaflet from Williams Store or St Mary’s Church. Then have fun in seeing how many we can complete as a party. No need to bring empty boxes, there will be plenty of wrapped boxes to fill.

Any questions please phone Jenny Taylor: 01473 738066 FANCY A COFFEE?

REMEMBRANCE SERVICES 2018 Remembrance Sunday, November 11 Ashbocking Church, 10.50am Boulge Church, 9.30am Burgh Church, 9.30am Clopton Church, 10.50am Grundisburgh Church, 10.50am Hasketon Church, 9.30am Otley War Memorial, 10.50am Swilland Church, 12.15pm

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Ashbocking: Friday 2 at the home of Stephanie Andrews-Pearce of The Meade, The Green, Ashbocking, 10.30am-noon Swilland: Saturday 3 at the home of Gina Wilden of 7 High Road, Swilland from 10am Grundisburgh: Saturday 3 from 10.15-11.30am and then SWAPSHOP on Wednesday 7 from 10-11am, both at Grundisburgh Parish Rooms Otley: Thursday 8, 10am at the home of Fred and Jane Woods of 36 Church Road, Otley Burgh: Saturday 10 at The Burgh Schoolroom, Burgh, 10.30am-noon Clopton: Wednesday 21 at the village hall, 10am-noon

In Touch online:

To advertise in this section, which appears in 17 magazines in areas across Suffolk and Essex, please contact a member of our sales team on 01473 400380

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In Touch with WTW Remembering As a child, we used to chant, “Remember, remember the fifth of November; gunpowder, treason and plot.”

Guy Fawkes Day has largely been forgotten but November remains a month of remembrance and no less so this year when we commemorate the Centenary of the Armistice of the First World War on Remembrance Sunday 11th November. (Details of our services are on the next page.)

The week before, we will be holding a different kind of remembrance service when we gather at Westerfield on the Sunday 4th November at 3.30pm to remember our loved ones who have died, in a “Celebration of Life”.

It is always a moving service when names are read out and candles are lit in a prayerful atmosphere of thanks and celebration.

Families who have said goodbye to loved ones in the past two years have been personally invited but the service is open to anyone who may wish to attend to remember their own loved ones.

Death is a subject that many wish to avoid, for obvious reasons, yet in

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

November it is unavoidable, at least in Church life when we have All Saints and All Souls Days However, to my mind, death is so much a part of life, that it is healthy to confront it, to acknowledge the pain it brings and take the time and space on All Souls Day to remember those who have gone before us.

Over the years there have been men and women of vision and courage whose witness and example continue to speak to us and we celebrate their legacy on All Saints Day. However, the Bible says that all Christians are saints and I am left pondering what our legacies will be.

What are we doing now in Christ’s service and what will we leave behind for future generations?

It is a sobering thought and one that should prompt us to reflect on the quality of our service and our commitment to sharing the love of Christ with a world that is in as much need of it now as it was 100 years ago.

One day we shall just be a face and a remembered voice in someone’s memory.

What will they say of us I wonder?

Revd Catherine Forsdike

CHURCH SERVICES November—December Day / Date Sunday 4th November All Saints

St Martin’s Tuddenham St Martin 9.30am Family Communion

Sunday 11th November Remembrance Sunday

10.45am Remembrance Service

Sunday 18th November Second Sunday before Advent

9.30am Family Communion

Sunday 25th November Sunday next before Advent

9.30am Morning Worship

8am Holy Communion cancelled

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Sunday 4th November 3.30pm Westerfield Church followed by tea in the church room.

Come to remember a loved one and light a candle in their memory.

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 at www.wtandw.org.uk

St Mary’s Witnesham

10am All-age Worship

10am War Memorial 10.45am Remembrance Service

St Mary Magdalene’s Westerfield 11am Family Communion 3.30pm Celebration of Life Service 8am Holy Communion 10.45am Remembrance Service

10am Morning Worship

11am Family Communion

10am Family Communion

11am Morning Worship

Sunday 2nd December Advent Sunday

9.30am Family Communion

10am Morning Worship

11am Family Communion

Sunday 9th December

9.30am All-Age Worship

10am Family Communion

8am Holy Communion 11am All-Age Worship

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In Touch online:

In Touch with WTW

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

Church Diary—November

Who’s Who:

Mothers’ Union— Thursday 1st November—Revd Alan will tell us all about Calligraphy with illustrations from his own framed works and a demonstration. (visitors are welcome—please check venue on this occasion by contacting Branch Leader Revd Catherine Forsdike 252904).

MINISTRY TEAM:

Benefice Youth Group—meet on Wednesdays 14th and 28th November at 6.15pm (contact Julia 785497) Village Voices—rehearse on Thursdays 1st, 15th and 29th November 7.30pm in Witnesham Baptist Church (contact Christine Laughlin 01473 785138) Kingdom Kids—meet on Sunday 4th November at 10am in the church at Witnesham (contact Gill Thorley 890821) Wednesday Prayers—said Morning Prayer in Westerfield Church Room each week at 9.30am (Holy Communion is said on the first week of each month— except Aug)

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

Julia recommissioned

Remembrance Servicess Sunday 11th November—10am with the Royal British Legion at the War Memorial in The Street Witnesham This will be followed by services in Westerfield, Tuddenham and Witnesham churches which will all begin at 10.45am so the silence will coincide with the national two-minute silence.

Elders are given training and can undertake a huge variety of task both pastoral and liturgical. If this is you, please speak to Rev Alan.

www.keepingintouchwith.com/westerfield

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

Church Floodlighting Sponsorship Could you sponsor the church floodlights to commemorate a birthday, anniversary or special event or to remember a loved one?

Do you think God might be calling you to be an Elder in our benefice?

Bishop Martin recently said: “The contribution of Lay Elders to the worship and pastoral ministry of the church in Suffolk is hugely significant and I am very grateful for the time, energy, enthusiasm and skills that [they] so willingly give.”

01473 785497 Julia@wtandw.org.uk

CHURCHWARDENS:

During the benefice service 30th September at Witnesham, Rev Alan was delighted to re-commission Julia as Elder to the Benefice. After the prayers he presented Julia with a certificate signed by Bishop Martin.

Julia was then surprised by a large bunch of flowers presented as a “thank you” for the work she does.

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At Westerfield sponsorship is just £7.50 for a week.

Ring Judy on 230188 or email Judy@wtandw.org.uk

Follow The Star watch this space for full details next month of all our forthcoming Christmas services.

Sponsorship at Tuddenham is £5 for a weekend Ring Jim on 785296 or email Jim@wtandw.org.uk

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