Southgatedecemberweb

LOCAL NEWS

14 | DECEMBER 2016

HOME + LIFESTYLE

Sunday Funday

BY ANDREW SOUTHWOOD

D

on’t you just love lazy winter Sunday mornings? No alarms, no urgency, just relaxing.

Easing into the day, enjoying a lay in. Frost on the window panes, a steaming cuppa on the side with the radio on and the Sunday papers waiting for you on the door mat. Wondering if you’ll pop out to the cinema later, or maybe to that new Italian restaurant, or perhaps meet some friends for a beer or two… meanwhile - back in the real world!

So, the kids are up, even earlier than a school day, and jump onto my bed. I stifle an urge to swear loudly, as the biggest lands on my shins and digs his elbow into my groin. Within 30 seconds they are all at it, 3 kids plus 2 adults is not a sum that equals 1 bed. I admit defeat and get (pushed) out.

As I fling on some clothes hoping they are mine and

42 | DECEMBER 2016

not inside out (remember when getting dressed took more than 14 seconds?) and look at the 4 remaining in the bed, I realise I definitely have the better deal. To be honest, if I have to read that damn Maisy Mouse book once more I fear I may have a breakdown.

Thankfully now we have a goal. A target to aim for on a Sunday. Something to motivate at least 2 of the kids to stop arguing and eat breakfast without kicking each other under the table. Yes – this reward comes in the form of Junior Parkrun! Yeah, I know. Why they are quite so keen to run around a wet field in near freezing conditions is slightly confusing. However, they love it, and good for them.

I have a feeling the motivation isn’t entirely the physical and mental boost

from an early morning blast of cardio. The promise of a hot chocolate afterwards is I’m sure a rather large and juicy carrot in this case.

The newly launched Junior Parkrun occurs every Sunday at 9am on ‘Ten Acre Field’ (behind Rhea the horse…). It’s free and fun. So if like me, by 8:30am on a Sunday it already feels like it should be bedtime, why not use this amazing event to add some early structure to the day. If you’re feeling really pumped, you can always run alongside your energised kids… well, for as long as you can keep up!

Yes, Sunday mornings are unrecognisable from 10 years ago. I can’t even really recall what they were like then? But I am pretty sure they didn’t involve any of the above. That said, I wouldn’t change it for the world… well apart from the ‘elbow in the groin’ bit.

HOME + LIFESTYLE

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Independent Custody Visitors

Ensuring that people in police custody are treated properly is a statutory duty of Tim Passmore, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and he relies on an army of volunteers to help him monitor the welfare of people who are detained in police stations in Suffolk.

Tim Passmore is looking for additional volunteer custody visitors to make regular unannounced visits to the Police Investigation Centre in Bury St Edmunds. The volunteers will be required to look, listen and report on their findings to the PCC to ensure that the police are providing the service that is expected of them.

Tim Passmore said, “Suffolk has two Police Investigation Centres in Suffolk - one in Bury St Edmunds and one at Martlesham, Ipswich - and we are currently looking to recruit more volunteers for the Bury St Edmunds Panel. I need the overall panel of visitors to be representative of the local community, so I would really encourage interest from younger people and black and minority ethnic residents.

We have a great team of custody visitors in Suffolk, who give their time to support this valuable service and I thank them for their commitment which does not always receive the recognition it deserves.”

Volunteers are required to attend an initial training session of half a day and then receive training by observing existing visitors until confident in performing the role. Visitors carry out approximately one visit per month (as part of a panel carrying out the weekly visits), there are quarterly panel meetings which are held in the evening and then 1-2 training days/conference per year. The role is voluntary but we do pay expenses for travel costs.

Applicants must be over 18 years of age and appointments are subject to police vetting checks and references.

Application details are on the PCC’s website: http://www.suffolk-pcc.gov.uk/involving-you/custody-visitors or you can contact us via e-mail: spcc@suffolk.pnn.police.uk or telephone: 01473 782774.

DECEMBER 2015 | 43

Pauls jobs for the month Flower Garden

n Prune bush roses back by about half to stop them being damaged by winds n Prune Japanese Maples or Acers now if needed, as they will bleed sap if pruning is done any later. n If you have a wisteria you will know that it can grow like crazy.

If you want to encourage better flowering next year give the side shoots a good back to around 3 cm. n Prune climbing roses now; cutting away diseased or damaged growth and tying in any new shoots to their support. Prune older flowered side shoots back by two thirds of their length. n Keep cutting back dead foliage and keep an eye out for weeds if it is mild.

Vegetable and Fruit Garden n Now’s the time to prune fruit trees. Always use a sharp pair of secateurs, loppers and a pruning saw Start by removing crossing, rubbing, weak, dead, diseased, damaged and dying branches.

Keep the centre of the tree open by removing larger branches with a sharp pruning saw. n Remove yellowing leaves from your winter brassicas as they are no use to the plant and may harbour pests and diseases.

Pauls

GARDEN SERVICES

HOME + LIFESTYLE

n Dig over empty borders and pile manure on top - let the worms and frosts break up the clods of soil. n Soft fruit such as currants, gooseberries, raspberries, blackberries and tayberries can be planted at this time as they are dormant. n Harvest any remaining leeks, parsnips, winter cabbage, sprouts and remaining root crops before the ground becomes frozen.

General Maintenance n Remember to feed the birds.

You might want to ivest in some new bird feeders. Remember unless you clean old bird feeders they harbour disease n Clean patios & paths of moss and algae. There are 3 main ways of tidying up a patio.

Either by use of a herbicide, a power washer or by use of a wire brush. Perhaps the best if you are thinking of the environment is the latter method. With a bit of elbow grease, the moss growing between your patio bricks can be removed with a wire brush fairly easily as it doesn’t have a root system. n Up for a bit of exercise then Spike lawns with a garden fork to improve drainage and aeration.

This months poem...

“A full moon shines over the morning frost; the lanes are full of latefallen leaves; walking across the mulch is almost as tricky as treading over ice.

In town the carol-singers are in crowding the shopping-mall, while a group of muffled musicians play by the outside market.

This year but two robins on the early Christmas cards; the squirrel still runs along the fence skirting our newly-erected shed.”

- Gerald England, Mid-December

One-off jobs or regular maintenance on a weekly or monthly basis hedge trimming | grass cutting | general weeding & tidying up

Doing the jobs you don’t have time for...

Call me for a quote on

01284 723625 or 07952 938010 Email: burygardener@talktalk.net

DECEMBER 2016 | 63

HOME + LIFESTYLE

Pay it forward It gets to about the first week in November and temptation becomes just a little bit too much to bare in our house. The nights start to draw in, the chimney is swept and the fire aglow, twinkling lights slowly begin to adorn the shop windows and the crisp crunch of leaves under foot gives permission for what has to be one of my favourite mornings of the year; being awoken by my playfully excited husband cheekily deciding now is the time for the soft dulcet tones of a well known and loved Hollywood crooner singing “its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...” It’s always a happy morning, ushering in the dawn of the festive season.

Perhaps you feel November is just a little to early to begin the celebrations and maybe it is but I am certainly one for calling forward a time for family, friendship, fun and frivolity; in fact I often ask myself why we save such warm feeling and happy-go-lucky spirits for one off occasions? For surely the joy of celebrating all things dear to us can be afforded more abundance than that?

As I write this month, you won’t be disappointed to hear that I have of course got my favourite Christmas 68 | DECEMBER 2016

album playing, filling the room with festive cheer in bucket loads! But as I considered what to share and inspire you with, I very much felt a pull toward those who may not have the same hopes, dreams and expectations as many of us shall find fulfilled this year.

In recent days and weeks the news has been littered with tales of sadness and desperate situations; the Syrian refugee children and young people sleeping rough just across the sea, local families and friends losing loved ones, uncertain political futures giving

HOME + LIFESTYLE way to financial turmoil or terminal illness faced by many without cure. I write to encourage you to celebrate in fullness, cherishing all the simple and good moments in your world whilst choosing to have an attitude of remembrance and kindness for those experiencing something a lot less and perhaps harder than you are.

Having an attitude of remembrance causes us to stay in tune with others; understanding that we all play a part in the story of a bigger world. I’m a firm believer that my experience of this life was never designed to be one of isolation from others. As I embrace and acknowledge the world of others, my world expands and becomes the life in all its fullness it is always supposed to be. The moment we choose to think about and remember others, the bigger and more exciting our world becomes, coloured with diversity which can lead us to transform our life experience.

This Christmas have an attitude of remembrance. I dare you to consider (more deeply than just a fleeting thought) those whose Christmas looks different to yours.

So, kindness....one of my most memorable films I have watched over the years is Pay it Forward starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. Given the assignment of changing the world, school boy Trevor comes up with the initiative to extend kindness to three carefully chosen people who he then poses the challenge for them to ‘pay

it forward’, to each he challenges them to pass the act of kindness on to three people and so on and so on. He realised that exponentially as people began to ‘pay it forward’ the world would be changed for the better.

People of Bury St Edmunds and Southgate directories I present you with your assignment this Christmas - pay forward a little bit of kindness this Yuletide! According to Trevor, we might just change the world (even just for one person)!

Want to share these thoughts of remembrance and kindness with your children? Why not take a moment to share the story of the man behind Father Christmas, the often forgotten Saint Nicholas.

Saint Nicholas was a rich bishop who lived in the far off land of Myra during the 4th century. His parents died when he was young and left him lots of money. Nicholas was a very kind and generous man and he had a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to those who needed it.

Look him up on google and remember together the long lost magical stories of old Saint Nic! Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year everyone. I hope remembrance and kindness will feature prominently in your celebrations this year. Have a truly blessed Christmas.

Love

Lizi Long DECEMBER 2016 | 69

CHURCH NEWS

WORKING FOR YOU IN THE COMMUNITY WE ARE YOUR LOCAL CHURCH BASED IN SOUTHGATE CENTRE SERVING OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY. DO COME AND JOIN US ONE SUNDAY AND FOR ONE OF OUR MANY MID-WEEK ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES. CHILDREN ARE PARTICULARLY WELCOME TO OUR SUNDAY CLUB WHICH MEETS BETWEEN 10.30am AND 11.45am.

Hope is Born

What are you hoping for this Christmas? Peace on earth? Improved health? A fresh start for 2017? There is still something magical about the season – whether it is children’s faces as the decorations go up, or the prospect of parties, family get-togethers, and fun.

At the heart of Christmas is the story of Jesus: the Son of God, born as a baby, who is God’s ultimate gift of Hope to the world. He came to live amongst us, revealing God’s everlasting love for each and every one of us.

At Southgate Church this Christmas, we will be celebrating this amazing event, and exploring the Hope that it brings to us today.

Do come and join us for our Christmas celebrations and activities – you will be very welcome.

Southgate Church wishes you a Blessed Christmas and a Peaceful New Year!

For further details please contact Jackie Tooley o 82 | DECEMBER 2016

CONTACT NUMBERS

Directory health

& beauty

Stephen John Salon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 700100 PT Joe Personal Trainer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07917 714557 Rachels Mobile Hairdressing. . . . . . . . . . 01359 233371 Bury Osteopaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 769153 Slimming World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly 01842 824980 Just Hair Salon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 232007 Best Foot Forward Chiropodists. . . . 01284 753563 Real Nutrition RX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07497 785411

dance

& fitness classes

Suffolk Age UK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 757740 LMA Acting & Dance School. . . . . . . . . . 01359 271925 Dance Fitness. . . . . . . www.studiodancefitness.com

Rob Harrington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 789074 NJT Plumbing & Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 723389 Blue Flame Gas 24/7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07862 712041 Martyn Webb Plumbing Services. . . 01284 852554 Fix A Leak Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 269415 MA Smith Tiling . . 07899 890765 or 07887 754114 Pete Austin Electricians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 747284 Abbeygate Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 763244 Oven Clean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 259818

home furnishings

PIT Group Design & Print. . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 765092

CTS Carpets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 361283 Hartwell Blinds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 753310 Enspire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 755420 Lescale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 272695 Village Green Blinds . . . . 01379 669209 / 07931 959892

motoring

estate

print

& design

Carrs of Bury St Edmunds . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 752525 Auto Park MOT & Service Centre. . 01284 706888 Premier Bodyworks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 755558 Vindis Skoda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 799616 Rawlinson Mitsubishi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 727856 Rawlinson Renault. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 727850 Skoda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 799616

garden

& landscape

Bluestone Paving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 716405 Archley Driveways & Landscape Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 724486 Stuart Langston Arboricultural Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 760107 Paul’s Garden Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 723625

building

& maintenance

Frames Conservatories Direct. . . . . 01284 700456 MAS Building & Maintenance. . . . . . . 07595 426757 Windows, Doors & Conservatory Advisory Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 615653 Window & Door Repair Centre. . . . . . 01284 615653 The Naked Builder Carpentry & Building . . . . 01284 811111 Higham Forge & Fabrications . . . . . . . 01284 810810 Rejuvenate Property Services. . . . . . . 01284 850337 Local Builders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 723396

& letting agents

Taylor Engall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 725800 Wards of Stanton Removals . . . . . . . . . . 01359 251198 Castle Mortgages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 254042

business services Rudlings Wakelam Solicitors . . . . . . . . 01284 715665 Ayling Computer Services . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 701482 Gage Computer Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 764574 Simply Secure Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 750019 Saffron Sitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0330 2210583 Little Larks Day Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . 07949 685262 Tinkerbells Nursery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 232221

food

& drink

Orissa Indian Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 719116 Slates Restaurant & Carvery. . . . . . . . . 01284 704231 Thomas Ridley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 270536 ICE cooking classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 270102

sports

& social clubs

Pot Black Sports Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 704231 Bury Golf Range & Golf Store . . . . . . . 01284 723894 Moreton Hall Community Centre . . 01284 763405 Planet Laser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 220102

DECEMBER 2016 | 93