LOCAL LOCAL NEWS NEWS
SOUTHGATE Commu
A FOCAL POINT
The Main Hall was packed on Friday 31 January when over 120 local residents attended an open meeting called by local councillors to discuss the issue of street parking by users of West Suffolk Hospital. We are proud to provide such a lovely building for the local community to come together. Our programme of redecoration was completed at the end of February, and we are also busy providing new LED lights. Would YOU like to help develop our service even further by becoming a Trustee of the Partnership? The time commitment is not huge. If you think you might be able to help in this way make contact with Jackie and we will arrange a without obligation chat to tell you more.
TRIP TO LONDON
BINGO
Next Eyes down is Friday 20th March & Friday 24th April at 7pm for 7.15pm start!
Our trip on Saturday 16th May is now almost sold out! Our next scheduled day out to London is on Saturday 17th October – get the date in your diaries now and be ready to act when the booking opens! We leave Bury at 9am and departure time from London is 7pm, and not 8pm as shown in last month’s Directory – sorry for the error.
Our 6th Valentine’s Ball Our annual Valentine’s Ball took place last month with a sumptuous four course meal with wine and dancing to the wonderful Marrakesh Band til midnight. We were raising money for the West Suffolk Hospital’s My WiSH Butterfly Appeal and also making a donation to the Bury Drop In for homeless people. Raffle prizes were kindly donated by Greene King, Beckett Investment Management Group, East of England Co-op, McColls (our local supermarket), Warne Motors, Planet Laser, Cllr Patrick Chung and a number of other individuals. We thank them all.
Contact Jackie Tooley on 01284 703705 or 12 | MARCH 2020
HEALTH & BEAUTY
Have you ever heard of Swami Testing (or Genotype Testing)? I hadn’t either, so I was thrilled when Gene Living invited me to try out their service. I like to think I’m reasonably health conscious, so was really interested to find out if there were any ways I can improve my diet and wellbeing and if there were any types of food I should be avoiding altogether. Swami Testing is a scientific test that can tailor a unique, one of a kind diet, to individuals based on their blood types, fingerprints, medical history, biometric measurements and over 90 other variables. Once you’ve completed the Swami Geotype test, foods are broken down in to 3 categories, ‘superfoods’, ‘neutrals’ or ‘toxin avoid’ - specifically targeted at your results from the testing. And it makes for interesting reading. I found the process quite straightforward. My consultant Rebecca, from Gene Living (who are based at the Self Centre, on Moreton Hall), gave me an app to download and log in details, this became my private account where I could input information, chat with Rebecca and download any information required, plus ultimately see my results.
28 | MARCH 2020
Once signed up, I received a blood sample kit in the post, which I did, it does involve a prick of the finger, but don’t worry, it’s very quick and not painful, and full instructions are supplied so you can’t go wrong. I sent my bloods off to the lab to be assessed, which were then sent back to Rebecca. In the meantime, I filled out an online questionnaire about my health and wellbeing, plus completed a 7 day diet diary, listing everything I ate and drank for a 7 day period, and how I was feeling each day. Once I’d filled these out and uploaded them back to the app, Rebecca had enough information for us to meet and go through the results.
I met with Rebecca and we had a good chat about my lifestyle, plus she told me about how this had massively changed her life and health since she’d gone through this process herself. During this time other tests were performed, some simple measurements etc. Once all the data had been input into the computer, I was provided with my results which are also uploaded to your personal account in the app for future reference. I was completely shocked to find out just how many of the foods I eat on a regular basis and
Important Differences for married and unmarried couples upon separation What does “common law marriage� mean and is it legally valid? There is no such thing as a common law marriage. Unfortunately, this remains a common misconception that if you have lived together with your partner for a period of time, in some cases for several years, that you will have the same rights as a married couple. This is not the case. Cohabiting couples do not have the same financial claims when they separate as married couples do. How do the rights of married and unmarried couples differ? As a married couple there is legislation to protect couples when they separate and divorce. There are financial claims that they can make in respect of the assets either in joint or sole names. Married couples can also apply for maintenance for themselves from the other party. Unmarried couples do not have any automatic claims to assets owned by the other party. Unmarried couples cannot claim maintenance for themselves from the other party. The only legislation that unmarried couples can use relates to jointly owned property or where there are children of the relationship. What is a cohabitation agreement and what are the benefits of unmarried couples having one? A cohabitation agreement is a formal agreement that deals with what would happen in the event of separation. This document can confirm what the couple have agreed in relation to the current setup so for example, who is paying for which bills and for how much. The agreement can also deal with setting out the assets owned by each party and how these should be dealt with if the couple were to separate. These agreements are similar to Pre-Nuptial agreements and can be entered into either prior to the couple living together or after they have started living together. These agreements can aid couples in reaching an agreement whilst they are in a relationship as this can become very difficult when a couple separate. How can unmarried cohabiting couples make sure their children are protected? It is important to deal with children within a cohabitation agreement. This can include for example any maintenance and surnames. Unmarried fathers do not automatically have 70 | MARCH 2020
parental responsibility for their child unless they are named on the birth certificate and the child was born after 1st December 2003. Married fathers will have automatic parental responsibility. Therefore, it is important to deal with this which can be done by agreement between the parties or through a Court application should the father not have parental responsibility at this time. When unmarried couples separate they can seek to obtain maintenance in relation to the child either by agreement or through the CMS. There are also financial provisions and property orders that can be made for the benefit of a child. How else can a solicitor advise cohabiting couples on protecting their assets and each other? Couples should also ensure they have a Will. There is another misconception that unmarried couples will have an automatic right to each others’ estate in the event one of them dies. In order to ensure that their assets are distributed how they wish they should ensure they make or update any Will. When buying a property together couples should consider how this property will be legally owned. You may want to hold the property in unequal shares for example, where one party has provided a larger share towards the purchase price. If a couple were to hold the property as Joint Tenants in equal shares this could mean that on separation the proceeds of sale are divided equally between the parties. This may not be the intention of the parties and Court proceedings can be expensive and may take many months or years to resolve matters. Couples may want to consider holding the property as Tenants in Common so that their respective share will pass under the terms of their Will. This may be important where there are children from a previous relationship. Couples should consider entering into a Declaration of Trust which can clarify the beneficial interest of each party within any jointly owned property. This document can then be referred to when parties separate along with any cohabitation agreement to ensure any sale proceeds are dealt with as agreed by the parties. It is often the case that one party could lose several thousands of pounds if they do not protect their interest in a property when this is purchased and the Court have no alternative but to divide the proceeds equally. For support with this or any other Family issue, please contact Rosalyn Jacobs enquiries@ ellisonssolicitors.com or call 01284 763333.
POPULAR CHILDREN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL RETURNS Following the hugely successful first year in 2019, Doorstep Theatre Festival is back at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds this summer. The festival makes high quality arts activities accessible to primary schools by lessening the restraints of rural isolation and the financial implications that come with visiting an arts venue. The project will provide schools with the opportunity to host a performance in their hall, by leading children’s theatre company Half Moon Theatre. Following the performance, schools will have the option to take part in enrichment workshops led by our team of highly skilled Drama Facilitators, or to visit Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds for a host of workshops including Drama and Technical, with other participating schools as part of the extended programme offer. Both offers come at a heavily subsidised rate to schools. Teachers from all schools taking part will also be invited to a CPD session at Theatre Royal to explore how the themes within the performances and workshops can be carried into the classroom. There are two different shows available in the programme: for Early-Years/Key Stage One, Paper Aeroplane, a musical journey full of puppetry, physicality and fluttering paper aeroplanes, where sometimes the skies are not as clear as we first think; and for Key Stage Two, The House That Jackson Built, celebrating books and the joy of reading a magical spoken word theatre show about the power of imagination, family, memory – and recycling! Half Moon Theatre is one of the UK’s leading small-scale young people’s venue and touring company. They commission and create new home-grown theatre productions, often in coproduction, touring them around the UK and internationally. In addition, they offer a range of productions as part of the Half Moon Presents portfolio – work for young audiences developed in partnership with associate artists and companies. Theatre Royal’s Education and Youth Projects Producer, Hayley Murrow said: ‘Last year, the festival reached over 2,300 young people in local primary schools. This year, we are already working with two brand-new schools and plan to reach more young people. Increasing schools’ access to high quality arts activities is at the heart of Theatre Royal’s thriving Education Programme and the children’s arts festival plays a huge part in this.’
Doorstep Theatre Festival runs Monday 15th – Thursday 25th June 2020 To find out more about the programme or to book one of the performances for your school please contact hayley@theatreroyal.org or call 01284 829935. The festival is supported using public funding from Arts Council England. 72 | MARCH 2020
HOME + LIFESTYLE
How to Face Mother’s Day
Without Mum
It can be hard and painful. but acknowledging your mother’s memory may help you more than you realise - here’s how... No matter how long it’s been since you lost her, waking up on Mother’s Day without your mum may never get easier. By mid-spring, the holiday is everywhere you look, and it can be heartbreaking and painful to confront the constant reminders of her passing. Still, even if you’re hurting, hiding out and ignoring the day altogether may not be the best or healthiest option, but it’s so important to do so. It’s so important to continue to celebrate your mother and her spirit, and to realise that even though you won’t be together in a physical sense this year, she’s with you in spirit.
Carry on those special traditions.
It can be incredibly helpful and calming to engage in an activity that you and she used to do together, especially if a sentimental location is involved, if you used to celebrate by taking her out to brunch at a favourite local spot, continue ordering her beloved blueberry pancakes. If you used to frequent a certain coffee shop together, head back there today and drink a cup in her honour. Remind yourself that her legacy lives on in all of these things.
Write her a card.
You used to buy her a card on Mother’s Day, and there’s no reason why that beautiful tradition should stop. Many people find it therapeutic to write heartfelt messages to their deceased mothers on Mother’s Day; in fact, the practice can be doubly meaningful now that she’s passed. Write in it exactly what you would have written then, and sign it with love, the way you would have done. Another idea is to get yourself a card from her, and sign it as she would have written to you.
Visit her grave.
Cemeteries are generally quiet, serene places, and there’s often no better environment in which to reflect on the memory of a loved one. If your 80 | MARCH 2020
mother’s burial site is relatively close by, consider taking a few hours away from the rest of the day to pay your respects and spend some time reflecting by her side. You’ll be surprised at the peace it may offer you.
Plan a celebration with siblings.
You may find it comforting to be with siblings or with anyone who had an equally close relationship with your mother. Reaching out to those people to plan a small, informal celebration of her life, returning to the joy and companionship of those relationships. It could even become a cherished family tradition. Being together during a time of mourning is always a good idea, it’s special and memorable, and can even be transformative.
Ask for a sign.
If it’s still difficult to plan anything elaborate on the day, that’s okay. Trying to recognise that your mother is still with you is what’s most important. If you pay attention and are aware of them, you’ll recognise those signs. In nature, in music, in food, in smells. Whether it’s her favourite song on the radio, her signature scent floating by, or a rainbow appearing at just the right time outside your window, if you pay attention and are aware of them, you may come to realise that she is with you.
CONTACT NUMBERS
Directory health
& beauty
Stephen John Salon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 700100 PT Joe Personal Trainer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07917 714557 Bury Osteopaths. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 769153 Slimming World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kelly 01842 824980 Best Foot Forward Chiropodists. . . . 01284 753563 Self Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 769090 Hair by Darcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07736 165887 MMT Aesthetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 489759
dance
& fitness classes
Suffolk Age UK. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 757740 The Flight Lab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . www.theflightlab.co.uk
& design
Amplify Design & Print. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 765092
motoring
Auto Park MOT & Service Centre. . 01284 706888 Premier Bodyworks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 755558 John Banks Group. . . . . . . 01284 545130 or 545864 Sudbury Caravans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01787 375023 Warnes Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 754921 JB Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 330372
garden
& landscape
Bluestone Paving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 716405 Archley Driveways & Landscape Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 724486 Stuart Langston Arboricultural Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 760107 Toms Garden Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . 07920 145867
building
& maintenance
Frames Conservatories Direct. . . . . 01284 799586 MAS Building & Maintenance. . . . . . . 07595 426757 Windows, Doors & Conservatory Advisory Centre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 615653 Window & Door Repair Centre. . . . . . 01284 615653 Higham Forge & Fabrications . . . . . . . 01284 810810 Martyn Webb Plumbing Services. . . 01284 852554 Fix A Leak Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01842 763165 MA Smith Tiling . . 07899 890765 or 07887 754114 Pete Austin Electricians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 747284 Oven Clean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07494 869756 R & P Builders & Plasters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 361397 or 07841 923215 Stewart Bracey Painter & Decorator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07778 477159 or 01284 701395 Richard Dilley Architecture . . . . . . . . . 01284 330248 Target Carpet Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07900 833190 AJ Joinery Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 828184
The Lock Guys. . . 01284 220180 or 07761 800465 Garolla Roller Shutter Doors. . . . . . . . . 01284 220061 D. J. Haill Ltd Driveways, Paving & Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01449 737164 or 07766 024137 TW Building Heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01638 610058 or 07493 616153 Bright & Beautiful Housekeeping . . . 01473 917057 LVS Electrical Contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 645540 or 07840 840534 Building/Extension Planning . . . . . . . . 07703 172965 Time for You Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 258991 JDH Building Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07789 992343
home furnishings
Hartwell Blinds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 753310 Garland Street Interiors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 765942 Glasswells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 752804 Dianne Kemp Interiors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07786 543013
estate
& letting agents
Taylor Engall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 725800 Castle Mortgages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 254042 All Homes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 234444 Move It Removals & Storage. . . . . . . . . 01284 339799
business services
Rudlings Wakelam Solicitors . . . . . . . . 01284 715665 Gage Computer Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 764574 Simply Secure Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 750019 The Post Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 769841 Whiting Partners Accountants . . . . . . . 01284 752313 Elliss Solicitors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 763333 St Edmunds Healthcare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 700488
food
& drink
Hubbards Butchers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 706583 Bury Whole Foods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 645456 Orissa Indian Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 719116 Ice Infusions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01359 272577
sports
& social clubs
Pot Black Sports Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 704231 Bury Golf Range & Golf Store . . . . . . . 01284 723894 Moreton Hall Community Centre . . 01284 763405 Moreton Hall Health Club. . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 704232 Bury Town Football Club. . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 799466
disco services
JLW Sound & Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 01284 811574 or 07875 001979