Rural Coffee Caravan - Catch Up - Issue 6 - November 2021

Issue Six

FREE

Rural Coffee Caravan

Making a difference to rural communities throughout Suffolk

www.ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk

Each month we try to bring you articles of interest from organisations in Suffolk that are there to support us and help us to live happy, healthy and independent lives.

This month we are pleased to bring you content from Home Start Suffolk - a charity offering support to families during times of need, Christies Care continuing our sharing of residential care options in Suffolk and Success After Stroke - who provide ongoing care and support to stroke survivors and their families.

The University of Leeds are working with the Museum of East Anglian Life in Suffolk on a very interesting dialect heritage project, that you can apply to take part in. Also inside you will find articles about the power that singing has to improve our mental and physical wellbeing, Morrisons Community Champions explain their roles and our scam warning this month is shared from the Financial Conduct Authority about the latest pension scams.

Each of the organisations featured in our magazine would welcome a call if you would like to know more about the services they provide.

Front cover photo by Diana Patrick - Poppies at Beck Row 2

Autumn Light - Photo by Ann Osborn (View from Rural Coffee Caravan HQ)

Issue #6

Contents

•

Out & about with the Rural Coffee Caravan

•

Home Start Suffolk

•

In Your Words - Dialect and Heritage

•

MeetUpMondays™

•

c-a-f-e (coffee and friends events)

•

Singing For Wellbeing

•

Christies Care

•

Scam Warnings– Pension Scams

•

Pension Credit - Are You Claiming?

•

Community Champions

•

Knitted and Crocheted Poppy Patterns

•

More Than A Shop

•

Cooking with Kindness Again

•

Success After Stroke

•

Recipe - Ferrero Rocher & Nutella Tart

•

Long Covid

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Out and about with the Rural Coffee Caravan

Freckenham We have been supporting the Freckenham Farmers Market running the kitchen at the monthly market this autumn. We provide hot drinks, bacon rolls and cakes to help raise money for the Rural Coffee Caravan as well as this being a welcome service to the visitors and stall holders.

Bramford Norma, Diana and Elaine got to meet Sally Havard, Community Champion from Morrisons, Ipswich at our visit to Loraine Victory Hall in Bramford in October. More about the amazing work that she and fellow Champion Paula Lushington get up to can be found on page 21 of this month’s magazine.

Halesworth On our visit to the Pear Tree Centre at Halesworth at the end of September we met with the centre’s CEO Kevin Vaughan, and representatives from East of England Coop and Local Community Radio.

East Suffolk One is a brand new radio station for the east of the county, sharing local news and information and playing lots of your favourite songs! You can give them a call on 07513 638636 or find out more at www.eastsuffolk.one or download the app to listen along: app.eastsuffolk.com Pettaugh & Frostenden A couple of charming little look-backs at some of our younger visit attendees: In July, at our visit to Pettaugh, where an important inspection of one of our campervans was made by Eula, and her trusty companion. We were assured everything was in order and so got the go-ahead to carry on! ..and to Frostenden in September: Alice and her granddaughter at play.

Precious time spent with grandparents - so simple but something we have learned to cherish so much these last two years.

4

Freckenham, Bramford, Halesworth, Beccles, Frostenden & Pettaugh

Beccles Community Hub We had a lovely opportunity to visit the new Community Hub set up in Beccles which has opened up in the last month.

A central place in the town for volunteers and those wanting to connect with others or to be signposted to relevant information. Councillor Caroline Topping had met the Rural Coffee Caravan in Meadowvale Close during our visits throughout the summertime and understands the need for a place for people to meet, chat and gain any information. OneLife Suffolk joined us at this visit and were offering health advice and one visitor had a health issue identified, having never

had a health check previously. The Beccles Community Hub is now to hold monthly sessions for OneLife Suffolk where visitors can receive health advice.

Meadowvale Close, Beccles Jen from OneLife Suffolk checking Rural Coffee Caravan team member Annette’s height at Meadowvale Close in Beccles during their visit in September: “Yes I have shrunk since my early twenties… over an inch!”

Frostenden

Mel and his dog Gus from Suffolk Sight with Jen from OneLife Suffolk, at our visit to Meadowvale Close during National Eye Health Awareness Week.

Chattisham Always a hearty welcome and much lively and friendly chat from the folk in this village!

At Frostenden, Susan Holmes was so pleased to receive information during National Eye Health Awareness Week when she happened to attend our visit. She had been the coordinator for the East Suffolk Branch of Suffolk Sight in Southwold for many years!

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“Volunteering is like baking a cake, you get out what you put in .”

Home-Start in Suffolk volunteers, who provide vital support to families across Suffolk, have been honoured with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

this award and the recognition of the work of Home-Start in Suffolk volunteers is the icing on the perfect cake.”

Need for our services, and also for volunteers, has grown Like many charities, Home-Start in Suffolk has seen the need for their services increase exponentially as a result of the pandemic and whilst the team are extremely proud of their award-winning volunteers and the work that they do, more volunteers are needed in order to cope with the level of demand on the service.

Adapting support in difficult times The organisation has been supporting families throughout the county through one-to-one support and group activities for more than 22 years, helping families as they navigate through challenging circumstances. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic the team adapted their support services to provide virtual and telephone support to ensure families still had the support they needed during such an extremely difficult time.

“It has been a challenging 18 months for everyone and as a service we had a to adapt quickly to ensure families had the support they needed throughout the lockdown period.” explains Tara. “But the need for our services has grown and in the last quarter alone there has been a huge uplift in referral numbers with a staggering increase 45%! With the demand for support from Home-Start growing year on year it is paramount that the organisation continues to grow and recruit new volunteers so even more families can benefit from the HomeStart support service.”

Tara Spence, Home-Start in Suffolk’s CEO said “We are beyond delighted that our amazing volunteers have been nominated for this honour and absolutely thrilled they have been selected to receive such a prestigious award.

We are so proud of our incredible team of more than 270 volunteers who provide such a vital support to so many Suffolk families. This is such a wonderful achievement and is well-deserved recognition of the commitment and dedication that our volunteers have towards the wellbeing of families in our County.”

If you would like to find out more about joining our award winning team call 01473 621104, email jean@homestartinsuffolk.org or visit www.homestartinsuffolk.org.

Volunteer Ali said “As a volunteer I’m so excited and thrilled by this phenomenal achievement.

Everyone within the organisation is so passionate about what we do. Pride and compassion run deep through the whole team, and we are united in our common goal to support families across Suffolk. I am so proud and feel very privileged to be part of such an incredible team. I find volunteering is like baking a cake, you get out what you put in and 6

Things we can help with Being a parent has never been easy. It can be lonely, frustrating, heart breaking and overwhelming.

Life-changing events can happen to anyone.

That is why Home-Start is ready to support families through their toughest times.

Every Home-Start volunteer is trained to help them work alongside you to overcome the challenges you are facing. We work with you to build on your strengths and give you the support that you tell us that you need.

Activities for families during self isolation

•

Disability and illness

•

Forces Families

•

Isolation (no family nearby)

•

Mental ill health and postnatal illness

•

Money issues

Twins, triplets and multiple children

•

When a relationship ends

For more information: www.home-start.org.uk Or call your nearest Home Start office: Home Start in Suffolk (Ipswich office) 01473 621104

Some of the things HomeStart can help with: •

•

Mid & West Suffolk office (Eye) 01379 678552 West Suffolk office (Bury St Edmunds) 01284 758745, 01284 758746, 01284 758748 Waveney office (Beccles) 01473 621104

Home-Start Mid & West Suffolk Registered Charity No. 1127760

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In Your Words: Dialect and Heritage Project

By Laura Kloss

A Language Landscape The project, supported by the

Do you know what a bumby-hole, a teetotter or a dodman is?

These are just some of the words that the Survey of English Dialects identified in use in East Anglia in the 1950s. If you can’t guess, a teetotter was a variant of see-saw in Suffolk,

National Lottery Heritage Fund, wants to find out what words and phrases are still in use and how they vary from place to place and we invite people to take part by sharing your dialect words, memories and stories

a dodman was another word for snail

or by filling out our new dialect survey online

in Norfolk and a bumby-hole was

and at events. Your answers will

a local word for toilet in Essex.

help us build a picture of

England’s ‘language landscape’

Over the next year, The

and the responses will be

Museum of East Anglian

analysed by researchers

Life, Stowmarket, is

at the University

partnering with the

of Leeds.

University of Leeds to take part in local dialect research.

Suffolk Speak Recent words that

I am the Engagement Officer for the project and I got

have been shared

involved as my mum went

with the project

to school in Bury St Edmunds

from Suffolk are

and I discovered that she

cose (stroking a pet),

had passed down several

bishy barnaby

dialect words from East Anglia

(ladybird),

to me when I was growing up

munch (snacks),

in London; words such as

kippered (wrecked)

goosegog (gooseberry),

and paigles (cowslips).

scoff (gobble up your food)

The original Survey of English Dialects

and mash the tea (brew).

1946 – 1978, conducted by the University of Leeds visited over 300 mainly rural locations across the country, including Kedington, Kersey, Mendlesham, and Yoxford in Suffolk. If you, your parents, grandparents or other relatives have a connection to these historical dialect studies or these villages, the project would love to hear from you.

Connections to people, place and past I love the words that my mum has given to me as they form part of my identity, they remind me of her and they give me a connection to both Suffolk and the past. I am fascinated by the variety of words in English and why they are still used in the present day.

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Would you like the project to come to your community?

We are also looking for volunteers to help deliver dialect activities, reminiscence sessions and oral history recording sessions who enjoy chatting with other people and who would be happy to attend community events over the next 12 months. Or, if you would like the project to come to your community group, please do get in touch.

Stanley Ellis and Tom Mason (LAVC/PHO/P2164) Held at Special Collections, Leeds University Library. Licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0

People who are interested in getting involved can contact me at The Museum of East Anglian Life via email at laura.kloss@eastanglianlife.org.uk or by phone on via MEAL: 01449 612229 The next dialect roadshow event will be at the Museum of East Anglian Life, Stowmarket on

Saturday 20 November 1pm – 4pm or online on

Wednesday 17 November 6.30pm -8pm.

To book, visit: eastanglianlife.org.uk

9

MeetUpMondays™ is a network of pubs and cafés across the UK helping to address loneliness and isolation since 2018.

More info and a list of participating host venues can be found on our website and social media pages.

Groups are held on any day of the week!

MeetUpMondays™ creates opportunities for folk on their own to access regular company and a chat, without feeling labelled as lonely,

@MeetUpMondays

and helps to reinforce our local pubs and cafés as community hubs.

@MeetUpMondays_Network

@MeetUpMondays

www.meetupmondays.org.uk

Groups currently active in and around Suffolk White Horse

97, North Street, Sudbury CO10 1RF Tel: 01787 374321

Mondays 10.30am – 12 noon

The Engine Room

Charles Burrell Centre, Staniforth Road, Thetford IP24 3LH Tel: 01824 779867

Mondays 12 noon – 2pm

The Bluebell Tea Rooms

Bypass Nurseries, London Rd, Capel St Mary IP9 2JR Tel: 01473 806620

Mondays 10am – 12 noon

Sarah’s Coffee Shop

Capel St Mary Village Hall, Capel St Mary IP9 2ER Tel: 07730 310136

Wednesdays 10am – 12 noon

The Corn Hall

St Nicholas Street, Diss IP22 4LB Tel: 01379 652241

Wednesdays 1.30pm – 3pm

Somersham & District Community Shop

Princes Gardens, Lower Somersham IP8 4PF Tel: 01473 833416

Mondays 2pm – 3.30pm

The Wellington

27-29 High Street, Feltwell IP26 4AF Tel: 01842 828224

Mondays 2pm – 4pm

Fisher Theatre Resumes 8th Nov

10 Broad Street, Bungay NR35 1EE Tel: 01986 897130

Mondays 10.30am – 12.30pm

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Kesgrave Kitchen

77 Main Rd, Kesgrave, Ipswich IP5 1AF Tel: 01473 622484

Mondays 9 am - 10am

The Garden House

1 Pembroke Road, Norwich NR2 3HD Tel: 01473 624038

Now on *Tuesdays* 12pm - 1pm

The Golden Key

2 Priory Road, Snape IP17 1SA Tel: 01728 688510

Mondays 10am -11.30am

The Kingfisher

301 Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich IP2 0QG Tel: 01473 680300

Mondays 9.30am - 11.30am

The Norman Warrior

Fir Lane, Lowestoft NR32 2RB Tel: 01502 561982

Mondays 10am - 12 Noon

Barleycorn

30 Marketplace, Mildenhall IP28 7EF Tel: 01638 712877

Tuesdays 9.30am -11am

Brewers Arms

18-20 Orford Street, Ipswich IP1 3NS Tel: 01473 790862

Wednesdays 11am - 1pm

The Greyhound

9 Henley Road, Ipswich IP1 3SE Tel: 01473 252862

Mondays 10am - 11.30am

Pura Vida

High Road, Wortwell, Norfolk IP20 0EN Tel: 01379 766200

Wednesdays 9.30am - 11.30am

Pennoyer Centre

Station Road, Pulham St Mary IP21 4QT Tel: 01379 676660

Mondays 10am - 11.30 am

The Shepherd and Dog

The Street, Hollesley, Woodbridge IP12 3QU Tel: 01394 411855

Mondays 2 pm – 4 pm

The Angel

2 Theatre St, Woodbridge IP12 4NE Tel: 01394 382660

Mondays 4 pm – 7 pm

Clare Antiques and Interiors

The Mill, Malting Lane, Clare CO10 8NW Tel: 01787 278449

Mondays 10 am – 12 noon

Café 66

Kesgrave Scout Hall, Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave IP5 1JF Tel: 07852 902879

Wednesday 10am – 11am

The Crown Hotel

25 High Street, Watton IP25 6AB Tel: 07458 396722

Mondays 10 am – 12 noon

The Golf Hotel

748 Foxhall Road, Ipswich IP4 5TR Tel: 01473 727450

Thursdays 12 noon – 2pm

CoffeeLink, Leiston Co-op

Sizewell Road, Leiston IP16 4AE Tel: 01728 831613

Mondays 10am – 11.30am

Tina’s Country Kitchen

18 High Street, Lakenheath IP27 9JS Tel: 07464 450034

Tuesdays 9.30am – 11.30am

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c-a-f-e (coffee—and—friends—events) is a Rural Coffee Caravan network helping to connect Suffolk community groups with organisations which can offer free support, advice, training & information, to help groups and clubs flourish and become sustainable. Here’s a list of current active groups. Please share it with people you know in the areas where the groups meet, to invite them to go along!

Needham Market c-a-f-e Community Coffee Morning Every Tuesday 11am—1pm Needham Market Community Centre, School Street, Needham Market IP6 8BB Come and join us for some friendly company and a good chat over a free cuppa. Contact Jan on 07881 028 510 for more info.

Fresh Start c-a-f-e ‘Weekly Cream Tea’ Tuesdays 12.30pm—1.30pm The Millers Kitchen, Kersey Mill, Kersey IP7 6DP Weekly Cream Tea event hosted by Hadleigh Food Bank charity. £5 per person. Enjoy a scone and a cuppa and a friendly natter in a beautiful setting. Contact Angela on 07377 190 455 for more information. Booking in advance essential.

Friends Round Friday Fridays 2pm—3.30pm Dumbarton Rd Scout Hall, Dumbarton Rd, Ipswich IP4 3JP Free refreshments, all ages welcome. Toddler corner, books, games, puzzles. Companionship and a cuppa. Contact Michelle on 07570 093 097.

Metfield Community c-a-f-e Launching 6th November. First Saturday of every month.

Metfield Village Hall, Skinner’s Lane, Metfield IP20 0LH All ages welcome to come and enjoy a cooked breakfast or snack and tea & coffee on the first Saturday of every month. Launching Saturday 6th November with Breakfast at 9am and Litter Pick from 10am, equipment available – help much appreciated. More info & offers to be involved: Lorraine – 01379 586 307, Chris – 01379 586 560, Lynda – 01379 588 170 There will be a rolling programme of interests, but to start us off Gary will be displaying his treasures from detectoring locally. There will be a book exchange and freecycle table but please take home anything that does not find a new owner.

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Sax’cess c-a-f-e Coffee Morning Mondays 10am—12 noon Sax’cess House, 24 High Street, Saxmundham IP7 1AE Join our friendly coffee morning each week for company, chat and free tea, coffee and homemade cake! Call Jon on 07917 441 793 for more information.

Brandon Day Centre c-a-f-e ‘Old Friends, New Friends’ Mondays 10am—12 noon Brandon Day Centre, Warren Close, Brandon IP27 0EE Come and join us each week for some friendly company and chat, all welcome! Friends old and new! Tel: 01842 819 777 ‘Mates On Monday’ hosted by Marram Green c-a-f-e Mondays (except Bank Holidays) 10.30am – 12.30pm Marram Green Community Lounge, Hall Road, Kessingland, NR33 7AH Come and enjoy a free cuppa, cake or biscuit and some friendly chat! This event is supported by Kessingland Parish Council.

Coffee, Cake and Chat Days Second Friday of each month.

Drop in between 10am – 12pm or 1pm – 3pm Michael Burke Wellbeing Centre, Hartismere Hospital, Castleton Way, Eye IP28 7BH Our events are designed to give people the opportunity to get out, meet new people and make friends. We’re going to trial a prize bingo session at the afternoon session of our December event.

Everyone is welcome. We do not charge for refreshments, although donations towards our costs are always gratefully received. Call Bev on 01379 388682 for more info.

Coffee, Cake and Catch Up First Thursday of each month 10am – 12pm Main Road, Benhall, Suffolk, IP17 1NA Your chance to get together with friends old & new alike in a rural setting within our market garden. Watch out for the chickens! All welcome! Email hello@railwayfarmshop.co.uk for more info.

If your local group is interested in joining the network you can find out more by visiting the c-a-f-e page on the Rural Coffee Caravan website: www.ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk, by emailing us at cafe@ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk or by calling us on 01379 855 338.

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Singing together for fun, health and wellbeing Article by Jill Jennings Studies show that singing together helps people to connect with each other, brings a shared sense of joy, as well as stirring memories, physically strengthening your voice, improving breathing and reducing stress.

A range of singing groups are being run across Suffolk which provide the chance to sing together with fun in mind and no pressure to perform. All songs are taught by ear so nobody needs to read music.

Parkinsongsters - Bury St Edmunds

Sessions are led by Jill Jennings*, Mark Coburn and Tracy Sharp**

Songlines

of experience between them as community singing leaders. Groups are aimed at supporting people with differing physical, emotional and psychological needs.

Below are the groups we are currently running.

These are free to attend, thanks to funding via the Suffolk Community Foundation, the Big Lottery Community Fund and others. We’d love you to join us, but please let us know if you’d like to attend so that we can create sessions accordingly.

who have many years

Singing for the Brain on Zoom* for those living with any brain injury or memory loss and their partner / family carer - 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 2pm

HeartSong** health and well-being project open to all but especially for Family Carers and those managing life with physical or mental health challenges - 1st Thursday morning of the month. Bury St Edmunds Central Library.

- 2nd Friday afternoon of the month Rushmere Village Hall, Ipswich.

- 4th Friday morning of the month. St Mark’s Church Hall, Lowestoft.

Singing for the Brain at Red Gables* for those living with any brain injury or memory loss, and their partner/family carer.

2nd Wednesday of month 10am-12noon at Red Gables, Ipswich Street, Stowmarket Musical Memories** for Family Carers and those managing life with memory loss or dementia.

- 2nd and 4th Thursday afternoons Moreton Hall Community Centre, Bury St Edmunds - 1st and 3rd Thursday afternoons Rushmere Village Hall, Ipswich.

Parkinsongsters* for those living with Parkinson’s Disease and their partner/family carer.

1st Monday of the month 2.30 - 4pm at Moreton Hall Community Centre, Bury St Edmunds.

Lifting Spirits** Women's health and well-being singing project.

Monday evenings fortnightly - Castle Hill Primary School, Ipswich.

Music In Mind** for Family Carers, those managing long-term mental or physical health issues, or for anyone who believes that singing might add to their quality of life!- Monday afternoons fortnightly in Ipswich Central Library, Ipswich.

Stroke Songlines** for Family carers and stroke survivors.

1st and 3rd Wednesday afternoons Rushmere Village Hall, Ipswich.

Care Home/Garden Sing* (on request) 14

Have you noticed how singing with others lifts your spirits and makes you feel better?

For more information please contact: *Jill Jennings on 07960 607869 email: jilljennings1@hotmail.com

Mark Coburn on 07460 336063 email: coburn.mark@gmail.com website: www.undersong.org.uk **Tracy Sharp on 07757 809297 email: tracy.sharp43@ntlworld.com website: www.musicinourbones.com

Care Home Singalong

Also available in Suffolk are free singing for wellbeing classes organised by Swell Music CIC . A series of free singing activities for people who are living with Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease. For more information contact Helen Hayes on 07917 799456. The classes will be taking place at the locations, dates & times below.

Singing with Friends: Dementia Accessible Group Holton Village Hall Alternate Wednesdays 2pm – 3.30pm

Waveney Skylarks: Sing to Beat Parkinson’s Group Holton Village Hall Alternate Wednesdays 2pm – 3.30pm Singing Connections: Dementia accessible Group Kessingland Sports and Social Club Alternate Wednesdays 2pm – 3.30pm Singing Connections: Dementia Accessible Group St Michaels Community Rooms, Framlingham Alternate Wednesdays 2pm – 3.30pm Music Appreciation Group: Dementia accessible Group The Seagull, Morten Road, Lowestoft First Friday of the month 1.30pm – 3.00pm Waveney Skylarks: Sing to Beat Parkinson’s Group The Seagull, Morten Road, Lowestoft Alternate Fridays 2pm – 3.30pm 15

When the situation arises that you or a family member need extra help - whether very suddenly because of an illness or injury, or gradually over time - you can feel overwhelmed, not knowing what to do for the best or where to look for the support you need.

carers receive specialist training in a wide range of conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s and after stroke care - to name a few - which is invaluable in helping to navigate you through the challenges that such conditions can bring.

The first thought is often a care home; but most people - indeed 97% - don’t want to leave their own home and the comfort and familiarity that it brings to be “put in a home”. At the same time, however, family members worry about how to juggle work and other commitments to provide the level of care and support needed.

Christies Carers provide not only the support that you need to live independently, but also compassion, companionship and care to make you smile.

This is where Christies Care can help.

Christies Care is a family run company providing high-quality live-in care for over 30 years to enable people to continue to live independently in their own home. A professional carer comes to live with you, providing personal care and support for a range of conditions, so you can live life as you wish.

Everyone’s care requirements are different, and we provide person-centred packages to meet your needs. Our experienced

Live-in care can be provided on a full-time basis, but also for short periods of respite.

Respite care is often essential, whether to help recuperate from an injury or operation, or to relieve a primary caregiver who may become ill or needs a break. A respite carer can also provide support and companionship at a time of need.

Live-in home respite care allows families to plan a break with the peace of mind that their loved one is being looked after with the same level of care and empathy as they offer themselves. It also helps to minimise disruption 16

residential care, perhaps because of the opportunities to be more active and engaged in self-care and the ethos of moving more and sitting less.”

The type of care that you choose is a big decision that impacts the whole family and is not to be taken lightly. That is why we offer a short-term trial of live-in care to see if it suits your needs. If it does – great! If you decide that it is not for you, it gives you the time you need to find an alternative solution with minimal disruption.

To find out more about Christies Care visit: www.christiescare.com or call : 01728 605107 and ensures that your loved one stays within the home and community they are most familiar with, enabling them to keep to their routines and surrounded by home comforts.

There are also many benefits of care in the home including better mental health, safety, health and mobility.

The Better At Home Report commissioned by the Live-In Care Hub has revealed significant benefits for the health and safety of people receiving care at home compared to those living in care homes. Dawn Skelton (Professor of Ageing and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University) says “the data certainly suggests that live-in care is associated with fewer falls than seen in

Christies Care are great friends of the Rural Coffee Caravan and have been for

many years now. They very kindly gifted us our lovely website and continue to support us by offering us regular access to an expert who helps us to curate the site and fix any glitches.

They also gifted us a complete

system upgrade of all our IT equipment and brought us

into the 21st century! They do not seek thanks but we are eternally grateful to them for this invaluable help. We are firm believers that kindness begets kindness and the support we receive from friends like Christies Care just

proves this.

Thank you Christies Care!

Ann ☺ 17

Pension Scams Don’t let a scammer enjoy your retirement

WARNING •

Pension scams can be hard to spot Scammers can be convincing and financially knowledgeable, with credible looking websites, testimonials and materials that are hard to distinguish from the real thing.

•

invested in more conventional products but within an unnecessarily complex structure which hides multiple fees and high charges stolen outright

The warning signs

How pension scams work

Scam offers often include:

Scammers usually contact people out of the blue via phone, email or text, or even advertise online. Or they may be introduced to you by a friend or family member who is also unknowingly being scammed.

• • •

Scammers will make false claims to gain your trust. For example: •

•

•

claiming they are authorised by the FCA or that they don’t have to be FCA authorised because they aren’t providing the advice themselves claiming to be acting on the behalf of the FCA or MoneyHelper's Pension Wise:

•

•

Scammers design attractive offers to persuade you to transfer your pension pot to them (or to release funds from it). It is then often:

•

•

invested in unusual and high-risk investments like overseas property, renewable energy bonds, forestry, storage units

18

free pension reviews higher returns – guarantees they can get you better returns on your pension savings help to release cash from your pension even though you’re under 55 (an offer to release funds before age 55 is highly likely to be a scam) high-pressure sales tactics – the scammers may try to pressure you with ‘time-limited offers’ or even send a courier to your door to wait while you sign documents unusual investments – which tend to be unregulated and high risk, and may be difficult to sell if you need access to your money complicated structures where it isn’t clear where your money will end up arrangements where there are several parties involved (some of which may be based overseas) all taking a fee, which means the total amount deducted from your pension is significant • long-term pension investments – which mean it could be several years before you realise something is wrong • remote access – scammers may pretend to help you and ask you to download software or an app so they can access to your device. This could enable them to access your bank account or make payments using your card.

Shared from

www.fca.org.uk

Four simple steps to protect yourself from pension scams

MoneyHelper provides free and independent and impartial information and guidance. If you’re over 50 and have a defined contribution pension, MoneyHelper's Pension Wise offers pre-booked appointments to talk through your retirement options. Get in touch with them online at www.moneyhelper.org.uk or call them on 0800 011 3797.

Step 1 – Reject unexpected offers If you’re contacted out of the blue about a pension opportunity, chances are it’s high risk or a scam.

If you get a cold call about your pension, the safest thing to do is to hang up - it’s illegal and probably a scam. Report pension cold calls to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk/ or via Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040

You can also use a financial adviser to help you make the best decision for your own personal circumstances. If you do opt for an adviser, make sure they are regulated by the FCA and never take investment advice from the company that contacted you, as this may be part of the scam.

Don't be talked into something by someone you know, even a friend or family member. They could be getting scammed. Check everything yourself.

If you think you have been scammed You can report the firm or scam to us at FCA by contacting our Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768 or by using the reporting form on our website.

Step 2 – Check who you're dealing with Check our Financial Services Register to make sure that anyone offering you advice or other financial services is FCA authorised, and that they are permitted to provide you with those services.

If you’ve already agreed to transfer your money and now suspect a scam, you should get in touch with your pension provider straight away. They might be able to prevent the transfer. You should also contact Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.

If you need any help checking, call our FCA Consumer Helpline on 0800 111 6768 or check the Financial Services Register online at www.register.fca.org.uk/s/ Step 3 – Don't be rushed or pressured Take your time to make all the checks you need – even if this means turning down an ‘amazing deal’. Be wary of promised returns that sound too good to be true and don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision.

If you are unsure of what to do, contact MoneyHelper for help.

If you have any concerns at all about a potential scam, contact us immediately.

Call the FCA on 0800 111 6768 (freephone)

Step 4 – Get impartial information or advice You should seriously consider seeking financial guidance or advice before changing your pension arrangements.

This article is abridged from its online version.

You can read the full article at: https://www.fca.org.uk/scamsmart/how-avoidpension-scams 19

Pension Credit Are you missing out on money your are eligible for?

Charities that exist to help older people, like AgeUK and Independent Age have been working hard to get eligible people to claim their pension credit .

find form-filling off-putting, are often too proud to apply for help, or wrongly believe they are not eligible.

“They may not realise that they could have up to £10,000 in savings, but still be eligible for small amounts of pension credit and these can lead them to be entitled to many other valuable benefits, worth thousands of pounds a year.”

Pension credit tops up single pensioners’ income to £177.10 a week and £270.30 for couples.’

Independent Age has produced an excellent factsheet on this. It explains in detail, eligibility and how to claim.

The publication Financial Times Adviser, reports …

Don’t let the form filling stop you from claiming - help with the forms is at hand!

’low income pensioners are continuing to miss out on thousands of pounds of benefits as they fail to claim pension credit. According to official figures, £1.6bn in pension credit is going unclaimed each year with nearly 1m pensioner households missing out on an average £1,600.

If you find form filling rather daunting, BSEVC Later Life Connect will help you. They can be reached on 01284 334516 between 10am and 2pm, seven days a week. Super friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and most importantly, discreet, they can arrange to visit you and go through the form with you.

Take up is too low

So if you think you may qualify, give them a call!

Don’t miss out on something that can make a real difference to you.

Pension credit take-up is lowest of all meanstested benefits, with 40 per cent of those eligible failing to claim.

Take-up of pension credit has been around 60 per cent since 2010 and government efforts to improve it have not helped.

According to former pensions minister Ros Altmann, barriers to take up include complexity, form-filling aversion, reluctance to provide information and lack of knowledge of the amounts available.

Altmann said: “It is well-known that pensioners 20 20

Community Champions Paula and Sally from Morrisons

Left: Sally Havard, Right: Paula Lushington

Our team recently met Paula Lushington and Sally Havard, Community Champions from Morrisons who work out of the Ipswich store.

They share a lot of what they do on their Facebook page "Morrisons Ipswich 081" and on the community board in-store, but when we found out about the wonderful things they get up to, we wanted to share their amazing community spirit with our ‘Catch Up’ readers!

collect & redistribute essentials, clothing & equipment to those who need it most, and run a small food bank alongside this, offering one-off hampers to “hopefully allow some breathing space.”

Paula and Sally also help out at a community garden and have monthly Fresh Air and Friends litter picks to help people struggling with their mental health get out and about after being shut in for so long. The litter picks are held along-side Jason from Rubbish Walks (who you might remember from Issue Three of our magazine back in August). The champions also provide food to Helping Hands and Adventures in Outreach.

When Paula met Sally…

Paula writes: “I have been with Morrisons for over seventeen years and have had many roles within the company. I came about doing this job role after having Breast Cancer three years ago, after previously having Bowel Cancer eight years ago. I wanted to give something back, and to try and make a difference in some way.

Sally Havard has been with the company for one year. She brought her mum and sister to a Knit & Natter group I ran, pre-Covid. I have known Sally since we were in our teens and she was the perfect sidekick to join us, having had a career in the caring industry. Together we get so much done and help so many.”

Paula and Sally can sometimes be found at Needham Chinwags chatting about what they do.

‘Doughnations’ The store helps to raise money for all sorts of charitable events and endeavours, even getting the baking team in at 1am to bake an extra 1000 doughnuts to donate to Westbourne High School to help them raise money at their Macmillan Coffee Morning in September. Currently, the company charity Morrison’s Ipswich supports is Young Lives Vs Cancer. In the four years they have been supporting this charity the store has raised an amazing £14,000. The store is currently in the process of selecting a new charity, to be announced in November.

Here are some of the ways Paula and Sally support their local community: Since the pandemic they have been helping to supply a local foodbank (Ipswich Family Bank) which was created during the pandemic to support struggling families in the area. Ipswich Family Bank are a group of volunteers who help all ages from pre-birth through adulthood. They 21

Remembrance Poppy Free Knitting Pattern

Morrisons Ipswich Community Champions, Paula and Sally (featured on the previous page) are asking for your help!

They are running an appeal for donations of either knitted or crocheted poppies and all proceeds from the sale of them will go to The British Legion. Printed patterns for making them are available on the community board in-store at the Ipswich Morrisons, and Paula has shared a link to an online pattern which we’ve included here for you. If you are able to help, please send your knitted/crocheted poppies to: Paula Lushington, Community Champions Poppy Appeal, Morrisons, Sproughton Road, Ipswich IP1 5AQ or drop them to her at the store if you’re in the area.

Poppy Petals (make 2) Cast on 14 sts using red yarn. This is the outer edge of the petal.

Row 1 (RS): Kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. 16 sts Row 2 and 3: As Row 1. 20 sts Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: K1, (skpo, k2) rep to last st, k1. 15 sts Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: K1, (skpo, k1) rep to last 2 sts, skpo, 10 sts Row 8: (P2tog) rep to end. 5 sts Cast off. This is the inner edge of the petal.

Black Centre Cast on 1 sts using black yarn.

Row 1 (RS): Kfb. 3 sts Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: Kfb, kfb, k1. 5 sts Row 4: Purl.

Row 5: Skpo, k1, k2tog. 3 sts Row 6: P3tog.

Fasten off. Sew ends into back of circle, pulling in slightly to create a circular shape on the RS.

Materials Oddments of red DK yarn (about 5g) Oddments of black DK yarn (less than 5g) Pair 4mm [US6] needles Darning needle Brooch back Tension Tension is not particularly important for this pattern.

Follow the tension on your ball band.

Making Up Overlap the two inner edges of the petals in the centre.

Sew in place along cast off edge only. Take yarn through to back and fasten off. Place black circle on top of the petals right in the centre. Stitch in place around the edge of the circle, concealing stitches underneath the circle. Take yarn through to back and fasten off. Sew brooch back in place on back of poppy.

Measurements The finished poppy will measure approximately 6cm wide by 7cm high if you are following a standard tension.

Abbreviations Kfb knit into the front and back of the stitch, thus making a stitch Skpo slip one stitch, knit one stitch, pass slipped stitch over P2tog purl two stitches together, thus decreasing by one stitch K2tog knit two stitches together, thus decreasing by one stitch P3tog purl three stitches together, thus decreasing by two stitches

The pattern can be found online at: http://www.libbysummers.co.uk/blog/ remembrance-poppy-free-knitting-pattern#/ Patterns for crochet poppies (such as the one on the next page) are available at: https:// www.happilyhooked.com/blog/6-free-poppypatterns/ 22

Switch to the red yarn and join in any back loop stitch of the black piece Round 3: ch3, 2dc blo in the same back loop, 3tr blo in the next back loop, 3dtr blo in the next back loop, 3tr blo in the next back loop, 2dc blo in the next back loop, ch2 and sl st in the same back loop as the 2dc blo, sl st blo in the next back loop, ch2, 2dc blo in the same back loop as the slip stitch, 3tr blo in the next back loop, 3tr blo in the next loop, 3dtr blo in the next back loop, 3tr blo in the next back loop, 3tr blo in the next loop, 2dc blo in the next back loop, ch2 and sl st in the same back loop as the 2dc, sl st in the first ch of ch3 you made at the beginning to close the round, fasten off and weave in the ends = 36 The Leaf With green yarn, ch10 Row 1: sl st in the second ch from the hook, sc in next 2ch, hdc in next 2ch, 2dc in the next ch, 2dc in next ch, hdc, 3sc in the last ch, rotate your work around and continue to crochet on the other side of the chain, hdc, 2dc in next, 2dc in next, hdc in next 2ch, sc in next 2ch, sl st in next, fasten off and leave a long tail = 6

Crocheted Poppy

The Flower

Quick Notes • The petal round is crocheted in the back loops of the black middle circle, but, if it’s easier for you, you can crochet them through the entire stitch. The middle circle will look a little smaller, but just as beautiful overall.

• The leaf is crocheted separately and you can attach it at any angle you like • ch3 and ch2 in round 3 count as stitches • the number at the end of each round is the number of stitches you should have • the leaf is crocheted on both sides of the chain With black yarn create a magic ring Round 1: 6sc into the magic ring, pull the tail of the magic ring to close it = 6 Round 2: inc x 6, sl st in the first stitch, fasten off and weave in the ends = 12

Assembling The Poppy Brooch Weave the top tail of the leaf back down at the base, now you will have 2 tails at the base of it.

Make a knot and weave in one of them.

Use that tail to sew the leaf at the back of the poppy flower.

Your poppy brooch is now complete.

This pattern has been shared from https:// craftinghappiness.com/remembrance-poppybrooch-free-crochet-pattern/ using US terms and Craft Yarn Council abbreviations.

Ladies from the knit and natter group meeting upstairs at the Beccles Community Hub to make crochet and knitted poppies for Remembrance Day.

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More Than A Shop news Orford and Elmsett More Than A Shop is a Rural Coffee Caravan network which celebrates the wonderful rural stores who play such vital roles in our village communities, and thanks them for being places of friendship and welcome for the more isolated and vulnerable folk in our neighbourhoods. Becoming part of our network means we can also support the shop teams with signposting guidance for their customers.

Orford General Store

Tel: 01394 450204

were nominated for an award for going above and beyond for their customers. One nomination came from someone who wanted to express a big thank you to them for looking after her mum. The lady had only recently moved to the village but the shop team noticed an absence of her routine visit and went to ask her if she needed anything. Discovering she was unable to get to the shop at that point, they then made fresh deliveries to her. Assistant Manager, Bradley, received the award on behalf of all the team and told us we had made his day. He proudly shared with us the other initiatives the local residents have in place to support each other, such as their Community Fridge, and a regular coffee morning. We're absolutely delighted to be supporting this wonderful shop to support their community.

Elmsett Post Office & Stores Tel: 01473 658210 The team at Elmsett Post Office, Tanya, Amy, Jules and Sasha, also said we made their day when we awarded their certificate recently, and welcomed them to the network. There were even tears! Which shows just how much a thank you and show of appreciation can mean.

This wonderful team talk about their community as if they were extended family. They have created a lovely outdoor space for customers to sit and talk to help keep the villagers connected with each other. This store is 100% a place of welcome and friendship.

Elton House News Tel: 01449 720430 Ellie, of family run business Elton House News in Needham Market, received a More Than A Shop award on behalf of the whole team and was just as delighted to be presented with it as we were to welcome her, and the shop, to the network. Elton House News was nominated by their customers who say the store is a ‘small shop with a big heart’ and ‘a real asset for the community.’

If your local Suffolk store is More Than A Shop and you would like to nominate them call Elaine on 07494 570905 or email: morethanashop@ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk 24

Cooking With Kindness (Again!)

We need to look out for each other, more than ever

benefit they will bring. We will buy a variety of sizes to suit different household sizes. Slow cookers use very little power but allow cheaper cuts of meat to be made into delicious nutritious meals. In fact they can be used for a whole variety of foods and make a very healthy option for people in fuel poverty. Much better than pot noodles and a kettle! We will send them out with recipes and links to our social media where we will post other recipes from time to time.

Warming nutritious meals will help the recipients stay well through winter and beyond.

Last year we all knew that some people were really struggling financially but with frightening price rises and the Universal Credit issue, this year could be even worse and we are asking again for your help. We raised enough to buy 500 slow cookers last year but so many more are needed.

For some of us, this winter will be truly dire and we need to look out for each other more than ever.

Check

on

family,

friends

and

If you are able to donate and support our appeal you can do this via Local Giving online at www.localgiving.org/cookingwithkindnessagain

neighbours regularly Some may be embarrassed that they are not coping so we need to be extra observant. Food poverty and fuel poverty go hand in hand and with the prospect of huge increases in the our energy bills many people will be eating cold food or food that only requires a kettle or a microwave. These options can be very poor nutritionally.

Or by sending a cheque made payable to ‘Rural Coffee Caravan’ to: Cooking With Kindness Again Appeal Rural Coffee Caravan The Old Shop, Harleston Road Weybread, Diss, IP21 5TU

Thank you for your support - you

Warming, nutritious meals will help

will be making a big difference!

recipients stay well So we are again asking for donations to enable us to buy a number of slow cookers.

We will then see that these are distributed to people in Suffolk who need the 25

SAS has one primary goal, to enhance the lives of those who have been affected by a stroke, by helping them regain confidence and rebuild their lives.

Physiotherapy Our Physiotherapists use specialist equipment to support co-ordination and balance, whilst working affected limbs to encourage strength and mobility.

Success After Stroke (SAS) is a Suffolk based charity which provides ongoing care and support to stroke survivors and their families through a team of dedicated volunteers and professional therapists.

Speech and Language Therapy The Speech and Language therapists run conversation groups and sessions for those with differing needs to encourage confidence and build communication skills.

SAS began in the year 2000, becoming a registered charity in 2006 and moving to larger premises at The Stevenson Centre, Great Cornard, Suffolk. We are part of the Stroke Association Stroke Group Network (a community of stroke support groups across the UK), having been recognised by them on two occasions for the work we do in the community.

Wellbeing Therapy In addition to these services, we have a trained and experienced Wellbeing therapist who works with both members and carers on a one-toone basis, using a variety of techniques to improve mental wellbeing, and who also co-runs the SAS Carers Group.

QAVS Award Winner 2021 In 2014 we were given a support award by Babergh District Council for continued support of stroke survivors and in 2021, we were awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). This is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK, being the MBE for volunteer groups and is awarded for life.

Covid-19 Adaptations The recent Covid-19 situation and prolonged lockdowns have certainly presented challenges to our organisation but in true SAS style, our team of volunteers, staff and therapists rose to the challenge and provided ongoing support throughout the pandemic. This included weekly Zoom exercise classes, conversation groups and a monthly Zoom Carers Group meeting, regular phone calls from our volunteers to our members to ‘touch base’, IT support for those needing additional help and fortnightly News Bulletins.

We currently have fifty two members, with more joining every week, and forty one volunteers and professional staff. Our team of professionally qualified therapists provide individual and group sessions within the formal meetings held twice a week.

Currently we have two Physiotherapists, two Speech and Language therapists and a Wellbeing therapist.

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We returned to our twice weekly face-to-face meetings in September 2021 and have recently introduced an Arts and Crafts activity session to complement an active Art group and pottery club. It is anticipated that once Covid regulations ease, an extensive programme of activities will be possible throughout the year, and we hope to arrange for speakers and outings. Trips are planned with members limited mobility in mind and previously have included visits to the theatre, national gardens, stately homes, the seaside and an annual sailing day at Woolverstone Sailing Club, which went ahead this

July with huge success and much appreciation from our members!

SAS are always looking for new volunteers to join them and have a range of roles to suit any age and ability. We pride ourselves on the support we give any new volunteer.

If you are interested in joining us as a member or a volunteer and would like further information, take a look at our website:

www.successafterstroke.org.uk or contact our Manager Sarahjane Lewis via email info@successafterstroke.org.uk or tel: 07434 931962.

Christmas is coming to one of our lovely More Than A Shop stores!

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Recipe Corner Ferrero Rocher and Nutella Tart Thank you to Julie from Freckenham for sharing her recipe with our readers

Ingredients

Oven temperature

Pastry Base

200 degrees or 180 degrees with a fan assisted oven

175g plain flour 100g diced, cold unsalted butter 1 egg yolk 1 tablespoon cold water Tart Filling 400g Nutella 125g dark chocolate 125g milk chocolate 300ml double cream 25g unsalted butter Ferrero Rocher and chopped Hazelnuts to decorate as desired.

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Book

This month—a story about .....and an up-

Recommendations The Wild Remedy: How Mends Us by Emma Mitchell

lifting novel about .

Nature

Recommended by CEO Ann Osborn

I Capture The Castle by Libby Page Recommended by JoJo of the Aldeburgh Bookstore

RCC

'I write this sitting in the kitchen sink...'

Emma Mitchell has suffered with depression - or as she calls it, 'the grey slug' - for twentyfive years. In 2003, she moved from the city to the edge of the Cambridgeshire Fens and began to take walks in the countryside around her new home, photographing, collecting and drawing as she went. Each walk lifted her mood, proving to be as medicinal as any talking therapy or pharmaceutical.

This is the diary of Cassandra Mortmain, which tells of her extraordinary family and their crumbling ramshackle old English castle home. Cassandra's father was once a famous writer, but now he mainly reads detective novels while his family slide into genteel poverty. Her sister Rose is bored and beautiful, and desperate to marry riches. Their step-mother Topaz has a habit of striding through the countryside wearing only her wellington boots. But all their lives will be soon be transformed by the arrival of new neighbours from America, which includes two (very handsome) sons, and the lives of the Mortmain sisters change forever when Cassandra finds herself falling in love.

In Emma's hand-illustrated diary, she takes us with her as she follows the paths and trails around her cottage and further afield, sharing her nature finds and tracking the lives of local flora and fauna over the course of a year.

Reflecting on how these encounters impact her mood, Emma's moving and candid account of her own struggles is a powerful testament to how reconnecting with nature may offer some answers to today's mental health epidemic. While charting her own seasonal highs and lows, she also explains the science behind such changes, calling on new research into such areas as forest bathing and the ways in which our bodies and minds respond to plants and wildlife when we venture outdoors.

While her beautiful older sister, Rose, longs to live in a Jane Austen novel, Cassandra knows that meeting an eligible man to marry isn't in either of their futures when their home is crumbling and they have to sell their furniture for food. So Cassandra instead strives to hone her writing skills in her journals.

Through Cassandra's sharply funny, yet poignant, journal entries, she chronicles the great changes that take place within the castle's walls, and her own first descent into love. By the time she pens her final entry, she has "captured the castle" and the heart of the reader - in one of literature's most enchanting novels.

Written with Emma's characteristic wit and frankness, and filled with her beautiful drawings, paintings and photography, this is a truly unique book for anyone who has ever felt drawn to nature and wondered about its influence over us.

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Rural Coffee Caravan The Old Shop Harleston Road Weybread Diss IP21 5TU tel: 01379 855 338

If you’ve something Suffolk related you would like to submit to share with readers of our magazine or digital newsletter then we’d love to hear from you! Our copy deadline is 14th of the month for the following month’s issue. Email us or post your ideas to us. info@ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk

Our ‘Virtual Leaflet Rack, ‘Noticeboard’ and more news and info can be found at

www.ruralcoffeecaravan.org.uk

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Village

Time of Visit

Dates Scheduled

Freckenham – ‘at the pub’ Fornham All Saints - Thingoe Lodge Kenton - ‘in the church’ Sotterley - Chapel Cavendish – ‘in the church’ Framsden - Village Hall Hitcham - Village Hall Lidgate - Village Hall Bramford - Loraine Victory Hall Greenspace

2pm - 4pm 10am - 12pm 10am - 12pm 10am - 12pm 10.30am-12.30pm 2pm - 4pm 2pm - 4pm 10am - 12pm 9.15am - 11.15am

2nd Nov 3rd Nov, 1st Dec 4th Nov, 2nd Dec 4th Nov, 8th Dec 8th Nov, 13th Dec 10th Nov, 8th Dec 11th Nov, 9th Dec 12th Nov, 10th Dec 15th Nov

Chattisham - All Saints & St Margarets Church Hintlesham - Community Hall Darsham - Village Hall Worlingham - Samford Court Huntingfield - The Hub Polstead - Village Hall Combs - Combs Green (look for the van) Buxhall - Village Hall Wattisfield - Community Centre Westhorpe - Village Hall Halesworth - Pear Tree Centre Gazeley - Village Hall Marshmoor Park – In #12

10am - 12pm 2pm - 4pm 10am - 12pm 2pm - 4pm 2pm - 4pm 10am - 12pm 10am - 12noon 2pm - 4pm 10am - 12pm 2pm - 4pm 10am - 12pm 10am - 12pm 10am - 12pm

16th Nov, 14th Dec 16th Nov, 14th Dec 16th Nov, (Dec tbc) 16th Nov 18th Nov 19th Nov 17th Nov, 15th Dec 22nd Nov 23rd Nov 24th Nov, (Dec tbc) 25th Nov 24th Nov 25th Nov

As in previous years we switch our focus to indoor venues over the winter months and outdoor visits resume in spring. We will endeavour to maintain a schedule of indoor visits where invited.

Look out for more details in the next issue of the ‘Catch Up.’ Locations, dates and times of our village visits and any events listed in our magazine are correct at time of going to press but may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances or changes in government Covid-19 guidelines. If you’d like to confirm any details before travelling, please give us a call or get in touch with us using any of the methods listed inside the back cover.

Pssst… if you’ve enjoyed our magazine and can think of someone else who might like to read it, how about passing your copy on to help us share our resources with another person instead of the recycling bin?

Thank you!

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