The Stradbroke Monthly April 2012

www.stradbroke.org.uk

£1 where sold

April 2012 No.379

We need a few more volunteers to join our “Magazine Printers” club!

Its only once a month for a couple of hours and is a fairly easy task.

There’s not a lot to learn nor a lot to do but it certainly means a lot to the community knowing their magazine can roll off the machine every month.

Got skills with MS Publisher?

We’d love to hear from you too!

Email us on parishmagazine@stradbroke.org.uk or give us a call on 388341

Easter Sessions on Radio Stradbroke!

Tune in from 10 am until 1pm on Easter weekend for an amazing weekend of music and chat.

3 hours of entertainment form Good Friday through to Easter Monday, the Easter Sessions promise to be Eggs-cellent!

Tune in at Stradbroke.org.uk All the usual presenters, running order to be confirmed!

Look at the village website and LIKE us on Facebook for more information!

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A C Boiler Services Ltd Andrew Cattermole experienced OFTEC registered oil fired boiler engineer Servicing, system maintenance etc.

In addition priority breakdown service from October to May. 01379 642344 If we are not available you can leave a message and we will contact you or call Andrew’s Mobile 07922 020970.

Fleurs Artisan 6 Church Street, Eye, IP21 7BD Tel: 870333 Mobile 07711 936342 We offer a complete range of wedding packages, prices on request.

Creative ideas for every occasion.

Births, Anniversaries, Thankyou, Get Well Soon, Sympathy tributes and all other functions. Delivery service available.

We assure you of our best attention at all times.

PAINTING & DECORATING EXTERIOR/INTERIOR PROPERTY REPAIR / MAINTENANCE BRICKWORK, PATIOS, GARDEN WALLS ETC...

18 YEARS EXPERIENCE

PAUL GODDARD Telephone 01986 784594

Stra

Local Churches Stradbroke Baptist Church

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Stradbroke Baptist Church, Laxfield Road Stradbroke, Suffolk 1st J. Ling

Speakers for April 8th Easter Family Service 15th D. Willson 22nd N. Robinson 29th T.B.A.

Your invitation to: Cameo Lunch - Wednesday 11th April 12:30pm Good food - meet friends – Christian message – (please book) Drop in for coffee - Wednesday 25th Drop in anytime 10-11:30am Home Group - Wednesday 25th Home based Bible study & prayer Cameo Lunch Club -- 11th April Dinner time! – Room at the table.

Each month 25 - 35 people join together for a meal cooked in our 5 star kitchen. After lunch we usually enjoy a quiz or game which is followed by a talk. Our afternoon finishes just after 2pm with tea/coffee. We have room for a few more guests, if you, irrespective of age or belief are needing good food and good company come and give it a try. Transport can usually be arranged. Book with Jackie 384112 or John 388751 EASTER The parish church next to Arundel Castle is full of impressive tombs and monuments, including on the wall facing the door, a large crucifix. One day a girl of about nine or ten walked in and saw this, then turned to her parents and said, ‘Oh, so this is where Jesus is buried?’

That story by Simon Coupland either makes us smile or causes distress at the child’s lack of knowledge.

But where was Jesus buried?

The “Good News” of Easter is that Jesus who was buried, left the tomb and rose to new life. We recall His death on Good Friday and celebrate the resurrection on Easter Sunday. The empty grave, and lack of a body confirms the message given on that first Easter Morning.

‘He is not here; he has risen just as he said’ The Bible Matthew 26 verse 6 The very existence of the Christian Church is evidence of Jesus’ being raised from death to new life, and proof of His continued input into the lives of those people who place their trust in Him. However enjoyable chocolate eggs, flowers or Easter bunnies might be they do not compare with the reality of a God who loves us so much that He willingly died in our place and rose victorious from the grave. In that action Jesus broke the power of death and promises that we too can follow him into life eternal.

Details contact John 388751 Jackie 384112 Malcolm 384797

Suffolk Family Carers We are an independent charity, our services are free!

A Family Carer is defined as any age; ‘looking after’ a relative, friend, partner, parent/s or child/siblings who cannot manage without them because of illness, age or physical, learning or mental health difficulties. Many Family Carers, care for more than one person. The main concerns are when caring impacts on very part of the Family Carers’ life. It is then, especially, that support is needed which is more focused, planned, and often outside the home, with a complete break from the caring role. This we know sustains situations, otherwise there would be many more people cared for in residential homes, hospitals and other establishments.

Information Line: 0844 2253099 Please call our Helpline for more information; 01473 835400 or visit our website; www.suffolkfamilycarers.org

adbroke Table Tennis Club - Good News!

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Local Churches

All Saints, Stradbroke 1st April 5th April 6th April 8th April

15th April 22nd April 29th April 2nd-7th May 6th May

Palm Sunday Parish Communion Maundy Thursday Holy Communion 7.30pm Good Friday Matins and Litany 9.30am Readings and Prayers on the Passin 2 – 3pm Easter Sunday Holy Communion 8 am Family Communion 11.15am Evensong at Athelington 6.30pm Parish Communion 9am Holy Communion 8am Evensong 6.30pm Parish Communion 10am Art Exhibition in the Church Holy Communion 8am

All Saints Church Fund Raising Committee The Pancake Beetle Drive was well supported and raised £144 the next one is on 24th March in the Club Room at Com Centre. This is with Hot Cross Buns. Hope to see you there. The cake stall in Church Street raised £94.15. Entries for the Art Exhibition on 2-7 May with the Preview on 1st May are coming in Tickets for Preview £6 from M Ellis. The Committee wishes Pat a Happy Birthday (A Big One This Year).Please note change date of Gardens Open to 24 June as the Festival is on the 1st July.

Mary Ellis

The Rectory

Tel: 384363 Email: davidstreeter@suffolkonline.net Church Website: www.allsaints-stradbroke. com

Dear Friends, The first Sunday in April is “April Fools’ Day”, but it’s also, this year, Palm Sunday in the Church’s calendar, with an amazing story of Jesus riding on a donkey, and being greeted like a conquering hero. The salvation that he promises to the people of Jerusalem is quite different from that usually announced by a victorious general to the cheering crowds. Do come and join us in church on that day, and on Thursday, Friday and Sunday to hear the full Easter story. Tuesday, 17th April, calls you to our Annual Church Meeting at 7.30pm in the Community Centre to learn more about the future of the church’s ministry, both the people & the building. Easter lilies are included in the church’s flower arrangements, and if you would like to make a donation towards their cost, in memory of a loved one, please give it to Margaret Streeter or Mary Ellis. We greatly appreciate the work of our flower arrangers all through the year, except in Lent. We look forward to seeing their lovely work again in April. Do tell me if you would like to join them on the Sunday rota, or for flower festivals and special occasions. Early May sees another form of art & beauty in the church with the Sale and the Exhibition. A very special occasion, and unique in the lifetime of any of us, is the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. They started in February, and come to a glorious climax in June, on the long weekend, Saturday 2nd - Tuesday 5th. So that Stradbroke can take part, we are planning to have flowers and an exhibition of royal memorabilia in the church, and on Sunday,3rd June, a Service of Thanksgiving, and “A Big Lunch” in the church and along the path between 11.00am and 2.00pm when many will go home to watch the River Pageant on TV. This is a time when the church’s magnificent size, with flags on the tower, and the ingredients for three hours and for five days of joyful happiness, enable us to express our gratitude that the Queen has been on the throne for over sixty years. “Long may she reign over us!” The Mothering Sunday Family Service on March 18th with bunches of flowers and Simnel Cake was well-attended. Please join us at all our Services to give thanks and praise to God. With all good wishes, David Streeter.

All Saints Church Cleaning, - Thursday, 5th April - 10.00 am onwards. Margaret Streeter Women’s World Day of Prayer Thank you to all those who came to the Women’s World Day Prayer of Service, in All Saints Church, on Friday, 2nd March, prepared by the Christian Women of Malaysia; we were able to send £96.78 to the HQ of WWDP. Margaret Streeter

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Street Farm, Laxfield Road

Telephone: 01379 384560 Opening Times: Mon Closed Tue - Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 8.30am - 4pm Beauty Therapy Friday 9am - 8pm

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Stradbroke Parish Council

The Parish Pump!

During the Public Forum Steve Lee produced outline drawings for his suggestions for the garage site on Queens Street which were commented upon by Councillors.

Richard Webster of Suffolk County Council advised the Council on the reduction in street lighting costs emanating from the installation of sensors on all SCC lighting columns. These appear to be very flexible and the cost to convert the lights owned by the Parish Council could be recovered in three years. This would be discussed fully at the next meeting.

NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING: 10th April 2012 7.30pm At the

Community Centre Planning: Applications considered: 0440/12 alterations to fenestration pattern to windows to existing extension The Ivy House, Wilby Road 0515/12 Erection of two storey rear extension to dwelling (following demolition of existing conservatory).

Erection of detached outbuilding.

Red House Farm, Pixey Green Refusal recommended for the above 0545/12 creation of new vehicular access following stop-up of existing access and alteration of driveway. Erection of detached pitched roof single storey storage outbuilding. Erection of lean-to greenhouse. Erection of pitched roof addition to side of existing building.

Manor Farmhouse, Pixey Green 0619/12 change of use of land for the keeping of horses and formation of riding arena North Lane Farm, Pixey Green Approval recommended for the above

Results of planning applications considered by MSDC since the PC last met: Approval was granted for: 4260/12 erection of single storey rear extension and 2 no porches; installation of roof light; internal alterations Tudor Farm, Battlesea Green 4259/12 LBC for above 3388/11 installation of 126 no. solar PV panels Stradbroke Business & Enterprise College 0054/12 proposed permanent agricultural worker’s dwelling Ebden’s Farm, Pixey Green 0179/12 Works to trees: reduce Liquidamber Styraciflua by 20%; thin out Malus; shape up ornamental Cherry approx 10% reduction The Chantry, Queen Street Other Planning Matters: At the February meeting refusal was recommended (on the Chairman’s casting vote) for the resubmitted proposed development behind 3 & 4 Westhall. The casting vote was used in this manner as the Chairman had previously voted to recommend refusal of the application and his views had not changed. Following discussions with District Councillor Stuart Gemmill the Chairman stated that, should the MSDC planning officer be minded to approve the application the Parish Council would not challenge that decision. (The Parish Council had voted to recommend approval by a majority decision when the application was first submitted.)

Other business: The oil bulk buy scheme promoted by Suffolk ACRE had received some interest in the village although no volunteer coordinator had come forward. It was not too late to join the scheme. Contact Suffolk ACRE direct.

NEWS ITEMS Revisions to bus services in Suffolk are due to take place from late March throughout April 2012. Information is available from 0845 606 6171 or Passenger.Transport@suffolk.gov.uk Please Note: The April Meeting of the Parish Council will take place on Tuesday 10 April 2012 at 7.30pm in the Community Centre Advance Notice: The 2012 Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Thursday 17 May 2012 at 7.30pm. All organisations in the village are welcome to submit a report. If you wish your organisation to be represented please advise the Clerk and if you wish to submit a report but no one is able to attend on the night to present it, again, contact the Clerk who will arrange for it to be read out on the night.

The next meeting of the Parish Council:

10 April 2012 at 7.30pm

Clerk to the Parish Council: Carol A Smy tel: 01379 384679 email: clerkspc@thesmys.com **please make non-emergency calls to the Clerk between 0830 and 1800hrs Monday to Friday only**

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Dirty Oven??

J.F BUILDING SERVICES 30 years experience All building work, including: Block paving, Driveways,Patios Concrete bases including conservatories.

Refurbishment& general maintenance.

Day work undertaken.

Phone John on 01379 388655 or 07850 287012

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Nursery In Fressingfield Places available for children Aged 0-5 years Open 8am - 6pm Mon to Fri all year Ring 01379 586111

Egil & Sue invite you to discover...

See our typical menu online at www.ivyhousestradbroke.co.uk

Fresh local produce.

Open 7 days a week : Restaurant: 12 noon to 2 pm (Lunch) 6.30 pm to 9 pm (Dinner) Bar: 12 noon to 2.30 pm and 6 pm to 11 pm

Telephone 384634 to book your table.

Email: marty@martynorris.co.uk

Organisations

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Life in the Legion Joyce Cooper our Branch Welfare Officer presented ‘Revealing Gallipoli’ at The March Meeting of the Branch. Seventeen Branch members and guests took part in readings, and the talk was very well presented. I gave a Vote of Thanks on behalf of all those present. Very well done Joyce. During the business part of the meeting Bernard Mills our new Branch Treasurer gave his monthly report and The Local H Group Representative Ken Rowbottom reported on County matters, which included the closure of The Eye Men’s Branch now leaving 58 Branches in Suffolk.

The annual Branch Dinner and The Band Concert were discussed. The concert is to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s 86th Birthday on Saturday April 21st, and tickets at £5 per person are available at the Post Office.

Eighteen members and guests recently visited Wattisham Air Base, the home of the Army Air Corps, and my thanks to Jeremy Higgins for making the arrangements. The Guest Speaker at the next monthly meeting on April 5th at 11.30 am at The Laxfield King’s Head (The Low House) will be Clive Baxter from Hoxne, and his subject will be his late father ‘Reggie Baxter’, who was a well known local Newspaper Reporter. Members please attend if you can.

Michael Burton – Branch Chairman.

W.I Our meeting started as it always does with the singing of Jerusalem, but at our March meeting it was sung with great feeling in memory of Iris Badcock our much loved member who passed away in February. This was followed by a minute’s silence. We will all miss Iris so much, with her cheery smile and happy disposition, and her willingness to undertake any task that was asked of her. Never short of something to say, and always ready to represent us in so many ways. She will be a great loss, but will always be remembered with love and great affection by us all.

The mood was lightened by Dorothy, when she had the pleasure of welcoming Valerie Parent as a new member.

Our speaker for the evening was Nicky Howener-Townsend who talked to us with great passion about ‘Suffolk Lace and the Lace Makers of Eye,’ tracing the history of lace makers and their art back to the 16th Century . She brought with her a display case which contained 57 patterns of beautiful Suffolk Lace which had taken her over 4000 hours to make, and which were copies of lace that can be seen in the V&A Museum in London. A very interesting talk and Jennifer thanked her on our behalf. The competition for a piece of lace, and there was some lovely items on show, was won by Mary. Tuesday 16th April there will be a walk to Wilby starting at 9.30am. See Jane G. for details. Just a reminder, about the ‘Table Top’ sale at our next meeting, which will have an Easter Theme and we would welcome any cakes/biscuits /chocolates etc. that you can make and bring along.

Many thanks.

Gill Bird

Stradbroke Good Neighbours Our telephone number is 07749445531 :- can we help you ?

Need someone to check your smoke alarm?

Need a lift to the surgery?

Need a prescription collected?

Need a light bulb changed?

Need an odd job done ?

With ever increasing fuel prices we have revised our journey charges and will inform anyone phoning for a lift the cost of their journey. We would appreciate at least 24 hrs notice and look forward to being of service.

If you are new to the village there is a Good Neighbour Welcome Booklet that could provide useful information. If you would like one please contact :- 07749445531

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Organisations

Stradbroke Primary School visit us at www.stradbrokevc.suffolk.sch.uk It has been another busy half tern at Stradbroke Primary. This term we had two fun whole school Science days for the children. The zoologist Kate Jackson visited the school with her Mini-beast road show. Children learnt lots about the habitats of different insects and got to handle mini-beasts ranging from Giant African Snails to Hissing Madagascan Cockroaches and Corn Snakes! We then hosted a day to celebrate Science week given by Mad Science Norfolk. The children got to experiment with light and dark (posing in the photos in 3D glasses) and investigate why substances change state, making their very own pots of slime! We then also held a special day to perfect our DT skills. The company Inqusi-Quest ran a special workshop for Class 4 who learnt more about the Second World War and made their very own Mad Scientists!

Spitfires! We often attend plays at Norwich Theatre Royal. This term Class 3 went to see “The Terrible Tudors Horrible History” and Class 4 went to see “Swallows and Amazons” and were invited to a “Stage to Page” workshop about the play. We will be collecting money for Sport Relief this term by completing our very own Stradbroke Mile Assault Course designed by Class 3 and Mr. Plowman and starting off the day with a whole school “Wake and Shake”!

Mr. Gionis from Inquisi-Quest Tiddlywinks, the pre-school within our school grounds are now taking chilmaking Spitfires dren from 2 years of age. Please come and speak to staff at Tiddlywinks or contact the school if you are interested in a nursery place for your child and we can pass on details to you.

Finally we will be rounding off a hectic half term with a school disco- a lovely start to the Easter holidays!

Mrs Melanie Barrow- Headteacher Stradbroke Primary

Stradbroke High School - An 11-16 Academy We are pleased to announce that as of 1st March 2012 our school has become an Academy and will now revert to the original title of Stradbroke High School.

What does this mean and what difference will it make to the running of the school?

Initially very little will be seen to change; we will gradually change over to our new letterheads, website names and eventually uniforms. The longer-term effects will be significant.

OFSTED rated our school as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ features and that we are on an upward curve.

Academy status gives us more control over how we spend our money and we believe that this will help us move forward even faster. Our aims will be the same; maintain our high level of individual care and continue to push forward not just our academic standards, but the ‘whole child’ education which prepares our youngsters for a positive future.

Andrew Bloom - Head Teacher

Stradbroke

Village Website

Has your group or organisation joined yet?

It’s easy to sign up and share your group activities and news !

For example you could: • Publicise all your meeting and fundraising efforts • promote upcoming fixtures • share photos and videos of your events If you would like more information or advice to support your group joining the website, please get in touch!

Email: webmaster@stradbroke.org.uk

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Organisations

Neighbourhood Watch Another quiet month for us in Stradbroke, please contact me if you have anything to report no matter how small it may seem at the time.

Maria Smith 384311 ( Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator )

Stradbroke Allotments Community Project. We Need You! As you will be aware the Village Trust has recently purchased a 6 acre field behind Drapers Hill. This has been bought on behalf of everyone in the village to provide not only a space for allotments but also a wildlife area with a pond, a small wood, and a community orchard with a wildflower meadow.

The area will not be available until September, but in the mean time The Stradbroke Allotment Association committee has been set up to raise funds and organise the planning of the site. But we need your help. This could include tree and hedge planting in the autumn, and/or ideas of how the site could be developed to serve the local village community. If you would like to be involved in our exciting project, please contact Luke Heydon.

Your help would be valuable in a number of ways; * Ideas for the site * Volunteering to help in the Autumn * Become a member of the Association * Donations of money towards this great asset to the village These are just a few examples of the number of ways you can help us. You may have other ideas in mind. Please share them with us. We are also planning how many allotment plots will be needed. If you would like to put your name down for one, or a shared one, please contact Luke. We have had a lot of people put their names down already, so it will help with the planning to come forward as soon as possible.

Please contact The Stradbroke Allotment (and Garden) Association. Luke Heydon tel: 01379 384 778, The Wheelwrights, Church Street, Stradbroke, IP21 5HT. Thanking you, Maureen Johns and Helen Pleasance

Geoffrey Smith 1927 - 2012 It was sad to hear of the sudden death of Geoffrey Smith on Sunday 11th March 2012. His contribution to the village over many years was immense.

Returning from the Second World War he expanded his interest in photography and over the next thirty years became the last in the line of “Stradbroke Village Photographers”, a line that had started with Henrietta Ryle in the 1860s. Geoffrey was instrumental in rescuing and storing numerous glass negatives that had been taken by his predecessors, Ryle, Girling and Webb which showed the village and its people over continuous period of 100 years. Without Geoffrey’s foresight and enthusiasm those negatives could have been lost forever. As it was, they eventually formed a centrepiece of Stradbroke’s celebrations of the Millenium when they were professionally restored and prints made from them. This collection formed the basis of today’s Village Archive and to that Archive was added many of Geoffrey’s own photographs which showed Stradbroke after the war and right up to the 1970s.

Geoffrey also felt strongly about the community and was for many years a Parish Councillor, becoming Chairman and continuing his contribution for many years. He was also a highly valued member of Stradbroke’s Fire Service for over thiry years. A keen bowler, Geoffrey was a member of the White Hart Bowls Club,still turning upto watch games and encourage today’s players, long after his own playing days were over.

Latterly he was going through and reviewing the hundreds of rolls of film that he had taken over the years which at a conservative estimate held some 36,000 pictures - a wonderful record of our village and the surrounding area.

Geoffrey married Rosemarie “Buddy” Pearl in February 1955 who sadly died at the end of 2011. They are survived by son Michael and daughter Linda and grandsons, Craig and Mark.

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Barn View, Wilby

Wheeled Digger, Mini Digger, Dumper.

All types of excavation work undertaken.

Tel Home: 01379 384641 Mobile Number 07775 716629

Cleverley Made Cakes High quality, individually designed cakes for all occasions.

Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings, Christenings, Christmas, etc...

Hand-crafted sugar decorations a speciality

BRUCE SAMSON Carpenter & Joiner ◊ Joinery Design & Build ◊ ◊ Modern & Period Quality Bespoke Joinery ◊ ◊ Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom Fitting Service ◊ Fitted & Freestanding Furniture ◊ ◊ Custom Staircases ◊

Julia Cleverley www.cleverleymadecakes.co.uk cleverleycakes@gmail.com

Fressingfield 01379 588260/07944 965873

20 Years Experience Public Liability Insurance 01379 384573 ◊ 07905 645716

Antique Restoration

Gas Safe and Oftec

Furniture, Clocks, and Barometers

registered plumbing

Ian Brown

LCGI

Reproduction Furniture Repairs & Bespoke Carpentry Undertaken Tel: 07881 942225 or 01379 852298 Laxfield Road, Stradbroke, Skilled Restoration & Carpentry since 1987

and heating installer.

Natural Gas, Oil and LPG installation or service work on domestic premises.

Tel: 01379 388862 Mob: 07747 781709

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Forthcoming Events

Stradbroke Cinema On Thursday, 26th April, 7.00 for 7.30 pm. we are showing “The Iron Lady” The Bar will be open - and ice creams in the interval. Entrance £5.50.

It is is a 2011 British biographical film based on the life of Margaret Thatcher, the longest- serving Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 20th century. The film was directed by Phyllida Lloyd. Thatcher is portrayed primarily by Meryl Streep, but also, in her formative and early political years, by Alexandra Roach. Thatcher's husband, Denis, is portrayed by Jim Broadbent, and Thatcher's longest-serving cabinet member and eventual deputy, Geoffrey Howe, by Anthony Head. Meryl Streep lives up to expectations with her strikingly accurate recreation of Margaret Thatcher, at least as she has appeared in the media. It is interesting to be reminded of the violence of the 1980s - the Poll Tax riots, the IRA hunger strikers and the bombing of the Grand Hotel in Brighton, the bitter Miners' Strike, the tensions and mishaps of the Falklands War offset by the exaggerated euphoria over the eventual victory. The tone is jaunty and affectionate, a blend of Yes Minister and The King's Speech, fuelled by flashbacks that bob us back through authorised history. It is a film that gives us Thatcher without Thatcherism.

For your diary - On Saturday, 12th May, we are showing “The Artist”, and on Friday, 25th. May “War Horse”.

These are the last films for this season. The Autumn Season starts in September and Stradbroke Cinema will be on the 4th Thursday of each month.

Margaret Streeter

Friends of All Saints Church The Church Path Plant Sale is on Saturday, 5th May - so please think of The Friends of All Saints when you do your sowing, planting, dividing etc.

On Saturday, 23rd June, a Tower Climb and/or A Walk, or just the “Full English Breakfast!” at Church House - an event not to be missed. Carol Darling says thank you for the seasonal digital photographs for the 2013 Calendar already received; keep them coming in. NB Digital pictures, 1 Mb (Megabyte) .

ALERT: You can help us when you shop online info@spendandraise.com Margaret Streeter (Press Officer)

The SAS presents… IT’S A KNOCKOUT! Sunday 1st July – 2pm - Stradbroke playing fields A brand NEW event for our village which is part of the Festifull weekend this summer.

Since there’s o Inter-Village Games taking place this year, we thought we could have some slightly less serious fun and games. “It’s a knockout wipeout” is predominantly a spectator event, but we need some willing victims teams to take part for everyone else’s entertainment J Planning is already well underway and events include “Spongebob Mayhem”, “Swan Lake”, “Manic Maze”, “Human Hoopla” and our famous “Human Table Football”. You don’t need to be super fit and sporty but if you’re prepared to dress up, look silly and get wet then you need to get together a team of between 4 and 6 people which includes at least 2 adults and 2 children under 12. Team captains should contact Julia Green - jgreen136@gmail.com or 01379 388855 - before 30th April to register their team. There is a limited number of team places so it’s first come, first served. If, on the other hand, you’re not prepared to dress up, look silly and get wet, then you need to make a note of the date in your calendar so that you can come along and enjoy the spectacle!

The SAS

Lottery Bonus Winners 33 Michael Ellis. 42 B Nunn. 33 Mary Ellis. 15 J Bloss. £48 donated to Pudding Party. £48 donated to Quiz Evening.

Mary Ellis

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Property & Garden Maintenance We can transform your Garden Patios designed and laid Water & Garden features built Fences replaced or repaired New lawns laid - Hedges clipped Drives & patios power washed General Garden maintenance No Job Too Small Call Steve for a guaranteed competitive quote Mobile: 07858 926216 Tel: 01379 384615

MARK BANCROFT PAVING SERVICES Specialist in all types of paving and hard landscaping, driveways, patios, ornamental garden walls, water features, drainage and fencing Family run business with over 25 years experience Fast friendly professional service.

Fully insured and all work guaranteed For a friendly visit with a free quotation call Mark on: 01379 677027 or Mobile 07768636618

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www.bcgoddard.co.uk Stradbroke Post Office Newspapers & Magazines delivered in the village on weekdays and on Sundays.

Toys Greeting Cards Gift Wrap Stationery Tobacco Confectionery Drinks Fresh Milk Films & Developing Computer Supplies National Lottery Instants Most books and multimedia CD ROM to order A broad range of Suffolk and Local Interest books.

Videos, Magazines and Maps in stock.

A full list and postal service available.

POST OFFICE SERVICES INCLUDE: GIROBANK, NATIONAL SAVINGS, DVLA, FOREIGN CURRENCY, etc QUEENS STREET Tel 384257

Open 6.30am - 10pm Seven Days a Week

Is your garden over run with Moles ?

Do you have a wasp nest ?

Are your paddocks over-run with rabbits ?

All typical Pests controlled.

For ALL your Domestic / Commercial Pest Control No obligation – free survey/quotes.

Please call for a chat, 01379 788865 / 07809 226109 / 07518 731106 www.safeandsoundhygieneandpestcontrol.co.uk

Forthcoming Events

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Her Majesty’s 86th Birthday Concert in Stradbroke “GET YOUR TICKETS NOW You may or may not have heard that Stradbroke and District Royal British Legion is presenting a concert at Stradbroke High School, on Saturday 21st April at 7pm,2012, to celebrate *Her Majesty’s 86th Birthday* Ipswich Hospital Band, under the direction of Peter Gray will be providing the music. We plan to offer the audience an *interval drink* for the Royal Toast, and the evening will conclude with a *Drum Head Service*, led by Richard Stretch, the Suffolk County Padre. Also in attendance will be Colin Hawkins RBL Suffolk County Chair and Patricia O’Brien Suffolk County Council Chair. We have endeavoured to keep the price low,* just £5* in order to attract local neighbourhood, and to make this a real ‘Legion in the Community’ effort. Members of the community representing local organisations such as the football and cricket clubs, over 60’s WI etc….will be placing the drums for the Drum Head Service Tickets are available at Stradbroke and Horham Post Offices, or from Bernard Mills, 21, The Orchards, Laxfield, Suffolk IP13 8EE with a SAE. It is advisable to purchase tickets prior to the occasion.

A*BARGAIN* NIGHTOUT £5 For an interview, ring Michael Burton 01379 651 013 Stradbroke Branch Chairman Draw Prizes Any profit made will be given over the the RBL Poppy Welfare Fund. Many prizes have so far been donated.

Prizes include, A gift from the Royal Collection Enterprises on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11, of a 'family pass' to the summer opening of the state rooms at BUCKINGHAM PALACE. Theatre Tickets, Family days out, Massage treatments, Hair stylists, A Meal for two at Diss Rugby Club, Garden Centre voucher, a round of golf, and many more.”

Joyce Cooper 01379 384 424

Wingfield and District Gardening Club Our well attended February meeting contained a detailed talk on composting and its benefits given by Graham Redelsperger. The importance of addinghumous to both retain moisture and increase air supply was stressed. This was followed by a “seed swop” and the opportunity to buy secondhand gardening books of which there was a large, interesting selection.

Date for your diaries: on 26th April at 7.30pm in the De La Pole Arms in Wingfield, there will be a talk on “Climbers and rambling roses” by a representative from Peter Beales Rose Nursery.

For further information contact Caroline on 01379 384674

The Keepers Daughter Acting Classes The Keeper’s Daughter Young Company will start offering Weekly acting classes at Diss Corn Hall on Tuesday evening during term time from 17th April. Classes will be from 7.30pm until 9pm. Classes are for 13 to 18 year olds and will run in 6-week blocks costing £75. For further details contact: Henri on 07738 835 553; or Mark on 07876 184 187; or e-mail: thekeepersdaughter@rocketmail.com.

The Keeper’s Daughter

Jumble Sale iao TEECH A Jumble Sale will take place on Saturday 21 April from 2 - 4 pm, at Stradbroke Community Centre. It will also include the sale of new greeting cards and jewellery, It will be raising money for TEECH Charity no. 1074765.

T. Sleap

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Forthcoming Events

St Elizabeth Hospice Love your linen If you’re spring cleaning, and clearing out your cupboards, why not donate any unwanted or unused linen to your nearest St Elizabeth Hospice shop.

The Hospice shops will accept any linen including: sheets, pillows cases, blankets, towels, table cloths, and curtains during their love your linen campaign.

Fiona Browning, Area Retail Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “Linen sells really well, including retro linen, so anything you have that you no longer use or need, please donate it to your local Hospice shop. The funds raised through our shops help us provide care free of charge to our local patients and their families.”

For more details visit www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk or call 01473 723600 or email (below) Sign up for Midnight Walk Ladies only! You are invited to take part in St Elizabeth Hospice’s Midnight Walk on Saturday 19th May 2012.

New for this year will be a school disco- themed warm up and two routes to choose from – five or eight miles.

The walk starts from Ipswich Town Football Club and goes through Ipswich Town centre at night. The longer route will poignantly pass by the Hospice itself in Foxhall Road, providing a moment for reflection.

Registration is £15 including a Midnight Walk T-shirt. Closing date for registration is May 11th 2012. Walkers are asked to raise as much sponsorship as possible.

You can sign up online at www.midnightwalkipswich.co.uk or call 01473 707043 or email midnightwalk@stelizabethhospice.org.uk to be sent a form in the post fundraising@stelizabethhospice.org.uk

Holiday and Weekend Opportunities for Children Hartismere Playscheme Registered Charity No: 1038933.

2012 is the 25th anniversary of the Playscheme which is held at Eye Primary School for 5 to 11 year olds. Our dates this year are MONDAY JULY 30th to FRIDAY AUGUST 3rd. Booking forms will go out via schools nearer the time.

We hope you can join us to have fun in the summer holidays. For more information contact Pat on 01379 870100 or Bernard on 01379 873113.

Pat Brightwell Eye Arts Club Eye Arts Club is a craft and theatre club for children aged 7 to 17 of all abilities. We meet at the Dove Hall (behind Vine Church) between 10 am and 12am on Saturday mornings during term time to create masks, puppets, scenery, animation and film, photographs and music. We use this to support a finale production including dance and movement in a performance at the end of each term’s sessions.

The club is supported by two professional artistes and volunteer helpers and you can also work towards the National Arts Award scheme if you wish. For more information on dates etc, please contact: Pat on 01379 870100 or Liz on 01379 668464.

Charity No. 1061143

Tea at Tanglewood Every year our son takes part in a charity event to raise money for various good causes and this year is no different except that this year it is personal. This year he is Climbing Ben Nevis for the Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of a young lady who he worked with. All informa#on about this can be found by entering Darren Ambler into the search box on www.justgiving.com and, to help him raise as much as possible, we are holding an event in our garden at Tanglewood, New Street, (Opposite Bishops Way) on June 10th from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm where, for a dona#on of £2.50 per person, there will be a selec#on of tea, coffee, cakes and sandwiches and, of course, all the money we raise will go towards this very worthy charity.

Thanking you in an cipa on, Tony & Heather Ambler 01379 388454

Prize Bingo Friday April 27th Prize Bingo in aid of White Hart Bowls Club. 7.30pm Stradbroke Community Centre. Many excellent prizes, raffle, refreshments plus a flyer to win a hamper Julie Ward secretary White Hart Bowls Club

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All Requirements & Budgets Catered For Parties - Weddings - Special Events Corporate Hospitality Wholesale Prepared Foods We Use Only Premium Quality Produce Local & Organic Where Available To Discuss Your Requirements Call Marie Worlingworth Suffolk IP13 7HX

Tel: 07789684434

www.thymeforfood.net

Page 20

News & Views

The Suffolk Foundation GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE NOW Up to £5000 is available from the Transforming Suffolk Community Fund and the Suffolk Foundation is keen to receive applications to the summer grant giving round. Grants are available to community groups, community interest companies and social enterprises who would like to organise a project and need the funding to do so. Typically grants may be given to groups who undertake youth activities, older persons clubs, groups supporting mental health, minority groups, and could be for funding to support activities such as educational visits, sporting activities, training, lunch club new activities etc. Some set up costs may also qualify. There are many projects that can be applied for, these are just a few.

We ask that your project meets one of the following four themes however: Active, healthy and inclusive communities A greener Suffolk A vibrant economy Work and life skills The closing date for applications is 21 May 2012.

If you wish to discuss your ideas or how to complete the simple application process, then please do not hesitate to contact Sue Wright on 01473 734127 who is happy to help you.

If you want to talk about your draft application also, then please do call Sue to discuss. All application forms, guidelines etc are available from the Suffolk Foundation website on www.suffolkfoundation.org.uk.

Sports Roundup Running for Stradbroke – The Big Day Approaches (April 22nd) The legs are quivering, the heart’s beginning to flutter, and the stomach feels as though it’s given up the ghost and left home! And the race is still 4 weeks away, but it must be nothing to how John Bishop felt after his multi-marathon challenge - so why should I be worrying?

With 450 miles on the clock since I started training, things have gone surprisingly well. All I need now is to break a leg skiing next week.

Still, at least it’s downhill now all the way to the starting line! Next month is the so-called taper period, a time for the body to recover from the strains (and groans) of training over the last few months.... and time for pasta, pasta and more pasta! No I’m not a spaghetti – freak, but it’s the best way to build up the energy reserves for race day.On the fundraising front I’m very grateful to all those who have pledged money for my challenge. I also know there are still a few of you who have said you’ll support my cause, but have not yet got round to making a pledge. I would be very grateful if you could do so. You’ll find sponsor forms in the two surgeries, the Post Office, the Spar and the Bakery. Alternatively just give me a call and I’ll fill it in for you! Bye for now, my next and last report will hopefully be a “running commentary” so don’t miss it!

Don

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Welcome to Mita Higton Art Commission me to paint an exquisite watercolour portrait of your loved ones or a favourite pet as a special gift.

Contact me on 01379 388925 or by email mitahigton@sky.com See all my work at http://www.artsumitra.co.uk/

Etheridge Nurseries Laxfield Road, Tel: 384204 Mob 07781 440140 We have now got a selection of Seed Potatoes, Onion sets, Shallots ( Available soon ) Also a selection of Fruit Trees Apples , Pears, Selection of hedging plants : Hawthorn, Dog wood , Yew , Laurel, Large selection of Box and Lavender Plants ( 4 types) Fresh fruit and vegetables available all year round in our Farm Shop . ( Locally Sourced if not our own produce ) Fresh cut flowers for all occasions Dont forget your Mother on Mothering Sunday we have a wide selection of Cut Flowers and Pot Plants

HAZELWOOD WILBY ROAD STRADDBROKE EYE, SUFFOLK IP21 5JN

Phone: 01379 388870 Mobile: 07590507307

Passmore Weeks & Richardson

Page 22

Sports Roundup

Stradbroke Cricket Club “Hosepipe bans, 3 million unemployed, tension over the Falklands, Police threatening to strike. Next you will be telling me that Englebert Humperdinck is making a comeback! My attempt at political satire takes us back 30 years.

The committee of Stradbroke Cricket Club were almost at the point of dissolving the club due to lack of members.

They decided to give it one more year. The rest is history. I fear that we have gone full circle. Shrinking committee, lack of senior players, inability to find parents willing to manage our age group teams, the need for more volunteers, and so on. It would be a shame if we ever had to make that decision. We run 3 adult teams offering a good standard of league cricket, and youth teams at Under 15, Under 13, & 2 at Under 11, plus a girls team, so you can see the extent of the problem. Can you help in any capacity? A good starting place is Nat West Cricket Force day, on Sunday 1st April from 10am to 1pm, when we will be cutting grass, rolling the pitch, erecting the nets, tidying the kit, and painting the scorehut & shed. All little jobs that get the club ready for the summer. Give us a look.

Memberships are also due. Full membership is £40, Student & Under 15s £20, Under 13s, Under 11s & girls £15.

Social membership £5. A slight increase, the first for 4 years. Everyone who helps gets a T shirt. The season is upon us, the first fixtures are: A Team – 15/4 Bawdsey (Home), 29/4 Needham Market (Home), B Team – 22/4 Stowupland (Home), 29/4 Nacton (Away). Nets start at the club on Thursdays from 5th April at 6pm for seniors & Under 15’s. Junior training starts on Fridays from 20th April 6pm to 8pm with qualified coaching @ £2 per session. Finally, The Pop Quiz on 2nd March saw 22 tables take part. We raised £518 on the night. Thank you for supporting the event, and thanks to Marty Norris for his hard work. See you next month, remember what I said.

Michael Hugman

Stradbroke Football Club Results: Aldeburgh - Away, Lost 3 – 2 Harpers - Home , Lost 5 – 3.

The last Cash Bingo eaised £47.10 the next one is on Friday 13th April. A Jumble Sale for the club will be on Sat. 7th April 10 – 11.30 in the Com Centre. Anything saleable will be most welcome inc Jumble Contact M Ellis for Collection. Graham Apperlet a Suffolk Referee has written a book called “You’re Having a Laugh Ref”. Tales from a local football ref. £5 all proceeds to East Anglian Childrens Hospice. Copies of this can be had by contacting Mary Ellis on 01379 384642. The Stradbroke Club features in this and is well worth a read.

Mary Ellis

Stradbroke Badminton Club Hello everyone, with the badminton season now well into the season the club is still doing well in the leagues unfortunately the last three games in the Aldeburgh leagues bucked the trend as the following indicates.

Aldeburgh Men’s Thorpness 4.0 Stradbroke 2.0 Aldeburgh Mixed Cocktail Stradbroke 3.5 Felixstowe 5.5 Stradbroke 2.0 Thorpness 7.0 Club nights have been very well attended although there are occasions when they drop due to league commitments. Due to the Easter holiday there will be no badminton on Tuesday April 3rd and 10th.

Regards to you all Roy Lee. Contact phone numbers: Roy- 01379 384729 or Rick- 01379 586113

Stradbroke Tennis Club Stradbroke Tennis club cheese and wine evening at the community centre will be held on Saturday 19th May. Tickets are available from Mary Ellis and John Bedwell. Club nights begin on Wednesday 28th March from 7pm. All existing and potential new members are welcome. We look forward to seeing you on court. For further information contact John Bedwell at: 01379 384 796.

John Bedwell, Chairman Stradbroke Tennis Club

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THE GARDEN ROOM At FOALS GRANGE, WILBY Bed and Breakfast Located in idyllic countryside, we offer accommodation in an annexe to our traditional period cottage.

You will have private access, king size bed and en suite bathroom; a sofa bed will sleep two children. The room is well equipped and has internet access. We offer an extensive breakfast menu and seek to use local products.

To book contact Debbie GRIFFITHS on 07582 789782 or 01379 384873

Web Site: www.foalsgrange.co.uk

Magnolia House, Wilby Rd, Stradbroke - Tel: 01379 384097

Spuds R Us Locally Grown Potatoes Free Local Delivery - 25 Kilo Bags Call Ralph on 668622

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Painting and Decorating by Ron Rankin - 25 Years Experience For All Your Domestic & Commercial Property Maintenance & Decorating Competitive Prices - Professional Standards Reliable & Experienced - Highly Recommended Advice & Quotations With No Obligation Tel: 01379 388243 Mob: 07762 326226 Unit 19a Fuller Road Industrial Estate Harleston, Norfolk, IP20 9EA

eMail: jbedwell@talk21.com Web:www.angliansalt.co.uk For all your salt supplies of: Hydrosoft tablet & granular salt, pure dried vaccum salt, de-icing salt.

Also we stock tablets & granular in 10kg bags.

Please contact us for competitive prices either collected or delivered.

Tel 01379 854061 Fax 01379 854 804 We offer free delivery to all Stradbroke residents.

Hammond Garden & Countryside Services Matthew Hammond

Felix Cottage Horham, Eye Suffolk IP21 5EG Tel: 01379 384643

Specialising in Conifer reduction.

All hedge work and garden clearance.

Any size lawn mowed.

Rough grass cut & strimmed.

Hedges and trees supplied and planted.

Small tree work - pruning/felling Lawns turfed and seeded All types of fencing Patios and paths laid.

Free estimates, all jobs considered.

Page 25

Fancy That Flowers for all occasions by

Hilary Hadingham Order now for Weddings, Dinner Parties, Table Centres, and much more.

Free Local Delivery 01728 638156 07780 612549

Would you like an illustration of your home or a particular building?

Or an ideal present for a friend or loved one?

Personalised cards and postcards also available.

Then call Gill on 01379 388862 for further details.

Fault Diagnosis, Servicing, Maintenance & Repair 2 The Street, Brundish, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 8BL Tel: 01379 384714 Mob: 07776 232745

2 Town House, Church Street, Stradbroke - 01379 384208 - Claire Evans Wedding Dresses Evening wear , Prom Wear’ and ‘Mother of the Bride’, Jewellery and other Accessories.

Do call before your next special occasion ---Opening Times--Tuesday – Friday 10.00am -2.00pm At other times by appointment

Page 26

Dances, Discos Coffee Mornings Club Meetings Birthday Parties Wedding Receptions If you need a venue for a function “Bring People Together” at

STRADBROKE SPORTS & COMMUNITY CENTRE Tel: 384312 or 384363 for information & bookings

Anglian Ecology Protected Species Surveys Ecological Reports Landscape Assessment All forms of Surveying and Monitoring undertaken by qualified professionals.

Please call: 07753 406866 / 01379 388030 Or visit www.anglianecology.co.uk

SPURLING & REMBLANCE MOTOR ENGINEERS MOT TEST CENTRE Service and repairs to all cars, light commercial and 4x4’s Specialists in vehicle diagnostics Free local collection and delivery Courtesy car available Prompt attention assured Competitive rates

(01379) 384689

Tel - 01379 388653

Open 8:00am - 5:30pm Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 12 noon Saturdays Barley Hall, Laxfield Road, Stradbroke, IP21 5NQ Located on the B1117 1 3/4 miles outside Stradbroke towards Laxfield.

Sports Roundup

Page 27

Stradbroke Youth Football Club Stradbroke Youth FC U12 3 - 0 Honington U12 A very good all round performance with Matthew Knight using his speed to grab two goals and earn Player of the Match. Jack Smith got our third goal in what turned out to be a comfortable win but Honington kept going and we had to work hard all through the game. Well done to Lewis Harvey in goal, claiming his first clean sheet.

Stradbroke Youth FC U12 4 - 1 Thurston U12 Matt Knight turns away having scored his second goal of the game (left) Our best team performance of the season, when with only ten players, we beat a good Thurston side. Matt Knight scored early on but Thurston pulled one back and began to look the stronger team. Just before half time Jack Smith beat the full back and hit a great cross, low and hard which hit the keeper and deflected into the net. 2-1 at half time but still a lot to do. In the second half, Matt Knight raced through and his powerful shot from the edge of the box was parried by the keeper but Matt beat the defenders to the rebound and volleyed it back over the keepers head. The final goal was the result of a superb passing move involving five players, ending with Owen Hargrave going past the centre back and sliding the ball through to Jack Smith who blasted it past the keeper.With only ten players everyone worked for each other and they were exhausted by the finish. Player of the Match was Jack Melton who along with Sam Green, Adam Shepard and Ben Brown made sure Thurston wouldn’t get through. Jack Melton rises above everyone to head clear (right)

Stradbroke Youth FC U12 1 - 3 Mendlesham U12 A difficult game against a side that were top of the league although for the first 20 minutes Stradbroke were in charge but unable to finish their chances. Just before half time a defensive slip let Mendlesham score and we went in 0-1 down. In the second half we were caught on the break to concede another goal and then from a corner they scored again. Never giving up we continued to press forward and won a penalty which was confidently taken by Sam Green giving the keeper no chance. We kept pushing on but couldn’t pull the game back. Player of the match was Jack Melton.

Mike Readman

Stradbroke & District Bowls Club Many thanks to all those people who supported our Pudding Party and Blind Auction, there was lots of savouries and sweets, and how pleased we were to just have empty plates to take home. I felt we had a most enjoyable evening, and what's more we raised £466.19 for club funds. This was a great start to our fund-raising events. Before your diaries get too full, we are holding a Coffee Morning in the Community Centre on Saturday, 23rd June, 10.00 - 11.30 a.m. with stalls, a raffle,refreshments and a warm welcome to greet you. Hope to see you there.

Now on to bowling matters, our Green opens on Saturday, 21st April at 3.00 p.m. and we would like to see lots of people coming along to have a go at playing bowls. We feel sure that this is very good for you as you are out in the fresh air, doing some exercise and meeting new friends.

There will be bowls available for you to borrow. We just ask that you wear absolutely flat soled shoes to protect the green.

For Club members, the first tournament of the season is the President's Cup at 5.00 p.m. after the opening roll-up at 3.00 p.m. Hope you can make it.

Lily Lofts

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Local Gardeners Notes At last there is good news about Allotments in Stradbroke, I'm sure that was my new year's wish and it's only March, that's not bad going.

As you probably know, the Stradbroke Village Trust has purchased a 6 acre field that will not only be for allotments but also have space for a community orchard, a small wood and a wildflower meadow to name just some of the ideas so far. Hopefully people will come forward with suggestions of how they think the space can be best used. Peter Smith, who owns the pond at the top of the field, has very generously agreed to allow it to be included, increasing the potential greatly, the field will not be available until September but in the meantime a lot has to be sorted out to raise funds and plan the area. There is an article in this month's magazine of how you can help and who to contact.

April is a very busy month in the garden, especially if it stays warm. Hopefully we will have some rain but make sure you take steps to save what water we get to use in the garden. The hose pipe ban starts at the beginning of April so it will be a long summer of lugging watering cans. If you are planning to plant up pots for a patio choose drought tolerant plants, a lot of herbs make good pot plants, lavender, rosemary and sage are all very pretty and need very little water. I have recently started to use the curry plant as an ornamental shrub and it seems to survive the winter well, it has great silver evergreen foliage and fragrant spicy leaves (the latin name is Helichrysum italicum). A good rule is plants that have silver, hairy or waxy foliage tend to be able to survive on very little water.

Also narrow leaves can indicate drought tolerance.

I always say this, but this year it is more relevant, put trays under your pots during the summer to hold water. If you go away move your pots to a shadey spot and when planting your pots up use silicone to hold the water in your compost, you can buy it from garden centres or florists.

Other shrubs that make good pot plants are phormiums, yuccas, box, cistus (sun rose), ballota and convolvulus cneorum. Herbaceous plants to consider are agapanthus, grasses, sedums, hostas and pelagoniums. Make sure your water butts work and consider getting more if you have space. You can always have more than one per downpipe using a diverter pipe to the first with an overflow to the second. Avoid cutting your grass too short, and if you are going to treat it with a weed and feed do it early while the ground is still moist.

After all that advice we are sure to have a wet April and May at least. Other jobs to be thinking of this month, clean your greenhouse out and give it a good wash, look for slugs and snails and remove from the garden, empty compost onto flower beds to act as a mulch and soil improver. Keep a bowl of water out in the garden somewhere for birds and insects to drink from.

If you have a vegetable garden you can now sow a lot of crops outside including beetroot, sprouting broccoli, leeks, carrots, parsnips and all types of onions. April is also time to sow under cover tender plants like tomatoes, courgettes and runner beans.

We don't grow many vegetables at home at the moment but that will all change with our allotment next year, I'm under strict instructions to keep it simple and only grow things we eat and that are expensive in the supermarket. I had a wander around the supermarket and couldn't believe the price of small packets of purple sprouting broccoli, it's a great plant and very easy to grow as long as you keep the pigeons and caterpillars at bay. French beans were also very pricey but they were out of season. When we first had an allotment 20 years ago I saw it as a challenge to grow as many weird and wonderful things as possible, I will just have to fight the urge! Needless to say the lady on the plot next to ours managed to make a little rice paddy field.

The village trust has shown how lucky this village is and it is now up to the residents to make something very special that will be a lasting legacy for years to come.

Happy gardening, Luke.

Page 29

Acorn Foot Health

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Roger C Griffiths BSc (Econ) Dip Soc Sci PGCE, MCFHP MAFHP

Church Farm Bungalow, Rishangles, Eye, Suffolk IP23 7JX

Foot Health Consultant Home Visits, Care Homes and Private Clinic Verruca Treatments, Ingrown toenails, Calluses, Fungal Infection, Corns, nail Cutting, Bunions and Foot Care for Diabetics, Foot Health checks and all nail conditions.

For appointment Tel: 384873 Mob 07724073328 eMail : griffithstwo@aol.com Some evening appointments available

Tel/Fax (01379) 678485 ALL TYPES OF WORK UNDERTAKEN, EXTENSIONS, RENOVATIONS ALTERATIONS, REPAIRS, COUNCIL GRANT WORK

Free Estimates

Mobile Therapist Pamper yourself without ever having to leave your home!!

Manicures, Pedicures, Massage, Eye treatments, Waxing, Nail extensions Phone: 07917897835 For more information or to make an appointment.

M. Daniels (Sid) For control of rats, wasps, mice, moles, hornets, squirrels, ants, cluster flies and fleas.

Tel: 01986 798851 Mobile: 07788 850762 Free survey & quote.

BOOTY BUILDERS GENERAL BUILDERS THE BRAMBLES, LAXFIELD Renovations Alterations Repairs Listed Buildings Sectional Buildings Joinery New Houses Extensions

WOODBRIDGE SUFFOLK, IP13 8DZ Telephone: 01986 798753 Mobile 07889 116448

THE CELLPHONE & FAX SPECIALIST

TGA Communications Ltd Purchase your new cellphone from TGA Communications at competitive prices Enquiries welcome 7am to 7pm days a week.

We also sell secondhand equipment & part-ex welcome.

WE OFFER A FULL RANGE OF CELLULAR PHONES INCLUDING Motorola - Panasonic - Mitsubishi - NEC - Nokia Professional After Sales Service Hire of Equipment (including European use of GSM) For further details contact Tim Askew, Brundish Rd, Wilby Tel: 01379 388156 Fax 01379 388109

Page 30

E J BROWN Builder 42 Years in the trade Extensions /period renovations From a new plastic door to a complete rebuild.

(01379) 388180 mob 07765 617702 ellis.brown@sky.com

Septic Tank Emptying & domestic drains cleared & cleaned.

Fast, friendly, reliable service.

(Environmental registered carrier) Call Lenny Jolly: 07905 794221

Keeping in Touch: Dan Poulter, MP

Page 31

Our beautiful countryside is widely regarded as one of Suffolk’s most valued assets. Like many people in Suffolk, I am very proud that the Government is backing our county as a nationally recognised leader in developing the green economy. Not only will this growing industry deliver 4,000 local jobs in Suffolk, but generating more of our electricity through renewable sources such as solar power and better insulating our homes will also help to drive down rising energy bills in the long term for everyone.

I have spoken before of my opposition to imposing more unpopular pylons on our countryside.

On-shore wind turbines have also proved to be a divisive issue throughout Suffolk with many local communities feeling that turbines are being erected and railroaded through the planning process against their wishes. I shall be working with my Suffolk MP colleagues to ensure that any new power cables are buried underground or placed offshore and that wind turbines are not imposed on our local communities. It is important that measures are put in place to drive down gas and electricity bills whilst at the same time preserving our natural environment in Suffolk.

As a hospital doctor and your local MP, I know that delivering better health and social care services for older and more vulnerable people, particularly in our rural communities, is one of the most important challenges facing Suffolk. People often ask me why the Coalition Government is reforming the NHS. Whilst reducing unnecessary waste and bureaucracy is important, the reason why these reforms are right for Suffolk is because they will introduce the community-focussed healthcare that is needed to properly care for our growing older population. I have spent the last few weeks communicating the key principles behind the Coalition Government’s healthcare reforms, which will help to improve the delivery of high quality patient care by: • Ensuring that our NHS always remains a universal and free health service, freely available to everyone.

• Cutting £5 billion worth of unnecessary bureaucracy and waste in the NHS, and ensuring that this money can instead be put into frontline patient care.

• Ensuring that it is healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses), the people who best understand the needs of their patients, who are put in charge of running the NHS. • Supporting greater patient choice and involvement in health care, so that patients are empowered to make informed choices over where, when and how, they are treated by the NHS. • Taking the first steps towards genuinely integrated health and social care through the establishment of local health and wellbeing boards, which will bring together key organisations (housing, primary care, hospitals and social services care) to improve community health and wellbeing.

I believe that there is, and should never be anything controversial about striving to improve the quality of care available to patients and support the principles of improving NHS patient care, which will be of huge benefit to the many older patients in Suffolk.

Finally, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Head Teacher Andy Bloom along with the staff, governors and students at Stradbroke High School, after it officially became an academy last month. Under Head Teacher Andy Bloom, Stradbroke High School has gone from strength to strength and was rated as having many ‘outstanding’ features during its most recent Ofsted inspection. Academy status provides schools with more freedom over how they spend their money, and will help schools like Stradbroke High to improve even further. Suffolk now has a number of academies, from Debenham High to Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham. As a county we are leading the field in this area and I am proud that so many of our local schools are raising education standards and giving young people the very best start in life. I have worked hard to make the case for Stradbroke High School’s conversion to academy status with Government Ministers, but the real credit deserves to go to Andy Bloom and his staff, who have invested so much time and effort to enable Stradbroke High to become an academy.

I look forward to working with Andy and his team as the school continues to move forward in the years ahead.

For more information please see www.drdanielpoulter.com

Letters to the Editor Rose & Michael Hugman from Hazeldene would like to thank all the villagers who bought apples from our stall again this year. £120 was collected and has been sent to MacMillan Cancer Relief. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Michael Hugman We would like to put on record our thanks to everyone who sent messages of sympathy and cards, following Geoffrey’s death and also that of mum “Buddy” last November. It has been a very difficult time for the family but the support and affection shown by so many people has been very moving and is greatly appreciated by the whole family.

Mike Smith & Linda Woodward

ADD YOUR FORTHCOMING VILLAGE EVENT NOW AT WWW.STRADBROKE.ORG.UK!

Mar 30th

Margaret Lockwood Memorial Quiz in Community Centre @ 7.30pm

APR 1st 3rd 3rd 4th 5th 5th 7th 11th 12th 17th 20th 21st 21st 21st 25th 26th 27th

Nat West Cricket Force Day @ 10 am – 1pm at the cricket ground Contact Club in Community Centre @ 10 am & every Tuesday Bookstart Rhymetime in library @ 11.15 am & every Tuesday Table Tennis in Community Centre @ 7.15pm and every Wednesday Harleston Flower Club meet at Wortwell Community Centre @ 2pm RBL meeting at King’s Head, Laxfield @ 11.30am SFC Jumble Sale in Community Centre @ 10 – 11.30 am Baptist Church Cameo Lunch Club @ 12.30 pm WI meeting in Community Centre @ 7.30pm Stradbroke Badminton Club 8 – 10 pm at SBEC & every Tuesday **ARTICLES FOR MAY EDITION STRICTLY BY THIS DATE** Jumble Sale in Community Centre @ 2 – 4pm Stradbroke & District Bowls Club’s Green opens @ 3pm RBL Celebration Concert at SBEC @ 7pm (see inside for details) Baptist Church Drop in for Coffee @ 10.00 – 11.30 am Stradbroke Cinema in Community Centre @ 7pm (see inside for details) White Hart Bowls Club Bingo in Community Centre @ 7.30pm

MAY 5th 12th 19th

Church Path Plant sale Stradbroke Cinema in Community Centre @ 7pm (see inside for details) Stradbroke Tennis Club Cheese & Wine evening in Community C

We’d love to hear from you! Letters to the Editor are always welcome!

Please send all articles to parishmagazine@stradbroke.org.uk The Stradbroke Monthly team encourages readers to submit letters to the Editor expressing their opinions, comments or insights regarding any of the material that appears in the magazine. The team will publish letters that reflect the diversity of opinions of our readers, but cannot publish all letters received. The Editor retains the right to edit published letters for clarity and length.

Letters should include the writer's name and be clearly marked ‘FOR PUBLICATION’.

Handwritten Submission?

Articles can also be left in the library and will be collected on the Saturday after the final submission date. However, it makes our job much easier and more accurate if articles can be submitted via email. If you do not have access to email you can use the computer in the library and the librarian will happily help you to submit your article.