February 2019

www.stradbrokemonthly.co.uk

February 2019 No.449

Stay Safe in the Snow - Advice from Mid Suffolk District Council

Severe Weather can create dangerous conditions, both out and about and in the home.

Here is our handy guide to the information available to support you during severe weather: · Make a note of the electricity and gas emergency numbers: call 105 in a power cut, or call 0800 111 999 to report a gas emergency · Register as a vulnerable customer: Vulnerable householders can get extra support by signing up to UK Power Networks' Priority Services Register. (https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/power-cut/priority-services-register) · Keep your eyes open: check the weather forecast online, and if you have a power cut or a gas emergency remember to check on your neighbours · Allow extra time to travel if the weather is bad: · Keep essentials in your home: you can be prepared by keeping a torch handy in the house, and can get your appliances serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer · Check bin collections: hazardous conditions on the road can delay our bin collections, so check the MSDC collections page for updates (https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/waste-services/my-waste-hasnt-been-collected/) Find warnings, news and updates online: · BBC Radio Suffolk Tweets - https://twitter.com/bbcsuffolk · UK weather warnings (Met Office) - https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings · Cold weather alert (Met Office) (1 November to 31 March) - https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/cold-weather-alert · Flood alerts and warnings (Environment Agency) - https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings · Flooding information and advice - https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Emergency_planning/emergencyincidents.cfm#flooding · Public Transport information (Suffolk On Board) - https://www.suffolkonboard.com/ · Highways - salting, gritting and snow clearing (Suffolk County Council) - https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-andtransport/check-which-roads-are-gritted/

·

Suffolk school closures (Suffolk County Council) - https://schoolclosures.suffolk.gov.uk

Find out more: Met Office: Get Ready for Winter - https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/barometer/advice NHS Choices: Winter Health - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/five-ways-to-stay-healthy-this-winter/

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Local Churches

Stradbroke Baptist Church

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Stradbroke Baptist Church, Laxfield Road, Stradbroke, Suffolk You would be most welcome to join us this February: Sundays - Worship Service 10:15-11:15 Wednesday 13th Friendship Lunch 12:30 Wednesday 27th Soup ‘n’ Sweets lunch 12:30 If you would like to join the Friendship Lunch or Soup ‘n’ Sweet lunch please let me know via any of the contact details below.

Thursdays - Bible Study 14:00 Prayer Meeting 19:00 Please enjoy, what is often referred to as the Love Chapter from the Bible: 1 Corinthians 13 (NIVUK) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy & can fathom all mysteries & all knowledge, & if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor & give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part & we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

May God’s blessings be yours in abundance, Bruce Francis, 388 744 or 07484 219 265 or bruceatsbc@outlook.com

Stradbroke Good Neighbours Telephone: 07749445531 Do you need our help? For example, a lift to the surgery, or to a hospital for an appointment?

Can we pick up a prescription for you? Change a light bulb? Check your smoke alarm?

Then contact Good Neighbours. We only charge for mileage.

Our friendly volunteers will be happy to help.

We would appreciate at least 24 hours notice please.

Carol Darling

Bordahoppa

The Borderhoppa 2019 outings leaflet is now available. We have many trips arranged throughout the year including pub lunches, garden centres, the coast, mystery tours, boat trips and many more. You can pick up a leaflet at your local library, information centre, GP surgery, from one of our drivers or by calling the office and we’ll post one to you.

Need help with transport? Borderhoppa buses are available to people of all ages who are unable to use ordinary bus services either because of mobility difficulties or because there isn’t a bus service for them to use.

Our door-to-door dial a ride service can take you shopping, to medical appointments (excluding hospitals), to visit a friend or relative or attend a local club.

If you would like to find out more about the great service we provide please call us on 01379 854800 or visit our website www.borderhoppa.org Borderhoppa

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Local Churches

All Saints, Stradbroke

Services: Revd Canon Susan Loxton 01379 388493. Church wardens, Peter Chetwynd 384069; Karen Ruth 388762 If you have any questions about Baptisms, Weddings or Funerals, or any questions about the Faith, please contact Revd Susan.

Services: 3rd Feb 10.15 am Worship together at the Baptist Church 10th Feb 8 am Holy Communion, said service 17th Feb 11 am Holy Communion followed by Coffee &Tea 24th Feb No service in Stradbroke 24th Feb 10 am family@church in Fressingfield 3rd Mar 11 am Family service, followed by Coffee &Tea A Prayer Group meets each Monday at 10 am in The Rectory. You are warmly welcomed to join the group when you can. You can help say prayers for the village and each other or listen to others offering prayers.

All Saints Church Fundraising Committee

Last year our Committee of ageing ladies raised £5434.18 thanks to your support. We are now embarking on 2019 with all sorts of events. We need you to start saving books of all sorts for out Book & Puzzle Sale in church on 30th March. Before this we have Pancakes & Beetles in the Chapel Hall on March 15th at 7.30pm. Then a Cake Stall on 9th March where Roly will be selling potatoes to grow for the Village Show in July. So let’s make 2019 a record year. Our annual Art Exhibition starts with the Preview on 1st May. Anyone wishing to sponsor this please let me know ASAP. Thanks for your kind donations of raffle prizes.

As Church Treasurer I am always looking for people to place a Direct Debit in aid of Funds. Unfortunately during 2018 we have lost 3 contributors and would welcome some new blood. Anyone wishing to sign up please contact P Chetwynd on 384069 for the bank forms or see me. (PS The old Dragon always after your money) Mary Ellis

From the Rectory

Love is in the air… Valentines Day this month; I wonder do you buy into it? Flowers, cards, romantic meals… We are running our marriage preparation day this month, which is great fun. A chance to listen to one another and talk about various aspects of relationships; something that many of us fail to do, which can lead to all sorts of mis-understandings.

We help each person know how they give and receive love because we are all different and so can miss the gestures of love and affection coming our way. And then of course there is a lovely lunch provided by members of the Mothers’ Union.

The rules about getting married in the Church of England have changed; you no longer have to be baptised (christened has the same meaning) to get married in church. Also, people sometimes say to me, that they would like to get married in church, but they are divorced. Again, the rules have changed, and it is up to the priest to decide whether they will marry divorcees – and I do. My reasons are to do with forgiveness and new starts - happy to have a conversation with you about this.

There are still some rules about getting married in church; you have to have some connection with the church you wish to get married in, and we cannot marry same sex couples. Some couples who have been married for a few or many years sometimes ask me if they can renew their vows and we can do that. If that is something you are interested in, please get in touch.

A word about baptism: as many of us were baptised as infants and so didn’t make the decision or promises for ourselves, confirmation is a good way of choosing to make those decisions for ourselves. I know that when I became a Christian 30 years ago, confirmation was a big thing for me and helped me mark that stage of my journey with God. If you haven’t been confirmed and would like to, I am running confirmation classes before a confirmation on Easter Saturday in Bury Cathedral, if you are interested please contact me.

Enjoy February and don’t forget to look for signs of spring!

God bless, Susan

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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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Parish Pump

Meetings Of Stradbroke Parish Council - 10th December 2018 & 14th January 2019 (Next full Council meeting 11th February at 7.30pm, next PC Clinic Tuesday, 19th February (2.15pm): both at the Court House) Planning Applications supported: DC/18/04532 – Planning application, erection of an extension to the existing car parking facilities (extending to 18 additional places). Stradbroke Business Centre, New Street IP21 5JJ. This was a re-consultation.

Results of planning applications considered by MSDC since the PC last met: DC/18/04447 - 4 Willow Close, IP21 5JD. No objections raised.

DC/18/04862 – Town Cottage, Church Street, IP21 5JF. Withdrawn.

Parish Council updates: · MSDC have called a referendum on the Neighbourhood Plan for 31st January 2019. The polling station will be in the Webb Room at the Community Centre. · Councillors received a presentation on Community Led housing from MSDC and will look a this further. · Work on a Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan is underway. · A draft budget was approved and will be reviewed after the year end. This year the budget was reviewed and a draft produced by the Finance Committee at a meeting which was open to the public to attend. · The precept for 2019/20 was set @ £33,225. This equates to £59.39 per annum for a Band D property which represents a 2.45% increase on 2018/19 which was £57.97. · Terms of reference for the new Finance Committee were approved. · The assignment of the lease for the health centre and the rent review are ongoing matters. · The Councillors thanked David Turner and all those involved in the Christmas Lights Turn On event in December. It was a very well attended event and over £400 was collected for the Church. · The Clerk will be reviewing the contracts for grass and hedge cutting in the coming weeks. This will include a review of any tree works that may be required. · Cllr Flatman reported that MSDC will increase the council tax by 2% next year and that 2 PCSOs will be funded by the District Council for at least 2 years. · Cllr McGregor stated that work continues on the SCC budget as the final grant settlement from the Government is still awaited. The Parish Council thanked Cllr McGregor for contributing £800 from his locality budget to the costs incurred on the production of the Neighbourhood Plan. · The Clerk has undertaken some work to upload the burial book to an accessible electronic format; this in time will be uploaded to the Parish Council website – work has temporarily stopped on this due to time constraints. · The Parish Council is investigating the cost of adding a missing name (Miss E Tate) to the War Memorial. Miss Tate died in 1915 whilst nursing soldiers.

Odile Wladon (Clerk ) Mobile: 07555 066147 email: stradbrokepc@outlook.com www.stradbrokepc.org Mill Hill House, Church Lane, Wickham Skeith, Suffolk IP23 8NA

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Dirty Oven??

Friendly & Helpful Service From Adie

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· · · · · · · ·

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Rachel Lead

KFRP (Adv), LCSP (Phys), Cert Ed

Remedial Massage, Reflexology Touch for Health – Kinesiology rachelpbck@gmail.com www.ukkinesiology.com 01379 388031 07733 105752

Email: marty@martynorris.co.uk

Organisations

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W.I.

January 2019 Stradbroke W.I. Report.

Hello and Happy New Year to you all. Christmas came and went leaving a number of our ladies coughing and sneezing, we wish them all well very soon and look forward to the spring and some warm sunshine to clear the tubes. December saw our ladies and their partners gather for our Christmas supper and what a lovely sight it was.

The committee as usual had worked their magic under the guidance of Gill and transformed the community centre into a fairyland of lights with beautifully decorated tables. All the ladies and guests were dressed in their finery and smiling happily as they quaffed their chosen drinks before settling at their tables to partake of an excellent meal.

The entertainment was provided by one Lestyn Edwards a most accomplished piano player, singer and raconteur who came as his alter ego a ballerina in a tutu, something of an innovation for the W.I. but what fun and judging by the laughter and applause greatly enjoyed. A very happy evening and thanks to all concerned.

January and those who were well enough shivered their way to the meeting for a welcome chat with their friends and to settle in to a presentation by Sheree Queen who is a qualified aromatherapist. First we went through the routine business and a brief financial talk from Gwyneth, thanks to our hostesses Rose and Jane M, birthday posies or rather pots of primulas were presented to several members ,very pretty, the flowers and the members, then we quickly settled in for our evening talk.

Sheree introduced herself and gave us a brief history of how she had become involved with training as an aromatherapist and I have to say it was a lot more of an intense training than one would expect. The problems of which essential oils could be mixed with which medical conditions and their treatments, medications etc. and the risk of toxicity to the client if combinations were incorrect or too intense, it appears that essential oils are not something just to play with on a luxury bath night , they have to be appropriate to needs and in correct dilution. This said there are so many applications and uses from face and hand creams to treatment for insomnia, blocked noses, yes Vick vapour rub can be included here, and motion sickness, and all of it from natural sources. One of our members was invited up to have a foot massage and this she obviously enjoyed and walked away very light of foot afterwards, nice. It was a lovely evening from a lovely young lady and I saw several of her business cards being popped into handbags.

Moira gave the vote of thanks on our behalf and a hearty round of applause from us all.

Refreshments followed and a few notices as the evening drew to a satisfactory close and our members wrapped themselves up to brave the journey home, thank you all. Next month on 14th February we will have a demonstration of first aid from the local First Responders and I urge as many of you as possible and your friends come and listen to what they have to say.

Prue Rush

Stradbroke Sports and Community Centre

The Christmas Walk was an enjoyable success with 18 walkers braving the light drizzle there and the downpour back! Adrian Lawson and family gave us Mulled Wine and the mince pies and sausage rolls were most welcome. We hope to repeat this event again in December. During the period between Christmas and New Year four Committee members spent 2 days hard labour sanding down and varnishing the Main Hall floor. It now looks shiny and new and I would like to offer my thanks to them all. We are now deciding our social calendar for this year and if you have any ideas of events you would like your Community Centre to hold please let me know. Following the Pie and Mash evening last November I gave you an incorrect amount of money raised for your Community Centre. It should have read £437.10 not £790.10. I apologise.

Bookings Manager?

Are you someone with some spare time on your hands and would like to make positive contribution to village life?

If so then look no further.

The Community Centre is at the hub of most things going on in the village. It is the “centre of the community” from sporting activities and keep fit classes to Club meetings and major social events. We are looking for someone to take over the role of Bookings Manager – a key role to all these activities. We have computerised the process, reducing the workload and making bookings easier for everyone. This does not take up a lot of time each week and our present Bookings Manager has broken down the time spent as follows 1. New bookings, queries and alterations - 2-3 hours per week 2. Invoicing - 1-2 hours per month 3. Reconciling payments and passing money over to Treasurer - 1-2 hours per month 4. Showing potential customers around and opening up for new customers – as needed As the Bookings Manager you would not necessarily have to become a Committee Member, but will make a real difference to all that happens in the Centre. So, if you have some spare time and would like to help why not give me a ring on 388382 and find out more about what the role entails.

Jane Merritt, SSCC Chairman

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Organisations

Stradbroke Court House and Library News

We all survived the Christmas rush at the Post Office and now are enjoying a more civilized way of working! Thank you for your patience during that busy time.

Remember stamp prices usually go up towards the end of March, get some in before to save money. Royal Mail have not announced any price rises yet but last year 1st and 2nd class stamps went up by 2p each. Hopefully it won’t be so much this year but it makes sense to buy some before to save money.

Court House Café

The next ‘Friday Friends’ Café is on Friday 1st February 2019. These café sessions are dementia-friendly but open to everyone, so come along and meet people for a friendly chat. Vicky Hutchinson is on hand for anyone needing advice and support.

Court House Café Christmas Hamper Draw Roz Hart, one of the café volunteers was the lucky winner of the Christmas Hamper.

On Saturday 16th February at The Court House Café at 7.30pm ‘An Evening with Blossom and Steve’ (Jazz Vocalist and Guitar) Tickets £12, includes a glass of wine with a selection of fine cheeses and biscuits.

Please book at the library as we only have a limited number of tickets available 01379 384768 We currently have a ‘Tiny Talk Baby Signing’ class at the Court House on Monday mornings at 10.30am. Learn to sign with your babies and help them communicate before they can speak. If you are interested in taking part ring Gemma on 07855181253 or e-mail: gemmap@TinyTalk.co.uk

Stradbroke Library/Court House Weekly Events:

Monday: Tiny Talk Baby Signing 10.30am (contact Gemma see above).

Rummikub board game club at 2pm (September to July) Tuesday: ‘Jumping Beans’/Rhymes/Stories/Craft for 0-4yrs old 10-11am.

Wednesday: Pilates (please contact Nikki Hambling 07899888778).

Thursday: Court House Café 9.30am-12.30pm.

Last Thursday in the month ‘Thursday Bookgroup’ 2.30-4pm for the over 50s.

Friday: First Friday in the month ‘Friday Friends’ dementia- friendly café session 10am-12pm.

Saturday: Court House Café 9.15am-12.15pm.

Maureen John Library/Post Office manager

Lottery Bonus Winners

14 R Copping £50; 19 B Farrow £25; 31 Dot Richards £25; 28 V Lummis £25; 6 D Davidson £25; 21 J Sparrow £25. £168 donated to village organisations.

M Ellis

Over 60s

We have lost a very long standing member of our group, Iris Bloss who passed away just before Christmas, at the age of 95. She will be sadly missed by us all, also another member Rosemary Pipe has passed away, members of our club were present at both funerals and donations were sent. A new lady has now joined us, Maureen Cotton.

Welcome.

Our next meetings will be on 7th and 21st February, at 2.00 till 4.00 pm, in the community centre. All will be made most welcome. We are now arranging our yearly programme.

Joan Grimes

Wingfield and District Gardening Club

In November we heard Jan Michalak talk about wild gardens. He gave us a very interesting history of how they evolved, some being developed long ago in large country house gardens together with grottos and small houses in which “hermits and satyres” could appear when visitors came. They often began wiyh pathe cleared and cut out to define the area and wild flowers planted in irregular areas so that all appeared to have just happened! Gertrude Gekyll and Lutyens had a lot to do with these in the last century. Today they are rather more ‘wild’ although they do have to be managed so that they continue to come up each year. Penstamen and Rubelia were brought over from California and wild irises and Heamacallis from the East. As these areas were added to the “wild gardens” they became not so wild after all.

On 31st January at 7.30pm in Brundish Village Hall Peter Skeggs-Gooche will speak on a ‘Clematis for all seasons’. ` C Traylen

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KENT SKIPS

My Care at Home - My Care at Home is a family run business covering the rural communities in Suffolk. We provide Personal Care and Companionship, Respite Care and Dementia Care in your own home. Our commitment is to provide ‘high quality care’, which we deliver through our greatest asset, our staff and the training that they receive. We only employ people who love to care. Your care package could be a one off arrangement, ad-hoc or on a regular basis. Request a Brochure or book an appointment on 01449 763086.

Find us on Facebook or visit our website www.mycare-athome.co.uk We are also recruiting NOW We need exceptional people who love to care.

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Organisations

Radio Stradbroke

Having all exercised our vocal chords over Christmas & New Year, normal broadcasting service resumes for Radio Stradbroke, with 'Sunday Sessions' from 10:00 - 13:00 every week, including some new, young DJs. It is common knowledge now, that there will not be a Stradisphere Festival this year, but fear not, plans are being put in place for 'Radio Stradbroke Music Day' on Saturday 13th July, at the Playing Field. Watch this space for further details, but the radio station are committed to bringing live music to the village. Visit www.radiostradbroke.co.uk Michael Hugman

Stradbroke Primary School

Happy New Year from everyone at Stradbroke Primary School!

The end of last term was a very busy one, with the whole school enjoying a joint-school visit with Laxfield Primary school to see the ‘Aladdin’ pantomime at Norwich Theatre Royal. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all and was a great way to get into the festive spirit. We also enjoyed another really successful Christmas Fair and would like to thank the Friends of the School for all their hard work in planning and running the fair. This term, we are looking forward to our annual school disco, also arranged by FOSPS. So far this term our Junior Road Safety Officers have run some great activities for ‘Be Bright Be Seen Day’, which saw them promoting keeping safe on the roads, especially in the darker winter months. We have lots planned for this upcoming term including class 1 returning to Charlotte’s Wood for more outdoor learning fun. Our next whole school day linked to other ‘Other Worlds’ is a space day and we are very excited to be inviting the Astronomy Roadshow in as part of the day. Each class will experience a workshop in their Planetarium dome delivered by a lecturer who is a member of the Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. We will also be recognising Safer Internet Day, Sign 2 Sing (a charity which works to transform the lives of deaf children) and World Book day. We have our next visits for new Reception pupils starting at school in September 2019 on Tuesday 5th February (9:30 – 10:30am) and Tuesday 19th March (9:30 – 10:30am). If you have a child starting school in September, please feel able to bring them along to one of the transition sessions or contact our school to arrange a tour.

Hannah Hunt, Head of School

Stradbroke Village Archive

All Saints Church Tower Struck In 1871 the Revd. John Charles Ryle undertook a major restoration of All Saints Church. He raised the money to remove the family boxes and install pews along with a complete overhaul of the church décor. He left Stradbroke in 1880 to become the first Bishop of Liverpool.

On the 18th August 1891 an electric storm damaged the church tower. It was reported in the news as follows: “A terrific tempest passed over Stradbroke on Wednesday afternoon. Rain and hail fell in torrents, and the lightning was more vivid and the peals of thunder more appalling than that known for years. About three o’clock there was a most fearful flash of lightning, immediately followed by a terrible crash, and the news quickly spread that the church was struck. The N-E pinnacle was knocked off, the top being carried at least 12 yards from the foundation of the church. The falling stonework broke through the roof of the north aisle, and did much damage to the work inside. A large stone tomb standing near the tower was broken through. The streets were flooded, and in several places were for a time quite impassable for foot passengers. The Post Office telegraph instruments were also rendered useless for a time.”

Ten years later this happened again: “About three o’clock on Monday afternoon a fearful clap of thunder was heard at Stradbroke and the Parish Church was struck by lightning. The north-west pinnacle was knocked off, the stonework being carried many yards in all directions. The flag staff was shattered, and the front of the turret terribly damaged, fragments being found at the bottom of the stairs. A large number of dwelling houses, shops, etc., cluster round the Church and dislodged fragments of masonry, falling upon some of these, caused the greatest alarm among the occupants. At Mr Butcher’s in Queens Head Street, the shop window was smashed; a piece of the dislodged stonework weighing 9lbs was carried over the house and falling upon a shed in the rear, crashed through the roof. Another piece of stonework fell upon and went through Mr. Keeble’s shooting gallery in The White Hart yard. Subsequent examination revealed that the lightning conductor fixed at the north-eastern part of the church tower had been fused.”

So here we are in 2019 and the church is in a bad way. It now needs serious work on it to address a leaking roof, rotting wood, crumbling plaster and other issues. It has recently been put on the ‘Heritage at risk’ Register by Historic England. Not only that, but is also shown to be in immediate need with a reference to further delay causing even more serious damage. This is very sad as this wonderful old building at the centre of our village, which has witnessed so many events and has overlooked so much of the day to day life of the village could potentially end if not supported. In 1951 the village came together to raise money for the church bells by making a ‘mile of pennies’ from Wilby towards Laxfield through Stradbroke. Imagine that in pound coins today! In case you are wondering it would raise more than sixteen thousand pounds!

Source :https://historicengland.org.uk https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk SARA, Ann Readman

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Antique Restoration

Ian Brown LCGI

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Council Notes From the Chair…

It seems a long time ago now but a big thank you to David Turner and the team who organised the Christmas Light switch on this year. It was great to see so many people of all ages come together to celebrate before Christmas.

Stradbroke now has a date for the referendum for the Stradbroke Neighbourhood Plan. This will take place on Thursday 31st January and you can vote between 7am and 10pm at the Community Centre. Please do vote on this important matter. You can find out more about the refrendum and the plan on the parish council website: https://www.stradbrokepc.org/neighbourhood-plan-documents You may also have seen a planning application for land on New Street has been submitted. The parish council will discuss this at our February meeting on Monday 11th Feb at the Court House. We have successfully negotiated an extension until 1 March for public comments to be submitted so please do submit any comments you have to Mid Suffolk District Council via the usual methods.

James Hargrave, Chair, Stradbroke Parish Council

Build it right with Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils Thinking about…

Building an extension Internal alterations i.e. removal of walls Converting your garage Creating an annex

Your council can help.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils, have a dedicated, independent and impartial team with over 100 years combined specialist knowledge in the construction industry. They can help guide you through the processes to make that all-important alteration to your home, whilst ensuring you meet mandatory Building Regulations.

We understand fitting home improvements around your job can be a challenge. Our team will find a way to support you that fits in with your diary. Inspections can also be booked by 10am on the day too, so no need to forward plan if that’s not your style.

If you want to find out more about the services your local council offers, just speak to one of the team by heading to the Councils’ website at: https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/building-control/ https://www.babergh.gov.uk/building-control/ - we’ll be happy to help or provide you with a quote.

Did you know the council also deals with demolitions and dangerous structures? You can always contact us to report a dangerous structure online here: https://www.babergh.gov.uk/building-control/dangerous-structures/ https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/building-control/dangerous-structures/ BMSDC

Switch to Paperless Billing!

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils understand that fitting life in around work can be a challenge, especially when it comes to things like your council tax.

Well, no more! Why not make your life easier with our online portal MyAccount.

It’s free to sign up to, easy to use and you can have instant access to your account at a time to suit you.

There’s no need to make any phone calls – you can view your bills and update information all online!

MyAccount features include: a Paperless billing (eBilling) a View bills, reminders & notices a Apply for discounts & exemptions a Notify us of a change in circumstances a Update your personal details a 24/7 access to your account a Print bills if you need them for proof/evidence a And more…

Please note that all named people on the bill must separately register for paperless billing to prevent further paper bills being issued. Any users wishing to receive an online bill for March 2019, should sign up before 15 February 2019. Sign up only takes a few minutes: http://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/ctpaperlessbilling

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Forthcoming Events

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Stradbroke Cinema

On February 21st we will be showing ‘The Children Act’. Based on the novel by Ian McEwan, this is a thoughtprovoking and intelligent film about the conflict between medical treatment and religious beliefs. Emma Thompson is flawless as the rather chilly judge whose own emotional life is in tatters as her husband wants to embark on an affair but she has to remain cool and objective in her decisions. But this case about a particular young man tugs at her inner soul and makes her question her own ethics.

Doors open at 7pm and the film starts at 7.30pm. The bar is open before the start and during the interval when ice creams will also be on sale. Entrance is £5.50 for adults, £3 for 16s and under and everyone is welcome Full details can be found on the Village website that is at www.stradbrokeonline.org.uk We will be showing live screenings of the 6-Nations England Rugby matches, the first of which is on Saturday February 2nd at 4.45pm. The Bar will be open and we look forward to seeing you all there.

Roger Turkington and Jane Merritt

Saving All Saints

We are now working with Historic England and The Taylor Review on their pilot scheme in Manchester and Suffolk where they are focusing on assisting with restoration and support of Churches in particular. To date we have engaged a specialist Architect who is helping us to obtain quotes for the work they have agreed is necessary to go towards making the roof watertight. If we are successful in obtaining up to £10,000 towards the roof, guttering and stonework repairs which they have identified as applicable to their criteria, this part of the work could be completed by June 2020. This does not mean we are sitting back on our laurels but will shortly be making another bid from the Heritage Lottery Fund as well as smaller more local Charities.

Gillian Rennie-Dunkerley, Carol Darling and Jane Merritt

To The Hammer Born – Tales from an Auctioneer

This is the 2nd talk organised by the new organisation Learn: and features the popular local speaker, Stephen Poulter. He will be entertaining us with amusing illustrated anecdotes from his experience in the world of auctions and antiques. There will also be a fun quiz at the end to test our knowledge and expertise in valuing items.

The presentation is at Stradbroke Community Centre on Wednesday, February 13th at 2.00pm and the cost is £6.00 to include refreshments. Tickets on the door but if you have any queries please contact me at gillianrenniedunkerley@hotmail.com or 01379 384248/07730011951 Gillian Rennie-Dunkerley Chair of Learn:

Laxfield Produce, Craft and Flea Market

Laxfield Produce, Craft and Flea Market on Saturday 2nd February 9.30am -12.00pm (please note the slightly earlier time) inside All Saint's Church and also in the Royal Oak and outside on Church Plain.

Last month the loyal stallholders were pleased to see a good turn-out of customers despite the cold January wind and the earlier start, these stallholders included the hardy ones outside who link all the goodies between the Church and the Royal Oak. The February Market looks to have equally interesting and tasty items for sale, with over 30 stalls booked, to include local goat milk soaps, Suffolk candles, bird food, delicious cordials, stained glass creations, grass fed beef, free-range pork, excellent lamb, natural untreated milk, sourdough bread, cakes and pastries, crafts including handmade lampshades, gifts and cards, plus vintage and collectible stalls too. Knitted hats will be available in aid of charity, so get along to that stall if you need some central heating for heads.

All this plus soothing music - with a welcome return of locals Julie and Paul Theaker, playing harp and guitar music inside the church.

Refreshments, including tasty cake, will be on sale in the Church, the Royal Oak offers breakfasts, bacon butties, lunches and all the usual drinks, hot and cold, and there are toilet facilities in both venues.

As the Market is so popular there is now normally a waiting list for stall space, so do contact Catherine Cawood on 01986 798852 for info on booking.

The Laxfield Produce, Craft and Flea Market welcomes you on the first Saturday morning of every month – A Suffolk Market run by lovely friendly people - looking forward to seeing you there!

Carolyn

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Forthcoming Events

Lectures from Gerald Jenkins...

A Brief History of Money: From Barter to Bitcoins

Thursday February 7th 2019 at 7.30 p.m.

An illustrated lecture by Gerald Jenkins in the Webb Room at the Community Centre.

Except possibly for the invention of the wheel, it is fair to say that the invention of money has probably been the greatest single achievement of mankind. The aim of this talk is to show just how important and mysterious it truly is.

Starting with the ancient story of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, Gerald traces the origins of money in its many different forms, starting with the invention of gold & silver coins in the Middle East. Paper money was invented in China a very long time ago and is now used everywhere. In our own lifetimes, there has been the invention of electronic money in the form of on-line bank accounts and of course credit and debit cards. Each new form of money has made the efficient exchange of food, goods and services easier and the existence of a trustworthy supply of money allows people to specialise and for waste to be avoided. It is this specialisation and the trade between individuals and between countries which has so vastly increased the total wealth and well-being available to all. Whether it is then shared out fairly or not is a different question, a question of politics.

It is often said that ‘Bad news sells newspapers’ because most people find that stories of crises and disasters are generally more interesting to them. The same is true of stories about money. For instance, what was it like to live through the terrible hyperinflation in Germany in 1923? What is it like to live in a country such as Venezuela today and in Zimbabwe a few years ago where their Governments, by debasing their currencies brought about starvation and poverty for millions of people in countries which are potentially rich and prosperous.

Stories from around the world also draw attention to the real strangeness and the oddness of money. For instance: What happened when all the banks in Ireland went on strike for six months in 1970? What happened in Victorian Times when the whole of Europe came close to running out of silver and silver coins? At the time, Chinese Merchants would only accept silver as money in exchange for their luxury products such as tea, silks, painted papers, furniture, ivories and porcelain. At that time, products of such high quality could not be bought from anywhere else. Hear too how an unexpected and disgraceful solution was finally found to the problem. Finally hear how Dutch sailors disproved the advice given by so many mothers that.

‘Money does not grow on trees you know! For them, it did!. Their enterprise and their clever use of money transformed and improved food and mealtimes across all of Europe.

The Talk lasts for about an hour and is illustrated by images from across the Globe.

Admission £3. All proceeds to FOASS towards repairs to the Church.

Gerald Jenkins

Stradbroke on the Big Screen Friday February 15th 2019 at 7.30 p.m. An illustrated talk by Gerald Jenkins at the Community Centre.

With a new projector, sound equipment and a giant screen now installed in the Community Centre, it is possible to offer a new high quality presentation of the history of Stradbroke and to see how it has changed over the years, The talk will begin with images taken from the dawn of photography and the very early glass plates which were rescued by Geoffrey Smith and Alan Ward and then digitalised as part of Stradbroke’s Millennium Project, now nearly twenty years ago. Those pictures have been supplemented by many others that have come to light since and with yet more taken by other photographers in recent times. It is a source of proper pride to say that Stradbroke now finds itself to be one of the best recorded villages anywhere in Britain, with images covering a span of more than 150 years between about 1861 and the present day.

If you have been to any of the presentations in recent years called ‘Stradbroke Now and Then’ you may have seen many of these pictures before. However, it has never been possible to display them to such a size and quality as it is now. Of course, it goes without saying that for those who are new to the village, this will be a fine way to get to know Stradbroke better and to understand how it has come to look as it does today.

Admission £3. All proceeds to FOASS to be used towards repairs to the Church.

Gerald Jenkins

Jumble sale

A jumble sale is being held in Worlingworth community centre on Saturday 16th February from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon, admission free. All proceeds in aid of St Mary's church funds.

Vera Abbott

Cash Bingo

On February 8th there will be Cash Bingo in the Community Centre at 7.30 pm in aid of church funds. Mary Ellis

Treasure Island

Puzzle House Pantomimes present a traditional family panto. This is our thirteenth year of putting on shows. Hopefully, it will be lucky 13! Six actors play a range of characters in a show full of songs, live keyboard music, thrills, spills and fun! Join in with the songs, solve the puzzles on the way, and make sure that Jim Hawkins' dreams do come true as he searches for pirate treasure.

Show Dates & Venues - February 2019: Sat 2nd St Michael's Rooms, Framlingham; Sun 3rd St Edmund's Hall, Hoxne. All tickets £7. Telephone 01379 384 656. There are two acts and a short interval. Shows start at 3.00pm and end at around 4.50pm.

Roy Preston, Puzzle House Pantomimes

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—

Registered childminder and qualified Montessori teacher.

Set in the beautiful hamlet of Wilby.

Full and part-time places available for all ages.

Open 8am–6pm Tuesday to Friday all year round.

For all enquiries, contact Stephanie on: Phone: 07787154143 Email: stephanie.a.harvey01@gmail.com

Sports Roundup

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Stradbroke Cricket Club

January heralds a new year for the Cricket Club with the AGM. The sense of continuity prevails with the election of officers for the 2019 season. President - Don Lummis, Chairman - Michael Hugman, Vice Chairman - Ian Flintoff, Secretary - Richard PierceSaunderson, Treasurer - Caroline Johnson, Minutes Secretary - James Gilbee, Vikings Captain - Matt Wise, Youth Development Officer - Fergus Morgan, Groundsman Michael Hugman, Welfare Officer - Fergus Morgan. To cover their salaries (only joking!), the first fund raiser of the year is soon upon us: Pop Music Quiz at Community Centre on Saturday 16th February at 7:30pm. Now in its 10th year, to enter a team of 4, ring me on 07796465347. It costs £5 per person, including light refreshments. There is a bar, raffle, & a prize of £40 for the winning team. Step into Spring! The theme of the next few months is me, asking you to provide me with some historical info about the Club as I continue to pull it together.

Various venues have been used as a home ground, can you tell me where the following are/were, please? Rush's Meadow, Park Meadow, Neave's Meadow, all from the period before the First World War, Copping's Field, & Lodge Farm (WM Gibbs) from the 1950s. Ring me, or email michaelhugman57@gmail.com Thank you. Keep supporting your local Cricket Club.

Michael Hugman

Stradbroke Cricket Club Annual Music Quiz

Saturday 16 February in Stradbroke Community Centre for a 7:30pm start. th

Teams of 4 – Entry £5 per person (includes light refreshments), with a £40 prize to the winning team.

Bar, Raffle, Fun. To book a table: Ring Michael Hugman (07796-465347) or turn up on the night. Michael Hugman

London Marathon Challenge - A brief update on progress

We are now less than 3 months away from the big day and both of us are training hard. By the time you read this Don should be up to half marathon distances and Adeline not far behind.

Not surprisingly we both have some niggling injuries, Adeline with back pain and Don with a suspected cracked rib, having been tripped over by his running companion (Lucca) as he tried to cross the road (which sounds a bit like one of those “why did the chicken cross the road” jokes.) but not so funny! Fund raising is going well with nearly £1000 collected to date, but the target of £4000 is still a long way off. If you want to support us then you will find sponsor forms in the village shops/pubs or alternatively you can do it directly by going to our Virgin Money just giving page at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/ and search for ‘Adeline and Don’.

Childhood First are a relatively local children’s charity who, and as their logo states, focus on “healing hurt minds” in children that have suffered severe trauma in their lives. We hope you will give generously. Adeline and Don Darling

White Hart Bowls Bingo

Prize Bingo for Burns Night on Friday 22nd February 2019 at 7.30pm in Stradbroke Community Centre to raise funds for Stradbroke White Hart Bowls Club.

Many excellent prizes, raffle, and refreshments. Plus a flyer to win a Hamper.

Julie Ward, Secretary, Stradbroke White Hart Bowls Club

Letter to the Editors In last month's Stradbroke Monthly I neglected to add an address where my children Beth and Bradley could be contacted from those wishing to tip them for delivery of the Harleston Mercury, after the publishers decided they were no longer needed before Christmas. Any contributions can be sent to 14 Bishops Way, Stradbroke and I will ensure Beth and Bradley receive them. Thank you again and hope you all enjoyed the Christmas period and we wish you a happy new year for 2019!

Stacey Lear I have, like everyone else in Stradbroke, been asked to vote on the 31st January, 'yes or no' to the Neighbourhood Plan. For me the choice is simple because: Over the next 20 years I want Stradbroke, through the Neighbourhood Plan, to have control and influence on all future development. This is our village and we live here. Fourteen sites were put forward for development by local land owners and that could happen without a plan. I want only the four chosen by Stradbroke's residents to be developed over the next twenty years. Stradbroke is a great place to live, and so if we as a village gain the extra financial help which comes with having a Neighbourhood Plan, such Stradbroke projects as a nursery, the church, sport, the surgery, the cemetery, playing fields could stand to benefit. For me voting YES to The Neighbourhood Plan is win, win, win.

Ann Readman

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Etheridge Nurseries Laxfield Road,Tel: 384204 Mob 07881 440140

Passmore Weeks & Richardson

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Stradbroke Neighbourhood Plan Stradbroke residents get to vote on Thursday 31st January between 7am and 10pm at the Community Centre on the proposed neighbourhood plan.

The plan has been prepared over a number of years by the Parish Council and local residents working together.

We are urging local residents to vote "Yes for Stradbroke" and support the plan for two major reasons: 1. Yes to the plan will mean money straight to Stradbroke.

Saying YES! to the plan gives 25% of all the "Community Infrastructure Levy" (CIL) money that is charged to developers of new houses straight to Stradbroke. This would mean approximately £2,500 per newly built house straight to Stradbroke to help us with new infrastructure like a new nursery or improvements to the playing field.

2. Yes to the plan means development ONLY happens where Stradbroke can manage it.

Saying YES! to the Neighbourhood Plan gives Stradbroke a voice to say yes or no to proposed developments. If Stradbroke doesn't have a Neighbourhood Plan Mid Suffolk are able to agree to everything and anything without including a 'Stradbroke Voice' A quote from a Stradbroke resident: “They (Stradbroke residents) will look at this and think by voting for the SNP (Stradbroke Neighbourhood Plan) they are voting for up to 222 new homes to be built. If they are against new homes they will vote against it. But what they might not realise is these homes will be built anyway but the SNP is the best way to go for the village.”

Voting against the plan won't make housing developments go away. Far from it.

The plan proposes four new development sites over the next twenty years out of the 14 development sites that were submitted. This would mean development continuing at approximately the same scale in the next 20 years as it did in the past 20 years (when Drapers Hill, Farriers Close, Meadow Way and Ash Plough were built).

Without the plan far more of the sites could end up getting planning permission. If all 14 development sites gained planning permission, Stradbroke could buckle under up to 5 times as many houses! The plan keeps this scale of development under Stradbroke control! So say YES! to the plan on the 31st Jan!

Take a look at http://yesforstradbroke.uk for more information!

Say YES! to the Stradbroke Neighbourhood Plan Campaign, Promoted by Toni Wisbey,

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Free estimates, all jobs considered.

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E J BROWN Builder

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Steven Pleasance Carpenter and General Builder From hanging doors To Complete builds 01379 388253

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

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.

News & Views

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Stradbroke Online

Following an extensive redesign, a new version of the Stradbroke Online website has recently been launched. Following feedback from users the editors have changed the style and layout of the website to make it more attractive, easier to use and provide additional facilities for visitors to explore. The new site continues to strive to be an upto-date content based website providing easy access to information about our village. Starting with an aim that all information should be no more than “2 clicks away” we have hopefully created a user friendly website for both residents and visitors to Stradbroke.

New features of the site include a section on “Flash Fiction” (ultra-short stories of fiction) courtesy of the Big Sky Writers group and a Classified ads section where local residents can offer to buy, sell or give away items. Please visit the site at www.stradbrokeonline.org.uk and let us know what you think The Stradbroke Community Centre committee has kindly agreed to sponsor the website and will hopefully enable us to increase the editorial team and create a more diverse subscriber base. Anyone wanting to join the team will be very welcome. Prior experience of website work is not necessary just a desire to be a volunteer and help make Stradbroke a better place to live.

The editors: Don Darling, Roger Turkington, Gerald Jenkins and Adeline Darling

Pear Tree Fund

New year brings a new name and website for much-loved charity A much-loved charity which offers emotional, physical and practical support to people reaching the end of their lives is marking the new year by changing its name and launching a brand new website.

Halesworth Community Nursing Care Fund (HCNCF) has changed its name to the Pear Tree Fund, while its new website can be found at www.peartreefund.org.

The name change comes as the charity prepares for work to begin on its £880,000 Pear Tree Centre, which will bring vital information and support closer to home for people with life-limiting illnesses. Inspiration for the charity’s new name has come from a pear tree which is well-established on the construction site and will stand in the centre’s grounds once work is complete.

The new website has been designed to be clear, easy to navigate and packed with information about the charity and upcoming fundraising activities. It also gives visitors the chance to make a donation, read the latest news or learn more about the Pear Tree Centre, which will be built on land next to Cutlers Hill Surgery in Halesworth and open in late 2019.

Ted Edwards, co-chairman of the Pear Tree Centre project, said: “We are delighted that we are in a position to celebrate the start of the new year by revealing our name change and launching our website. We hope that this new, overarching name will be easy for people to remember while also making it clear that the two branches of our charity – the fund and centre – are linked and both provided by the same group of dedicated trustees, with the excellent support of committee members and charity shop volunteers.

Once open, anyone from north east Suffolk or south Norfolk with cancer or other life-limiting illnesses, along with their families and carers, will be welcome to use the Pear Tree Centre. As well as help understanding a diagnosis, it will also offer family services, a raft of information and practical advice on finance, benefits and coping with bereavement.

The centre will include space for local support groups to meet, a counselling room, small library and a comfortable area where people can relax and chat informally. A therapy room where patients can receive complementary treatments, such as Reiki and massage, will also be available, along with a landscaped garden to help promote wellbeing.

Liz Hearnshaw

Points Of View Photography Exhibition

Points of View is a photography exhibition created by Chrissie Kitchen, Candy Blackham, Nick Eade, and Geoff Moore who all live in Cratfield. Our first exhibition was in April 2018 when we displayed over 90 photographs and had around 150 visitors. We were delighted that several of the photographs found new homes, and particularly pleased to be invited to participate in another local exhibition. The Tea Room was a great success, enabling people to linger over the homemade cakes and chat. Points of View returns on 12 and 13 April 2019 with a completely new collection. Chrissie enjoys street photography; Geoff likes landscape photography, while Nick’s wildlife photography is taken in Suffolk and abroad. Candy is showing the parish church enclosures in Brittany and Suffolk residents may be interested to see the huge contrast between the highly decorated churches of the 15C-18C, built on the proceeds of the flax trade, and the ‘clean’ churches in Suffolk. Entry to the exibition is free but a Raffle will support Halesworth Dementia Carers Fund and Macmillan Cancer Support and we would like to exceed the c.£300 we raised last year. Friday 12 April, 18.00-20.00, paybar and nibbles; Saturday 13 April, 10.30-17.00, tea, coffee and homemade cakes Cratfield Village Hall, Manse Lane, IP19 0DJ Candy Blackham

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Forthcoming Events

RoughCast Spring Tour Feb 18th – March 9th

Hobson's Choice by Harold Brighouse. "You're my man Will Mossop!"

Harold Brighouse's immortal comedy begins in the well-established boot shop of Henry Horatio Hobson; so successful is his business that Hobson is content to drink away his days in the bar of the Moonraker's Inn with his cronies. As far as he is concerned, Hobson's only worry is his "uppity" daughters who seek to curb his drinking. However, a real challenge to his authority and his livelihood is waiting round the corner. His oldest daughter, Maggie, tired of shouldering both home and business responsibilities for her thankless father and lovestruck sisters, has a plan. Much to the hilarity and consternation of her father, Maggie sets her sights on shy Will Mossop, Hobson’s master boot-maker. Mossop is at first stunned by the suggestion, but eventually submits to Maggie’s powers of persuasion, and together they set up a rival boot shop. Brighouse's comedy is as fresh, sharp and engaging now as the day it was first performed: we root for Maggie and Will as they take on the overbearing Hobson and the "Victorian values" of everyone else to find success and (yes indeed) true love!

Following last year's acclaimed production of "Measure for Measure", RoughCast present more comedy and intrigue but this time of a more gentle and down-to-earth variety.

Performances at Brockdish, Beccles, Garboldisham, Hoxne, Wingfield, The Cut and The Fisher Theatre.

For further details visit www.roughcast.co.uk or tel 01379 586745 Pat Parris

Top tips to save money on your heating

Winter is on its way and with heating oil prices recently reaching a 4-year high point, BoilerJuice.com have some top tips to help you save on heating: 1. Place foil at the back of radiators The heat from radiators tends to flow near the walls rather than into the rooms, this can leave your walls nice and toasty but the room feeling chilly. Placing foil behind the back of your radiator reflects the heat back into the room. This can make your heating more effective saving you money.

2. Programme your heating You can now control your heating even when you are not at home. Programming your boiler to turn on half an hour before you wake up, and half an hour before you return home will make sure you don’t overuse your heating. This can save a generous amount of money a year.

3. Block draughts in your home Draughts can cause your home to feel cold even when the heating is on. Use a draught blocker to stop any cold breezes sneaking in. You can buy draught excluders to place under doors and add self-adhesive into cracks around windows to assure your home stays warm.

4. Turn the dial down The World Health Organisation recommends that the minimum temperature in the living room should between 18C-21C. Try dropping your room temperature by just one degree and you will notice a difference in your heating expenses.

5. Top up your oil tank early Ordering oil early can save you money, as heating oil prices tend to rise in the colder seasons, the earlier the order the less the price of oil.

6. Group buying heating oil Buying in a group can get you discounts; some oil suppliers will give you a discount for bulk buying. BoilerJuice.com will group every order for you behind the scenes and even have Buying Weekends where customers orders are grouped over a three day period. This means customers get the benefit of grouping without the hassle.

Camilla George

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Keeping in touch: Dan Poulter, MP

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As I sit to write this month’s column, it seems hard to believe that Christmas and New Year are already behind us – soon the daily routine of work and school journeys will return and as we look ahead to the New Year, I would like to start in wishing all of you a very happy and healthy New Year.

After enjoying some much needed time at home in Suffolk, I am looking forward to the return of Parliament. Of course, the business of Brexit negotiations look set to dominate the Parliamentary agenda for the foreseeable future, but the day to day business also continues and I am looking forward to continuing to supporting the interests of Central Suffolk and North Ipswich as your Member of Parliament.

By the time this edition comes to print, Parliament will most likely have held its vote on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement. Whatever the outcome of that vote, I remain optimistic that working together, we can find a positive and successful way forward.

As we embark on a New Year, my priority, as always, is to work hard for residents in Central Suffolk and North Ipswich and the big issues that matter to you. This includes the final push to achieving 100% coverage of superfast broadband. We are getting closer all the time, but there are areas where it remains stubbornly out of reach.

The same applies to mobile phone coverage and I am looking forward to hosting a further summit meeting early in 2019 as we look to improve Suffolk’s digital infrastructure.

I shall also be working hard with my fellow East Suffolk MPs and County and District Council colleagues to secure the funding for the four-villages bypass along the A12, north of Ipswich, as well as for safety improvements to the A140 near Brome.

I will also continue to champion our food and drink producers and farmers here in Suffolk, working in partnership to help secure the best possible Agriculture Bill and I am very much looking forward to welcoming a delegation from the NFU in Suffolk to Parliament early in 2019.

In partnership with my fellow Suffolk MPs and our local Government colleagues, I shall continue to support our schools and early years’ providers and remain committed to making sure that every child here in Suffolk receives the very best start in life.

Finally, I look forward to continuing to support our NHS and local health services as best I can, especially continuing to work with our CCGs as they work to support and enable the delivery of improved mental health services.

Thank you for your support over the last year and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible throughout the coming year.

For more information, please visit my website www.drdanielpoulter.com For more information, please visit my website www.drdanielpoulter.com

Sponsor Page 2 with your own article or advert!

Page 2 is a Sponsored Page, allowing any individual or organisation to request the page for their article or advertisement! The cost of ‘sponsoring ‘ the page will be £25 - this guarantees the whole of the inside front cover page and would give contributors the opportunity to include their own graphics and pictures, laid out to their own design!

It will be possible to request the page some time in advance, but to give fair access the page will not be blocked booked by the same individual or organisation/company for more than two consecutive months. The page will be available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, but can be booked ahead of time, with payment securing your space in the magazine.

If you would like to reserve Page 2 contact

editors@stradbrokemonthly.co.uk

Village Diary January 31 Wingfield and District Gardening Club meet at Brundish Village Hall (see page 10) 31 STRADBROKE NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN REFERENDUM 7am - 10pm Community Centre (see front page) st

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February 1 ‘Friday Friends’ dementia friendly café in Court House (see page 10) 2 Laxfield Produce, Craft and Flea Market, 9.30am to 12.00pm (see page 17) 2 6-Nations England Rugby matches showing at Community Centre (see page 17) 3 Radio Stradbroke on air from 10 am (see page 12) 3 Treasure Island in St Edmund's Hall, Hoxne (see page 18) 4 ‘Tiny Talk Baby Signing’ at the Court House at 10.30 am and every Monday (see page 10) 4 Rummikub Club in Court House at 2pm and every Monday (see page 10) 5 Jumping Beans for babies/toddlers/children under 5, and every Tuesday (see page 10) 5 Contact Club meet in Community Centre and every Tuesday 5 Stradbroke Badminton club meet at Stradbroke High School, and every Tuesday 6 Table tennis in the Community Centre at 7.30pm, and every Wednesday 7 Over 60s meet in Community Centre, 2pm to 4pm, (see page 10) 7 Court House Café 9.30am-12.30pm, and every Thursday (see page 10) 7 A Brief History of Money talk at Stradbroke Community Centre at 7.30pm (see page 18) 7 Stradbroke Youth Football at playing field, and every Thursday evening 8 All Saints Church Fundraising Committee Cash Bingo at 7.30pm (see page 18) 10 Radio Stradbroke on air from 10 am (see page 12) 11 Stradbroke Parish Council meeting at Court House, 7.30 pm (see page 6) 13 Baptist Church Friendship Lunch at 12.30pm (see page 3) 13 Tales from an Auctioneer at Stradbroke Community Centre at 2pm (see page 17) 14 WI meet in Community Centre (see page 9) 15 **Deadline for submissions for March edition strictly by this date** 15 Stradbroke on the Big Screen, talk in the Community Centre at 7.30pm (see page 18) 16 Jumble sale at Worlingworth Community Centre from 10am (see page 18) 16 ‘An Evening with Blossom and Steve’ at the Court House (see page 10) 16 Stradbroke Cricket Club pop Music Quiz at 7.30pm (see page 20) 17 Radio Stradbroke on air from 10 am (see page 12) 19 PC Clinic at 2.15pm in Court House (see page 6) 21 Over 60s meet in Community Centre, 2pm to 4pm, (see page 10) 21 Stradbroke Cinema presents ‘The Children Act’ (see page 17) 22 White Hart Bowls Bingo at 7.30pm in the Community Centre (see page 20) 24 Radio Stradbroke on air from 10 am (see page 12) 27 Baptist Church Soup ‘n’ Sweets lunch at 12.30pm (see page 3) st

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