Wickham Skeith Newsletter April 2021
~ DATES FOR YOUR DIARY ~ Next Parish Council Meeting: Monday, 5th May 2021 8pm on zoom with Annual Parish Meeting. Pop-Up Gallery last display 2 -9 April St Andrews Church open 10am-4pm 4th-11th April for flower displays and quiet time
~VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE ~
Village Hall News The Village Hall remains closed until further notice due to Coronavirus restrictions. Many thanks to Nigel and Dave who have been busy cleaning and treating the floor ready for May elections and, we hope in the not too distant future, our own use.
Pop-Up Gallery Thank you to everyone who shared their creative work in the Pop-up Gallery over the last eight weeks. Textiles – Verity Franklin and Jos Bryant Watercolours – Jerry Bassett and Harriet Bowes Felted needle craft and Mosaics – Rosie Bassett Photography – Melinda Appleby and Harriet Bowes Poetry – Melinda Appleby and Harriet Bowes All good things come to an end and we are organising the last display over the Easter weekend. We will include work by more of our creative residents and hope to take over a window in the hall as well. Do stop by and have a look. We will leave the work on display until 9 April.
Welcome to the Village Lots of new arrivals as spring nears. Not just the chiffchaffs but we welcome to the village: Mr & Mrs G Hayne in the The Broadway Rosie and Ed Thorogood in The Street Steve Delarre to Sarah’s Folly We hope you will all be very happy here and can meet and get to know us as soon as restrictions allow.
~NEWS~
Hilltop Women’s Group - 50 YEARS HILLTOPS Thanks to the folks who spotted my date mistake in the last newsletter. Our proposed 50 year celebration will hopefully take place on: Saturday July 17th Saturday July 17th Saturday July 17th Sorry for messing up the calendar!!! Contact Margaret Knights, 01449767708 or Sue Merriam 01449 766222 with queries.
News on Toads A slow start to the season with only 129 toads helped and 7 corpses spotted. But on sunny afternoons and evenings there has been plenty of squeaking and croaking. Some of us remember when 6-800 would be collected in a night. Please carry on looking out for them – and our patrols – for a few weeks more.
Local Deliveries We missed these contact details from the last newsletter: Fresh fish is delivered on Friday mornings by Jamie Bull – his contact details are: Bull_jamie@yahoo.com or 07557352902
Saying Au Revoir From Paul and Cathy Wright who moved in February: “We came to Wickham Skeith in 2007 and have really enjoyed being part of this small community especially the village hall pub nights. We are moving as we feel we need a new challenge, only as far as Tivetshall though. We hope to return on occasions such as quizzes”.
~HISTORY NOTES~ More Harsh Punishment After last month’s article on crime & punishment in the village in the Victorian era, Sheila Wright commented on how harsh the penalties were for relatively minor misdemeanours. However, compared with earlier in the 19th century, they got off lightly. The Bury & Norwich Post of 31 March 1813 reported that at the Suffolk Assizes at Bury St Edmunds: The following prisoners were capitally convicted [ie sentenced to death] ….. Mary Todd, for stealing 5l. in notes and 3 dollars from the house of Mr Wade of Wickham Skeith, in the day time, no person being therein. John Spink, John Garrod, Charles Nunn, and John Hayward, for a burglary in the house of Mr Philip Steggle, of Wickham Skeith, and stealing thereout divers monies and goods. (George Hayward, an accomplice in the last case, and first cousin to one of the prisoners, was admitted King’s evidence.) As was normal at the time for offences against property, all were granted clemency. I’ve not so far been able to find out what happened to them but transportation to Australia may have been their fate. One case, from 1808, which we know did result in transportation, involved the great-great-grandfather of Ernie Garrard who used to live at 1 Kitchen Close. Robert Garrard with John Mayes and his son George Mayes (aged only 14) were convicted on 24 March 1808 of burglary at the house of William Morgan in Thornham Magna. They stole one hundred and sixty pounds of pork to the value of four pounds, two legs of pork to the value of eight shillings and two earthen dishes to the value of twelve pence. They were sentenced to death but were reprieved. Robert was transported to Australia in 1811 aboard the Admiral Gambier with a sentence of 14 years. After serving his time on farms in New South Wales he became an overseer controlling other convicts on a farm at Murramarang on the coast 170 miles south of Sydney. By 1834 he owned his own farm – which he called Wickham Hill Farm – at Narrawallee just up the coast from Murramarang. He eventually came to own over 1000 acres and the property is still in the same family. (Liz & I were able to visit the farm when we went to Australia in 2007.) So what about Robert’s family? In England he left behind a wife, Elizabeth (née Mayes) and 2 children. Elizabeth had several more children with John Cattermole whom she married in 1821. (I think that it was legal to remarry 7 years after desertion. If the 1 st husband returned the 2 nd marriage would be void, not bigamous.) Robert, who never returned to England, married Sarah Taylor (aged 19) in 1826 & they went on to have 10 children. We are fortunate to have a record of a visit to Robert & Sarah’s farm in 1845 by a lady called Ann Jones: Next day we made for Garrett's farm. We stayed all night there. The Garretts are a worthy and hard working family, and their place is very clean. They gave us some food, making us a nice damper in a camp oven hanging over the fire. In this oven they cooked everything. We had breakfast off a nice piece of steak, fresh butter and tea out of china cups and saucers. In one room I saw the floor covered with wheat. They were farmers and their house was a very singular one, built on a hill, the land all around them being low and flooded at times. Robert, who if he had stayed in Wickham Skeith would probably have remained an impoverished labourer, was clearly a man of enterprise. So maybe being sentenced to death wasn’t such a bad thing after all? Pete Davidson pjdavidson42@gmail.com
~ C O M M U N I TY PAG E ~
Thank you This past year has forced us to lock down in this little village, unable to spread our wings or access family and friends. Now that the restrictions are easing, and before we get back to the wider world, there are some thank-yous to record here. To all the good neighbours who have helped out more than usual, with shopping, cooking and even just a phone call. To the garden club team for the annual treat of tete a tete pots . So reasonably priced, adding a little bit of sunshine to the darker days. To all who have helped keep ditches, drains and grips clear during all that rainy weather. To the folk who keep our village clean and tidy, strimming, mowing and litter picking. To the dog owners who pick up the poo! To the food box guardians and all who fill them. To whoever keeps Stuart's pot filled with blooms ( the metal container on the triangle at the church road crossroads ) To newsletter compilers and contributors And anyone else who has helped keep us all safe in a quiet way. Doing these things and all manner of other kindnesses for our community. I know I've missed out other instances......perhaps you could add to the list next newsletter? Thank you. Keep safe!!!
Suffolk Libraries The Mobile Library is due to restart service on 12 th April but due to its monthly schedule it will not be with us until 6th May. As a reminder it stops at the Chalet Bungalows from 09.45–10.00 am and outside Haymead House, The Street from 10.05–10.20 am.
~ W I C K HAM S K E I T H PAR I S H C O U N C I L ~ MINUTES of PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held MONDAY, 8 MARCH 2021 by videoconference Present: Cllrs T Thorogood (Chair), K Knights, T Rowe, R Palmer. Clerk: H Roberts Warboys (MSDC), County Cllr Stringer (SCC), and two members of the public.
Also present: District Cllr
1. 08/03/21: Chair’s Welcome: The Chair opened the meeting, welcoming those in attendance. 2. 08/03/21: Declarations of Interest and dispensations: none. 3. 08/03/21: Minutes of Meeting: Minutes of Meeting held 8 th February 2021 were approved. It was agreed the Chair’s signing of the minutes would be done outside of the meeting. 4. 08/03/21: Village Forum: A member of the public asked whether a village litter pick could be organised this year. After some discussion, it was concluded that the village should wait and see how and when covid restrictions are lifted before progressing this. A member of the public spoke about the upcoming county council elections. 5 08/03/21: To receive reports from County and District Councillors, Police, Parish Clerk and Parish Councillors: 5.1 08/03/21: SCC: a copy of Cllr Stringer’s report is available on the parish council website. The main points were: an update on the SCC budget; LDGI Group Budget Amendment and Group Leader’s Speech; Suffolk & Norfolk County Council joint bid for £6m flood funding; Government’s last-minute approach to local authority grants; LDGI Group response to Post-16 Travel Policy consultation. Cllr Stringer also provided a report on the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) pilot community project. A copy of the report is available on the parish council website. Cllr Knights commented that the recycling booking system at the Stowmarket Recycling Centre was working well and should be retained after covid restrictions are lifted. Cllr Stringer said he would take note. 5.2 08/03/21: MSDC: a copy of Cllr Warboys’ report is available on the parish council website. The main points were: an update on the MSDC budget and the MSDC meeting of 16 th February 2021; an update on covid-19 information from MSDC; a briefing on the new Independent Living Service; an update on the plans for the new West Suffolk Hospital; a briefing on the Census, 21st March 2021; an update on bin collection; a briefing on Tetrapak recycling, and a request for input from residents on the subject. The problems of recycling Tetrapaks were discussed. Cllrs Warboys and Stringer raised the issue of fly-tipping, explaining that now 96% of fly tipping incidents on public land are dealt with within 48 hours. 5.3 08/03/21: Parish Clerk (including Police report). A copy of the report is available on the parish council website. 5.3.1
08/03/21: Update on actions from the last meeting, and to consider any actions arising. The Clerk reported that: the Council’s precept form has been received and acknowledged by MSDC; all the issues with footpaths and highways discussed at the meeting of 11 th January 2021 have been reported to Suffolk Highways. 5.3.2 08//03/21: To consider membership of the Public Sector Geospatial Agreement. It was agreed that the Council would sign up for the PSGA. 5.3.3 08/03/21: To publicize the upcoming Census on 21 st March; this was agreed. 5.4 08/03/21: Parish Councillors, including: 5.4.1 08/03/21: Community Speed Watch: 5.4.1.1 08/03/21: To consider the re-positioning of the Speed Indicator Device post. After some discussion it was agreed the Council would request the SID post be moved as proposed by Suffolk Highways.
~ W I C K HAM S K E I T H PAR I S H C O U N C I L ~ 5.4.2 08/03/21: General Data Protection Regulation: The Clerk had drafted some policies for the council relating to GDPR (see agenda item 8.2 below). Cllr Palmer had several comments on the drafts and it was agreed that Clerk would incorporate these comments into the drafts, which would then be brought back to the Council for approval at a later meeting. 5.4.3 08/03/21: Community Emergency Plan, including Covid-19 emergency. Although the Emergency Plan remains activated, it was agreed the Clerk would gather feedback on the plan from councillors and the village volunteer group for reporting to the Suffolk Resilience team. 5.4.4 08/03/21: Defibrillator. The Clerk reported that the checking of servicing and maintenance requirements of the defibrillator had not progressed as the manuals are yet to be collected by the Chair. 6. 08/03/21: Correspondence received. A summary of the correspondence received is in the Clerk’s report which is available on the parish council website. 7. 08/03/21: Finance 7.1 08/03/21: The RFO’s report on the financial position as at 28th February 2021 was received. A copy of the report is available on the parish council website. 7.2 08/03/21: The Internal Accounts Audit and Control Document for the current financial year was reviewed and approved. A signed copy will be made available on the parish council website. It was agreed the Council would submit the Certification of Exemption for External Audit. 7.3 08/03/21: The appointment of Mrs. R Barnett as the Internal Auditor for the upcoming audit was agreed. 7.4 08/03/21: The Risk Assessment for the next financial year (2021/22) was reviewed and agreed. A copy will be made available on the parish council website. 7.5 08/03/21: The level of Fidelity Guarantee insurance (£25,000) was reviewed and approved. 7.6 08/03/21: No invoices were presented for approval, but it was noted and approved that the cost of the village hall broadband had increased from £34.20 to £52.20. It was agreed that the Clerk would confirm the reason for the increase and that the council would then consider what further action, if any, to take. 8. 08/03/21: Policies and procedures 8.1 08/03/21: The draft Standing Orders were reviewed and approved. 8.2 08/03/21: To consider and adopt the proposed policies and procedures. It was agreed that a decision on these policies would be deferred so that the Clerk could re-draft them taking into account councillor feedback. 9. 08/03/21: Planning. The following planning decisions were noted: 9.1: DC/21/00399 – no objection. Location: Homeleigh, The Broadway, Wickham Skeith, Eye IP23 8LX 9.2: DC/21/00020 –permission granted. Location: Minglewood, The Entry, Wickham Skeith, Eye IP23 8LY 10. 08/03/21: Working Parties: 10.1 08/03/21: Village Green 10.1.1 08/03/21: To consider possible next steps in establishing ownership of the village green. After some discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk will gather more information on what the next steps are to progress the Council establishing its ownership of the village green. Cllr Palmer recommended the Clerk review the DEFRA webpage on village greens. 10.2 08/03/21: Grimmer Fishing. This item was included in the discussion of the village green. Cllr Knights gave a verbal report on tree maintenance, highlighting work that was needed on several trees around the village. He agreed to circulate a written report to councillors. 12.2 08/03/21: It was agreed that the dates of the Annual Parish meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Council were both set for Wednesday 5th May 2021, both to held remotely by videoconference. 12.3 08/03/21: It was agreed that the Council would upgrade their Zoom account to Zoom Pro for one month to cover the meetings, at a cost of £11.99.
~ W I C K HAM S K E I T H PAR I S H C O U N C I L ~
Annual Parish Meeting: 5th May 2021: make a note of the date! We will be holding the Annual Parish Meeting on the evening Wednesday 5th May 2021. The meeting will be held remotely using Zoom. The start time and login details will be published in next month’s newsletter, and also on the Parish Council website: http://wickhamskeith.suffolk.cloud/ You can also email the Clerk for the details: wickhamskeithpc@hotmail.com. Note that there was no Annual Parish Meeting last year due to Covid restrictions. The Annual Parish Meeting is an opportunity for residents to raise any issues they may have. If you have any issues you would like to raise, it would be helpful to email them to the Clerk in advance. The Annual Parish Meeting will be immediately followed by the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council. That is a separate meeting, but is open to the public to attend. This will also be held on Zoom and joining details publicized in advance.
Parish Councillor Vacancy
Wickham Skeith Parish Council has a vacancy for a
Parish Councillor Old or new in the village if you would like to take help by joining the Council, which meets six times a year and considers planning, landscape, footpath and other local matters, then contact the Clerk Huw Roberts on wickhamskeithpc@hotmail.com or 0777 180 8677.
~ S T. A N D R E W ’ S C H U R C H
~
Church of England, Wickham Skeith Facebook: @bactonbenefice Rector: The Revd Carl Melville, The Rectory, Bacton, IP14 4LJ 01449 781650, email: carlmelville@hotmail.com Wardens: Liz Davidson 766622 and Margaret Jones-Evans 767121
Services in April 2021 At the moment, all indoor church services are suspended in our Benefice. You are welcome to join us at the Drive-in services at Bacton Middle School on Sundays at 10.30am or for our online services by searching “Bacton Benefice” on YouTube or Facebook. Sunday services at 10.30am & 6pm Evensong. Thursday services at 10.30am Communion & 9.00pm Night Prayers (Compline). Holy Week 2021
All services online from home unless stated otherwise
Palm Sunday Mar 28th 10.30am Drive-in service at Bacton Middle School 7pm Deanery Worship on Zoom Holy Monday 29th 10.30am Communion, Leader & Preacher: Revd Stephen 9.00pm Compline at Gipping: Revd Carl Holy Tuesday 30th 10.30am Communion, Leader & Preacher: Revd Barbara 9.00pm Compline at Wickham Skeith: Revd Carl Holy Wednesday 31st 10.30am Communion, Leader & Preacher: Revd Carl 7.30pm Stations of the Cross (zoom) Leader: Peter Paine 9.00pm Compline at Old Newton Maundy Thursday Apr 1st 10.00am Cathedral Chrism Service 7.30pm Communion, foot washing, stripping of the altar and vigil (from Bacton) with Gethsemane Garden. Good Friday Apr 2nd 12noon – All Age Service on zoom, Leader: Helen 3pm – Online meditative service, Leaders: Elaine & Carl Easter Sunday Apr 4th 6.00am Easter Vigil (with fire) in Rectory Garden 10.30am Benefice Easter Communion Drive-in service at Bacton Middle School 6.00pm Evensong online Links for the services are in the weekly pew sheet newsletter or please ask for them .
Happy Easter to you all! Alleluia! Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
~ S T. A N D R E W ’ S C H U R C H ~ Confirmations 2021: The Bishop will be visiting the Benefice after Easter to conduct Confirmations. If you’re interested in being Confirmed, please speak to Revd Carl or Elaine Miller. Weekly Email and News – if you’d like to sign up to receive our weekly news email, please contact the Rector. If you would like to make a donation to the church in these days of no collection plate at services please ask Liz for the church account details or look online for A Church Near You, find the entry for Wickham Skeith St Andrew and go to the donation page. There is also a QR code for the purpose in the notice board outside the village hall and in church. Thank you.
Trail for April – display a Cross in your window. Also as there will be no service in church on Good Friday, the pictures that depict Jesus’ last walk on Good Friday from the Fortress of Antonia, where he was sentenced, to Golgotha, the place of his crucifixion, will be in various windows around the village. The 12 Stations of the Cross, showing the Via Dolorosa or Way of Suffering, to look for are: 1. Jesus is condemned to death 2. Jesus takes up his Cross 3. Jesus falls for the first time 4. Jesus meets his Mother 5. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross 6. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus 7. Jesus falls for the second time 8. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem 9. Jesus falls for the third time 10. Jesus is stripped of his garments (sometimes called the "Division of Robes") 11. Jesus is nailed to the Cross 12. Jesus dies on the Cross Look for the pictures during the 2 weeks between Palm Sunday & April 11th.
Although there will be no indoor services for Easter all the churches of the benefice will decorate as normal so that for the week from Easter Sunday until Sunday 11 th April all 6 churches will be open each day between 10am & 4pm for everyone to visit to see the flowers and have the chance for quiet private prayer. Please take the chance to enjoy the displays. Many thanks to the people who will decorate their windowsill.
~ S T. A N D R E W ’ S C H U R C H ~ Rector’s Ramblings I find Easter such an uplifting time of the year – a highlight in the Christian calendar and the holiest of the Christian festivals. This time last year we had just entered in to our first lockdown. It was unknown to all of us. Streets were deserted, roads were quiet and people only emerged from their homes once a day for exercise. Online, however, Christians the world over celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, sharing in the joy, power and hope that this New Life brings to us, despite the darkness that surrounded us. So many churches used zoom on a Sunday that on several occasions the platform crashed! A year on, we are in a very different place. More people are struggling to keep their head above the water as they find themselves unemployed or furloughed. More people than ever before are reliant on food banks. There is light at the end of the tunnel in form of the vaccine, but that has come at a cost – the cost of over 100,000 deaths, unemployment, the deterioration of mental health, a disruptive school year and so on. Once again, as Easter comes our way, Christians will celebrate the glory of Jesus, even though the world around us is broken. The Easter message is not one of quick fix or even the promise of plucking good people from a sad world. Jesus had to walk through the darkness to bring us the light – at great cost. The promise of new life is one that slowly heals and mends a broken people. It is a new life that restores and lifts up. We could all do with a fresh start and a new chance. Why not come and celebrate Easter with us and see what Jesus has to offer you? Revd Carl
B.O.B Foodbank – our benefice foodbank has helped over 40 households with food parcels and small grants. If you or someone you know needs some additional help during these difficult times, please contact Revd Carl or Bridget (677422). It might be for help with school uniforms, bus fees, hospital transport, food, unexpected bills. All contact with us is confidential. B.O.B APPEAL – we are still collecting non-perishable foods. Please drop off food (tins etc) in the yellow collection boxes outside Sue Merriam’s in The Street and Margaret Jones-Evans at 1 Broadway.
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This newsletter is produced by Wickham Skeith Village Hall Committee
Business Adverts Adverts are £5.00 per month, £25 for 6 months and £50 for one year. Cash or cheque (payable to “Wickham Skeith Village Hall”) to Melinda Appleby at Haymead House, The Street, in advance of the advert being placed please.
And finally... Please send all your village news and adverts for next month’s newsletter to Melinda: mappleby@tiscali.co.uk or call 01449 766879 By 26th May 2021
Look out for Toads on the road on warmer damp evenings
Newsletter printed by CopyDiss, 42a Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AG Tel: 01379 644567 www.copydiss.co.uk