Wickham Skeith Newsletter February 2022 Feb2022
~ DATES FOR YOUR DIARY ~
All meetings & events in Village Hall unless stated otherwise and subject to Covid guidance at the time.
February 2022 Saturday 5th Sunday 6th Tuesday 8th Wednesday 9th Thursday 10th Wed 16th Saturday 12th Monday 21st Tuesday 22nd Wednesday 23rd Friday 25th Saturday 26th
Cross-back Apron workshop 2-5pm Fully Booked Plum Pudding Walk Start 11am Hilltop Women’s Group - flower talk at 7.45pm Lunch Club 12 noon for 12.30. Advance Bookings Please Mobile Library 9.45 and 10.05 – two locations Barnardo's Foster Children in Wickham Skeith 1890-1950 7.45 pm Crafternoon 2-4pm Village Hall Committee 8pm Gardening Club 7.30pm Platinum Jubilee Ideas Meeting with Bar from 7.30, Mtg 8-9pm Coffee Morning Rose Cottage, 6 Grange Road 10-12. Village Green Working Party 9-12
March 2022 Wed 16th
Videos from the Village Film Archive – Alistair Govan 7.45 pm
Welcome We would like to welcome Barbara Wells to the village at Sarah's Folly. We hope you will be very happy here.
~VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE NEWS ~
Platinum Jubilee A meeting will be held to discuss how the village might celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee during the long weekend of 2 nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th June 2022. (Not Village Hall nor Parish Council initiative). Any interested people please come to Village Hall 23 rd February. Bar from 7:30. Meeting 8:00 to 9:00pm. If you have ideas but cannot attend, please put a letter in the Village Hall Post Box or email ktk957@gmail.com who will collate responses for the meeting Village Green Work Party We are late in the season to do this annual task so are concentrating on 'minor' works. South Side (near houses) strim and rake off growth; coppice some tree growth; clear drainage grips. East end (near Old Post Office) clear brambles. North Side (Village Sign side) clear brambles and cut some small ash stools down. West End (Jack's barn) clear brambles, coppice dogwood. Any help on Saturday 26 th February from 9 am ('till 12 latest) greatly appreciated. Please bring your own tools and we hope to dispose of debris with a bonfire if the wind is in the correct direction. Village Hall News We hope that you all had a great time over the festive season and kept safe. Well done to everybody who recycled their Christmas Trees at the Village hall. Quite a collection! Coming up The Plum Pudding Walk has been rearranged for February 6th 11am start from the Village Hall. Refer to previous Newsletter for details. March 19th Curry Night - these have proved very popular in the past and we hope this one will be likewise. Details in February April 23rd Table Tennis Competition. Junior competition, if there is enough interest, on Friday 22nd. Details to follow. Future event suggestions: A possible Music Festival in September with a booking of one Band/Group to be made and the hope that village residents will also showcase their talents. To take place on the Green with food, drink as per usual. When the Village Hall was started it had four Trustees - they aren't still the same ones but there will be news in due course of changes to that group. 49/59 Club Good progress has been made by Pete Davidson who has signed up 42 members. This means there are just a few numbers left... The next meeting will be on Monday 21st February 8pm at the Village Hall.
~NEWS FROM THE CLUBS~
Lunch Club We are all looking forward to our next Lunch Club which will be on the 9 th February. As usual we invite you to join us at 12 o’clock and a 2-course meal will be served at 12.30 and the charge is now £4 per person. Sadly, the January club didn’t happen due to Covid, and therefore we were unable to take bookings for the February lunch. So, if you wish to join us you will need to make a booking by the 4th February please. Please contact me by phone, text or email, contact details below. Jenny Elphick; Tel 01449 766885, Mobile 07745416091 or email jenny.elphick@sim.org The Salix, Daisy Green Lane, Wickham Skeith IP23 8NB
History Group As January’s meeting was postponed, Alistair’s Village Videos will now be shown at our March meeting. On Wednesday 16th February I will be giving a talk entitled "Ups & Downs: Barnardo's Foster Children in Wickham Skeith 1890-1950." Over this 60-year period more than 200 children from Dr Barnardo’s Homes were boarded out with families in Wickham Skeith. Thousands more were fostered across East Anglia. The talk explores the stories of these children, some of whom ended up a long way from Suffolk while others remained close to where they were brought up. All are welcome so do join us in the Village Hall at 7.45pm on Wed 16 Feb. Entry Fee £2 (children under 16 free) including tea/coffee and biscuits. Contact: Pete Davidson 766622 or pjdavidson42@gmail.com
~ N E W S F R O M T H E C L U B S~
Hilltop Women’s Group A small, cheerful, masked, socially distanced group came to the January Film Night. We watched " Life on the Deben" which served to remind us that we live in a very beautiful part of this world, and we enjoyed time together as a group. Our February meeting on Tuesday 8th at 7.45pm, will be a demonstration by the Rose Cottage Flowers florist (AKA Margaret Knights !) entitled Spring. Ideas for flowers and bulbs, raffle tea and biscuits. The competition, if you wish to play, will be to bring along your favourite vase with a reason for its specialness. Do come along. Any rules still in place will be adhered to. Enquiries - Margaret Knights 01449 767708 rosecottageflowers@hotmail.co.uk Sue Merriam 01449 766222
Gardening Club The gardening club will be holding its first meeting since COVID took over our lives. It will actually be exactly two years since our last meeting so we can’t wait to see you all. We are pleased to welcome back Dr Ian Bedford, an Entomologist who worked for 42 years at the John Innes Centre for Plant Science ( so he knows a thing or two!). Ian will be talking on the subject of Gardens for Them and Us which I know will be a fascinating subject. Please join us if you can at the village hall on Tuesday 22nd Feb at 7.30pm. A reminder also that we will once again be selling our tête-à-têtes which have been so popular over the years. These will shortly be available, both on the plant stall and also outside Blacksmith Meadow on the Street, so keep an eye out over the next couple of weeks.
~NEWS FROM THE CLUBS & OTHER EVENTS~
‘Crafternoon’ on Saturday 12th February 2-4pm Whatever your art or craft bring along your current project. Share skills, ideas, tips and techniques. Inspire and be inspired in the company of other creative people. If you have an ‘arty’ or ‘crafty’ friend then bring them too. Surplus art/craft items & books to sell? Bring them for the bring and buy table. Entry: £2.00 per person (inc. tea/coffee/biscuits).
Flower Festival We are hoping to hold this event this year! Dates are....Friday 29th April (set up) - Monday 2nd May. Keeping clear of Jubilee dates, and keeping to our usual spot on the calendar. Hopeful date for a fundraising coffee morning is Friday, 25th February at Rose Cottage, 6 Grange Road 10-12. Raffle only this time ( no bring and buy). More details next month, but please put dates in your diary. Fingers crossed .Thank you. Margaret Knights rosecottageflowers@hotmail.co.uk 01449 767708
Bridge I have recently moved to Wickham Skeith, and being a keen Bridge player, I was wondering if there is anyone in the village that would like to play, My phone no. is 07751485514, Barbara Wells.
~NEWS FROM THE CLUBS & OTHER EVENTS~
59 Club All current members should have received information regarding changing their standing orders. Please let me know if you’ve had any problems with this. The 59 Club is a fun way to support your Village Hall. As the 49 Club it has been single-handedly run by Jeanne Mason who has raised thousands of pounds over more than 15 years. This money has been used for new chairs, insurance costs etc. A really big thank you Jeanne for all you have done. There are a few numbers still available – if you are interested, please contact me for further information. Members pay £1 per week in advance, preferably by annual or quarterly standing order. They are allocated a number & if that number is drawn as the bonus ball in the National Lottery Saturday draw, they win £30. The costs of running the Village Hall are increasing so your support is essential. Pete Davidson
01449 766622/07951 020998
pjdavidson42@gmail.com
Recent winning numbers: Nov – 9. Dec – 47, 38, 59, 18.
Jan – 42, 27, 4, 28.
All bookings of the Village Hall and its equipment should go to: Gill Colchester Telephone 01379 788040 or Mobile 07850 641233 Email. gillyano@live.co.uk Hourly rate: £8.00 The rate is per hour or part thereof. Minimum booking period 2 hrs. Day rate (24-hour period): £85.00. 25% reduction in rate for Wickham Skeith residents and Wickham Skeith village groups and organisations. Official bodies (e.g., elections): £200.00 per day. A 30 minute "warming up" period will be allowed in cold weather conditions.
~C O M M U N I T Y N E W S ~
WICKHAM SKEITH PARISH COUNCIL - Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer Applications are invited for the post of Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer to Wickham Skeith Parish Council. The Clerk is responsible for ensuring the Council is acting according to the instructions of the Local Authority and within current regulations. The Clerk will also be the Responsible Financial Officer, maintaining financial records and the careful administration of its finances. Duties include: minute taking and setting up/publishing agendas working with Council members, district and county councils, members of the public and other bodies recording and managing payments and receipts bringing planning applications to the attention of the council for consideration preparing documents for audit preparing the draft budget and precept documents Skills: Computer literate, particularly in Word and Excel. Organised, numerate, a good communicator and able to work effectively with others Must have an internet and phone access. Must be able to store council files securely at your home address. The council has a dedicated laptop and printer that can be loaned to the successful candidate for council business .
Salary and Hours of Work: 14 hours per month at £10.44 per month (£1,754 per annum, subject to PAYE). Meeting are held on the evening of the 2nd Monday of alternate months, although additional extraordinary meetings may be called. Contact the Chair: Tim Thorogood, tim@starhousefarm.com, 01449 766757 Deadline for submissions 31st March 2022
~ 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 February 2022 All services at 9.30am in church unless otherwise stated 6th February Holy Communion 13th February Café Church 20th February Holy Communion 27th February Family Service Weds 2nd March, 7.30pm Ash Wednesday, Holy Communion with ashing at Cotton Friday 4th March 2pm World Day of Prayer service at Old Newton For other benefice services and our COVID advice, please view our Facebook page. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Christmas Star Trail and also to all our windowsill decorators. It’s a great shame that there were so few opportunities for everyone to appreciate the windowsills. The Star Trail experiences in Old Newton & Bacton churches were very popular and greatly enjoyed by all who attended. The Carol Service on the Green was well supported and the collection then and at the Christmas Eve service raised £187.50 for Emmaus, a charity helping the homeless in Ipswich. Café Church is a relaxed and friendly service usually with coffee/tea and something to eat. We sing one or two hymns and have a short discussion – the rest is chat! Why not come along and join us? “World Day of Prayer: a women led, global, ecumenical movement”. As usual there will be a World Day of Prayer service in our area on the first Friday in March. Each year the service is planned by women in a different country of the world. This year the service is entitled ‘I know the plans I have for you’ and has been prepared by the women of England, Wales & Northern Ireland. If you would like to know more about the service or would like a lift, please speak to Mary Paine. It is always an enjoyable service; everyone is welcome & lifts will be available. Lent Course 2022 – no sooner have we recovered from Christmas do we start looking towards Lent. Our Lent course this year will be focused on The Greatest Showman film. We will meet every Thursday from 3rd March. Our first session will be in Bacton Church at 7.30pm as we watch the film together! Bring the popcorn!
~ S T. A N D R E W ’ S C H U R C H ~
Rector’s Ramblings With Valentine’s Day, February is the month of love! On Sunday 27 th February, at Cotton Church, we’ll be holding a love-themed Songs of Praise. Of course, the Church of England does the best weddings, but we also celebrate all sorts of relationships. Whatever relationship you’re in, why not think about celebrating it with us at church this month? If you married in one of our churches, why not dig out your order of service and bring it along on 27th February to Cotton Church, 6.30pm, to show us! Love is not always easy, particularly the love we have for those no longer with us. For Christians, Jesus makes it possible for our love to continue even beyond death and beyond the grave. Jesus tells us that love is the winner, not death. That is why we as Christians are always talking about love. Love is not merely an emotion, a crush, or nice “feeling”. Love is about who God is – God is love. Love is worth celebrating. Whatever type of relationship you’re in and wherever you are at in your relationship, why not celebrate with us! Revd Carl
Church Flower & Cleaning Rota Jan 30th & Feb 6th Mrs E Davidson & Mrs J Willoughby Feb 13th & 20th Mrs J Kemp & Mrs S Merriam Feb 27th & Mar 6th Miss R Elsden & Mrs J Keable If you were expecting a new flower and cleaning rota but haven't received yours yet please let Liz Davidson know (eadavidson42@gmail.com, 766622).
Weekly Email and News – if you’d like to sign up to receive our weekly news email, please contact the Rector. 01449 781650, email: carlmelville@hotmail.com
~WICKHAM SKEITH PARISH COUNCIL~ MINUTES of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held MONDAY, 10 JANUARY 2022 at the Village Hall, Wickham Skeith. Present: Cllrs T Thorogood (Chair), K Knights, R Palmer, J Keable, T Rowe, M Appleby. Clerk: H Roberts. Also present: one member of the public. 1 10/1/22: Chairman’s Welcome. 2 10/1/22: a). To receive members’ Declarations of Interest on Agenda items. Cllr Appleby declared a non-pecuniary interest in the village newsletter, discussed under item 6. b). To consider requests for dispensations. None received. 3 10/1/22: The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8 th November 2021 were approved. 4 10/1/22: Village Forum. Public comments concerning the village hall and newsletter were considered under item 6. 5 10/1/22: To receive reports from County and District Councillors, Police, Parish Clerk and Parish Councillors.
DRAFT
5.1 10/1/122: SCC: Cllr Stringer’s report – none received. Note that Cllr Stringer sent his apologies, and his report, to the council after the meeting. A copy of the report is on the parish council website. 5.2 10/1/22: MSDC: Cllr Warboys’ report – none received.
5.3 and 5.4 10/1/22: Parish Clerk’s report (including Police report). The Clerk presented his report, including actions since the last meeting: A copy is available on the Council website. It was agreed that a). the Clerk would check with the insurer if the council had third party liability insurance on the village green, and b). the Clerk would pull together a submission for the UK Land Registry for review by the council. 5.5 10/1/22: Parish Councillors, including: 5.5.1 10/1/22: Community Speed Watch. The member of the public reported that the Speed Indicator Device had been set to track traffic both ways on Finningham Road. 5.5.2 10/1/22: General Data Protection Regulation. Cllr Palmer agreed to send his comments to the Clerk by post. 5.5.3 10/1/22: Community Emergency Plan. No update – waiting on the Clerk to arrange the plan review. 5.5.4 10/1/22: Defibrillator. It was agreed the Clerk will brief Cllr Keable on the defib guardian role. 6 10/1/22: Correspondence Received. A summary of the correspondence received is available as part of the Clerk’s report on the Council website. Main points considered:
A request for funding from Bacton Bowls Club was considered. It was agreed not to provide funds.
A request for support for the Village Hall from the MSDC Locality budget. It was agreed the Clerk will write to Cllr Warboys concerning this.
A request for consideration of funding for the village newsletter. It was agreed that funding of £250 for the village newsletter would be included in the budget (see item 7.3).
~WICKHAM SKEITH PARISH COUNCIL~
7 10/1/22 Finance 7.1. 10/1/22: The RFO presented the Statement of Account as of 31st December 2021 (along with a copy of latest bank statement), which was reviewed and approved. 7.2. 10/1/22: RFO update: the RFO presented their report. A copy is available on the Council website. 7.3. 10/1/22: The RFO presented a draft Budget for FY2022/23. The budget was discussed and agreed. The total budget amount agreed was £4,027.50. It was agreed the election provision fund would be reduced from £600 to £300 for FY 2022/23, with a view to restoring it to £600 for FY2023/24. 7.4. 10/1/22: The precept for FY 2022/23 was discussed and agreed. The total precept will be £3,723. This will mean an increase of 4% or £1.03 per Band D household per year. 7.5 10/1/22: The following invoice was approved: re-imbursement to Cllr Thorogood for grass cutting voucher: £50. 8. 10/1/22: Planning Matters: 8.1 10/1/22: The decision on planning application DC/21/05910 was noted. Permission was GRANTED. (Change of use and conversion of existing stable block to a single storey room for use as artist/studio workspace with extra land for sole use of Pear Tree Cottage residents and incorporated into the domestic curtilage. Change exterior from breeze block to traditional Suffolk barn style - brick dwarf walls and black shiplap. Location: Pear Tree Cottage, Rose Lane, Wickham Skeith, Suffolk IP23 8LU.)
DRAFT
9 10/1/22: Working Parties: Village Green and the Grimmer.
Cllr Knights reported there would be no time to do work on the trees before birds nesting, but that there may be time to go through lower undergrowth. Cllr Knights set a provisional date of 5 th February. 10. 10/1/22: Matters for next agenda. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Cllr Knights said that the Village Hall will be open for villagers to make suggestions for a Jubilee event. 11. 10/1/22: Staff matters. The draft job advert presented by the Clerk was approved, with the following addition: a deadline for responses of 31st March 2022. It was agreed this would be publicized on the SALC website and the village newsletter. 12 10/1/22: Next Meeting: Monday, 7th March 2022, 8pm, to be held in the Village Hall.
~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~
***** GISLINGHAM PLAYGROUP ***** We provide a safe, warm, friendly and caring setting for children aged 2-5 years, in a brand new purpose-built building on the same site as Gislingham CEVCP School, with whom we work closely to provide an excellent education. The Playgroup is following government guidelines so please check with us for opening arrangements. Please visit our website www.gislinghamplaygroup.com or phone us on 01379 788934
Cross-back Apron Workshop
FULLY BOOKED
Would you like to make a cross-back apron similar to this? You can join me at the village hall on Saturday afternoon 5th February 2022 (2-5pm) to get started. £10 for a copy of the pattern and instructions plus full details of fabric requirements (sizes s m to xl). Any proceeds after expenses to the Blossom Charity at Ipswich Hospital jocelynbryant712@gmail.com Or Tel 01449 766219
Mobile Library Van The Suffolk Mobile Library van calls every four weeks. Its first stop is the lay-by outside the chalet bungalows, from 9.45 to 10am. The second stop is outside Haymead House in The Street from 10.05 to 10.20. Next visits - 10th February and 10th March.
~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~
GRAHAM MOORE ELECTRICAL LTD Blacksmiths Cottage, Silver Street, Old Newton IP14 4HF
For all your electrical needs For a friendly and efficient service Call Graham on Tel: 01449 616946 Mobile: 07867 560357 *FREE ESTIMATES * ALL WORK GUARANTEED *
~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~
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Tel: 01379 890617 / 07880 528142 GARWOODSOFSUFFOLK@YAHOO.COM
Ed Batram GARDEN SERVICES Clearance, design, planting, aftercare for your garden… Trees, hedging, fencing, log splitting & chainsaw work… Ground clearance, paths, patios, brickwork and paving… All aspects of conservation work undertaken. FREE ESTIMATES Tel: 01379 898203, mob: 07950 923696 Email: edwardbatram@icloud.com
~ ADVERTISEMENTS ~
FREE RANGE, HIGH WELFARE, WICKHAM SKEITH REARED MEAT! Leg of pork boneless rolled and scored for perfect crackling £10kg Belly pork Joints £8kg, Pork Mince £8.60 kg, Tenderloin £9.60kg, Ribs £5kg Sausages plain £8.60 kg - packs of 8 , Sausage Meat G/F) £8.60kg GOURMET SAUSAGES £9.40kg Stokes Red onion marmalade & Mature Cheddar, Port & Stilton, Pork & Apple, Lincolnshire, Cumberland Chipolatas (G/F) BACK BACON UNSMOKED in 8 rasher packs £16.50kg SUFFOLK ALE & BLACK TREACLE SLOW CURED BACK BACON £19.87kg SMOKED STREAKY BACON £14.50 kg ORGANIC GRASS-FED FREE-RANGE HALF LAMB BOXES 4-5kg Fresh Frozen Vacuum packed and labelled £15kg Individual cuts from £18kg HOGGITT & MUTTON Ideal for slower cooking LEG, SHOULDER, CHOPS & TENDERLOIN £15k MINCE £10kg BONELESS CUBED FOR STEWING/CURRY £16kg Sam at TAS Animal Care & Poultry at Knoll Farm, Wickham Skeith Mobile: 077424 50908 Landline: 01449 768620
LOOKING AFTER YOUR ANIMALS WHEN YOU CAN’T
www.tasanimalandpoultry.co.uk 🐾🐾🐾🐾
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.
This newsletter is produced by Wickham Skeith Village Hall Committee
Village Website For information about Wickham Skeith, the Parish Council, and updates on events, visit the village website at https://wickhamskeith.suffolk.cloud/
And finally... Please send all your village news and adverts for next month’s newsletter to: melinda.appleby@mypostoffice.co.uk or call 01449 766879 By 25th February 2022 And note that due to the short month the newsletter is unlikely to be on doorsteps before 2 March 2022.
Newsletter printed by CopyDiss, 42a Mere Street, Diss IP22 4AG Tel: 01379 644567 www.copydiss.co.uk