Wickham Skeith Newsletter
April2023 Feb2022
All in the Village Hall unless otherwise stated.
April 2023
Saturday 1st Friends of St Andrews Church Quiz evening 7.30pm
Thursday 6th Mobile Library van: 2 stops between 9.45 and10.20am
Saturday 8th Crafternoon 2-4pm
Tuesday 11th Hilltop Women’s Group St Elizabeth’s Hospice 7.45pm
Wednesday 12th Lunch Club 12 for 12.30 Advance Bookings please
Saturday 15th Book Sale & Coffee Morning 10am Highbanks, 1 Broadway
Saturday 15th Pub Night at the Village Hall 7pm + Short Village Hall AGM
Monday 17th Village Hall Committee 8pm All Welcome
Wednesday 19th Joy Hawkins ‘Black Death’ 7.45pm
May 2023
Thursday 4th Mobile Library van: 2 stops between 9.45 and10.20am
Saturday 6th King’s Coronation Live on the Big Screen from 10am
Sunday 7th Big Coronation Lunch on the Green from noon
Monday 15th Annual Parish Meeting and Parish Council 7.30pm
Don’t forget on 1st April there will be a village quiz, organised by Pete Davidson, with food at half time and a raffle to help fundraising for St Andrew’s Church. In the Village Hall at 7.30pm. £5 ticket. Phone: 01449 766622 or 07951 020998
A busy time coming up in the Village Hall so please keep an eye out for extra messages or signs!
About fifty people attended the Italian Night. It was judged to be a great success as it enticed several families to come. The Hall isn't just for the 'grey' generation and we would like to encourage more family events. If you have any ideas, please let us know. A profit of around £300 was realised which will help keep the VH running.
15th April is a very short AGM from 7pm followed by a Pub Night. The usual drinks at the bar and a limited number of burgers available to purchase. Please come along to the AGM and chat together to share your ideas for the future of the Village Hall. Village Hall Treasurer Harriet has carried out the task of treasurer diligently for some years now and is stepping down from the AGM. If you have any financial expertise, or a willingness to support the community through taking on this role, let a committee member know-or let us know at the AGM. Thank you.
The Big Fundraiser- the FETE- on the Green on 24th June. We hope for lovely weather and a good turnout. Look out for details to be released soon. Katie, Jos and Mark are the organising committee-great thanks to them. Draw tickets, two sets, will be in the June Newsletter and delivered to every household in the village.
Future Events:
Music on the Green 9th September with a bar and possibly a hog roast if that can be organised at a reasonable cost Bat Walk 29th September, this is potentially a good idea especially if linked with a pub night!
After the success of last year's event a Country Dance evening in October is being considered.
We have some ongoing maintenance being done and larger jobs being considered. The Parish Council questionnaire returns, as reported at the PC Meeting, had solar panels on the Village Hall coming top. A bid for District Council CIL money has been put in for solar panels! If successful this means the Parish CIL money could be used on other high scoring activities-or used for roof and guttering maintenance so the panels can safely be installed.
We are still searching for the Flower and Craft Show trophies!!
The Village Hall Committee can now take payments at events by card as we have invested in a card reader linked directly to our Bank Account.
The next Committee meeting will be Monday 17th April 8pm at the Village Hall. The May meeting will be 22nd May. Thanks everybody!
Lunch Club
Thelma Thorogood cooked for our club last month. She made a delicious Chicken and Leek casserole served with mashed potatoes, carrots, peas and cabbage. Jenny Harvey prepared a lovely trifle for dessert which completed another great meal. Thanks to the team of assistants from vegetable preparers to dish washers.
Our meetings are always on the second Wednesday in each month and so our next lunch is on Wednesday 12th April.
If you haven’t been to Lunch Club before or you haven’t joined us recently and you have reached 60, please come and join us. We meet at 12 noon and eat at 12.30pm. The cost continues at £4 per head which is really good value and we also have a raffle each month.
If you wish to book a place please contact Jenny Elphick by Friday 7th April by phone 01449 766885 or mobile 07745416091 or email at jenny.elphick@sim.org
‘Crafternoon’ Saturdays
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.
Next Crafternoon on Easter Saturday 8th April 2-4pm
Entry: £2.00 per person (inc. tea/coffee/biscuits).
59 Club
Recent winning numbers: Feb – 35; Mar – 7, 49, 58.
History Group
On 19 April we welcome Joy Hawkins who will talk on “Pockets Full of Posies? Surviving the Black Death the Medieval Way”. We have just lived through the worst pandemic for a century. However, in 1348/9 between a third & a half of the population died from the Black Death. Joy will explore how people coped with this disaster.
The meeting will be preceded by a short AGM.
All are welcome so do join us in the Village Hall at 7.45pm on Wed 19 Apr Entry Fee £3, including tea/coffee and biscuits.
Contact: Pete Davidson 07951 020998 or pjdavidson42@gmail.com
Hilltop Women’s Group
The meeting in March was a talk from Melinda Appleby, trustee of The Food Museum in Stowmarket. It was very well received and we thank her for explaining the new name and telling us about all the events and opportunities to be enjoyed there now. The website, Foodmuseum.org.uk , is good for up-to-date information.
She did such a good job, in fact, that we will make it our venue for the summer outing on Tuesday 11th July, leaving the village hall in cars at 10.30 with the intention of staying till about 3pm. Jos is looking after this list, so please contact her to be included. Save the date. More information on this later.
Our meeting in April, Tuesday 11th at 7.45pm, is our brief AGM and shared finger food buffet, with a short talk from a representative of the St Elizabeth Hospice, which is our local charity of the year. We have decided to retain the collection box until next April though, as we have only recently acquired it.
Come and join us. Three pounds for visitors and only one pound for members for the evening ( and not just tea and biscuits for this particular meeting!) It’s a chance to catch up with friends and neighbours.
We will at last have the programme for the rest of the year available too……… crossing our fingers that another plague won’t wipe out normal life again!
Any enquiries to
Margaret Knights….01449767708
Sue Merriam……… .01449766222
Jos Bryant………… .01449766219
Kenneth Martin
Maureen and her family would like to extend a huge thank-you to all the villagers who have supported her at this very sad time on losing her husband Kenneth. As many people know, he had lived in the village all his life. He was born in a tiny cottage that was situated at the top of the entry, before moving into one of the council houses in Grange Road, then moving into 136 Thwaite Road after he was married. Mum and Dad lived there happily for many years before moving into a brand-new house, which they built themselves in the garden of that property. Dad loved tending to his vegetable and flower garden, which he did with a great passion and often offered advice to people with his knowledge on the subject.
Thank you to everyone in the village who came to the funeral, we were so pleased the sun managed to smile on us for the day. We would like to extend a big thank-you to the bell ringers, it was a joy to hear the bells ringing. Also thank-you to everyone who helped with the flowers in the church, this meant a lot to Mum who, herself, did the flowers and helped clean the church for many years. The lovely service was conducted by Reverend Carl Melville and we were so pleased that the church was full, Dad would have been delighted with the turnout. We would also like to thank Margaret for the beautiful floral wreaths that she made for us; they truly were amazing. Also last but not least, we would like to thank Alice and Richard for the use of their meadow as a car park.
Maureen and Family
Flower & Cleaning Rota
April 2nd & 9th Miss R Elsden & Mrs J Keable
April 16th & 23rd Mr & Mrs I Hempstead
April 30th & May 7th Mrs J Kemp & Mrs S Merriam
The Suffolk Mobile Library van stops in the lay-by outside the chalet bungalows, from 9.45 to 10am. Then outside Haymead House in The Street from 10.05 to 10.20.
Next visits –6 April and 4 May 2023
DRAFT MINUTES of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held MONDAY,13 MARCH 2023 at the Village Hall, Wickham Skeith.
Present: Cllrs T Rowe (Chair), K Knights, J Keable, and M Appleby. Clerk: L Rogers. District Cllr R Warboys Also present: 5 members of the public.
1. 13/3/23: Apologies received from Cllrs T Thorogood and R Palmer
2. 13/3/23: a). To receive members’ Declarations of Interest on Agenda items. Cllr Appleby planning item for Street Farm. b). To consider requests for dispensations. None received.
3. 13/3/23: The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 9th January 2023 were approved and signed
4. 13/3//23: Village Forum. Question about how the zoning and maintenance of the Grimmer will work. Problems with fishing – cars, tents and overnight fishing, no toilets for public use. A resident wants to keep the rural setting of the village so no to lots of notices etc. Broken footpath sign post by The Entry has not been fixed and was reported 14/2/22 Clerk to follow up.
5 13/3//23: SCC: Cllr Stringer - no report received
6 13/3/23 MSDC: Cllr Warboys - report appendix 2
7 13/3/23: Planning Matters:
a) Application for Listed Building Consent - DC/23/00202 Proposal: Listed Building Consent - Repair to wall and gate following impact by vehicular damage Location: The Old Swan House, The Street, Wickham Skeith has been withdrawn
b) The councillors considered Application for Planning Permission - DC/22/06310 Proposal: Full Planning Application - Conversion of barn into 1no. dwellinghouse with single bedroom annexe. Conversion and extension of an existing brick garage into a workshop and double bay cart lodge. Location: Street Farm, The Street, Wickham Skeith and agreed to object to it on the grounds that more information about materials and finishes to the building is required to ensure that it is developed in a sympathetic way in keeping with a listed building in a listed building setting.
c) The councillors considered Application for Planning Permission without Compliance of Condition(S)DC/23/00903 Proposal: Application under S73 for Removal or Variation of a Condition following grant of Planning Permission DC/22/00448 dated 11/04/2022. Erection of 2No dwellings Town and Country Planning Act 1990 - To vary Condition 2 (Approved Plans and Documents) amended scheme of plans. Location: Land To North of Bumbledown (& Forming Part of Previously Approved Development Site), Grange Road, Wickham Skeith and agreed not to object to the variation. However, three concerns were raised; The site owners have poured concrete into the nearby ditch last week; the safety grids have been removed from either end of the culvert at the site which will allow rubbish to wash down the culvert; the large oak tree at the entrance splay appears to block the visibility splay. Clerk to report the issues.
8. Finance
8.1.13/3//23 SCC Cllr Stringer has kindly agreed to make a grant of £750 towards the purchase of a commemorative bench for the King’s Coronation. Clerk to make an application.
MSDC Cllr Warboys kindly agreed to make a grant of £300 to cover the cost of buying coronation mugs for each child in the village. Clerk to email to arrange
8.2.13/3/23 The Councillors received the financial report and noted any income received. They agreed to authorise payments made since the last meeting.
8.3. 13/3/23 The Councillors approved the Annual CIL statement for 2022-23 and the Chairman signed it.
8.4 13/3/23 The Councillors appointed Dave Crimmin as the Internal Auditor 2022-23
8.5 13/3/23 The Clerk has made an application to MSDC for District Council CIL funding to install solar panels and battery storage at the village hall. This is separate from the CIL money that the parish council have in their bank.
9. 13/3/23: CIL Community Infrastructure Levy Survey
The councillors are very pleased with the large response to the survey as 82 responses from the 252 people living in the village. The following order of priority resulted:
1. solar panels on village hall roof
2 clear the Grimmer of weeds
3 Put more benches on the green (King’s Coronation bench has been ordered)
4 upgrade the village hall kitchen facilities
5 play area
6 SID with solar charger
8 Village hall extension
9 Extra litter and dog bins in the village
10 Screen and audio loop in the village hall
11 Upgrade the village hall toilets
12 Install electric vehicle charging points at the village hall
13 Extend the village hall car park
Other suggestions include: pétanque, cycle facilities, a padel court, repair guttering on village hall, The next stage is to obtain costings and details of works for each on the list The additional ideas included in the survey have provided good feedback for the parish council for a village improvement plan and what is important to people living in the village. Feedback to go in the newsletter. It is proposed to bring further planning of CIL spend to the May meeting.
10 13/3/23: Village Green and the Grimmer.
The parish council is considering identifying zones round the Grimmer and the Green to assist future maintenance. These might include areas to be kept cut back for visibility, areas to encourage the orchids that have appeared and an area on the green to be managed for bees and butterflies. It was agreed to look further at the problems with fishing, which could include taking soundings in the village about whether to continue to allow fishing in the Grimmer.
11. 13/3/23 Speed of traffic in village: update on ANPR camera. Clerk to ask if Cllr Stringer has received the report from the ANPR about the week they were in the village as SCC won’t send the results to the parish council directly.
13. 13/3/23: Next Meeting: Monday, 15th May 2023 7.30pm
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
Further to the survey enclosed with March newsletter, views of the residents were reported to Parish Council. These will now be developed with more detail and costings to see what would make the best package for the village over the next couple of years. This information will be reported back to the 15th May meeting of Parish Council.
Wickham Skeith Village Celebrates
6-7 May 2023
Saturday 6th May Morning
Watch the Coronation Live on the Big Screen with friends and neighbours in the Village Hall.
Sunday 7th May lunch-time
Wickham Skeith Big Lunch on the green from noon. Please bring food to share as part of our celebratory community get-together. Come and meet old and new neighbours. Come dressed for the occasion, if wished, and enter into the Coronation spirit.
At 2pm we encourage everyone to gather round the Village Sign for a community photo please. Is there anyone who is willing, or able, to be the photographer for us on the day? Please let us know.
Wednesday 10th May
The Lunch Club will hold a special King’s Coronation Lunch in the Village Hall from 12 noon.
Coronation Mugs
Thank you to those who have already asked for a mug to be reserved. Through the generosity of our District Councillor, Rowland Warboys’ Locality Budget, we can confirm we are able to offer all Under-16s a free mug. They will be available for Under-16s or parents to collect, as well as pre-ordered mugs to be paid for, on 6th in Village Hall or 7th on the Village Green. Any mugs left after 7th May will be sold on a first come, first served basis
Coronation Bench
We are grateful to our County Councillor, Andrew Stringer, for awarding us a grant from his Locality Budget for a new bench for the village green in celebration of the Coronation. The bench has been commissioned from Orwell Mencap through their Genesis Garden Furniture Workshop. The bench will be installed for the Coronation weekend. Come and try it out.
The Village Hall Committee are kindly allowing the Coronation Organising Committee to use the Hall free of charge on Saturday 6th May to show the Coronation events on the big screen. The bar will be open and there will be croissants and sausage rolls on sale, tea and coffee as well and any profits will go to the Village Hall. Please come along if you are at home and would like to share the day. We hope to open at 10am and close at an appropriate time after the celebrations finish.
Wickham Skeith Coronation Picture Show
Don’t forget the photographic record of our village community being created in celebration of the Coronation. Photographs of individual households (people, pets, gardens, your favourite village view) plus photographs of village groups (Hilltops, Lunch Club, PCC etc) may all feature.
Please email a maximum of 3 photographs per household/group to: ws.coronation@proton.me The maximum file size you can send is 25MB. If the photos you wish to send will, in total, exceed 25MB (highly unlikely) please contact me and I will refer you to technical support - my son Jonathan! Your photographs need to be received by 21st April 2023. Add the name/title of your household/group, so in years to come people will know who we were!
A slideshow will be shown at the Village Hall during the coronation events on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of May. If you need help with the photography and/or email please let me know. Thank you for your support. Julie Keable (Joint Parish Council/Village Hall Coronation group) 01449 766771
Litter Pick
Parish Council is considering organising our annual litter pick on the Coronation Monday – the Big Help Out. Watch this space for further details of how you can join.
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
From January 2023 the hire rate is £10 per hour. The rate is per hour or part thereof. Minimum booking period 2 hrs. A 30 minute "warming up" period will be allowed in cold weather conditions.
25% reduction for Wickham Skeith residents and Wickham Skeith village groups.
The day rate is £100 per day and the fee to official bodies is £250.00
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 2023
All Sunday services at 9.30am in church unless otherwise stated
2nd April 10am Palm Sunday Benefice Service, Wickham Skeith
3rd April, Monday 10.30am Holy Communion at Gipping 9pm Compline at Bacton
4th April, Tuesday 10.30am Holy Communion at Wyverstone
9pm Compline at Bacton
5th April, Wednesday 10.30am Holy Communion at Bacton
9pm Compline at Bacton
6th April, Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Holy Communion at Cotton
7th April, Good Friday 10.30am Family Service at Bacton
2pm Stations of the Cross at Wickham Skeith
6pm The Passion story in words & music at Old Newton
9th April Easter Sunday Holy Communion
16th April Holy Communion
23rd April Morning Praise
30th April 10am Benefice Holy Communion followed by Annual meetings
Forotherbeneficeservices,pleaseviewourFacebookpage.
Holy Week – As last year we start Holy Week with Palm Sunday at Wickham Skeith where we will process with a donkey! Meet on the Green ready to walk to church at 10am. Do come along but if you don’t want to walk the church will be open for you to go in and take a seat. There will be a service in the Benefice every day during Holy week and you will be welcome at any or all of these. Windowsill decorators please work your magic after 4pm on Good Friday or during Saturday and if the flowers are OK, please leave clearing them until after the service on 16th. Many thanks.
Thank you to all who supported the World Day of Prayer service at the beginning of March. It was a very happy occasion.
APCM – the annual church meeting, which includes the Vestry meeting to elect churchwardens for the coming year, will take place at Bacton on Sunday April 30th. The Benefice service will be at 10am, all the general reports will then be dealt with so that Revd Carl doesn’t need to deal with them 6 times at different meetings and then we will split into our separate parish groups to elect churchwardens and cover any specific business. Please join us so that things are truly representative. There will be food.
Coronation weekend – our churches will each hold a special service at the beginning of May, as part of the national celebrations. See more info next month.
Weekly Email and News – if you’d like to sign up to receive our weekly news email, please contact the Rector.
Fundraising for St Andrew's Church
Book Sale & Coffee Morning at 10am on Saturday 15th April. There will be lots of books, jigsaws, cake, marmalade and chutney. Do come to Highbanks, 1, Broadway and enjoy a leisurely morning.
Cello Concert
We are lucky to have Robert Cohen, a cellist who plays around the world, living in Wickham Skeith and he has kindly agreed to play in church at 4pm on Sunday 21st May. Tickets for the concert will cost £10 for adults, children under 16 free. Please save the date, the May Newsletter will have more information.
Margaret Jones-Evans 767121 Liz Davidson 766622
Grand National Sweepstake in aid of Wickham Skeith Church, FOSA
We will be coming round on Sat 15th April to see if you would like to enter the sweepstake. It will cost £2.00 for a ticket. First prize £30, second place £5.
Nigel MerriamRector’s ramblings
I love April, mainly because it’s my birthday month, but also because its Easter and I love the celebration of Easter!
If you’ve given something up for Lent, Easter is usually the time you can once again indulge! Most people give up chocolate, or at least try to, which is why the Easter Egg companies get so much business come Easter time. Giving up something for Lent is meant to help prepare us to celebrate Easter more fully. In giving things up, we’re meant to become better people – kinder, more generous, create more time to spend with others or with God. So, this year, I challenge you not to return to whatever it is you gave up. See how long you can “cope” without it. If giving things up for 40 days makes us kinder and more generous, let’s see what giving something up for longer can do.
Lent prepares us for a massive transformation – Easter. In Lent we have no flowers in church, at Easter it is packed with flowers and colour again! During Lent we don’t say the word ‘alleluia’ in church, at Easter we over use it! Lent is stark and difficult for some, but Easter’s happiness and joy transforms us. In Lent we ask questions about God and at Easter we simply celebrate that Jesus lives! ‘No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of life.’ Why not join us this Easter and help us celebrate!
By the way, I’m giving up birthdays after this one!
Revd CarlFOR SALE
Tall G-Plan drinks cabinet dark wood, solid two-tier double doors with drawer and pull-out servery. Lit glass shelves at top, bottle shelves at bottom. Could be utilised as other storage. £20ono
Huge amount of craft goodies inc jewellery making, beads findings, Swarovski crystals, felting, silver making kit unused, crystal art, Clarity Groovy plates etc, Hot glue gun paint, selection of artist paints, pens, embroidery, everything to do with card making, wool.
Plus 21ft caravan awning blue. £100 ono; LG beach shelter umbrella, used once £15 Folding single bed, useful spare £5; LG bag of seasoned logs. £4, All money received will be donated to Hillside Animal Sanctuary and Cancer Research.
Please ring if you want to know more or come and look. 766398.
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
TREE SERVICES AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
BASED IN WORTHAM, WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE PROVISION OF EXCELLENCE IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR CRAFT. ALL OF OUR STAFF ARE FULLY TRAINED AND INSURED, RELIABLE AND PROFESSIONAL. ALL WORK IS CARRIED OUT RESPECTFULLY AND TO THE HIGHEST STANDARD
CROWN
TREE FELLING, DISMANTLING, REDUCTIONS, PRUNING, THINNING, STUMP GRINDING, HEDGE TRIMMING, FIREWOOD
COME AND TRY BEFORE YOU BUY, NOW SELLING AT MELLIS FARMERS MARKET
ON THE LAST SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH, 9am til noon
Traditional Suffolk Sausages £8.60 kg - packs of 8 , Sausage Meat G/F) £8.60kg
GOURMET SAUSAGES all 90% meat content £9.40kg - packs of 8 Stokes caramelised Red onion marmalade & Mature Cheddar, Old English Pork & Apple, Lincolnshire, Cumberland Chipolatas (G/F)
PORK BURGERS
BACK BACON SMOKED & UNSMOKED in 8 rasher packs £16.50kg
SUFFOLK ALE & BLACK TREACLE SLOW CURED BACK BACON £19.87kg
SMOKED STREAKY BACON £14.50 kg
Boneless loin of pork £10 kg Belly pork Joints and Belly Slices £8kg, Pork Mince £8.60 kg, Tenderloin £9.60kg,
ORGANIC GRASS FED FREE RANGE HALF LAMB BOXES
5-6kg Frozen Vacuum packed and labelled £100
Sam at TAS Animal Care 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 April 2023