The Village Edition, October 2023

The The

Preparing for the future – finds the past

When removing the current ancient Vestry floor of St Mary’s Church in Hadleigh, to make way for a newer version, builders uncovered several interesting artefacts. Amongst the varied collection of coins, stones and bone pieces was a silver halfpenny dated 1344. This hammered coin would have been in circulation during the ‘Florin’ issue period of 1344-1351. It was struck when the Black Death wiped out an estimated one third of the population. Other readily identifiable items in the collection include shells, and various coins; Victorian halfpennies (1874 – 1891), George V and VI pennies plus obsolete currency from the 1950’s. Several other interesting shapes and objects have yet to be identified.

The collection will eventually be on display in the Sacristy. The new Vestry floor will be Ancaster stone laid in an attractive diagonal pattern. Conservation experts are currently restoring the wood panelling in the same room to enhance the original geometric designs.

Follow the St Mary’s write up each month to keep up to date on the plans to prepare St Mary’s not only for future worship but also daily community activities in comfort.

Thinking of replacement windows, doors, fascia, soffits or conservatory?

THEN CALL US FIRST!!

Hadleigh and Boxford Patient Participation Group (PPG)

The increase in cases of the latest strain of Covid is concerning. For this reason the Practice has been asked to vaccinate all 65 plussers and clinically vulnerable against Covid and ‘flu before the end of October 2023. Residents in all Hadleigh’s care home have already been attended to. The rest of the eligible patients are being invited to come to a clinic on 7th and 21st October from 8am to 12.30pm. Patients’ appointments to attend are being sent via letter or text. There will be no walk ins unless you have been asked to do so by your GP.

SUREFIXSUREFIX SUREFIX

REPLACEMENT WINDOWS, DOORS, FASCIAS, SOFFITS AND CONSERVATORIES

PVCU, ALUMINIUM, HARDWOOD, SECONDARY AND CHOICES OF COLOURS AVAILABLE

FULL REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN ON EXISTING DOUBLE GLAZING HANDLES, LOCKS, TRIMS, MISTY/BROKEN SEALED UNITS, DROPPED DOORS ETC.

WE CAN ALSO SUPPLY ALL MATERIALS FOR DIY / TRADE

For a FREE no obligation quotation call 01473 827004 / 01787 320303

Mobile: 07766 140624 Fax 01473 823331

marksnowling@aol.com

Insurance Backed Guarantees CERTAS Reg. Company REHAU / SHIELD SYSTEMS

SAs on previous occasions, members of the PPG and others have agreed to continue volunteering in the car parks and inside the Practice when the clinics are in progress. As ever volunteers have stepped up to the plate immediately and generously offered their time enabling the Practice to focus on the medical and admin aspects of the exercise. Receptionists and the Practice Dispensary will not be open while the clinics are in progress.

I understand that, from next year, you will be able to buy Covid vacs if you are outside the NHS cohorts.

Last week the Practice received a visit from the Healthwatch Team. Their function is to collect feedback from patients in the waiting room and give their findings to the Practice personnel. I’m delighted to say their overall report was highly favourable with patients describing the surgery as ‘excellent and brilliant’. There were some shortcomings which the Practice hopes to address but car park issues and pure demand are more problematic. If you wish to have your say, their survey is online together with some of the patients’ previous comments. See link below.

A new art exhibition is in place in the Waiting Room. Work is by Jenne Foulger. Please make an effort to view her unusual, delightful work and remember you don’t have to be sick to take a look. Jenne’s work can be bought for a very reasonable sum. 10% of proceeds to the Practice’s Charitable Trust.

Do you know if you are eligible for help with the cost of NHS prescriptions, NHS dental treatment, eyecare, travel to receive NHS treatment and NHS wigs and fabric supports? Find out if you’re eligible using the free eligibility checker link below.

PPG Chair: Jan Devey 01473 827 091

Email: deveys@btinternet.com

Website: www.hadleighhealth.co.uk

The

The LocalCommunityNews

17100 Community News Magazines are delivered to homes during the first week of each month in Lavenham, Kersey, Bildeston, Chelsworth, Boxford, Milden, Edwardstone, Groton, Whatfield, Monks Eleigh, Brent Eleigh, Elmsett, Hintlesham, Polstead, Newton Green, Raydon, Hitcham, Holton St Mary and other outlets in these areas.

We warmly welcome all your contributions of articles, letters, sports reports, events and photographs, just email or send to the address below and it will appear in the next issue.

Deadline for copy is the 18th of each and every month

Our contact details:

Editor: Jason Holder 01473 823366 comnews@keithavis.co.uk

To place an advert: Matt Barber 01473 823366 Mobile: 07799 313838 matt@keithavis.co.uk

www.hadleighcommunitynews.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Hadleigh-Boxford-Group-Practice102959274690621/

NHS App: www.hadleighhealth.co.uk/the-nhs-app

Healthwatch: https://healthwatchsuffolk.co.uk/services/hadleighboxford-group-practice-hadleigh-1

NHS Help: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check

Elmsett Community Indoor Market

Saturday 14th October 2023

The next Community Indoor Market will be on Saturday 14th October in Elmsett and Aldham Village Hall, from 10am - 2pm. Please come and support your local community and artisan traders. We will have the usual range of stalls and a couple of new crafters, as well as our usual “Ladybird Stitches” refills bank in the foyer (don’t forget your containers).

The RECYCLE TABLE:- batteries, ink cartridges and spectacles. Jan’s Jams would still be very happy for you to return any empty jars to her.

GROWING GREENER table:- bring along any excess fruit or vegetables that you have to share with your community, all monies donated will go to St Elizabeth Hospice. Please label everything clearly.

TWAM box – for small items e.g. needles, cottons, buttons, fastenings etc. This month the refreshments will be provided by Semer Crafty Coffee Group to raise funds for the upkeep of the beautiful little Semer Church, near Bildeston. This group meet monthly to chat, have coffee and do crafty activities. There are some very talented ladies who make beautiful gifts and their wares will next be on sale at Bildeston Church Winter Fair on 4th November 2023. They are also amazing bakers and I can guarantee lots of delicious home made savouries and cakes this month.

We would love to see you, a place to meet up with friends for a cuppa, plus maybe find some unusual and unique items to buy …. Christmas is only a few weeks away!!! ……oh, and don’t forget your recycling please. Jan King

French’s Care Haven

Hello to our readers, I hope as always you have all been keeping well. Thank you to everyone who came along to our barn dance in Boxford village hall, those who come enjoyed themselves with lots of dancing and laughter, which was nice to see and hear.

One of our pictures is a group of people who looked the part for our barn dance. Our next event is a curry night on Thursday 26th October in Hadleigh high street at The India Villa, arrival time at 7 pm for a starter and main buffet, with tea/coffee and a raffle. It will be nice to see you all, £23 pp. Bookings with us for tables before 24th please. Call Sharon if you would like to come and join us on 07999 051401 or email frenchs.100club@gmail.com

I have been calling out for volunteers and someone to work part time for us, as we really need more hands on deck. It has been frankly like banging my head on a wall, there are more people in this country than there have ever been, yet as time goes on trying to find helpers or staff is so hard. I am hearing this from so many people in business or at other charities, what is going on? We need helpers every morning, so if you can give your time for a few hours a week or would like to help part time then do call me, you will need to be relatively fit, as it is a physical job working with larger animals.

Note for diary, we have our Fish and Chip Quiz night at the Ansell Centre in Hadleigh on 18th November. There are normally around 100 people who come along to our great evening of quizzing, so make sure you are one of them, more info will be on our posters and on our website/facebook page in due course.

This lovely photo is of Lady our Shetland having a chill out time, while keeping out of the heat and sun in her shelter, bless her. On the 1st of December we will be starting our Christmas raffle, so if you own a shop a business or you do art and would like to donate a prize for some publicity and of course to help us, that would be really good, contact me - Jann (details below).

French’s is a charity on your doorstep, can you help, either with time, donations, or sponsorship. You are welcome to come along and meet our animals. Call me for an appointment. Jann on: 07747 755556 or jann.turner@hotmail.co.uk

FrenchsCareHaven.org.uk

Monks Eleigh History Group

Monks Eleigh History Group’s next and first meeting of the new season 20232024 will be held on Monday 2nd October at Monks Eleigh Village Hall. The meeting will start at 7.30pm. Come along and listen to Mike Evans – who will be talking about his 35-year career in the Royal Navy. Members admission is free, visitors are charged £3.00.

Monks Eleigh History Group meets on the first Monday of the month from October to March. New members are always welcome, if you are interested please email simonkelsall66@gmail.com.

Hadleigh Naturalists Society

Winter Programme 2023

Monday 2nd October - 7.30pm: Cosford - from small farm to reserve (Adam Gretton).

Monday 6th November - 7.30pm: History of the River Gipping (Gerry Crease)

Monday 4th December - 7.30pm: Minsmere at 75 (Steve Everett)

Town Hall Dining Room (opposite Churchyard). Visitors £3.

End of tenancy/deep clean specialists

Please call for a free no obligation quote | Fully insured

Telephone Number: 07938 770844

Email: info@supremesparkle.uk

20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Any Door • Any Size Any Colour • Any Time

From

Moving home in 2023? What’s the risk of your transaction falling through?

It is probably more likely than you think but your choice of conveyancer can make all the difference.

Give yourself the best chance of a successful completion on your home purchase or sale by working in partnership with Holmes & Hills Solicitors. Benefit from our successful completion rate that is 22% higher than the national average reported by Rightmove1

What number of property transactions fall-through? Rightmove report that, on average across the country, approximately 30% of property transactions fall-through2. It is a much higher percentage than most buyers and sellers expect it to be.

Reduce the risk of your transaction falling-through Those using Holmes & Hills Solicitors' conveyancing services benefit from a 22% higher successful completion rate compared to the national average. This means your transaction has an increased chance of successfully completing when Holmes & Hills is advising and representing you in your property transaction.

Why do property transactions fall-through? Your transaction might fallthrough for a number of reasons, including your buyer finding another property; a surveyor identifying issues with the property; or a buyer’s solicitor identifying issues surrounding matters such as rights of way, covenants, lease terms, easements, overage, options or boundary issues.

Why is Holmes & Hills’ successful completion rate 22% higher? Holmes & Hills has a large team of 22 property lawyers dealing with second-hand, new-build and shared ownership property across the country. The size of the team means there is unlikely to be an issue the team hasn’t seen and resolved before. Proactively identifying and resolving problems means we can keep your transaction on course, reducing the risk of your property transaction falling through and securing you a successful completion.

Benefit from fixed fee packages As well as an increased chance of your transaction successfully completing, Holmes & Hills provides fixed-fee residential conveyancing quotes with no hidden charges. When you obtain conveyancing quotations from other law firms you may find charges for completing Stamp Duty Land Tax forms, dealing with lenders and leasehold fees. With Holmes & Hills, these items are included within our legal fee. We give you a simple, transparent, fixed-fee quotation.

Partner with Holmes & Hills to secure your transaction By working in partnership with our clients, local estate agents, mortgage brokers, and financial advisors, Holmes & Hills' residential property lawyers will ensure a smooth transaction, whilst protecting your legal interests.

Call Holmes & Hills Solicitors on 01787 275275 and ask to speak to the Client Enquiries Division or email advice@holmes-hills.co.uk.

1Holmes & Hills' successful completion rate is calculated using sample data for 526 residential property transactions started between July 2022 to September 2022 and is compared to the national average successful completion rate of 70.3% (provided by Rightmove, 13/02/2023).

Would you like to try carpet bowls? We are having an open evening on Tuesday, 21st November at 7.30 pm in Bildeston Village Hall. Carpet Bowls is a very friendly game that pe0ple from all ages and physical condition can play. It takes some skill (with practice) and is also a lot of fun. We play on Tuesday evenings (although matches can be on other nights of the week too. We play in the Suffolk league winter and summer and this year we came fourth in the league.

We are always looking for new members and it does not matter whether you wish to play socially on a Tuesday evening or want to compete in matches Training will also be given if required. So if you already play or would like to start, please come and join us. You can contact us at the details below. Our October fixtures are as follows:

Tuesday 3rd - Whatfield away, Tuesday 10th - Belstead home (cup match), Tuesday 17th - Burstall home, Tuesday 24th - Roll up (practice). Refreshments will be served, as always.

CRAFT FAIR

Sunday 15th October, 10am - 4pm at Whatfield Village Hall, IP7 6QU

Wide variety of stalls. Bumper raffle with excellent prizes. Hot and cold refreshments served all day.

4 Telephone Community News on 01473 823366

Dedicated to providing the best possible eye care services, including:

Orchard Barn News

Our 1580s Long House project, which will be our new education space, has progressed well over the Summer with help from lots of wonderful volunteers, and several Summer School/working parties of Architecture students from University College London. A successful Crowd Funding Campaign also boosted our funds, enabling us to pay for quadruple glazing as well as materials and tuition for volunteers to learn carpentry, and construct our new staircase. A huge thank you to all who supported us!

From mid-October our focus will change to making and fitting the wooden tiles (shingles) for the roof and once again we need volunteers to help us. Why not join us on our community building project – no experience necessary! Volunteer working parties will be on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and most Saturdays.

•Learn new skills or refresh carpentry skills that you already have, using traditional woodworking tools.

•Meet like-minded people and make new friends.

•Enjoy being part of a shared project which is environmentally friendly.

•Benefit from gentle green gym exercise in the fresh air.

•Unwind and enjoy our beautiful site and the wildlife that lives there.

•See your contribution make a real difference.

We are always pleased to welcome new volunteers. To find out more about us and what we do, or to volunteer with us, take a look at our website http://www.orchardbarn.org.uk, email carole.orchardbarn@gmail.com or call Sarah on 07766 054042.

Orchard Barn, Ringshall,

Stowmarket,

Suffolk, IP14 2LY

Stour Valley u3a

Make the most of life once you’re no longer in full time work and come and explore new ideas, interests and skills with University of the Third Age. Across the country U3A members are meeting new people, learning, staying active, and having fun later in life. It’s local, social, friendly, low cost and open to all. We have over 40 interest groups including walking – from strollers to 5+ milers – theatre trips, garden visits, art appreciation, curry club, science group, languages, keep fit, pickleball, overseas travel... there’s something for everyone. It costs only £15 a year. Monthly coffee mornings are held on the first Friday of the month 10am –12pm at the Lambe School, East Bergholt. Our monthly talks are held on the second Wednesday at 2.15pm in the Constable Hall, East Bergholt. Guests are welcome for a charge of £4. On 11th October our guest speaker Raymond Simmons, principal trumpeter for 20 years with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, will talk about his life in classical and jazz music. On 8th November we have Steve Lester “Insights of a Provincial Auctioneer”. Please take a look at our website www.u3asites.org.uk/stourvalley for more information and contact details.

Boxford Society Autumn Meeting

Dead Doubles: An infamous cold war spy mystery comes to Boxford. An illustrated talk by Trevor Barnes, Boxford Village Hall, Saturday 7th October at 7.30pm. The Portland Spy Ring was one of the most dangerous KGB espionage rings to operate in the UK until rounded up in 1961. Former senior BBC producer Trevor Barnes has written a thrilling account of the top secret investigation into the five spies – three men and two women – who formed the Portland Ring, the crucial secrets it stole, and its Suffolk connection. Many of the KGB spy techniques used back in 1961 are still deployed by Putin’s spies against the West in 2023. One critic said the Dead Doubles story ‘reads like a Le Carré thriller - but true!’ Do come and join us. Free for Boxford Society members and all are welcome at just £2 per head.

BIG BAND JAZZ

in aid of church funds, with JAZZ FACTORY

Wednesday 22nd November from 7pm St Mary’s Church, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TG

Admission £10, available from lesley.cherry@hotmail.co.uk 07843 644318 www.ticketsource.co.uk/east-bergholt-pcc

Lavenham Library

The Friends of Lavenham Library present a talk by Tracy Borman

Saturday 28th October 2023, 2.30pm at Lavenham Village Hall. Join us for afternoon tea with Tracy Borman, Patron of Lavenham Library. Tracy will give a talk on her new book

Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I: The Mother & Daughter Who Changed History. Tickets are available either in the library (cash only) or online at Eventbrite.

October Half Term Event – free event for children of all ages (even grown-up ones!)

ALL ABOARD! The Lego Train will be calling at Lavenham Library on Thursday 26th October, so hop aboard between 2.30pm-4.00pm. Lego Club will also be available so come along and get creative!

Lavenham Library, Lavenham Village Hall, Church St, Lavenham CO10 9QT Tel No: 01787 247729 www.suffolklibraries.co.uk

Email: lavenham.library@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Suffolk Libraries HMRC charity number XT34476

Where did he go?

Hello Readers, especially the motorists who travel along Clay Lane between Raydon Coal Yard and Pond Hall workplaces in the mornings. Hello also to the 6am walkers, dog walkers, cyclists, and runners (especially Stuart) along the Railway Walk. Greetings also to Pam and friends who await their newspapers at Keith Avis on a Saturday morning. Finally, greetings to my friends at Hadleigh Library and Hadleigh Swimming Pool.

The cheery man with the fluorescent jacket can no longer wave from his little white bike as unfortunately he was involved in a road accident on the 2nd of August.

I have now returned from Addenbrookes hospital, after spending five weeks there, and am now in Ipswich hospital where I will continue my rehabilitation. I hope to see you all again one day soon.

Cheers, Cyclist John.

Ukraine Aid Continues

I have recently returned from my ninth and tenth trips in to Ukraine, the ninth part funded by Kesgrave and Little Bealings churches, driving a Ukrainian woman, her daughter, their cat and belongings home from Ipswich to Dnipro, in the family car, following the passing of the father on Christmas day `22. They wanted and needed to be with family at this difficult time, despite the risks, all too evident in the missile attack on Dnipro on 28th July, when 2 large explosions made us jump and run to the bathroom, where the 9 year old daughter stood crying between her mother and uncle. I now know the target was a large residential block with children amongst the casualties, as reported in world press. This adds to my determination to work with many others, doing what we can to ease suffering and support Ukrainians at this time.

I published my “GoFundMe” fundraising details in the July edition. The mission described is part completed, with a little modification, via my tenth trip in August. I purchased and delivered one car to mechanics in Mykolaiv who converted it to an “off road” casualty recovery vehicle and then I drove it to a battalion in Kherson, as pictured.

£2500 is being used to purchase a car carrying trailer in Ukraine, rather than in the UK, due to the greater future ease of using a Ukraine registered trailer in Ukraine and Poland where required. A further vehicle, a “pick up”, kindly donated by an individual, Peter Elliston, is currently having welding repairs and will be used also to recover wounded soldiers and to help mobility against a far larger army. I aim to deliver this vehicle in October.

For my latest trip, I had removed all rear seating in the vehicle (thank you Ken Wilding!), which allowed for a large donated supplies load (4x generators, 3x oxygen concentrators, a defibrillator, medical supplies, water pumps, some specialist food supplies and other goods for the displaced persons shelter in Lviv - hygiene, infant care, toiletries items and gifts for children from Heath Primary school in Ipswich).

I have received such generous financial and supplies donations to date from Morrisons Hadleigh, Kesgrave and Bealings churches, friends, local people and those further afield, both British and Ukrainian, (only about half are reflected in the GoFundMe), such that I have been able to undertake the above and have money to pay for repairs to the gifted car. Money continues to be needed of course, to cover delivery costs, any specific supplies requested, and ongoing aid trips. So, if you would like to support, please see the QR code above and/or contact me direct to discuss. The QR code facilitates donations direct to the registered charity, “British Ukrainian Aid”, who then administer the funds raised for the projects I lead.

The Kyiv military hospital, I have delivered to several times, have asked if I might be able to source a 10-12 KW single phase diesel generator, in anticipation of another winter where power supply infrastructure is targeted. Such generators new cost between 5-7K so I am hoping there may be a second hand one available or the incredible generosity of people is able to rise to this challenge also. A continuing request is also for car mechanics tools, to help battalions maintain and repair vehicles.

Between these trips, there is much work around fund raising, sourcing/collecting supplies etc, and Mediquip Ipswich provided me with a third large load of valuable medical aids I was able again to take to the Ukrainian warehouse in London for onward delivery to hospitals and centres in Ukraine who forward photos of delivery and use. My huge thanks again to John Grose Ipswich for yet another free loan of a Luton for this purpose!

There is not space to express my heartfelt individual thanks to so many people again, for all your gifts and words of encouragement too, that makes these trips and the support possible. I would emphasise again how much Ukrainians express that such initiatives, individual, small and larger, are such a vital encouragement to them and, together, add huge value to the international government aid delivered, and provide for very real needs, often with the precision and speed that is more difficult to achieve through large organisations. THANK YOU!!

PS. If any local group would appreciate opportunity to hear detail of this work, with a view to assisting in some way, please contact to discuss.

David Jacobs - 07500 531901

A new name, with familiar faces, has appeared on Hadleigh Market Place

Over the Summer of 2023

Architecture ONE, relocated their offices at 22 High Street in Hadleigh, due to growing business needs, and to provide additional welcoming space in which to work with their existing, and new prospective clients.

The move presented Founder Jonathon Bensley-Byham a unique opportunity to address a common customer need, architectural design and planning, together with a tried and trusted builder as a single service. An opportunity arose to partner up with a local highly experienced builder who had frequently been involved with Architecture ONE projects and customers, from this ONE Group was formed, opening their new premises in Victoria House.

The co-owners choose this location as it offers such a bright and airy space right in the centre of Hadleigh making it easy for clients to meet with the team to discuss their projects. The offices have presentation facilities, free parking and room for the company’s future growth.

ONE Group incorporates Architecture ONE established 2015, and Construction ONE established 2021. Company Owners Dale Cracknell and Jonathon Bensley Byham, who collectively share 35 years’ experience in the construction and architecture industries have combined and honed their skills by coming together to provide a bespoke one stop turn key service that covers all elements of design, architecture and construction.

Dale Cracknell of Construction ONE adds “this is an exciting time for us, we are delighted to have the combined the services of architecture and construction operate within the same office. ONE Group enables us to provide a seamless approach for our clients need in either architecture or construction or both as a complete service!”

To learn more about ONE Group East and its services, visit www.onegroupeast.co.uk.

Lavenham Carpet Bowls Club

I recently featured Ivan, our Peg Man. This month again, I would like to introduce you to another member that make the Carpet Bowls Club sessions run successfully. Val Daniels is one of our Treasurers and Fixture Secretary. Val usually takes the subs at each session, keeping a register of attendees and paying the subs into our bank account. Val ensures that our rent and other expenditure is paid each month.

As Fixture Secretary, Val also arranges friendly matches with other local Carpet Bowls clubs, both at home in Lavenham, and away at other clubs’ venues.

Val, herself is also a good Carpet Bowls player and won several trophies last year, although Val herself does not always appreciate how well she plays. So if you would like to meet Val, and see how she plays and maybe enjoy Carpet Bowls yourself, please join us at 2pm on Wednesdays and/or 7pm on Thursdays. The First two sessions are free to see if you like Carpet Bowls. Look forward to seeing you there.

Marilyn Beatham

Hadleigh Walkers

Our October walk on Saturday 14th will be an away one starting and ending in Stoke by Nayland. We will meet at the car park by the tennis courts on school lane (what3 words unpainted.coarser.blanked). a map showing where the parking area is relative to the church will also be shown on the website. Our route will be Steps Fm, Polstead Bridge, Scotland Hall, Along the Stour Valley Path to Thorington Street then Tendring Hall Fm, Poplar Fm and back into Stoke-by-Nayland.

As usual we will depart promptly at 0930 and should be finished by around 1230. We will have two short refreshment stops along the way. We aim to average a not-too-demanding 2.5 mph (4 km/hr) and walkers need to be able to maintain this pace. The route is fairly undemanding. However, any kind of weather is possible so strong shoes or preferably walking boots should be worn as the ground may be muddy or rough in places. Everyone is welcome, including well behaved dogs. Route maps can be requested from our website. For further information about these walks go to www.hadleighwalkers.com or email us at hadleighwalkers@gmail.com

HADLEIGH FIREWORKS

FRIDAY 3rd NOVEMBER

@ THE MILLFIELD, IP7 5NF

Gates open 6.30 pm

Display starts 7.45 pm

Licensed Bar / Hot Food

Advanced Tickets from Keith Avis Newsagents (cash only): Family Ticket (2 Adults + 3 Children) £20 - Adults £5 - U16s £4

Gate prices: Adults £6 - U16s £5, UNDER 5s FREE

Fully Insured with Professional Display Team Strictly NO sparklers allowed NO PARKING AT THE GROUND Fund raising event for Hadleigh United Football Club

Bildeston Primary School

Learning and Growing Together

Our New Reception Class - Our new reception children have settled quickly into Bildeston school life and they have been busy painting, playing in our outside area or playing with the water wall - such fun!

If you are considering Bildeston Primary as a school for your child, we would welcome a visit. Applying for a reception class place for September 2024 is available online now at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-primary-schoolplace and closes on 15 January 2024. Please phone the office on the number below if you would like to visit our school. We would love to meet you.

Africa Alive - Africa Alive Reserve has thousands of animals from around the world, set in over 100 acres of stunning countryside, and it was the perfect place to learn about the animal’s natural instincts, habitats and conservation. The centrepiece of the reserve is the ‘Plains of Africa’ display where Kestrel class could see five species of African savanna animals roaming together, including majestic giraffe and heavyweight rhinos. Kestrel class had a great day looking and hearing about all these amazing animals - thank you Africa Alive Reserve!

Harvesting - Over the holidays our garden produce has continued to flourish and on Friday afternoon the children picked tomatoes, peppers and dug up potatoes. A fantastic first year for Bildeston Primary School’s garden.

Properties of Materials - Kestrel class have started their new science topic 'Properties of materials'. The children enjoyed completing an experiment for this outside on a very hot day! So, using our outside classroom ensured the children stayed cool in the shade!

Co-opted Governor Vacancy

We have a vacancy so if you are interested in finding out more, please call us on the number below for an informal chat.

Bildeston Primary School

Newberry Road, Bildeston, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP7 7ES

Telephone: 01449 740269

Website: www.bildeston.suffolk.sch.uk

Polstead Gardening Club

Our Autumn season of meetings is starting soon with some very interesting speakers:

Tuesday 26th September at 7.30pm: Creating a Nature Space & Building a Nature Network with Lisa Matthews, Nature Citizen, Polstead

Tuesday 31st October at 7.30pm: The Secret Gardens of East Anglia with author Barbara Segall

Tuesday 21st November at 7.30 pm: The Butterfly Garden and Changing Environment with Dr Ian Bedford

We look forward to hopefully seeing you. All meetings will be at Polstead Village Hall on The Green in Polstead (CO6 5AL). Free to members. Nonmembers are welcome £5 (cash or cheque please). Entrance includes a drink and nibbles.

Queries to gardeningclubpolstead@yahoo.com

ALB-Framing

If your picture needs framing, contact me!

I’m a member of the Fine Art Trade Guild, who themselves created the standards and guidelines for art framing together with picture printing. I continually work to

Draw up your retirement plan

If you are getting ready to retire it may be wise to seek some expert, professional advice. Structuring your finances in the best possible way will mean that you can spend more time enjoying the freedoms of life after work.

Whether it be a case of reviewing a collection of pension plans, accumulated during your working life, to see if they are working hard or getting the right balance of cash lump sums and income, we are here to help.

The new pensions freedoms legislation mean you can access tax free cash, an income from your pot or both. There has never been so much choice. Getting it right can seem daunting, but help is available.

If you would like us to guide you through the retirement minefield, give us a call. We are here to make a difference to your future.

Based in Hadleigh, we are a friendly local business wanting to help and service the people of this wonderful part of the Suffolk/Essex borders. Please feel free to give us a call.

We are here to help and support.

Joel Runnels-Moss DipFA Director

07852 374908 01473 824986

Joel.Toucan@SJPP.co.uk

Visit our website at www.toucanfs.co.uk

THE HELLGATE CLUB

Hadleigh Old School

Theatre Shows & Art this October

Hadleigh Old School, the arts and entertainment venue, welcomes back both theatre goers and art lovers this month to the venue at 3-5 Bridge Street Hadleigh IP7 6BY.

‘The Hellgate Club’ by Pat Whymark is a gothic murder mystery from Common Ground Theatre Company. Suitable for audiences aged 12 or over - “Enter If You Dare”: Paris, 1905. A series of strange happenings have the authorities baffled. Several men have disappeared under mysterious circumstances, with no connection between them other than that they were last seen in the vicinity of the notorious Pigalle district. With no leads, the police ask retired detective, Jean Tellier to take one last case. Sensing danger around every street corner, in every dimly lit café, in every dark doorway, Tellier begins by interviewing the proprietors and staff of the local bars and nightclubs. Based on a real-life case of the time, Common Ground present a thrilling murder mystery, with live music in the style of the period.

The play will be performed on two nights: Friday 13th and Saturday 14th October 7.30pm. Doors open 6.30pm with licensed bar available. Tickets for The Hellgate Club are available from the theatre company website www.commongroundtc.co.uk Box Office 07807 341364

HOW WE SEE IT

DEAD MAN PAINTING

‘How We See It’ is an art exhibition showcasing the work of students who attend Church Walk Studio in Hadleigh. Professional artist and teacher Hazel Bradshaw encourages her students to explore, experiment and enjoy the process rather than focusing on the outcome. There will be a variety of techniques and mediums on show in the gallery at Hadleigh Old School, including work by students and Hazel’s own pieces. Opening evening Friday 20th October from 6.30pm to 9.30pm with a licensed bar and music, exhibition continues Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October 10.30am to 4.30pm. Free Entry.

‘Dead Man Painting – The Art of Murder’ is a murder mystery written and performed by the Brett Valley Collective (BVC). A group of unlikely characters are invited to a dilapidated mansion in the middle of nowhere for a private viewing of esteemed artist Lucien Masters’ latest work. Some are calling it a renaissance, others are not so impressed. The weather is treacherous, the mood is tense, and the atmosphere strained as they wait for their host to arrive. Why would anyone choose to exhibit in such a remote setting and how do the gathered guests really feel about their host and each other? With the weather rapidly deteriorating, tempers rising, and nerves frayed, the evening takes an unexpected deadly turn, and the police are called to investigate. Join DCI Shoreditch as she unravels the complicated and tempestuous relationships between the suspects, explores the motives behind each of those present, and attempts to uncover what really happened on that fateful night.

Brett Valley Collective are a group of enthusiastic creatives who enjoy writing and performing. Dead Man Painting: The Art of Murder is their third selfpenned play and their first foray into the murder mystery genre. Previous productions Office Clippings and Village Hall Matters were very well-received by audiences!

Each production helps to raise money for a different charity and, this year, BVC are very proud to be supporting Success After Stroke, a local charity offering support, care and advice to stroke survivors and their families. The show will be performed on three nights: Thursday 26th, Friday 27th and Saturday 28th October at 7.30pm. Doors open 6.30pm with a licensed bar available. Tickets available from The Little Ginger Bee Co at 99 High Street.

Hadleigh Old School, 3-5 Bridge Street, Hadleigh, Suffolk IP7 6BY

Cats Protection created National Black Cats Day on 27th October to “…celebrate the majesty of monochrome moggies…” having ascertained rehoming black/black white cats took longer in 2011. Mother will tell you this is still the case. She will also confirm I am not the easiest pet to live with, rather like another animal we homed recently.

Whereas I am a cat, he is a Jack Russell / Chihuahua cross, his name is also Ollie and he has plenty of ‘attitude’ too! He arrived due to his owner’s illness and didn’t settle in the first home we found, but the second was ideal. He now lives with a couple by the sea, he rides on his master’s mobility scooter and they know just how to manage his funny ways!

It can be difficult to find the right home for animals with varied personalities but we usually succeed. There are worldwide myths predicting dire or delightful consequences for those who see, touch or live with black cats. I don’t claim to bring you good or bad luck but I do offer my annual warning to keep all your pets safe during the firework season. It can be a very scary time for us so please keep you dogs and cats indoors with you at night, close the windows and curtains, provide a ‘safe place’, play music and investigate calming room diffusers. Insulate outdoor hutches or move them to a shed or garage and check for hedgehogs before you build a bonfire. I’ll close now as it's getting dark outside - and Mother’s broomstick stands waiting for me, Ollie (the Black) Cat!

Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare, Registered Charity No.1124029, Stoke Road, Leavenheath, CO6 4PP. Tel: 01787 210888, email: info@sesaw.co.uk website: www.sesaw.co.uk

The Hadleigh Historian

Issue 78 (October-November 2023)

Although I have spent many hours in Hadleigh Archive and Suffolk Archives at Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich, access to websites like Ancestry and British Newspaper Archives broadens the horizons for research into Hadleigh's past. 'The shed, the suicide and the station house: a story of early policing in Hadleigh' is an example of the use of reports appearing in the local press. Believe it or not, until 1855, prisoners awaiting a hearing at Cosford Petty Sessions - held either at the White Lion or the George in Hadleigh - or awaiting transfer to the Gaol at Bury St Edmunds, were confined in a shed situated behind these two inns. Of course, the magistrates and rate payers complained about the situation. However, nothing was done until the death of a man from Shelley while in police custody. Hadleigh was then given a proper police station in High Street with two purpose-built cells. This building is now Hadleigh Library.

The last part of 'Holbecks: its park and its people' has been reached, which relates how the house became the seat of the Rowley baronets. Ever supportive of events in Layham and Hadleigh, the two parishes in which the estate is situated, the park has been the home of Hadleigh Farmers' Agricultural Association's May Show for many years. Local publications Layham War Memorial: the stories behind the names (2014) by Mike Woods and John's Jottings: reminiscences of John Bloomfield and his mother Alice (2022) by Patricia Bloomfield give further details respectively to the very different lives of Captain Joshua Rowley (died 1917) and the parlour-maid Alice Fairhead appointed in 1923.

In the series 'Special occasions' Hadleigh Amateur and Operatic Dramatic Society is featured performing the farce Rookery Nook. A list of the cast came to light in a local newspaper and with further research, addresses and occupations were discovered. So in 1931, the audience in the Town Hall was watching the manager of Barclays Bank and a sanitary inspector assisting an infant-school teacher to hide from a cycle maker!

How are you getting on with the questions set in 'Binkie Bacon's Quiz of Hadleigh'? This time they are about St Mary's spire and the original market charter with informative answers given by Jane Richardson. The Hadleigh Historian is on sale price £4

At Avis the Newsagent and Idler Bookshop in Hadleigh High Street and at Hollow Trees Farm Shop in Semer.

A one-year subscription (6 issues plus postage) costs £32 from: Sue Andrews, 17 Manor Road, Bildeston, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP7 7BG (01449 740673).

Leavenheath Village Hall Cinema

JOYRIDE - Saturday 7th October. Arrive 7.00pm, Film starts 7.30pm.

A coming of age drama (PG-13) starring Olivia Coleman, Charlie Reid & Lochlann Ó Mearain. 1hr 34 mins with 20 mins interval.

Please book early to avoid being disappointed. Tickets £4.00 per Adult and £2.50 for under 12's, cash or card on the door. Reserve your seat online at www.leavenheath.org.uk or phone Marion on 01206 263301 to book your tickets. Refreshments, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea will be available before the film and also available during the interval along with ice creams.

Proceeds towards LVH Capital Project Fund (Charity no 262816)

Hadleigh Hairloom

Walk In Family Salon

Stylemagiks and The Style Tribes

On one of the hottest days of the year we held a fashion show in the URC church with the Hadleigh Community Choir providing the music. The fashion show was to raise money to go towards the outreach and upkeep of the Hadleigh Community Choir. We are delighted to announce over £500 was raised. From the start of the morning, we had make-up sliding off and hair styles which went limp, pins fell out and everything was sauna hot in the small community room, our dressing room. Heavy hold hairspray had to come into play and double pins were used in the hair creations. Our make-up artists Izzy and Shannon did many touch ups as the temperature kept rising. A visit was made to Boots for mousse and hairspray which kept Jeanettes hair creations from collapsing.

The back room was a welter of clothing accessories and shoes. Models giggled and chatted then popped outside for a breath of fresh air. Deep breaths were taken, and fresh shirts and three-piece suits went on along with long dresses and fur jackets. That was just the start of the afternoon. Jill kept us all on time keeping one eye on the clock and one ear on the music and the other senses locating AWOL models. The shout went out “you’re on now”. Somehow, we managed all the right timings and got on and off stage without any mishaps. The dressers remained calm and collected as they helped each model change outfits. Challenges arrived with tight leggings and tights plus coats and heavy jackets as the temperature hit 32. The models kept smiling and sauntered onto the catwalk as if they hadn’t a care in the world.

The Choir delivered the songs and smiled through all the heat. Simon conducted and kept his cool as the temperature rose in the church. John and I paced and listened for our cues ad-libbed on stage and winged bits that went a little awry. We both walk as we talk which was not possible as we both used the stand mics, so every now and again we would move away from the mic and realise the audience could not hear us and would have to hastily move back. The finale approached the music cascaded forth, in the back room heavy chains and collars denim and leather went on. Heavy jewellery and spiked collars, braces and tattoos adorned our models. One model was cooler as the kilt was in play a swirl of the skirt and a whoosh of cool air. Wigs went on, heads got hotter. The models gave it their all, the attitude rocked the catwalk, fists were raised and the odd boot was thrust skyward. This was after all Punk Rock and had to have big attitude. Greeted with cheers and applause from the audience the finale was complete. They all made it through five changes and very hot conditions, and I think they earnt a cold shower at the end of the day. So, to the models each one of you Charlotte Beata, Julia, Katrina, Elizabeth, Tanisha, Colin, Matthew and John also Sarah who could not be with us. Thank you for all the laughter not one complaint and for looking awesome on stage.

Thanks also to Tony who took some photos and to my main photographer Amelia Sadd whose photos you see accompanying this article. By Liz Wilson.

Suffolk County Christmas Fair

The ultimate Christmas shopping experience is coming to Suffolk this November. The Suffolk County Christmas Fair is taking place over three days in the grounds of the awardwinning hotel, Hintlesham Hall, on the outskirts of Ipswich, for the first time ever.

Shoppers will be able to browse over 120 stalls selling a range quality goods including handcrafted items, festive decorations, artisan food and drink and unique gifts. Stalls will be set up within heated marquees and throughout the stunning grounds of Hintlesham Hall.

There will be licensed bars selling mulled wine, luxury hot chocolate and other warming tipples, plus a choice of delicious street food stalls on offer including German sausages and roasted chestnuts to really get you in the festive spirit. Live music can be enjoyed all weekend with carol singers, a brass band and vintage close harmony group The Harmonettes singing Christmas favourites plus stilt walkers and LED performers will be appearing at intervals. For littles ones and the young at heart there will be a Ferris Wheel and children’s carousel ride located on the front lawn. Santa will also be visiting the fair on the Friday and Saturday to chat to shoppers and pose for photo opportunities.

The event, which takes place from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th November, is being organised by Prestige County Events, who also run the popular Christchurch Park Market, that takes place in Ipswich.

Darren Perry, Owner of Prestige County Events said, “We are excited to be bringing this wonderful festive event to Hintlesham Hall and look forward to it becoming a regular fixture in the calendar. When choosing our stallholders, we always focus on quality, variety and showcasing local artisans and small businesses. We have been working hard since January to make this a really special event full of festive cheer, talented stallholders and creating the ultimate Christmas shopping experience for our visitors.”

Tickets for the event are available now and selling fast, with some entry time slots already sold out. Visit www.suffolkcountychristmasfair.co.uk for more information and to book tickets.

TOOL HIRE

WE NOW OFFER A RANGE OF SMALL TOOLS FOR HIRE

Local delivery and collection service available

Turf Cutters

Rotavators

Stump Grinders

4” Chippers

Petrol Post Hole Borers

Compaction Plates

Concrete poker units

Cement Mixers

Block Splitters

Block Carts

Crowcroft Road Industrial Estate, Nedging Tye, Ipswich IP7 7HR

Tel: 01449 741315

Vacuum Slab Lifters

Generators

Makita Drills & Breakers

Floor Saws & Cutters

Scaffold Towers

Submersible Pumps

Petrol single drum rollers

Hi Tip Tracked Dumpers & Micro Diggers

For more information and a full list of tools please visit our website www.emmittplant.co.uk

Latest News from Chamberlin Hall, Bildeston

Chamberlin Hall is a local community hall situated just off the main high street in Bildeston. The Hall is a large venue and offers lots of facilities and services open to the public and available to hire for business or pleasure.

As sad as it is to see the end of Summer, we’re getting in the mood for autumn and winter seasons at Chamberlin Hall.

We had so much fun at our Summer Beer festival, we decided we couldn’t wait for the sun to come out again before the next one, so we’ve been making plans for our next Winter Beer Festival which is planned for Friday 24th (4pm to late) and Saturday 25th November (12 noon till late). We’re working on our bar menus to make sure there’s a range of festive spirits and flavours to keep everyone warmed up. In keeping with true beer fest. tradition, we’ll be putting on a bit of sausage fest to keep everyone fed as well as watered. There will also be live music on both days – Jax & Co. will be playing on Friday night, Hipidee on Saturday afternoon and Red Sky on Saturday night. So, if you want to start the warmup to the festive season, we’d love you to join us.

We also know winter is on its way as the Chamberlin Hall Amateur Dramatic Group are starting their preparations for our annual panto - Robin Hood –Rebel without a clue! – which will be showing in January. One of our annual highlights which usually sells out so we’ll let you know when tickets are available.

Looking back on some of our best events, we’ve been reminded recently that we’re not your average village hall! We’ve got amazing facilities that allow us to put on events like these all year round – capacity for 170 people, parking, full sized stage with sound and lighting system all set up. We love hosting different events for the community, so if you think you could make good use of these facilities, please get in touch.

If you fancy finding out more or joining in with any of our events, please come and see us or check out our website where you can always find out what is going on - www.chamberlinhall.org

Chamberlin Hall in Bildeston is a large village hall with fantastic facilities for clubs, classes, meetings, events and parties (including wi-fi, parking and licensed bar).

We host a lot of events for our local community and the facility is available to hire.

CHAMBERLIN CLOSE, BILDESTON, SUFFOLK, IP7 7EZ Tel: 07716 921514

To find out more visit chamberlinhall.org

REGULAR EVENTS, CLUBS & CLASSESUPCOMING EVENTS

MONDAYS Miss Lesley Dance Classes

CH Badminton Club

WEDNESDAYS CH Open Mic Night (Bar & Food) 7:30pm

FRIDAYS Pilates CH Social Night (Bar & Food) 7pm

TUESDAYS Line Dancing Zumba

Carpet Bowls

THURSDAYS Zumba

Whistle & Wag Dog Training

MONTHLY CH Quiz Ladies Club

OCTOBER

7th –Band Night - live music by Jax & Co. 28th –Halloween Family Disco

NOVEMBER

24th & 25th November –Chamberlin Hall

Winter Beer Festival

Real Ales, Ciders and Live Music

DECEMBER

9th –Over 60’s Christmas Dinner –with entertainment 22nd –Chamberlin Hall Christmas Party from 8pm till late!

JANUARY 2024

26th/27th/28th –Panto by CHADS

Free creative sessions for groups

Suffolk Artlink is offering a free, creative workshop, led by a professional artist, to groups in Babergh and Mid Suffolk. We also have creative resources for groups to try themselves.

Suffolk Artlink’s Friends Around the Table project, brings professional artists, poets, musicians, foragers and food experts to groups of adults to inspire and work alongside them to provide opportunities to socialise, learn new skills and improve wellbeing.

Friends Around the Table aims to help community support groups in Mid Suffolk and Babergh including (but not limited to) carer groups, care home residents, dementia support groups and adults who are living in rural locations and have feelings of isolation.

For more information, please contact Siobhan Watson, siobhan@suffolkartlink.org.uk or 01986 873955. www.suffolkartlink.org.uk

Suffolk Artlink is a participatory arts charity that helps people be creative, make connections and live well.

‘Shedders’ help build The Great Wall of China

For Rosie Slais (photo right) returning to her pre-Covid social activities was important. After months of managing with Facetime or telephone calls the prospect of getting back to her face-to-face weekly Mahjong sessions was even more inviting. In the meantime, her family had bought her a beautiful set, so she was ready to go - well not quite. This mysterious far eastern game involves building the Great Wall of China. The four-sided Wall needs solid stands to support the tiles during its construction. Unfortunately, Rosie’s stands were not quite up to the job. The recently formed, Hadleigh Men’s Shed group accepted the challenge to create some tailor-made stands. Following careful line drawings and precise measurement the team made four solid but not heavy, attractive wooden stands. Not being an everyday assignment for the ‘shedders,’ it was a learning curve for everyone involved. Rosie was happy to pay for the materials used. She and her three co-players are delighted with the most professional results and glad to return to their sociable weekly Mahjong session.

Hadleigh & District Flower Club

After our Summer break we returned to a demonstration by Linda Kingcott from Leigh on Sea. Her title was ‘ Little Green Man and Friends’ and each arrangement was depicting a legend. Her flowers were beautiful and everyone was envious of her lovely foliage which all came from her own garden. Our next meeting is our AGM followed by a demonstration by Brenda Eyers,a former member of our club. Brenda is a very good demonstrator and also a speaker so it should be a good evening. We welcome anyone wishing to come and maybe join our very friendly club.

We meet at the URC every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.30 and anyone requiring more information please call Jenny on 01473 822971. Look forward to seeing you.

POLSTEAD FILMS Presents A MAN CALLED OTTO

Based on Fredrik Backman’s best-selling novel. Tom Hanks’s cranky widower may tread well-worn ground, but the neighbourly kindness that saves him is life-affirming.

Friday 13th October at Polstead Village Hall

Doors open 7 pm

Tickets £4.50 - buy at Polstead Community Shop. or reserve by emailing polsteadfilms@gmail.com

Citizens Advice Column

I need a new car for work, but I can’t afford to buy a new one, so I’ve been looking at second-hand options. I’ve heard so many horror stories about people buying cars that turn out to be faulty. I’m worried that I won’t know what to check, especially as I know very little about cars. How can I make sure I don’t buy a dud car?

For many people, buying a car is a major purchase and whether it’s new or second-hand, the process can seem daunting and complicated. But don’t worry, there’s lots of information on the steps to take when buying a car and what you can do afterwards if something goes wrong on the Citizens Advice website, www.citizensadvice.org.uk

First of all, where are you going to buy the car? If you’re buying from a trader, choose a trustworthy one with an established name with a good reputation. Ideally, they will be part of a trade association or follow the industry’s code of practice. If you’re buying via an auction, this is much riskier as you’ll have fewer legal protections like the right to returns or refunds so carefully read the terms and conditions before you bid. If you buy from a private seller, there’s a few extra steps to take. For instance, try to inspect the car at their home address so if something goes wrong later, you have a record of that. Make sure the car’s details are correct by using the DVLA’s free online vehicle information checker, www.gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla

You’ll need the registration number, MOT test number, mileage and make/model of the car to do this check. Also, check the car’s MOT history for free on www.gov.uk. Keep a copy of both these results (take a screenshot or download the information) as well as the original advert or description of the car. You might also consider getting a private history check to see if the car’s been reported stolen, still has money owing on it, or has been in a serious crash. This will cost about £20.

Before buying a car, it’s good to check if it meets emissions standards as it could mean paying extra charges when driving through London’s ULEZ or clean air zones across the UK. Inspecting the car is crucial before buying. Ideally, do this during the day when it’s not raining (scratches are harder to see on a wet car) and take it for a test drive for at least 15 minutes and on different types of roads, if possible. Check you have the appropriate insurance for a test drive (either your own or the seller’s policy might cover you).

Once you’ve decided on a car, don’t be afraid to negotiate on the price. If you take out a loan or finance to buy it, make sure you can afford the repayments over the lifetime of the contract. If you pay with cash, you will have fewer protections than other options like debit.

Often, despite doing all these checks, you might find something wrong with the car after you’ve bought it. You may have a legal right to a repair, the cost of a repair or some money back but it’s on a case-by-case basis and some examples might be the car’s mileage is wrong or the car keeps breaking down. For more information, check out the Citizens Advice website www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call its consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. For information and advice on this or anything else, visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk or call Sudbury and District Citizens Advice on 01787 321400 and leave a message and someone will call you back when available. We will attempt three times to call you back, so please expect a call from a withheld number. Alternatively, contact us via email at advice@sudburycab.org.uk or by using the contact facility on our website, https://www.sudburycab.org.uk/contact. We are providing advice by telephone and email Monday – Thursday, 10am – 3pm.

The John Bloomfield Memorial Lecture

In recent years the tower and windows of St Mary's Church Hadleigh, which is a grade one listed building, has had extensive repair and restoration work. This year we thought we would highlight the work of the craftsmen who had helped to carry out the work, and so it is our great pleasure to present talks by two members of the teams, a lead worker and a stonemason. Both are well qualified to inform us of their work on the building and other aspects of their crafts. The event will last from 10am until 12pm with a break for refreshments and the cost is £10, with tickets available on the door. Parking is at Magdalen Road Car Park as there is very limited parking at the church.

The Friends of St. Mary’s Church, Hadleigh THE JOHN BLOOMFIELD ANNUAL MEMORIAL LECTURE

Saturday 7th October, 9.30am for 10am start at St Mary’s Church, Hadleigh, Suffolk

David Adamson –Stonemason

Michael Anderson –Lead Worker

Tickets £10 - on the door, or from the Benefice Office in the Deanery Tower Coffee, tea and biscuits will be available

Mob: 0 7 7 1 7 1 7 7 1 9 0

Mob: 0 7 7 1 7 1 7 7 1 9 0

Tel: 0 1 4 7 3 8 2 9 6 4 4

Tel: 0 1 4 7 3 8 2 9 6 4 4

Web: w w w g j wa t t s a n d s o n c o m

Web: w w w g j wa t t s a n d s o n c o m

Email: r i c h a r d @ g j wa t t s a n d s o n c o m

Email: r i c h a r d @ g j wa t t s a n d s o n . c o m

Ground S Source H Heat P Pumps • Air S Source H Heat P Pumps

Biomass • Solar T Thermal • Solar P PV• Underfloor H Heating

Hadleigh Hares News

Rachel Bodsworth and Adam Chamberlin took on the SVP100 in August. The SVP100 is a race that was put on by ultra athlete Matthew Hearne in an attempt to bring ultra running to the Eastern Region and allow runners to experience this type of event and showcase his local area. It is a simple concept, the race follows the river Stour from a starting point in Newmarket all the way through the Stour Valley and finishes in Brantham as the river merges into the estuary and finally the sea. As usual there are checkpoints along the way but to add some extra spice cut off times to keep you pressing on. Adam signed up for the race in 2022 not really knowing what it would take to complete it. He was very new to running, but in his head to run 100km he just needed to run for longer! But after not completing that race, he just put that one down to experience and knew that in 2023 he had come back to complete the race.

Covering all those miles was just as much a mental battle as well as a physical one, but hearing cheers from friends and family encouraged him on. After over 13 hours of effort he crossed the finish line covering the distance from Newmarket to Brantham. In her own words, this is Rachel’s description of her race:

It’s always an early wake up call for the SVP100 and my alarm went off at 3.45am. After a final kit check I drove to Brantham to take the coach to Newmarket. The journey to the beginning of many of the marathons I’ve run is part of the experience; people chat and excitement builds as you near the start.

The SVP100 is very different, it’s still dark outside and as soon as we‘re underway everyone turns off the overhead lights and concentrates on rest and breakfast. I was in awe of the runner on the seat behind me who curled up and seemed to sleep the whole journey. There’s no chatting as we all are all aware of the distance to be run ahead and need to conserve as much energy as possible.

In an attempt to give myself some extra confidence I had decided to wear my black 3 star t-shirt. This obviously means absolutely nothing to most people but it’s the t-shirt you receive after running the SVP100 three times and there’s not too many of them about. After the race briefing we all walked up the road and at 7am we were off. A slow and steady start is required and I soon fell into a comfortable pace alongside a group of fellow runners.

100k is daunting to run but I never consider the whole distance, instead focusing on each check point and making sure I’m hydrating and fuelling as I go. I try to reach the second check point in Clare feeling strong and knowing that that’s a third of the race completed. Then, I concentrate on Long Melford, which is over half way. The route from Nayland to the finish is very familiar so it’s a push to the end. Sounds simple?!

At least half of the effort running long trail runs is mental so I try to trick myself into thinking so! In reality, I found fuelling hard. I made myself eat the salty potatoes at Lamarsh and chastised myself for consuming too many sugary snacks. I got it right last time but felt nauseous for a lot of this run. Despite quite a bit of walking towards the end, and needing my head torch, I finished well within the cut off.

I’d rung my children when I got to Stratford St Mary and they’d got a lift with a friend to be at end. I was so pleased to see them all, they’d brought snacks and took the obligatory medal photos. These are the moments I remember from the race; chats with fellow competitors, Lucy appearing at the first checkpoint and spraying me with cool spray, Kitty’s magic socks, phone calls when the hills were tough and my Dad sitting at the Mill Hotel in Sudbury with a change of shoes and then walking with me along the route to his car.

The check points and their volunteers were amazing, the race was very well run and has amazing scenery. If you’re looking for a long day out next August I’d definitely recommend it!

A huge congratulations to both Rachel and Adam on this huge achievement.

If you would like to join a friendly and supportive running club as a member or a coach you can find out all about us and how to join at www.hadleigh-hares.co.uk

We went missing! Well, Ebony did. Perhaps the strikes were infectious? However, at the Centre there has been so much activity over the last few months we are buzzing.

Firstly our beloved Stable Manager Lyn Bensusan has retired after 30+ years of dedicated service to the place, its ponies and people. In her wisdom she picked the perfect successor for the Trustees to welcome here as the new Stable Manager, Abi Sinclair. We equines all feel grateful to these two ladies for giving us a smooth handover, keeping us safe, fit and happy. There have been more retirements amongst the herd. By the last weeks of the Summer we were very pushed to mount all our riders on live animals. Babs and I worked flat out to offer physiotherapy indoors but I could see our riders were disappointed not to have their usual ponies available.

Abi has worked miracles to increase the live herd. All summer long she has schooled and prepared the new arrivals for their important job. Good luck to all you new horses and ponies and welcome to the nicest workplace!

For a taster of the newbies here is a photo of blue-eyed JimBob watching what goes on in the yard. He is a 14year old Piebald Cob type, measuring 14.1hh. He suffers from asthma so his stall is dust free and open to the fresh air. He is the perfect size for our younger riders. A big thank you to the owner who loaned him to the Centre.

Fletch is also on loan, he is a good looking Connemara standing at 14.2hh. At only 6 years old he will be the baby of our team so we hope he will be here for a great many years to come.

Next month we shall introduce some more members of the workforce, and soon your Auntie Di will have them all ready to be sponsored!

Tel: 01473 824172 Email: shelleyrda@gmail.com Website: www.shellyrda.com

Lakeside Surfacing are surfacing and tarmac contractors and specialists in asphalt-tarmac surface dressing, resinbonded stone and groundworks offering a range of services to both commercial and domestic customers.

With depots in Sudbury, Suffolk and Hereford we cover all of the UK and our team of staff are well experienced and fully trained in ensuring all work is carried out to the highest possible standards. Lakeside Surfacing is customer focused, has a strong attention to detail and commitment to meeting the requirements of its customers. This, together with the continued quality of workmanship produced, ensures high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat business.

For more information on our services, contact our sales team for a no obligation quotation.

Hot Tar and Chip Resin Asphalt Block Paving Natural Stone Paving

Ebony’s Blog

Life at The Shelley Centre

We can now offer servicing and repairs for car and van air conditioning systems including newer vehicles

My WiSH Charity open the doors to the Butterfly Garden

We are thrilled to announce that September saw us open the doors to our end-of-life Butterfly Garden.

The space has been created thanks to donations to our Butterfly Garden Appeal and was built to ensure families get time together as they prepare to say goodbye to a loved one. It has been designed to feel like a home from home, to allow people to share time and memories and to enjoy the outside space, whatever the weather.

We have worked with some incredible people to make this happen with many of the contractors donating time or discounting their work. In fact, so many people have been involved in this project it’s impossible to thank them all personally.

However, special thanks must go to Den Humphries from Out Of Our Tree. Den has created three amazing wooden butterfly sculptures, one of which ‘dances’ in the breeze.

Bury based home design store, Neptune, not only designed the interior for our garden room, but generously donated many pieces of the furniture. This has allowed us to create a wonderful living room for people to enjoy.

Mike Wells, from AJ Joinery, built us wooden planters and Pat and Jim Dowling donated beautiful garden statues. We also worked closely with staff from the hospital to create this space and it has been fantastic to build these new relationships.

Our brief, when the appeal was launched with the Bury Free Press, was to create a garden with a glass-fronted building which would allow patients and their loved ones to spend quality time together, away from the hustle and bustle of the wards, as they prepare to say goodbye. We aimed to provide an area for quiet contemplation, peaceful reflection and a space where children could play and pets could visit and memories to treasure could be made. Feedback on our open day shows we achieved just this, and we are pleased to have now handed over the Butterfly Garden to the West Suffolk Hospital’s palliative care team who will be able to invite families to come and spend precious time together.

Finally, we cannot finish this article without thanking our amazing donors, we continue to receive donations which will allow us to continue to support the palliative care team and their patients with the many initiatives we currently have in place as well as any new ones in the future. Thank you from all of us at My WiSH Charity and the families who you have made a difference too. Find out more about My WiSH Charity at www.mywishcharity.co.uk

We play 18 hands of progressive whist and refreshments are served. We enjoy a social evening of cards and everyone is welcome, even if they have never played before. Contact Angela on 01449 740414 for more details.

What’s Your Poison?

Two “rising stars of English theatre” have been cast in a true-crime murder mystery – and one of them can hardly wait to return to Suffolk. Jodie Garnish and Pavan Maru will play the lead roles in What’s Your Poison?, the first play by Steve Orme which is being produced by Rumpus Theatre Company. Jodie, originally from Bury St Edmunds, is really looking forward to dates in Sudbury and Beccles: “My family are based in Suffolk so they’ll all be coming to see it.” What’s Your Poison? explores whether Victorian doctor William Palmer could have been Britain’s first serial killer. He was alleged to have murdered his wife, brother, mother-in-law and four of his children as well as his friend John Parsons Cook who he was convicted of poisoning.

Jodie will play Lucy, a young woman who argues vociferously that Palmer was a victim of a miscarriage of justice, and Annie, Palmer’s wife, during flashbacks.

Jodie who recently played Hermione in The Winter’s Tale for Cambridge Shakespeare Festival comments: “When I’m offered a piece I look through the text at what the character says about herself and what other people say about her. Acting is what I love to do the most. I love delving into another person’s mind. It’s fascinating to find out why people do the things they do.” She auditioned for the parts over Zoom. John Goodrum who will direct the play explains: “She read two of the last scenes and really brought them to life. She’ll be wonderful. Both Jodie and Pavan are rising stars. I’m sure they’ll go on to have fantastic careers.”

Pavan is currently playing Richard Brightwell in another Rumpus production, Goodrum’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ short story The Signalman Before that he appeared in three plays during the month-long Classic Thriller Season at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal in the summer. He says it was his dream to get into acting: “I’m loving every single second. I hit lots of brick walls for a while but now I’m starting to flourish. I love the fact that it’s hard work. You can be given direction but you have to make the author’s vision come to life.”

In What’s Your Poison? Pavan will take two roles. He will play Adam, a journalist who argues that Palmer was guilty of being a serial killer, and in flashbacks he will be Cook, Palmer’s close friend who he was convicted of poisoning. “It’s so different from what I’ve done before,” says Pavan. “If audiences can believe me as the character I’m playing, then I’m happy.”

The play which culminates in a “thrilling and delicious final twist” will be at Quay Theatre, Sudbury on Tuesday 17th October and Beccles Public Hall and Theatre on Wednesday 22nd November. Further information is available from Steve Orme on 07831 312792

As The Nights Draw In, A New Programme Rolls Out Offering Culture, Coffee & Friends

Enliven your Autumn by Giving Us a Go!

The Arts Society Stour Valley offers a series of illustrated Monthly Talks, Visits, Special Interest Days + an Arts Magazine - all at a very reasonable cost.

On the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 11am at the Village Hall, Long Melford CO10 9QJ (opp The Bull Hotel).

For further details

Contact: info@TASstourvalley.org.uk quoting CN 28 or via our website www.TASstourvalley.org.uk

WEDNESDAY 18 OCTOBER

THE HISTORY OF AUCTIONS: From the Roman Period to the present day. The Inside story of why the world’s most expensive paintings sell for such staggering sums.

2.1 Diesel 2dr Black81k£13995

Lister Countryside Services

Turning Peoples Lives Around

When the members at Hadleigh Men’s Shed got together to design their first logo they wanted it to offer an insight into what the shed is all about, so they included some special features. Prominent on the logo are some woodworking tools which are a nod to the activities that are carried out.

The shed is very well equipped and has some great woodworking machine tools and training is available. One of the most popular machine tools in the shed is our wood turning lathe, which at first glance looks quite daunting. But with some expert guidance and training from one of our experienced turners, you can quickly turn a block of wood into a beautiful object. Wood turning is extremely satisfying. It is a real hands on activity and it allows you to connect with your creative and artistic side. Also in the logo is the hand shake over a cuppa. This sits in the heart of the logo because this is at the very core of what the shed is all about. Getting together to create stuff in the workshop is all great fun, but what is really important is that we do it in a spirit of friendship and camaraderie. If you fancy trying your hand at wood turning or just want to join us for a brew and a chat then you would be most welcome. We are open four times a week, two day time sessions and two evening sessions. For more info please email us at hadleighmensshed@gmail.com or find us on Facebook. A warm welcome awaits.

Hadleigh Residents Braced for Broadband Boost as Work Starts

Engineering work started this month to connect more than 3,800 homes in Hadleigh to full fibre broadband - part of a £27 million rural infrastructure boost for Suffolk. The work is being carried out by broadband provider Gigaclear to extend its full fibre network to underserved market towns and rural communities in the county. Residents will begin to have access to the service by the end of the year, with the work due to be completed by spring 2024. Delivery Director Tony Smith said: “There are many great benefits to living in rural communities such as Hadleigh but having access to the fastest broadband speeds is not necessarily an obvious one. That’s because people living in large towns and cities, on average, enjoy much faster speeds than people in rural locations. However, Gigaclear's mission is to address this gap. “We’re investing more than £27 million in rural Suffolk to make sure residents living in communities such as Hadleigh are just as able to work from home, stream online entertainment, scroll and gameplay as people living in more urban areas.”

During the engineering work, Gigaclear will be utilising existing Openreach ducts and poles wherever possible in order to minimise disruption. For more information, visit www.gigaclear.com

elmsett storshops

Gas, Oil, LPG Boilers, Hobs, Fires, Cookers, Underfloor Heating, PV & Solar Panels, Heat Pumps, Pool Heating, Flues & Liners, Biomass

TEL 07939 082630

BOOKINGS: 07780 834551

MOBILE 07733 420611

Email marcus@tlchimneys.co.uk

www.tlchimneys.co.uk

Architect

Franklyn Nevard......................01473 372382

Artist

PetArt Digital Artist.................01449 741553

Art Gallery

Brett Gallery............................01449 741553

Accountants / Financial Services

Thompson Financial Consulting ...01473 828973

Walter Wright..........................01473 822143

Suffolk Tax Accountants.........01473 657000

Toucan Financial.....................07852 374908

Bathrooms, Plumbing and Heating

Gallagher................................01473 828806

Plumbmate.............................01473 810088

Roundhouse Plumbing...........07939 082630

Spear......................................07775 690158

GJ Watts.................................01473 829644

MSL Plumbing........................07979 288844

CJ Plumbing & Heating...........01473 822775

AHM Installations...................01473 206918

Buddha Plumbing & Heating...07710 081745

Blinds for windows & conservatories

Ventanilla Blinds.....................01787 313677

Turners Blinds.........................01473 610830

Butchers

Andrews Butchers...................01473 827720

Builders / Property Maintenance

C.A. Builders...........................01473 824404

Simon Farthing.......................07823 333451

Grass To Glass........................01473 828269

Conor Styles Carpentry...........07710 502657

AK Smith Plastering................07808 027116

Cards, Gifts, Stationery

Keith Avis................................01473 823131

Carpets / Flooring

A.J. Carpets............................01473 822240

Stacey’s Felt Roofing

Car Sales,

Garden Services

4 Life Landscapes...................01473 828117

Grass To Glass........................01473 828269

Hair and Beauty

Hadleigh Hairloom..................01473 822191

Ashleigh Hair Studio...............07921 509413

Danielle Butcher......................07890 186065

Health and Fitness

Hadleigh Boxford Practice......01473 822961

Hadleigh Dental Surgery.........01473 823092

Sally Mowles Foot Health Care.01473 822902

Hadleigh Physiotherapy..........01473 810185

Body & Mind As One.............07506 350 455

Kinetic Health..........................01473 806240

House Moving / Removals

Todds Removals.....................01787 377489

I.T. and Computer Services

Vulcan Computer Services......07711 904439

Home Computer Services.......01473 829552

Laundry Services

Press Gang.............................01473 558448

Newsagents

Keith Avis................................01473 823131

Nursing & Care Services

Laxfield House.........01787 247340 / 247495

Waterfield House....................01473 944654

Caring Homes Group.............0808 175 4470

Opticians

Dunstone Optometry..............01473 823755

Shops

Hollowtrees.............................01449 741247

Funeral / Grave Services

East Coast Cremations............07747 114396

R. Gwinnell.............................01473 824440

W. A. Deacon..........................01787 248282

Viv Dawson - Civil Celebrant....07761239718

Garden Machinery Repair

W. J. Green.............................01473 823839

Painting & Decorating

Simon Farthing.......................07823 333451

CPH Property Services...........07717 059370

Pest Control

Lister Countryside Services....07919 287656

Picture Framing

ALB Framing...........................07769 858076

Blue Magpie Framing..............01787 583751