LM Newsletter
Transcription
LM Newsletter
Melford Magazine The publication of the Long Melford Community Association Issue 29 October/November 2016 Clubs and Organisations If your club or organisation is not listed here and you would like to be included, then please let us know. Beading (Suffex Bead Club) Pauline Unglass 01787 249668 Carolyn Spraggons 01787 370686 Beavers Brownies Maureen Creek [email protected] Business Association Jane Ebejer 01787 375862 Cricket Club Ivan Newman 07944 893167 Coffee & Cake at St Catherine’s Doreen Hammond 01787 313041 Connect Julie Thomson/Carolyn Spraggons 01787 375329/370686 Explorers Jon-Paul Broughton [email protected] Farmer’s Market Daryl Turner 07780 258202 Folk & Acoustic Club Pauline O'Brien [email protected] Football Club Richard Kemp 01787 377861 Friends of Long Melford Church Building Fund Richard Michette 01787 377164 Friends of the Scouts Group Philip Windsor [email protected] Friends of Long Melford Library [email protected] Good Neighbours’ Scheme Elizabeth Haywood 07504 249179 Historical and Archaeological Society Trudi Jeffs 01787 311957 Keep Fit Heather Mahony 01449 736662 Karate Club Jim Meade 01787 378914 Long Melford Cubs Zoe Milburn [email protected] Long Melford Guides Diana Nice [email protected] Long Melford Heritage Centre John Nunn 01787 313496 Long Melford Open Spaces Reg McKenna 01787 371812 Long Melford Parish Recorder Julie Thomson 01787 375329 Long Melford Photographic Group Ian Lindsley 01787 210520 Long Melford Primary School Mrs Woolmer 01787 379929 Long Melford Scouts Graham Souch [email protected] Long Melford Women’s Institute Jane Ebejer 01787 375862 Melford Ladies Ronia Deeks 01787 375643 Melford Music Jane Kohler 01787 310373 National Women’s Register Ingeborg Sabine 01787 375484 Over Sixties Club Mrs Albon & Mrs Woodgate 01787 371413/376711 Old School Community Centre bookings Alma Beckwith 01787 375549 Project Seven Andrew Hagger 07980 526067 Royal British Legion Martin Richard 01787 377567 Silver Band Martin Gore 01787 372439 Trinity Singers Sue Roberts 01787 319850 Village Hall bookings Alma Beckwith 01787 375549 United Reformed Church Rev. Cecil White 01223 565359 Information on events in Long Melford can also be found on the village website at longmelford.co.uk Melford Magazine contacts For information on advertising, contacts, events and editorial copy contact [email protected] or 07711 242481. Comments about the magazine can be sent to : [email protected] The editor reserves the right to edit copy submitted for publication. The latest issue can be downloaded at www.melfordmagazine.org Errors and Omissions Excepted. Long Melford Parish Council 1 Milestone House, Hall Street, Long Melford, Suffolk CO10 9HZ Telephone: 01787 378084. Email: [email protected] The Parish Council office is open to the public on : Friday 10am - 4pm. The Parish Council meets on the first Thursday of every month at 7p.m. in the library at the URC. Members of the public are welcome to attend. Any questions should be submitted to the clerk three days before the meeting . Magazine credits : Cover image supplied by Steve Thomson. Magazine design by Peter Phillips. [email protected] Printing by Gipping Press Ltd Units 1 & 2, Lion Barn Industrial Estate Needham Market, Suffolk, IP6 8NZ Phone: 01449 721599 Email: [email protected] I.T. support by : 999 Network Services. Phone : 0345 004 3579 www.999networks.net Old School This magazine is produced by the Community Association, which also maintains the Old School in Melford. Since the last issue went out, we have had a challenge in that nearly all of our heaters failed to pass the annual service. 5 out of 7 are no longer working. The cost to replace all of them, is over £8000 and this was indeed a challenge. Luckily it was August and the sun was shining so no-one would be cold….yet! I sent out a plea to our hirers to assist in any way they could and was overwhelmed by the generosity and community spirit. Donations have come in from £50 up to £1000. As well as being the largest donor, the Silver Band have also offered us a free concert to raise funds. (See page 6 for details) We are planning to hold this on Friday 21st October 2016, at the Old School. Don’t worry there will be heating and the band will have us all tapping along to their wonderful uplifting music. We are also selling donated goods at a Table Sale on Sunday 6th November so please come and buy from us or you can donate items for sale as well. One of our classes at the School is Art run by U3A –Vernon Lever will be selling donated artwork from a stall at the sale in November. Help has also come from our Suffolk County Councillor, Richard Kemp, his Locality Budget has given us £1000. Our Parish Council has also helped with a donation of £2000 as they understand how important the Old School is for local groups. So although this started out as a major problem for us, it has ended as a wonderful reminder of how communities can pull together. My huge thanks go to all who have contributed so far: Antiques Fair, Suffolk Beading Club, Chill Out Yoga, Craft Fair, Friendship Dancers, LMBA, Photographic Group, Silver Band, U3A Art, WI, Richard Kemp and LM Parish Council. Please make a note of the dates: venue – old school : silver band concert friday 21st october 7pm and table sale sunday 6th november 10am to 2pm Donations for the table sale or for a stall – please contact Rosey on 01787 319120 or [email protected] L.M.P.C. Chair’s Report For many years now, the Parish Council have been trying to find an area for a BMX park for the younger people of our village. I remember that a young group made a fantastic presentation over two years ago to the Parish Council asking for such a site. A site was identified, but later found to be open to flooding. Other sites were suggested but rejected. In this copy of the magazine there is a questionnaire where the Council is asking if there is still a need for it and if we should make it more family orientated by including a separate scooter track and other activities. We really need everyone, young and old, to complete and return it to the Parish Council office opposite the Co-op. Without your replies, this project will not move forward. Many of you who visit the Melford Country Park will know that an information centre has opened together with a small café area for drinks, snacks and ice creams. This is proving very popular with families, dog walkers and people who just go there to relax. The park is now being used by the Beavers who have made a fantastic bug hotel. The Guides will soon be there making dens and small bug boxes that will be placed around the park. The group of volunteers that look after the park (LMOS) have recently introduced some hedgehogs and the Guides will be making homes for these endangered animals. We ask yet again that dog walkers clear up pooh from their dogs. There is no excuse for ignoring it and there are dog bins around the park. If you do clear it up, please do not just throw it in the bushes as it is not very nice decoration and someone has to remove it. Despite the negative comments and obstructive actions of a misguided few, the Country Park continues to be a great success. This park is an excellent example of where wildlife and people can exist together without upsetting the environment. The volunteers usually meet on Wednesday and Sunday mornings and if you would like to contribute some time to helping them, please either just turn up or contact me for further details. 01787 319120 or [email protected] Graham Eade - Chairman of Long Melford Parish Council 3 Who’s who and what they do In this edition we feature Susie Dixon who is the Park Ranger at Long Melford Country Park. Susie, who has two adult children, has lived in the village for 40 years, the last 30 in Borley Road, having moved there all the way from Hall Street! Susie has been working at the park for 17 years, originally for Suffolk County Council and now for Long Melford Open Spaces since 2012. Susie says working with LMOS has increased her job satisfaction no end and that they are a joy to work with. They have regular meetings so she can give them feedback from the park users and there is always someone at the end of the phone if an urgent job needs attending to by the volunteers. Now, you have to get up pretty early to catch Susie as she starts her day. She can be found giving the car park a spruce up after any night-time visitors and opening up the toilets as early as 6.30am. Every day she walks a circuit of the park, with litter picker in hand, which is used to deal with the rubbish and the odd forgotten ‘dog related incident’. The public footpaths are kept in excellent order, both by LMOS and with a helping hand from Susie and her battery-powered strimmer. Occasionally the park may have to be closed to the public, following direction from the Police, Highways or River Authorities. In the past this has been due to the risk of flooding, high winds and unwelcome visitors who wished to take up residence in the car park. I asked Susie what were the things that upset her about the way the park was used and what she would change to make it better for those using it. Her main bugbear is people not maintaining control of their dogs. This ranges from those who open their car door to let their pets out whilst they get back in to read the paper, to owners who allow dogs to chase wildlife and jump up at people. She also wants users to obey the rules about lighting fires. Having lost her childhood home to a fire she is only too aware of the destruction it can cause, especially at those times of the year when everything is tinderbox dry. Susie works between 40-50 hours a month, calling in throughout the day to make sure the toilets are spotless. Returning in the evening, she gives them the final onceover before locking them up around 6pm in the summer and at dusk in the winter. She will even return later if there is a community event being held there, such as our local Beavers, Cubs and Guides etc. You can tell just how much Susie enjoys her job at the park, her lovely smile and enthusiasm is obvious. She related regular sightings of kingfishers, stoats, grass snakes and newts, and she is rather fond of the hedgehogs which have recently been rehomed in the park. She works closely with the RSPCA and the Sudbury Swan Watch, who she contacts if she discovers any injured birds or animals. When I asked her what she loved most working at the park and she replied “Early in the morning when the mist is rolling in - you couldn’t bottle that feeling”. So next time you see Susie, give her a wave and a big smile, she deserves it! Julie Thomson Looking After The Hearts Of Suffolk OUR SUDBURY CLASSES ARE MOVING! We are delighted to announce the move to : LONG MELFORD OLD SCHOOL, The Green, Long Melford CO10 9DX. Commencing 6th September We are a Heart Support Charity providing Cardiac Exercise and Support for patients with heart problems. We welcome all of our existing members on the 6th September and also invite any local people with heart problems who could do with a bit of support, to come along and have a chat. Cardiac Nurse in attendance at all times. Very friendly group. Every Tuesday morning from 9.15am We look forward to seeing you.! 4 Richard Kemp District & County Councillor 01787 378149 [email protected]. Sponsors Adam Kemp BA Hons, Cert PFS(MP&FA) Please contact for free financial & mortgage advice 01842 752140 or 07988 961240 LIBRARY NEWS I can’t believe the summer holidays have already ended and I have been at the library for over 2 months now. I have been warmly welcomed by many of you and would like to remind you to pop in any time the library is open for a chat & to let me know what we can do for your community. Summer Reading Challenge We were pleased to welcome John Nunn, our Parish Councillor, to the library on 18 September to award certificates and medals to the children who completed the challenge this year. The theme was The Big Friendly Read in celebration of Roald Dahl’s centenary year & this caught the imagination of both children & parents alike, especially the glorious Quentin Blake illustrations. More than 4 times as many children than last year joined, so we held a party to celebrate their achievement & after the presentations we were entertained with a magic show by Mr. Bean Entertainments. Special thanks must go to The Friends of Long Melford Library for funding this & congratulations to everyone who joined in. Sunday Kids Craft Club starting 25 September Wet & windy weekends? Nights drawing in? We are excited to launch our new FREE Kids Club to keep you entertained on Sunday afternoons – the drop in club will run from 2pm – 3.30pm every Sunday with a selection of crafts & activities to join in with. All children welcome but please bring an adult along with you to join in the fun. Storytime at Connect Toddler Group - St Catherine’s Church We will be helping out at the toddler group once a month with some fun stories before the children enjoy their usual songs & rhymes & are looking forward to meeting more Melford preschoolers & their adults. TopTime Author Events We welcomed best-selling author Rosy Thornton to our TopTime group on 21 September for an interesting & informative session. We discussed the writing process & in particular her latest book, Sandlands, set in coastal Suffolk followed by some delicious cakes & tea/coffee. Join us for our next event on Weds 26 October at 2.30pm when local author Margaret Moore will share her recent novel, Almost Full Circle, as well as her book of children’s poetry, The Big Book of Poems for Little People. All welcome for this or any of our regular weekly TopTime meetings. News from The Friends of Long Melford Library Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning Sat 1 October at 10am Back by popular demand – Buy a Bag of Books for £1! We will be supporting the coffee morning at the URC with books, plants & bric-a-brac so come & browse at our stall & support 2 excellent causes. Are you interested in supporting your Library? We are holding our AGM at the library on Friday 7 October at 6pm so please come along & help make our lovely library a vibrant part of our community. New members are always welcome for ideas & to help out at our fundraising events. We put the fun into fundraising! Regular events : Tuesday – TotRock - for preschool children & babies 2.30pm – 3pm Every Friday, Knit & Natter 2 - 5pm Every Wednesday, TopTime - talks & activities 2.30 - 4.30pm 5 SILVER BAND CONCERT Sudbury Farmers¶ Market Friday October 28th Friday November 25th Friday December 16th Long Melford Old School Friday 21st October 2016 – 7pm FREE ENTRY FUNDRAISER FOR OLD SCHOOL REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE DONATIONS WELCOME For more details, contact : 01787 319120 or [email protected] St Peter¶s Church, Market Hill 9.30am until 2pm Fancy a stall? Get in touch! E:[email protected] T: 07704 627 973 www.suffolkmarketevents.co.uk LMOS – Wildlife Survey July/August 2016 Thanks should go to the person who complained to Suffolk County Council about the lack of wildlife in our Country Park. I understand there is more wildlife in her back garden than there is in the park. Because of this I have started to send the summaries of the park wildlife to SCC, as well as Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Dedham Vale volunteers. They are all delighted with the information and have praised us for the excellent work we are doing at the Country Park. We also regularly get people thanking us for making it such a special place for them to relax with their children or take their dogs. Here is the briefest of summaries for wildlife for last two months as gathered by Alan Paine and other volunteers. Birds spotted – Blackcap, bullfinch, buzzard, Canada goose, chiffchaff, coal tit, cormorant, goldfinch, great spotted woodpecker, greenfinch, green woodpecker, grey heron, grey wagtail, jay, kestrel, kingfisher, long tailed tit, magpie, mallard, marsh tit, mute swan, nuthatch, pied wagtail, reed warbler, siskin, spotted flycatcher, swallow, Treecreeper, tufted duck, whitethroat and willow warbler. The total number of bird species so far this year is 72. There have been 13 species of dragonflies and damselflies and 19 species of butterflies. Wow what a big garden our complainant must have! Rosey Eade – LMOS 6 On the Green You may have noticed that the base of the 13th Century old Market Cross, which has been hidden in the grass at the top of the green, has now received a rather grand surround. It was originally erected after the Abbot of St Edmunds was awarded a Charter for a market at Long Melford by King Henry 3rd in 1235. The remainder of the cross is thought to have been destroyed in the 17th Century, during the English Civil War. Mr Lay from Sudbury contacted the Parish Council with concerns that this historic monument might be damaged. Cllr John Nunn took up the challenge to get it refurbished with the help of Cllr Kemp's Locality Budget, Heritage Centre members and Cllr Graham Eade. On the 8th September, volunteers Ken Dodd, Dave Carter and John Nunn (pictured right) carried out the work. Julie Thomson Photograph credit: Colin Woodhouse Open Spaces Update Sept 2016 If anyone ever doubted the value of Melford Country Park to the village and the surrounding area, they should have gone to the park in this wonderful summer weather. They would find many families having picnics, playing ball and just having fun in the open air, Where else in Long Melford gives such easy access to the disabled and baby buggies? Where else is safe from traffic and offers close contact with wildlife for those who care to look? Perhaps the nicest thing that happened this summer was an open-air 90th birthday tea for a much-loved grandmother. LMOS volunteers continue to work to protect the plants and creatures of the park. We were very excited by the arrival of a small group of hedgehogs. These had been rescued and were being cared for by the vet, Swayne and Partners and we were asked to look after them. David Carter, one of our most loyal volunteers, made a shelter for them which was put, along with the hedgehogs in a fairly inaccessible part of the park, away from humans and dogs. We wish them luck and hope that they will be comfortable enough to grow in number. Also, a family of long tailed tits and a number of blackcaps have recently been spotted at the park. Another new thing is that LMOS is hoping soon to plant a number of mature fruit tress under the Scattered Orchards project. The choice of trees is critical as we have to ensure that they are of varieties which will be polinated. All varieties will be local to this part of Suffolk. A word about finance – LMOS receives a small annual grant from the Parish Council which has never been increased. It is just enough to pay our dedicated warden Susie Dixon and for our insurance. The Parish Council also pays for major tree work but any other costs have to be met from donations. Fortunately, park users are starting to show their appreciation by making donations and we thank them enormously. However, we need more help both financially and in terms of work at the park. If you love your park and feel you can help in any way, please get in touch with Reg McKenna on 07960 043519 or [email protected] Thank you for your support. 7 Public Meeting Says No To Long Melford Housing Development A public meeting on 31 August, attended by over 150 Long Melford residents, voted overwhelmingly against proposals by Hopkins Homes to build 71 new homes on the outskirts of the village in Bull Lane. The main concerns raised at the meeting were: • Serious traffic hazards which Suffolk Highways and residents, have pointed out. • Flooding risks pointed out by Anglian Water, Suffolk Flood Team and residents. • Overdevelopment of Long Melford with 121 new homes already approved to be built plus hundreds more applied for nearby which will impact on the village. • Destruction of the rural entrance to this historic village (which relies on tourism for much of its commerce) and replacing it with a suburban feel • Non-compliance with Babergh District Council’s own adopted planning policies • Babergh’s Planning Committee refusing to make a site visit to look at the problems. Parish, District and County Councillor Richard Kemp said: ‘The number of voters who turned up at the meeting shows the strength of feeling in the village against this intrusive development. It is not needed, goes against Babergh’s own adopted policies and will be harmful to the village’s future if it is allowed to go ahead.’ Parish and District Councillor John Nunn said: “The traffic hazards in Bull Lane are very serious and must be taken into account. I have asked the Babergh Planning Committee to reverse their decision not to hold a site visit. They really need to see the problems before considering granting planning permission.” If you'd like to be kept in touch with how plans for this development progress and how to object to them to Babergh and have not already registered your interest, please send an email to [email protected] Interestingly, LMPC are looking at ideas to use the vacant toilet building at Cordell Road. They have had architect drawings prepared which were sent to BDC for review. And big surprise – BDC have agreed to a site visit! So it seems that 71 homes can be built without the need for a site visit but for one small renovation project a site visit has been approved and taken place. Contacts: Richard Kemp 01787 378149 or John Nunn 01787 313496 INSURANCE BROKERS SINCE 1867 Personal and Business Insurance tailored to your specific needs Hall Street, Long Melford, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9JB Tel: 01787 378205 [email protected] 8 Fax: 01787 467717 www.robinsrow.co.uk Community Ne ws Long Melford Parish Council Road Closure Notice: There will be a temporary road closure in place for 13th November 2016 for the Remembrance Day Parade. It marches off from Chemist Lane (opposite Bull Hotel) at 10.20 am and usually arrives Church Walk, Holy Trinity Church 10.35. Reverse procedure from Church Walk approx. 11.35 am arrive back Chemist Lane 11.50 am. Sunday November 13th.There will be a rolling road block to ensure that traffic can still move through the village and it is hoped that there will be little disruption. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Parish Council 01787 378084or [email protected] Do you hate litter? If you do, I am thinking of starting a little picking club, but first need to know if anyone else is interested. It will be an informal club, meeting up occasionally for a walk and a chat on a nice day, whilst picking up litter and helping to make Long Melford look lovely and litter free. If you would like to get involved, please call Julie Thomson on 01787 375329. And just one final thing, please could you help by picking up any litter outside your homes, I know it’s annoying when you didn't drop it, but if we all do a little bit we can make a big difference. Long Melford Annual Produce Show Our annual event took place over the weekend of 10th/11th September. We had wonderful hot weather which encouraged people to come out on the Sunday for the prize-giving. Thank you to all those who volunteered to be judges and recorders. Those who ran tombola, raffle and teas. Sadly, entries were down this year. Perhaps the weather was too changeable for the fruit and vegetable sections to succeed. The organisers, Alma Beckwith, Lesley McCarthy and Rosey Eade have made the decision to have a break for a year and rethink the whole event. Annual shows are a wonderful community-spirited event and we won’t want this to die out in Melford, so we will be back perhaps with a new time and new ideas. The overall winner this year was Rosey Eade. It was all honest and above board. I just put in lots of entries from my garden and I expect the lack of competition helped a bit as well! Rosey Eade Project 7 Newly elected Project Seven Chairman Andy Gill presented outgoing Chairman Dave Lilley with a gift at a recent meeting. Dave has done two terms as Chairman, he will remain on the committee with his partner Annette. New Chairman Andy Gill and wife Wendy are no strangers to fund raising organisations locally, Andy has chaired several committees. The Chair was the only change of officers at the recent AGM of Project Seven. This year’s BIG NIGHT OUT is Friday 4th November. Gates open at 6pm, bonfire is ignited at 7.30pm. Fireworks start at 8pm. The front cover photo was taken at last year’s B.N.O! RBL AGM The AGM of the Royal British Legion Long Melford Branch will be held on 10th October 2016 at 7.30 pm in the RBL clubhouse, Cordell Road, Long Melford Volunteer required Deliverer needed for Melford magazine in the Swanfield area. Approx. 70 magazines once every two months Contact: Rosey 01787 319120 or [email protected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usiness Association The Long Melford Business Association operates the Village website, on www.longmelford.co.uk. Our website is a great place for business owners to advertise and for the Community to see what’s on the doorstep. Some website facts: • It is run by volunteers in the Business Association, with no ongoing maintenance costs • It lists village business names. Association members gain enhanced entries, including link a to your own website and Facebook page. • it includes the 2016 Interactive Village map • It lists local events, Association members can add their own • It links with Heart of Suffolk, an official Tourist Information website. • It also links with the Suffolk Tourist Guide Website Love local, Shop local ………… The LMBA offers for sale a Long Melford Re-usable shopping bag which promotes the village and the website. The bag is available at a cost of £2 from Landers Bookshop. The Business Association exists to promote and support local businesses. Money, customers and staff; all are common business issues that business owners worry about. Other business strategy questions are just as common. For example: • Why has my business stopped growing? • Should I form a Limited Company? • How do I bring in a new partner? Another common comment often begins “I didn’t start this business to end up doing the xxxxx! (Fill in your own blank). Business owners can (and do) take advice from a variety of sources; friends and family, Bank, Accountant, the Growth Hub and independent Advisers or Consultants. Whichever way you go for advice, remember this: “Those who receive advice and guidance do better than those who don't” (National Enterprise Network) Whenever you take external advice for your business, the strategy needs to be identified (or remembered) and clarified first. In some cases, this process is all a business owner needs to recover the energy and enthusiasm with which they started out. More often, refreshing the aims of the business and ambitions of the owner(s) is the starting point for work on some of the other matters listed at the start of this note. David Martin, for Long Melford Business Association [email protected] To contact the Business Association, visit www.longmelford.co.uk and select “business association” from the menu. First Responders On 13th August the local Community First Responder group (NZ508) held an awareness event and bucket collection outside Sudbury Town Hall. We were delighted with the amount of interest and support from our community and enjoyed showing people how simple techniques can actually help save lives. We also raised £328.02 which will be used to further develop our group in support of our community in Sudbury and the surrounding area. Thank you all for your positive and encouraging attitude to our efforts. 10 Do you look after a Partner, Relative, Friend or Neighbour? Do you feel isolated or need someone to listen? You’re not alone. We can help. We offer a range of free services, information and advice to anyone, of any age, who is looking after someone with an illness, disability or age related condition, who could not manage alone. Suffolk Family Carers GP link worker, Sophie Gower, will be at Long Melford GP Surgery on the 4th Wednesday of every month, to provide information, guidance and emotional support, or just for a chat! To book a 1-2-1 appointment, Tel: 01473 835407 Email: [email protected] News from SESAW Our canine mascot is preparing to meet his Public at our Autumn Fair so it’s me, Ollie here to give you the feline point of view. Last month Kenneth suggested us cats don’t notice the volunteers but we miss nothing! Whilst he scuttles around below, up in the hay store I observe the dog walkers; some dragged by their eager charges, others gently coaxing new arrivals for their morning constitutional. Sad mutterings from the kitchen about unhappy Victor, a fellow black cat who has been with us for months. Poor lad just needs someone to care for him and his sore eyes. Now they are talking about Andy, the beautiful grey cat who likes humans and dogs, not his own kind! As I stroll around my estate I find the fundraisers sorting books, pictures, vinyl records and cameras for a front garden sale, 10-1pm on 1st and 2nd October. Other books are put aside for the Colne Valley Railway at War event, Castle Hedingham, CO9 3DZ, 10.30-5pm on 9th October. The ladies discuss the animals they are taking to a Craft Fair at Copdock Mill, Old London Road, Ipswich, IP8 3LP on 22nd October. After that it's our big Christmas Fair at the Old School, Long Melford on 20th November. As a car arrives with more donated items from a kind supporter I disappear, preferring to remain incognito, unlike Kenneth. Mind you, the Chihuahua is doing a good job but don’t tell him I said so. His head would not fit into his igloo bed if he heard praise from me, Ollie (the Black) Cat. Suffolk and Essex Small Animal Welfare, Stoke Road, Leavenheath, CO6 4PP. www.sesaw.co.uk. Tel 01787 210888 Open 10 - 1pm Thursday to Sunday 11 What’s On in Long Melford DATE Saturday 1st Tuesday 4th Wednesday 5th Thursday 6th Thursday 6th Tuesday 11th Thursday13th Friday 14th Friday 14th Friday 14th Tuesday 18th Thursday 20th Friday 21st Saturday 22nd Tuesday 25th Thursday 27th Saturday 29th Sat/Sun 29/30 DATE October EVENT VENUE TIME McMillan Coffee Morning Good Neighbours’ Coffee Morning Antiques Fair Coffee & Cake URC Library Village Hall Parish Council Meeting Melford Ladies Library URC Hall Old School Cock & Bell Village Hall Primary School Library Old School 7pm 7.45pm Old School Village Hall Village Hall Country Park URC Hall Old School 7pm W.I. Fingerprint Expert talk Folk & Acoustic Club upstairs at the Melford Movies - Dads' Army Quiz night Good Neighbours’ Coffee Morning LMHAS - The Other Boleyn Girl, Dave Steward Silver Band Concert Missing Book Fair SFH Colchester voices Go Wild - Den Building Coffee Morning & Table Sale Antiques & Vintage Fair St Catherine’s Church November EVENT 10.30am - 12.30pm 10.30 - 11.30am 9.30am - 4pm 10.30am - 12noon 7.30pm 8.30pm 7pm 7pm 10.30 - 11.30am 7.30pm 10am - 12noon 7.30pm 11am - 3pm 10am - 12noon 9.30am - 4pm VENUE TIME Tuesday 1st Wednesday 2nd Thursday 3rd Thursday 3rd Friday 4th Sunday 6th Tuesday 8th Thursday 10th Good Neighbours’ Coffee Morning Antiques Fair Coffee & Cake Parish Council meeting Project 7 Big Night Out Table Sale Fundraiser for Old School heaters Melford Ladies W.I. Xmas crafts Library Village Hall St Catherine’s Church Library Melford Hall Old School URC Hall Old School 10.30 - 11.30am 9.30 - 4pm 10.30am - 12noon 7pm 6pm 10 - 2pm 7.45pm 7.30pm Friday 11th Friday 11th Sunday 13th Tuesday 15th Melford Movies Folk & Acoustic Club upstairs at the Remembrance day Parade Good Neighbours’ Coffee Morning Village Hall Cock & Bell From VH to HTLM Library 7pm 8.30pm 10.20am 10.30 - 11.30am Thursday 17th Old School 7.30pm Saturday 19th LMHAS - Long Melford on the map, L.HeskethCampbell Contemporary Craft & Design Fair Old School 10 - 4pm Sunday 20th Saturday 26th Sat/Sun 26/27th Sunday 27th Tuesday 29th Tuesday 29th SESAW Xmas Fair Coffee Morning & Table sale Antique & Vintage Fair Melford Olde Christmas SFH - Chilton - First 3000 years Good Neighbours’ Coffee Morning Old School URC Old School Hall Street Village Hall Library 10 - 3pm 10am - noon 9.30am - 4pm 12noon - 4pm 7.30pm 10.30 - 11.30am 12 What’s On in Long Melford What’s on at the Old School Day Monday Tuesday Event Time Contact Cardmaking Social Dancing 1.30 - 3.30pm 7 - 8pm Pauline 269273 [email protected] 310947 or Ballroom/Latin 8.30-10pm [email protected] 07747 513326 Trinity Singers Upbeat 7.15 - 9.15pm 9am-1pm Sue Hilary Neeves 319850 01359 232678 U3A Art 1.30 - 4pm Vernon Lever 310511 Baby Ballet 2pm Abigail Franklin 211491 Yoga 6 - 9pm Kari 07941 939645 Weight Watchers 6.15 - 8.15pm Anita 07538 120398 Heather Mahony 01449 736662 Keep Fit session 2 11.15am- 12.15pm Heather Mahony 01449 736662 Wednesday Keep Fit session 1 10 - 11am Social Dancing Ballroom/Latin 7-8pm 8.30-10pm [email protected] 310947 or [email protected] 07747 513326 Thursday Silver Band 7.30 - 9.30pm Friendship Dancers 3-5pm Tai Chi 10am - 12noon Martin Gore Robin Diego Robirosa Monthly Monthly Chair Yoga 1.00 -2.15pm Gentle Yoga 2.30 - 4 pm Power Yoga 5.45 - 6.45pm Evening Yoga 7 - 8.30pm LMHAS 3rd Thursday,7pm Photography Group 1st Monday am Brenda Louw Brenda Louw Brenda Louw Brenda Louw Trudi Jeffs Ian Lindsley 1st & 3rd Thursday Phone/e-mail Bead Club 9.30am - 12.30pm Victoria Power 372439 269613 319170 or [email protected] 07791 385240 07791 385240 07791 385240 07791 385240 311957 210520 07866 996124 Long Melford Country Park Events The District Council Countryside Rangers held a bug hunt at Long Melford Country Park during the school holidays. Eight children enjoyed the day bug hunting with most of them staying for the full 4 hours. The youngsters enjoyed sweeping the long grass for grasshoppers, crickets and caterpillars though the highlight was the small frog that hopped into view. After their picnic lunches, the group moved into the woodland area and searched for bugs under the logs – finding centipedes, woodlice and ground beetles. There was even time for a spot of den building and some impromptu singing from the girls. In the October Half Term holiday, the Rangers will be holding a ‘Wild Dens’ event on Thursday 27th October at LMCP. Children can take part in a woodland scavenger hunt, build a natural shelter and try their hand at some woodland crafts. The Activity costs £3.00 and is suitable for primary school children. The event will run from 11am to 3pm and you can drop in at any time before 2pm to take part. For further information, phone the Rangers on 01449 724639 13 There are two interesting events coming up in Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford in October which should cater for all tastes in music and will hopefully bring large audiences to the performances. On Saturday the 1st October we have the Enfield Salvation Army Band performing classic brass band music, together with some traditional Salvation Army songs. The Enfield band has toured many countries of the world and among its ranks are former members of the famous Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band. Entrance to the concert, which starts at 7.00pm, will be by payment at the door; £5 for adults and £1 for children. On Wednesday the 19th October a choir from Cologne Cathedral will be performing in Holy Trinity as part of their tour of East Anglia. Their choral concert will consist of music from the works of Josquin de Pres to Francis Poulenc. The concert will begin at 7.00pm with free entry to all and a retiring collection in aid of church funds for those who enjoy the evening. Just a Patch of Grass? For me it is always a bit of a test of character when I arrive at a campsite. For a start I’m usually pretty tired having had a busy last week at work, having loaded a car and caravan with more than we probably need, and having driven more than halfway across the country. To those who are already neatly pitched, smugly sitting in their neat awnings with a glass of wine, it is of course a source of entertainment watching new arrivals; indeed, it is not uncommon to find otherwise seemingly balanced individuals ‘losing it’ at this critical moment. I didn’t do too badly this year. My first challenge when I arrived at the campsite was finding a rather well-spoken man pitching a small tent on our plot. He politely informed me that his friends were camping there tomorrow and he was holding the space so nobody nicked it. Now I confess to being tempted to say and do a whole range of things, but I managed to stay calm, was rather polite in fact, and helped him to appreciate that as we were only there overnight before we moved to our ‘permanent’ plot the next day, we would do a better job of protecting his plot than he could! My second challenge came on the next day when someone had parked his car on our new plot. Again, I engaged him in conversation and thankfully he offered to move. Fight avoided! So far so good but there was one last test. Later in the holiday some new neighbours arrived and pitched their tent in front our sea view when there was space for them elsewhere. Do I ask them to move? A conversation was struck up during which they offered to move their tent without us needing to ask. Perhaps there is something to be said for good manners in such situations ...? Thankfully we had a great holiday which I won’t bore you with, but there eventually came the point when we packed up. In the end the only record of all those lovely days together was nothing more than an outline in the grass, an outline that even now has probably faded, and indeed someone else is probably making a new outline on our plot and our camping dramas are long forgotten. I could not help but reflect that for all the activity of my life, there will come a time when I am gone. It is sobering to think that as time passes the impression of our lives will fade away. Indeed, the Bible speaks of our lives as passing like grass e.g. Ps 103: … for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him. Indeed, the Bible also speaks of a God who possesses an ‘unfading glory’ that he wants to share with us. Why not pitch up (sorry couldn’t resist it!) at church sometime and learn more about him? Matthew 14 Summary of Long Melford Parish Council, Finance Committee Meeting and Full Council Meeting 1st September 2016 The Finance Committee Meeting was chaired by Cllr Jayne Lines. The council agreed to make over £300 to LMOS for the purchase of new signs or training for volunteers. It also agreed to assist the Old School Community Centre purchase new heaters by making a donation of £2,000. The Full Council Meeting was chaired by Cllr Graham Eade. Cllr Graham Eade gave an overview of recent events in his Chairman’s Report. There had been an excellent attendance at the public meeting held to discuss the Bull Lane Development. It had been agreed that a steering group be set up to represent the community. Applications had been received for the clerk vacancy which would be reviewed by the personnel committee. Updating of the street lights had started on 1st August and a progress report from SCC was expected. The Council is seeking to extend the lease of the village carpark and would then make improvements including a bay for coaches. Two architect drawings of options for the refurbishment of the Cordell Rd toilets were passed around the councillors for views. The acting clerk was requested to undertake a feasibility study into the proposals. The Council considered and agreed a quote for its annual insurance from Came and Company. It was agreed that the insurance would include the fixed assets at the country park including toilets, height restrictor, benches and signs. This would be instead of holding two separate policies which would save a considerable sum. The Council also agreed for the Acting Clerk to review the agreements and plans between LMOS and LMPC. It was further agreed to pay the annual contractual charge of £5,000 to LMOS for the maintenance of Melford Walk and Melford Country Park. In addition: Work has been completed on the Market Cross on the Green. Grass cutting has been completed in various areas of the village and vegetation cleared around the public conveniences on the green. Cricket Club News The cricket season has now ended, and the club has seen mixed results over the season. The first eleven was unfortunately relegated from the Two Counties second division. The loss of many key players in the first half of the season resulted in many of the second eleven having to step up. One highlight in recent week saw Cameron Stace hit a century against Dunmow at home. This was the first time someone in the club has achieved this. The second eleven played all their fixtures but sometimes with only 10 players. They did extremely well to survive in division 6. Sunday cricket was a happier place. Both sides finished near the top of their divisions. Martin Maxim achieved a remarkable feat of taking his 1400th wicket for the club in the last game of the season. During this game, Matthew Wood also scored his maiden 50 for the club. As we move towards putting the ground to rest, we have removed the artificial track to make way for a new grass track. The club has many projects to look at before next season starts. As and when these happens, I will endeavour to inform you all of our progress. We have been fortunate to have been selected for the Tesco Bags for Life funding, to which we are very grateful to Justin Lewis for his work in achieving this for the club. We welcome anyone who wishes to be a part of the club. Either visit the website, or contact me at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you, and also to next season. Ivan Newman 15 Long Melford WI News from the LM clubs Melford WI hosted their Annual Garden Party in August in the grounds of Melford Hall. The weather was beautiful & sunny – if a little windy as all hat-wearers will attest! Swathes of bunting, glasses of Pimms and a vast array of cakes, sandwiches & nibbles awaited members & their guests who chatted at tables with pretty tablecloths & wildflowers in jam jars. We were lucky enough to secure as our speaker Julie Summers, author of Jambusters, which was made into the ITV drama Home Fires. Spots of rain arrived just as she began speaking, so we retreated inside at the invitation of Lady Jeanie. LMWI would like thank everyone who came, everyone who helped with the set up & Lady Jeanie Hyde Parker for kindly hosting us. We look forward to next year’s Garden Party and hope again for good weather…! September’s WI meeting was a well attended and fun quiz. October will see us welcoming David Smith to talk to us about fingerprints and his forensic work for the Met. In November we will be being all crafty again! This time we will be making beautiful Christmas decorations that look just like porcelain. Intrigued by either of these & not a member…? Just rock up at 7.15-7.30 on the 2nd Thursday of the month & see what you think. As the saying goes, we’re not “all jam & Jerusalem”…! For more info: www.longmelfordwi.onesuffolk.net / www.facebook.com/longmelfordWI The Melford Movies team has been hard at work making this happen and August saw us gain a large body of volunteers keen to help get it up and running. We will be meeting on Friday 23rd September to allocate jobs for the first few sessions, in preparation for our first showings…. Friday October 14th – Dads’ Army Friday 11th November – Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Doors open at 7pm and film starts at 7.30pm. Adults £4.50, U16 £3 Bar & refreshments available before the show & at the interval. Do come along (even if you’ve seen the film already!) – a fun night out in Melford, supporting a new village enterprise. Connectors meet on the 3rd Wednesday of alternate months (November is the next one) upstairs at the Cock & Bell. It’s a very informal evening of drinks & chat, looking at what we could do to Make Melford (Even!) Better. Previous/ongoing conversations & plans include: at improving/replacing village signs, working out where flower planters might go, whether regular litter-picks would work, if redundant phone boxes could become information centres, if wild flowers could be sown at the ends of the village for ‘summer colour’, if Melford could enter the ‘In Bloom’ competition, if a Gardening Club was viable, a traditional Village Fete for 2017 – and a number of other possible village-wide schemes for the future! Melford Connections is for anyone & everyone who either is already involved in village activities or who would like to get a bit more involved in some way. Just come along, see what’s going on – or suggest a New Thing! 16 Melford Olde Christmas Fundraiser for the Old School We are holding the first of the Old School Table Sales on 6th November. 10am – 2pm Entry 50p. Children free. (Note later times) Volunteers from the Community Association will be running several stalls selling donated items to help raise funds for our new heaters. Anyone wishing to have a stall contact Rosey on 01787 319120 or [email protected] Visitors can sit down and enjoy some delicious homemade cakes with a cup of tea, courtesy of the Magic Fairy, who will be running the tearoom to raise funds for the Olde Melford Christmas, Further information at www.longmelford.co.uk ! RH Plumbing & Heating Engineers ! ! ! ! ! ! • "#$%&''(!)*+$#,,#$-'*+! ! • ./0!1!2)3!"'-,4&!"&4#56'7*+!1!04&8-9-*:! ! ! • 3#*6,'&6!;4&$-<-9#$4+! ! • =2!>2"!?22!0@/33AA! ! • /,,!/+B49$+!2<!C,D(E-*:!1!F4#$-*:!7'&5!! ! ! ! ! ;#,,!G-9%#&6!'*H! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!IJKIJLKJMNK! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OILJPJQ!RJPIMR! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Following the roaring success of last year’s Melford Olde Christmas, we’re hoping you’ll all join us so we can do it again! Sunday 27th November 12noon - 4pm Guaranteed snow, Father Christmas, real live reindeer, fairies & elves, donkeys, bubbles, magicians & jesters, mulled wine & mince pies, silver band, puppet shows, storytellers, hog roast & barbecue, morris dancing, steam engines, snowflake trail, stilt walkers, hot chestnuts, musicians, & historical characters! Culminating at 3.45pm with the Lantern Parade through the village to light up the Christmas tree & sing carols on the Little Green. Catering Services Bar Services Chair Cover Hire Venue Decoration Jam Tartz Helium Balloons Topiary Trees Vases, Candelabras & Other Hire Services See our website for ideas E-mail: [email protected] ! Website: jamtartz.vpweb.co.uk Tel: 01787 311556 3 & 4 The Cloisters, Church Field Road, Sudbury CO10 2YR ! 17 18