Grundisburgh News - Spring 2021 Edition

ISSUE NUMBER 259 The Grundisburgh and District

Spring

News2021
. . . . . . .Serving ASHBOCKING THE BEALINGS BOULGE BREDFIELD BURGH CHARSFIELD CLOPTON CULPHO
. . . . . . . .DALLINGHOO DEBACH GRUNDISBURGH HASKETON OTLEY PLAYFORD SWILLAND TUDDENHAM WITNESHAM

Still saying NO to A Freedom of Information answered the original or emailed to:
request revealed that an officer objections by the Parish Planning Policy@eastsuffolk.
Chapel Field of ESC had suggested that Council or individual gov.uk to arrive by 8 March,
details of the need to remove residents. to be on the safe side even
After the planning protected trees and hedgerows though various emails from
application for housing on for road widening be removed All objections need to be ESC contain dates to 15
Chapel Field Grundisburgh from the site promoter’s resubmitted quoting the two March.
was received last autumn, the technical drawings, before reference numbers -
Parish Council submitted a 36 being presented to a DC/20/3362/FUL and Flyers warning of the need to
page objection opposing the Government Inspector. DC/20/3284/FUL as the respond and guidance on how
plans. Its three appendices developer submitted duplicate to do so have been delivered
were written by residents with This resulted in an official applications. Comments need to all homes in the village.
expert knowledge of traffic, complaint by the Parish to be posted to: Planning
transport and landscape/visual Council to ESC and the county Dept, Riverside, 4 Canning Peter Kendall, Chair, Grundisburgh &
impact. council. This was rejected. The Road, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ Culpho Parish Council,
Parish Council’s request for a
Their focus was on the reasons review of its complaint was [email protected], 01473 738267
why the plans were unsafe, also rejected. An application
particularly in regard to the by an individual resident to the New rector for Carlford churches
dangers to pedestrians, cyclists, Local Government and Social
children and vehicles on the Care Ombudsman is now being The Rev'd Katrina Dykes
narrow, surrounding roads. In formulated. has been appointed as
addition, 351 individual Rector in the Carlford
objections were submitted to Hopkins Homes have Benefice, replacing Canon
East Suffolk Council (ESC). submitted revised plans, but Rev'd Clare Sanders who
none of the changes have retired last summer. Katrina
will be moving from
Hampshire where she is and is looking forward to
currently Priest in Charge of living in The Rectory in
three villages, known as The Grundisburgh.
Anna Benefice.
The Carlford Benefice covers
Katrina comes with much Ashbocking, Boulge, Burgh,
experience of working Clopton, Culpho,
with children and young Grundisburgh, Hasketon,
people, having been a youth Otley and Swilland.
worker and a school chaplain.
She is married to Phil and
they have two grown up sons
and two Border Collies!

Katrina arrives in early May

Penny and Andrew Sunaway with their award for outstanding An open invitation to The News’
contribution to the community during the Covid pandemic annual general meeting on Friday 26
presented by Deputy Lieutenant Col. Anthony Fairbanks-Weston
TD CStJ DL VR, More information about this and about other March, starting at 7.30pm.
awards for community service is included on page 12.
Due to Covid regulations this will be on Zoom.
Details of how to join the meeting will be shown

on our website grundisburghnews. org.uk
nearer the time. We always welcome hearing

ideas and views about The News.

WHAT’S ON

TAP CLASSES
CONTINUE ONLINE

Although village halls are
currently out of bounds,
my tap classes have continued
online throughout the
pandemic. Those who had
been regularly attending the
sessions in Grundisburgh and
Otley Village Halls, and in
Ufford and Woodbridge, are
continuing to make progress
on Wednesday mornings via
Zoom.

After getting enquiries about

beginners' classes, I decided to

start a new series of lessons Jo Streatfeld teaching at a fund raising event for Doctors Without Borders.

for those who had never Tuesdays. To sign up or for their next annual Christmas Easter. Take a photo and send
danced before. These are more details see concert at St Mary’s for it to Charlotte
taking place on Tuesday http://woodbridgetapdance. December 2021! ([email protected]).
afternoons at 2.30pm and last weebly.com or contact me. Please send these in by 14
40 minutes, with a cost of £3. Jean Ellinor, March. The winner in each
No previous experience is Jill Streatfeild, 07778 746315 [email protected] category will have their design
needed, and it is not essential made into a card.
to have tap shoes, although Upbeat! In Tuddenham St

participants will get more Lockdown Martin We are planning some outdoor
enjoyment from the classes Easter services and events -

with them as they progress. It’s a year since the members Despite lockdown everyone is welcome.
of Upbeat! ladies’ choir restrictions we were able
Tap shoes are not expensive, were able to meet and sing to celebrate Christmas at St Jean Ellinor,
are easily available to together. But choir leader Martins. We set up a [email protected]
purchase online and the sizes Carol McConnell-Theobald Christmas tree and an
correspond to normal outdoor has been working hard to keep illuminated crib scene on Horticultural
shoes. I recommend that if in touch with choir members. Church Hill. We held a drive-
you don't have tap shoes, any in carol service in the club car events
hard-soled shoes that you can There have been Zoom coffee park and a lovely outdoor
make a noise with are fine mornings and social evenings, carol service around the Grundisburgh, Burgh &
(not trainers). If you do have and in December Carol and. Christmas tree. We were also Culpho Horticultural
tap shoes, make sure you are the committee members able to have socially distanced Society is planning to hold its
tapping on a suitable surface delivered a Christmas services in the church on two major events this summer
or board, as the metal taps can Cyclamen plant to every Christmas Eve and Christmas - provided government
cause scuff marks on a member. Carol is currently Day. restrictions have been lifted in
polished floor! running ‘How to read music‘ time. Hidden Gardens is due
sessions via Zoom for choir We are now looking forward to take place over the weekend
New members are welcome to members . to Easter – Rev. Charlotte has of 12 and 13 June, and the
join either class. The launched an Easter art Village Show is planned for
Improvers class is at 10.30am Always upbeat, Carol and the competition. All submissions Saturday 10 July.
every Wednesday and the committee are busy planning welcome. There are four age
Beginners class at 2.30pm on categories: 0-5. 5-8, 8-11 and We are so looking forward to
11+. Please paint, draw, getting back to normal. Class
photograph, make, or create lists for the show are on our
something on the theme of website and printed copies can
be found in Williams Stores
and the Olde Forge Stores. .

Hopefully this

gives time to

plan entries and

we can look

Design – Installation – Maintenance – Repair forward to seeing
you on show day.
Fencing Driveways Patios Paving Turfing
Please keep

For a Free quote call Stuart on checking our

Tel: 01473 735642 website for
or visit information.

www.hawthornhardlandscape.co.uk Martin Cripps,
chairman@

grundisburgh.show

2

ROAD SAFETY MATTERS A publicity campaign is also
being planned to draw drivers’
Otley and nearly 140 other Grundisburgh attention to the initiative. Maid2Clean is the largest domestic
parish councils, including cleaning agency in the UK.
Grundisburgh and Culpho, update Geoff Caryer, Project leader, Grundisburgh Cleaners are paid cash on the
Great Bealings, Hasketon, day they clean (from £9.85ph).
Playford, Swilland and In December, a flyer Note: please look at the
Tuddenham are considering informing residents of the relevant parish council Regular permanent part-time work
introducing almost 500km of quiet lanes project was websites for more information for good, reliable, honest people
‘Quiet Lanes’ across the distributed throughout the or at the Quiet Lanes website who take pride in a job well done,
county as part of the Suffolk village, plus an electronic (https//sites.google.com/view/ to clean for our domestic clients
Quiet Lanes Project. copy on Grundisburgh Google quietlanessuffolk)
and information posted on in IP13 & IP12.
These are small lanes with Grundisburgh Facebook SAVID update
fewer than 1000 vehicle Group. TO APPLY:
movements per day and The work of SAVID (Safer www.maid2cleansuffolk.co.uk/looking-for-work/
regularly used by vulnerable About 80 responses were Village Driving) continues 0843 289 6858 (24/7) text 0776 970 0258
road users such as children, received: none objected to the via zoom meetings, with
walkers, scheme in general. However sufficient on-going support to
cyclists, a few issues were identified enable Playford and Little
horse riders and details of these concerns Bealings to utilise the shared
and those on were shared via email and SID (speed indicator device).
mobility Facebook. Several of the SAVID villages
scooters. are taking part in the Quiet
Green signs On 11 January, the parish Lanes initiative.
will show council agreed to request that
which lanes the following be designated At our next meeting we will
hold this special status: the Quiet Lanes: be exploring how we might
signs remind drivers they develop a shared approach
should ‘expect’ to find other • Meeting Lane/ Chapel through our Speedwatch
road users in the road and that Road/Chapel Lane/ Half Moon activities and the Police
they should 'respect’ their Lane towards the continued
presence. • Elm Tree Farm Lane/Gull excessive speed of many
Lane drivers through our villages.
Getting the signs in place • Sandy Lane (lane in front of See also the SAVID website
requires public consultation, St. Mary’s Church) (https://savidsafervillage.
which will be happening in the • Newton Hall Lane up to onesuffolk.net).
first half of 2021. The ‘Suffolk boundary with Swilland Parish
Quiet Lanes Project’ website (Swilland has requested their Pauline Procter SAVID Chair
(https://sites.google.com/view/ section)
quietlanessuffolk) gives full • Grundisburgh Road between
details of the project and a Park Road/Lower Road up to
map showing all the proposed boundary with Great Bealings
lanes. Highway code rule 218 parish (Bealings has requested
sets out the requirements for the section of road between
drivers using these lanes. the boundary and Boot Street).
Quiet Lane designation aims
to prioritise people over traffic Newton Hall Lane and
in a similar way to ‘Home Grundisburgh Road will not
Zone’ schemes in towns and be progressed until the other
cities. parishes are ready to proceed.

Quiet Lane designation does For the lanes that get the go-
not restrict vehicle access, ahead from Suffolk Highways,
provide traffic calming a statutory approvals process
measures or reduce speed is necessary. As part of the
limits. If these are required, process, a formal ‘proposal to
then lobbying Suffolk designate’ notice has been
Highways, local councillors, published and distributed to all
MPs, and central government residents on the lanes
is the way to get them. concerned with a request to
respond to Suffolk County
Funding of the project is Council before 15 March.
shared between parish
councils, Suffolk County Responses, both in favour or
Council and, for parishes against, can be emailed to
within their district, East [email protected] or
Suffolk Council. posted to Disputes, Education
Implementation should be & Employment Team,
completed by the end of 2021, 5 Constantine Road, Ipswich,
so look out for the green IP1 2DH.
signs!
Subject to successful
Chris Taylor, Project Lead for Otley completion of the process,
signs will be installed.

3

News Tributes Wendy Witt, 1935-
January 2021
The Right Reverend
Dr John Waine, KCVO, When my cousin Wendy
GCStJ, 1930 - December decided to return to the
2020 UK after working in America
for many years, I told her that
It has never been reported by Bishop John receives his 90th birthday tribute cake. Photo by Grundisburgh would be the
national media nor does it ideal place for her to live.
get a mention in Wikipedia, John Pollard, church warden at Ashbocking. And so it turned out to be.
that not only is there a Bishop She bought a house off-plan in
of St Edmundsbury and he took a keen interest in his reported to him when he left the last section of Gurdon
Ipswich, but there was also a clergy and people, as well as the pulpit at the cathedral in Road and took every
Bishop of Grundisburgh. We in Ipswich Town football club, Bury St Edmunds. I always opportunity to get involved –
all knew and loved said with the horticultural society
bishop, simply as “Bishop of which he became a keen checked home fixtures with running the open gardens,
John” and translated him into supporter. He moved from 4 him, before asking him to do taking photos and writing for
the little known see of Grundisburgh News, joining
Grundisburgh, by affection. Park Road, the Bishop’s an 11am service! bridge and French
House in Ipswich to become conversation groups,
John and Pat came to live in Bishop of Chelmsford in 1986 In Grundisburgh and the entertaining visitors from
Grundisburgh in 1996, when and served there until he came Carlford parishes, John was France for the twinning group,
he retired as Bishop of to Grundisburgh. During this hugely loved; sermons were even playing a pirate in a
Chelmsford, but he began his time he became Clerk to the always spot on and he didn’t GADS panto. Soon she knew
life many miles away to the Closet, the most senior cleric shy from controversial topics. far more people than I did.
north west. He attended in the Queen’s Household, a It was the Deben branch of
Prescot Grammar School, post he held until 1997. He was a gifted musician and NADFAS (National
going on to Manchester when organists were not Association of Decorative &
University. Bishop John was active in available, John would both Fine Arts) with which she got
retirement and enjoyed his play, preach and preside. At most deeply involved, starting
His call to ministry took him trips to London to serve as a Hasketon, he would often as minutes secretary and
south to Ridley College member of the Press limit the congregation to a going on to be its
Cambridge, but he returned to Complaints Commission. He beginning and ending hymn, photographer and organising
the north west for curacies in loved to travel and took the in order to reduce the number their UK visits programme.
West Derby and Sutton; then opportunities afforded to him of times he had to walk up
incumbencies in Ditton, as Prelate of the Order of St and down the aisle! She enjoyed their talks and
Southport and in Kirkby, all in John, a post he held until several cultural holidays.
Liverpool Diocese. He clearly 2017, to travel the world, His preferred service was the Wendy grew up in what was
was a man with great ability visiting the work of the order 8am at Grundisburgh and he then Cumberland and after
and in 1975 he was all over the world. You could was a faithful member of that leaving university in Belfast
consecrated as a bishop by call that travelling “work”, but congregation and at least once (her mother’s home area),
Donald Coggan and became John also loved to cruise and a month, often more, would worked for a few years in
Bishop of Stafford, a suffragan enjoyed many a visit overseas preside at that communion Paris and Monaco before
in the Diocese of Lichfield. service. moving to America and joined
His time there was short and an advertising agency in New
three years later he was called courtesy of a cruise liner. For his 90th birthday in June, York. She married American
to Suffolk, as the Diocesan a group from the benefice photographer Bob Witt and it
Bishop of St Edmundsbury A keen supporter of Ipswich gathered at his home, suitably was after his death that she
and Ipswich. Town, when it came to cricket, socially distanced to sing decided to return to England,
he supported Essex and was Happy Birthday and present by then in her early sixties.
This is where many of us got even known to have the scores him with a cake, such was the Sadly later Alzheimer’s slowly
to know him and love him. He from both football and cricket love and affection that he was took hold of her life and she
had an extraordinary ability to spent her last four years being
remember people’s names and well cared for in Woodbridge
Lodge Care Home.
held in.
Nicola Hobbs
HANDMADE CURTAINS, In John and Pat’s home there
BLINDS AND SOFT FURNISHINGS is a collection of owls - owls
are known as a symbol of
wisdom; John was a man of
wisdom, wit and worship, his
faith shaped him and he lived
his faith out in service to his
Lord. May he rest in peace.

Rev’d Canon Clare Sanders

m 07816276601 e [email protected] w lizhendryinteriors.co.uk Many tributes have been paid
to Bishop John nationally and
internationally. Links to some
of these are given in the
obituary section of our
website.

4

Peter Brunning 1929 – They were both keen singers and the village show encouraged by friends to start
December 2020 and belonged to the Ipswich committee to name but a few! travelling again. It was a few
Choral Society as well as Jane still attended services in years later, on a cruise to the
Born in Ipswich, Peter was being key members of Burgh Church and became Amazon, that she met John
brought up in the docks Grundisburgh’s church choir. PCC secretary. Sadly, Joseph and they married in Burgh
where his father Reg was a died in 2001 and Jane was Church in 2007. They had
stevedore. After attending Peter also did much voluntary several years of travelling all
Landseer Secondary Modern work at Ipswich Hospital, Joan Hepburn, 1931 - over the world until, alas, Jane
Peter became an apprentice winning ‘Volunteer of the February 2021 became ill and was cared for
electrician with R & W Paul’s Year’ award not so long ago. at home for the last few years
grain merchants, studying for The eldest of eight children, of her life.
his electrical qualifications at He was a man who spent much Joan spent most of her
Ipswich School of Technology. of his life helping others and childhood in rural Norfolk. Jane will be remembered
He did his National Service in will be sadly missed by many. She left school at 14 and went fondly by all who knew her, as
the RAF, stationed in Cairo by into service working for Lord a kind, compassionate lady,
the Suez Canal. Compiled from information supplied by Sue Musker at Shadwell Park. who loved life and people.
Matthews, one of Peter’s step children,
Peter moved to Grundisburgh and Ann and Clive Willetts. Photo kindly Over the years she trained to Monica Begg, with help from Jane’s family.
with his second wife Phyl in provided by Ipswich Choral Society be a cook and had spent nearly Photo taken by Peter Kendall at
the early 1970’s when he 70 years cooking for many Janes’ wedding to John
returned to Paul’s to take the Jane Hilliar – 1936 to people. This included the
post of Chief Electrical December 2020 students at Bransons College recent 90th birthday. She had
Engineer. Phyl became the in Playford where she and her so many cards that it took her
local district nurse until she Jane was born and grew up husband John and daughter two hours to open and read
sadly died young in 1986. in North London, although Caroline lived. them all. We will miss her, our
They briefly lived in Postmill she spent the wartime with WI meetings will not be the
Gardens before moving to the grandparents in Norfolk. She The family later moved to same!”
bungalow in Stoney Road, trained as a nurse in Tunbridge Meeting Lane in Grundisburgh
where Peter stayed until his Wells and later became a and Joan served as cook at Joan’s daughter Caroline now
death. health visitor working Grundisburgh Hall for over 40 lives in the United States with
primarily at the Royal Free years. She was very proud that her husband ‘D’but has come
Later Peter met and married Hospital for many years. among the people who back for her funeral. Her
Irene when they were both enjoyed her food were children Maya and Miles were
deeply involved with The Jane’s first marriage was to members of the royal family. devoted to their grandmother
Samaritans, until she also was Joseph Awad, who worked for and very sad not to be able to
taken too early in 2010. the BBC World Service in its She loved to feed people and come too.
Arabic department initially as was even cooking deserts for
Peter participated fully in a presenter progressing to friends the day before she Nicola Hobbs with help from Caroline and
Grundisburgh life, both civic senior management. They had went into hospital. Brenda Garrett
and church. He was a parish three children Anthony, Peter
councillor for many years, a and Helen and lived also in Joan had been a member of Photo taken by Peter Kendall at the
school governor, a lay North London. With Jane’s Grundisburgh WI for some 60 WI’s 100th birthday party.
chairman of the PCC, love of East Anglia from years. Current committee
delivered the Grundisburgh family connections, they member Carol Barker paid the A message to the village
News and much more. decided to buy a cottage in following tribute: from Caroline
Burgh which they visited at Mum had lived in
During his time on the parish weekends and holidays, “A unique character with Grundisburgh for over 40
council, he led the group that becoming involved in village strong opinions, Joan always years and she loved the
managed to get the Victorian life. called a spade a spade (which village. She had made so
village school listed and often raised a chuckle). She many friends over the years
converted into homes for the When Joseph retired, they was caring, had a heart of gold that many of them were more
village elderly. He was the decided to relocate and bought and would always do what she like family. She turned 90 on
parish representative and a house in Grundisburgh. Jane could to help others. 14 January and had a line of
trustee of the Parish Rooms continued to commute to visitors throughout the day,
and, as chairman of the London, still working at the “Joan was a superb cook and waving at her through the
property committee of St Royal Free as she loved her could always be relied on to window and dropping off
Marys’, he oversaw the job. supply us with cakes for those cards. You all made her feel
building of the church toilets special events. She served on so special.
(featured on page 6). She soon became more our committee for many years,
involved in village life and helping in a variety of ways. Thank you to all her friends
With Irene he helped start the joined various clubs, including Joan’s popularity in the village that have taken her into their
very popular Lunch Club. the French and German was demonstrated on her hearts over the years and been
conversation groups. This led there for her, I truly appreciate
on to joining the Framsden all of you.
French Twinning Group, and
both Jane and Joseph enjoyed
many trips to France and
welcomed their hosts back to
Grundisburgh.

When Jane retired in 1998, she
threw herself even more into
village activities, including
becoming a helper at the
Luncheon Club, a parish
councillor, member of GADS

5

Long struggle to achieve more seen inside the
comfort for parishioners church is the
glorious oak door
In the early 2000’s Property Group under Peter’s which when
Grundisburgh Parochial chairmanship was infinite. opened leads into
Church Council established a the new
Property Group chaired by Slowly, very slowly over the extension.
Peter Brunning and supported following years planning
by Rev Norman Davis to approval was obtained, No date has yet
explore how additional historic buildings permission been set for the
facilities could be provided in given but all subject to the formal opening,
St Mary’s. The granting of a ‘faculty’ from the first flush and
original plan was to the ceremonial
create, on the north signed with R&J Hogg. Work hand washing.
side of church, a began at the end of 2019 and Watch this
meeting room, although progress has been Space!
kitchen, toilets with hampered by the pandemic
an outside paved restrictions completion is Words: Clive Willetts, Treasurer,
area. The estimated expected by Easter 2021. The Photos Peter Kendall
cost of £450,000 was only obvious change to be
felt to be out of our Photos from left: Outside view;
reach. New oak doorway leading to
the extension;
Original entrance from the
north side.

At this point the idea Work well underway on
for an internal
kitchen at the west end with the Diocese. Then we found Grundisburgh’s new village hall
an outside toilet facility were
examined further and that a bat had nested in the old
ultimately a faculty for the boiler room. We needed a bat
kitchen was approved. After license, but another expert
the font was moved to the could not find any recent signs
front of church the space was of bat activity, so no license
created for the coffee corner, a needed. But it all took time, so
very welcome addition to the much time.
social facilities available to all
users of the building. A compulsory archaeological Digging the large hole for the ‘attenuation tank’
dig on the site found burials
The need to bring the facilities which then needed to be re- Following receipt of our improved planning consent, we
into the 21st century interred. Sounds started work on the new village hall in early January with a
eventually led the PCC to straightforward, but cost the hope of being able to finish by the end of the year. The local
agree to build an extension to church another £30,000. contractor, DAB was announced as our partner in this as they
include two toilets and a boiler will not only be building the new hall but also buying and
room. This simply left the Until approval of the faculty developing the existing hall site. They have agreed not to
faculty to be obtained from the was confirmed no realistic demolish the old hall until the new hall is ready for us to use.
Diocese. But, oh dear, not at fund raising could begin
all straightforward. The There is a lot of work to be done this year, so do please follow
Diocesan Advisory Committee Then the unexpected our progress via the numerous photos on our website, Facebook
and English Heritage were happened: after discussion group and Instagram page.
happy to tell us that they were with Canon Rev. Clare
unhappy with our numerous Sanders,John Batchelor left We worked really hard to obtain almost £50,000 of grants from
proposals but would never tell St Mary’s, among other various bodies in addition to the £200,000 promised by the
us what they disliked about village organisations, a legacy National Lottery Community Fund. The aim is to make the new
them. The patience of the of £200,000. That allowed hall as sustainable as sensibly possible and we will be using an
tenders to be sought efficient air source heat pump to heat it. We are giving careful
immediately and a contract thought to solar panels and are likely to seek donations from the
public to help fund this extra element- more news on this appeal
in due course.

We are finalising a business plan to ensure the new hall runs
smoothly and profitably from the outset and before long we will
be talking to the previous users of the existing hall and the
numerous other new groups who have expressed an interest in
using the new hall. We aim to have a modern booking system in
place to make it easier for everyone and we are looking at the
likely booking prices at the moment.

A huge thanks goes to everyone (especially my fellow trustees)
who worked so hard, over many years to raise funds and
organise events to get us to this start on site which allows us
finally to see the long held dream become reality.

Bryan Laxton, Chair, Village Hall Management Committee

6

LOCAL ENTERPRISE

Serving the Sharon, who grew up in an The recent bush-fires in Above: Inside The Attic.
adjacent village is well aware Australia caused a terrible loss Below left: Sharon Cane.
nation’s of what it takes to run a of wildlife and Sharon and
successful business. friends have been raising until they can be returned to
knitters funds to help with the relief the wild. Clearly a lady with
She says: "The Knitters Attic effort there: in fact she takes many strings to her bow.
With your eyes on the is fulfilling one of my dreams in abandoned animals at her
road, it is easy to spot and passions. I live, breathe, home and looks after them Richard Watkinson
the home of The Knitters Attic eat and sleep yarn and it was
at Bredfield, standing as it inevitable that my spirit would UPDATE ON THE LOCAL PUB SCENE
does immediately opposite shine through. Being a Suffolk
the three-way Pump Corner yarn-shop owner, especially in Like other businesses, our pubs will be taking advantage of
junction. And what lies the very locality I was born the gradual relaxation on the lock-down rules as set out by
beyond the garden-hedge of and bred in, has ensured that the Prime Minister. It has been tough for all of them and once
2 Peartree Cottage may well many Suffolk dwellers have they reopen, don't forget the maxim: Use them or lose them!
surprise you. been inspired, encouraged and
rewarded by producing The Moon and Mushroom at Swilland will be operating full
Negotiate the inquisitive goats bespoke items themselves, table service for food and drink outside after 12 April and a full
and other livestock on your fulfilling a desire to indoor service after 17 May. The current takeaway service will
way in and, on a sunny day, enrich their own lives with the continue as many customers will want to carry on using this
you might come to a courtyard passion creativity brings". service - which has attracted many new patrons to the pub. For
with an animated group of instance, one 86 year old lady now has a cooked dinner every
people calling themselves Sharon welcomes Sunday and wants to carry on doing so!
Knitting Bees, with either enquiries about the best
needles and/or cups of tea in colours and textures to use for The Grundisburgh Dog will resume serving in its heated outside
their hands. a particular application and marquee after 12 April if the weather continues to improve and
during these times she is will go to a full service indoors after 17 May. Meanwhile, their
The Knitters Attic is fast happy to offer a virtual pizza and burger takeaway service carries on for as long as it's
becoming a Mecca for shopping experience - via a wanted. Details will appear on their website and social media.
enthusiasts of the ancient arts smart video call -
of knitting and crocheting. without customers having to What’s happening at the Fountain? The Tuddenham Fountain
'Ancient' because the leave the comfort of their may be closed but it’s not quiet. It’s a hive of activity! A
Egyptians knitted garments armchairs. She is aware that if number of vans and workmen have been spotted in the pub car
from cotton a thousand years much time, energy and love is park. What’s going on ? You’ll see when they reopen....
ago and until relatively to be put into an item, it has to
recently knitting was largely be right. No wonder that she Jemima at The Turks Head said that they will be opening their
the preserve of outside terrace for customers from 14 April and are looking
men. The uptake was Highly forward to meeting all their friends again. They will serve
by women Commended in the indoors again just as soon as they are allowed to - people are
boomed during latest British already booking for meals as from 17 May. Their Thursday to
Victoria's reign Knitting and Sunday takeaways will continue until at least April. Work will
and was spurred Crochet Awards for also be starting on their eight-bedroomed barn-style hotel on
on by WW1. the Best Yarn Shop site, together with more dining space and a much enlarged
in the whole of kitchen.
Perhaps South East
surprisingly, England. At the Otley White Hart, Lynda is keen to get back to normal as
knitting mechanically had soon as the restrictions are eased: the community there has
been invented some 300 years Not only does benefited enormously from the pub's activities and, hopefully,
earlier: the first knitting Sharon sell yarns, she also will do so again in the very near future. Their take-away service
machine dates back to 1589, colours her own, using continues - for details see their Facebook page.
the brainchild of one William dyestuffs derived from her
Lee of Nottinghamshire. own garden produce. And she Richard Watkinson
will resume her on-site classes
Today, knitters use a variety of in knitting, crochet, lace- ps The Deli at the Dog in Grundisburgh is maintaining its walk-
materials: sheep's wool is, of knitting, felting, spinning and in service and will also be offering its popular made-to-measure
course, common but synthetic dyeing after lock-down. hampers for Mothering Sunday and Easter.
yarns and even alpaca wool
are much used. Sharon Cane, Zoom sessions
founder and owner of The
Knitters Attic, sells them all - For now, she is holding Zoom
for this is a thriving walk-in sessions and yarn crafters are
and internet business, stocking very welcome to join in on
what Sharon thinks is Tuesday afternoons,
probably the widest range of Wednesday evenings and
yarns in Suffolk. To see it, go Saturday mornings.
to her shop or website:
theknittersattic.co.uk - it is For details as to how to join in
quite impressive! or to find out more about the
business, contact Sharon on
Set up seven years ago, 01394 547077 or email
[email protected].

7

SCHOOL REPORTS

Learning Muscles at Otley and Witnesham Training Administrator from Lighthouse Women’s Aid, ran a
virtual assembly for the children to explain how their
During school closures this half term, we have been thoughtfulness will help.
delivering all our lessons using Google Classroom. Each
child at home is set daily tasks: lessons in reading, writing, Secondly as part of the ‘Suffolk says thanks’ campaign, the
maths and PE, and weekly lessons across the curriculum. The school has furthered their links with Handford House Nursing
children have a mixture of live lessons, recorded videos and Home set up during the summer lockdown. The pupils had
tasks set. All tasks are submitted for feedback from the class discussed the campaign, ‘Cards for Kindness’, an initiative
teacher. which aims
Across all of these lessons, children are encouraged to use their to reduce
'learning muscles'. As part of our renewed vision last academic loneliness in
year, we introduced the system based on Guy Claxton’s our care
‘Building Learning Powers’. This aims to encourage children to homes by
develop their behaviours for learning that will last them a encouraging
lifetime. These key facets and expectations have been paired members of
alliteratively with animals: Curious Crocodile, Independent the
Iguana, Motivated Monkey, Responsible Rhino, Teamwork Tiger community
and Persevering Penguin. to send a
card to a
If the class teacher believes that a child has excelled in any of local care
these learning muscles, they are awarded with a badge which home. The
they can wear with pride, in our celebration assembly each Handford
Friday. This fits with our vision statement to create resilient House
learners and celebrate their achievements so they perform to the residents had
best of their abilities, whether they are in school or not. kindly sent the pupils a handmade Christmas card and the
children reciprocated with great enthusiasm creating a wonderful
Michaela Harris, Executive Headteacher collection of Christmas drawings made into a large book full of
festive wishes (pictured right above).
The Great 38 spread
a little happiness Mrs Foster, who is a teaching assistant at the school and the lead
for Mental Health and Wellbeing, said “The staff are so proud of
In this unprecedented time, pupils at Charsfield Primary School
have been looking at how they can make a difference in the how the children
community and improve mental health and wellbeing of have thrown
themselves and others around them. For a small school of just 38 themselves into
pupils, they have made an incredible difference to the lives of this task, and how
many others this term. Here are just a few of the things that the much thought they
school has been involved in at the end of last term. gave about the
The school was delighted to be able to support the Lighthouse people it was
Women’s Aid in Ipswich with their reverse Advent calendar going to, with a
appeal. Pupils and their families generously donated gifts and genuine desire to
essentials throughout the beginning of Advent, to help families bring happiness to
that are less fortunate than themselves through a particularly other people that
challenging time in their lives. Debbie, the Fundraising and they don’t even
know. We look
forward to
continuing links
with this nursing
home in 2021.”

The school has been delighted to be able to raise lots of money
for various charities this half term, particularly when so many
people have found this year financially challenging.

Pupils and staff dressed up in spots and stripes for Children in
Need, designed and sold their own Christmas cards to raise
money for the Salvation Army and finally donned their festive
jumpers for the Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on
11 December. In total, the school raised £150 for these charities.

PTA show the way

In true “the show must go on spirit,” the PTA stepped in to fund
a virtual showing of Cinderella for the pupils as they were not
able to attend the Wolsey Theatre Panto. This was made all the
more special by the staff surprising them by dressing up as
characters from the story, and then being ushers showing them to
their seats and issuing them with popcorn. Even Father
Christmas upped his game this year to reward the pupils and
‘went virtual’ and sent the pupils an incredibly special video
message and a small gift each.

8

SCHOOL REPORTS

Grundisburgh. Towards the end of term, the children enjoyed
decorating their class Christmas trees which were lit up and
displayed in the window of every class for the parents to also
enjoy our Christmas tree festival. The children (and staff)
thoroughly embraced the festive spirit and the event really
started the Christmas season off well for us all. The children’s
Christmas parties took place during the last week of term along
with their Christmas film afternoon, with popcorn and Christmas
gift of a book, kindly organized and sponsored again, by FOGS.

Surprise in-house panto: Charsfield staff as Cinderella characters. Last term saw the start of our monthly e-safety newsletter for
parents. It has proved to be an informative and helpful addition
Head of School, Mrs Amie Reeve said, “Charsfield Primary that is helping to keep us all up to date with current social media
School have certainly shown that a bit of thought and kindness and games that our children may be playing and offering tips
can make such a difference to so many people lives, in what will and strategies to help them to use them safely. Parents are
ertainly be a Christmas to remember for a very long time to invited to let the school office know if there are any e-safety
come.” areas they would like to know more about, and we then aim to
include some information about these in future monthly e-safety
Sadly, for the start of the Spring Term, the school has had to issues. Unfortunately, the Spring term did not start as expected
move to online learning for the majority of our pupils, using and presented our whole community with another period of
Google Classroom. Teachers are running daily online lessons lockdown to negotiate.
with pupils, as well as setting independent tasks across all the
subjects (not just Maths and English!). Feedback from parents However, by working together and helping each other we are
and pupils has been really positive and many of our children navigating this period calmly: all our teachers have been in
were disappointed not to be able to return to the classroom school, supporting our children and each other to the very best
because of the 3rd national lockdown. We hope to see our pupils of our ability whilst keeping a smile on our faces. Our values of
return to "normal" learning very soon. respect, kindness and gratitude come to the fore in these times
and help us to appreciate the beauty of where we live and the
In the meantime, the school is still open for some pupils, so if help from those that care for us.
you would like to find out more about us, please do call 01473
737347 or look at our website Thank you to all our community for their continued support of
www.charsfieldprimaryschool.org.uk both our children and our school. Your help is very much
appreciated by us all here at Grundisburgh Primary School.
Mrs Reeve, Head of School
Sue Marks, Headteacher
FOGS AT THE NORTHPOLE
Late news ...
We had a very busy and exciting second half of autumn term
at Grundisburgh Primary School as all our children took FOGS members are excited to announce that they have been
part in our whole school ‘Race to the North Pole’ fund raiser. awarded a grant of £1500 from the Kesgrave, Rushmere St
The Friends of Grundisburgh School (FOGS) organised this fun Andrew, Martlesham Carlford & Fynn Valley Community
event in which our children counted the miles they had Partnership Environmental Grant Scheme which is aimed at
completed during their daily exercise activity - in their PE enabling environmental care within the local community.
lessons or at home on their bikes, space-hoppers, scooters or
whatever else they could travel on as part of achieving the whole An application was made in December 2020 for outdoor
school goal of 2,600 miles to the North Pole before Christmas! learning equipment to support our Creating Safe Spaces
Campaign which is raising money to create, expand and enhance
Thank you to everyone who sponsored this event and the the outdoor learning potential of the school and grounds of
Christmas Raffle, both organised by the amazing FOGS.
Despite these strange and Grundisburgh Primary
difficult times, FOGS have School, Suffolk. Trees
remained incredibly active and other outdoor features
and positive with their will be planted near the
fundraising on behalf of our existing woodland.
school.
The benefits of being outdoors in green space are scientifically
They have adapted and proven to improve mental and physical wellbeing and with our
managed to run events children in another lockdown, the area being created is going to
despite the Covid-19 be of utmost importance for our children and the school, so we
restrictions and raised an are thrilled that we were awarded the full amount!
unbelievable total of over
£3,500 throughout the Emma James, Chair FOGS
autumn term! I cannot thank
them enough for the support The News welcomes contributions from
they offer us: they give their schools in our catchment area.
time, expertise, commitment Contact Richard Watkinson,
and enthusiasm, with greatest [email protected]
of good humour, and their 01473 735540
support really makes a huge
difference to us all at

9

KEYHOLE SURGERY

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Bed & Breakfast Lighting up Grundisburgh

Self-contained accommodation in large Many of us put up lights at Christmas to create some festive
converted barn in tranquil surroundings. cheer. Few of us, however, take the task as seriously as
Chris and Lucy Shemmings. The photo above shows an
Big sitting room with TV and games, fridge, extraordinary effort to shine some light into a Christmas
kettle and toaster plus two twin bedrooms, characterised by Covid restrictions and cancelled gatherings.

all at ground floor level. The summer is when the Shemmings usually create a palette of
Continental breakfast provided. colour for the neighbourhood, being keen gardeners and
Tennis court. Child friendly. participants in Grundisburgh’s Hidden Gardens. Chris only got
the gardening bug four years ago but has since attended garden
ROBERT & ANNE HUTCHISON, HAWTHORN COTTAGE, shows at Hampton Court and the NEC to find plants to nurture
LOWER ROAD, GRUNDISBURGH IP13 6UQ , 01473 738199 at home.

[email protected] The gardening bug (no, not aphids) has led to his family’s
company, Homestyle UK Windows, becoming the main sponsor
of the Grundisburgh Village Show.

Prior to joining the family business, Chris was a professional
drummer, playing with various bands around the country and a
drum instructor at Planet Music and local high schools. He now
has to make do with drumming with the likes of me in our local
band now called The Lark Side (formerly Elliott’s Remedy).

Lucy’s interests are as colourful, conferring fame upon her in the
1990s. She was taught how to cook by her father, a chef, and at
the age of only 13, she applied to the BBC programme ‘Junior
Masterchef. She was accepted into the competition - and won!
Loyd Grossman was the main judge and awarded the trophy to
Lucy.

Lucy was a chef at Ufford Park, where she met Chris who was
also working in the kitchen at that time. Lucy retrained and is
now an advanced paramedic.

Perhaps the real star of the household is their son Ted, now in
Year 2 at Grundisburgh Primary. He could claim, with good
reason, to be the curator of the little known ‘Grundisburgh
Natural History Museum’. Over the last few years he has
collected literally hundreds of exhibits, including ammonites and
other fossils, skulls and bones, shells, preserved spiders and
insects, all of which are neatly arranged in special display
shelves in the house.

Like most children, Ted is home schooling with remote learning;
his Mum and Dad are full of praise for the efforts made by the
teachers at Grundisburgh Primary School to ensure the
continuity of education despite the current restrictions. Perhaps
Ted’s love of natural history and his Mum’s experience in TV
will come together in the future. After all, David Attenborough
will surely retire one day…

Paul Whittingham

Photo of the Shemmings’ house in Orchard End, Grundisburgh,
taken by Chris.

10

A FAMILY HISTORY STARTING
IN GRUNDISBURGH

When a pandemic swept Left: Bob Rietz on his travels - here walking the Camino
the world in 2020, I pilgrimage trail in Spain.
found myself with records of Above: Charles Cotton in his 1902 Benz which was
my family history, my Grundisburgh’s first car.
mother’s stories of her English
and Canadian ancestors, and I hope to visit Grundisburgh both as a genealogy research contains over 30 photos,
plenty of time on my hands. this year, once it’s safe to book and as a Cotton family several family trees and
travel, to continue my research history book, while timelines of selected eras. It is
I have organized this and walk the same roads as simultaneously entertaining available through Facebook
information into a book, The my Cotton ancestors. I would readers who are searching (Cotton of Grundisburgh),
Cottons of Grundisburgh, for enjoy meeting any Cotton for an enjoyable overview of Amazon and the publisher
my family and anyone relatives, no matter how 250 years of English and (store.BookBaby.com).
interested in our English distant, and seeing the houses American history. The book
Cotton heritage. where his forbears lived. Bob Rietz, [email protected]

During the middle of the My wife Nancy and I have a Providing all aspects of garden and grounds maintenance
1800s, several Cotton families passion for travel, having been to both domestic and commercial customers
lived among the 800 residents to six continents and are
of Grundisburgh. The 1881 considering a trip to the • Ride-on lawnmower available
Census indicates that Cottons seventh. We live in Asheville, • Green waste removed
comprised almost 8% of the North Carolina and have five
population of Grundisburgh. children and ten Call: Oliver on 07779 152936 or 01394 823798
Yet the 1911 Census reveals grandchildren. Email: [email protected]
that Cotton inhabitants were
less than half that. I hope The Cottons of EXPERIENCED | QUALIFIED | INSURED
Grundisburgh will be useful
Emigration

The Cottons of Grundisburgh
tells the story of nearly 300
members of this lineage – who
they were, their families, their
occupations, and when and
where they moved. It narrates
the compelling stories of those
Cottons who emigrated to the
United States, Canada,
Australia and South Africa.

My book poses many
unanswered questions, such as
“What prompted Charles
Cotton to buy a 1902 Benz,
the first petrol-powered
automobile in Grundisburgh?”
and “How did George Cotton
react when arriving in Chicago
from Grundisburgh, and
encountering 40-story
skyscrapers in a city of
3,000,000 people?”

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11

Awards for community support Their papergirl, Kate, also partnership into next year
during the pandemic greatly extended her paper with the students. They
round to include the managed to keep a continuous
Awards have been made by Last autumn Otley Village vulnerable who used to collect supply of compost thanks to
the Lord Lieutenant of Stores was awarded the Lord their papers from the shop. their local supplier and, as no
Suffolk, Clare, Countess of Lieutenant’s Certificate of one could get hold of seeds to
Euston, and the High Sheriff, Merit (see photo on page 1) The shop has remained at the grow, they instigated a seed
Bridget McIntyre, to recognise Their nomination came from centre of the village providing swap outside the shop where
exceptional service and one of Lady Euston’s Deputy help and information to the envelopes or packets of seeds
support to those in their Lieutenants, Anthony community and surrounding could be donated/swapped or
community during the Fairbanks Weston TD DL who villages. They have created an taken for free prior to the
pandemic. made the presentation to Otley Village Store Facebook Otley Virtual Flower Show.
Penny and Andrew Sunaway. page full of updates, They held a flower show
Recent recipients include information and a forum for competition on Facebook
Colin Grimwood, Minister at We have reproduced the people to interact. They have covering 8 categories, for old
the Baptist Church in citation here to illustrate the run quizzes, competitions, and young, novice and
Grundisburgh and the Rev very many ways in which craft suggestions and posted accomplished gardeners,
Mark Cresswell of St Mary’s support was provided to the items for sale and needed. The ranging from windowsill
Church, Grundisburgh. Their community . aim of the Facebook page has growing to complete garden
nominations were made by been to try and combat some makeovers. They had 135
East Suffolk Council. Among Citation for Lord of the loneliness and isolation photo entries and everyone
the supportive activities for Lieutenant’s Covid 19 many people have felt through could interact with the photos
which they were chosen was Certificate of Merit lockdown, it has also helped online.
the food bank they run jointly. Penny and Andrew to put
“I should like to nominate villagers in touch with the The shop has always had a
Mark told The News that he Otley Village Store for the village volunteer Covid strong connection to the 1st
was surprised and honoured to award of a Lord Lieutenant’s helpline and sort out Otley Scouts supporting them
get the award. “Grundisburgh Certificate of Merit for their problems. with fundraising and joining
is such a lovely place to live outstanding contribution to forces on the annual village
and the food bank and the Community in Suffolk. During the last 8 months litter pick. Their main
facebook group are very much problems faced by the lonely fundraising event of the year
a team effort with many kind Throughout the last 8 months and isolated have become is the Scout Hog Roast; sadly,
contributions coming in. The Otley Village Store has not increasingly more this has had to be postponed
facebook group had over 100 missed a single day; the shop pronounced, finding someone so Penny and Andrew have
offers of help within hours - a has been open 7 days a week to talk to after bereavement, been raising funds to send
testament to the kindness of and the Post Office has or getting the dog to the vet them on their next camp in the
people across the village”. remained on full service 6 are all roles that the small but new year.
days a week. Penny and dedicated team at Otley
Sentiments echoed by Colin Andrew understand the Village Store has undertaken Having been put forward by
who added “It is lovely to be importance of being able to customers, Otley Stores was
appreciated but I feel it has all send food, comfort parcels Through social media they awarded a BBC Radio Suffolk
been just a part of my work and letters and to have the have been able to link to other ‘making a difference’ award.
for the Lord and the ability to send online surrounding villages and Throughout the pandemic,
community. So many people shopping returns, together hugely extend their food home Penny and Andrew and the
have done so much to support with the ability to access delivery service for those self- team at Otley Village Store
others in the village and really banking and bill payments. isolating and shielding. has sought to maintain an air
they all deserve an award!” Customers are able to email, of ‘keep calm and carry on’
It has been their aim to message, text and WhatsApp for all their customers, to
Pop up Pantry maintain a safe, efficient their orders to the shop as offer support, kindness,
village shop and post office, well as phoning them in. The reliability and a
The food bank - called the Pop where people feel comfortable shop now delivers to over 30 comprehensive product range
Up Parish Pantry - re-opened to do their shopping, taking households with an army of in these difficult times.
at half term and will be way some of the fear and volunteer drivers from the
operating until early April in anxiety caused by Covid 19 by village. In order to fulfil all Otley Post Office was also
St Mary’s Church. A selection using strict social distancing the orders, they have taken on awarded the ‘Local Hero’
of basic foods are available in and stringent hygiene a new member of staff to help award for the ‘East of
the church porch for those that protocols, whilst still pick and pack orders and have England’ in June 2020 for
need them and people are maintaining a welcoming also extended the service to ‘service to the community
encouraged to help atmosphere. offer collect by car. going above and beyond the
themselves. call of duty’.
During the early stages of the With the popularity of
Another local recipient is virus they had to travel to gardening taking off at the Most important of all, Penny
Archdeacon Sally Gaze who Booker Cash and Carry every beginning of lockdown the and Andrew have just wanted
lives in Otley and heads up the day at 6am to top up their shop quickly sold out of their to keep going as normal and
Lightwave Project which is weekly Booker delivery to home grown plants and those to offer some stability to the
based at Otley College. She is maintain stock on the shelves from their usual suppliers, so community, even continuing
Archdeacon for Rural Ministry as their customer footfall they formed an alliance with events such as the Macmillan
and her nomination for the increased hugely. By using Otley Rural College to sell the Cake Sale (under an awning
award came from the High local suppliers they also bedding plants grown by the outside in the rain!) and
Sheriff of Suffolk, Bridget managed to offer a continuous students prior to lockdown, keeping everyone Covid-safe.
McIntyre. supply of fresh meat, fruit, the aim has been to raise
vegetables, bread and flour! some funds for the NHS and
they will continue the

12

APPEAL FOR VOLUNTEERS of two schools who contacted clinicians give up their time
families struggling financially, and provide their skills
Supporting families and we have been able to get without charge. This
the pet food to them. Apart ‘donation’ of time equates to
Hello, my name is the team rose to the from it helping the families, it many hundreds-of-thousands
Ali and I am challenge, quickly stops animals being abandoned of pounds each year, and the
proud to say I’m a adapted to meet which is especially important benefit that SARS clinicians
Home-Start in Suffolk demand and has as all the large rescue places can bring to a patient in terms
volunteer. continued are now closed and not taking of life-saving interventions,
supporting families any animals in. relief from pain and quicker
I have lived in our throughout. Home recovery times is
village for over 25 visits have been I have teamed up with Kitty immeasurable.
years, where my temporarily Kat Rescue in Stowmarket,
husband and I have replaced with which is still taking in cats and The last year has been a really
brought up our three online and kittens that people cannot challenging time but the
children (now grown up all in telephone support, but I have keep, and we have the funds to amazing SARS volunteer
their 30s) and love being a still been introduced to some pay for any vet treatment they clinicians gave over 6,000
granny to our granddaughter fabulous families and from the might need. hours of advanced prehospital
and grandson. feedback received they all medical care throughout
enjoy their calls and feel more Georgina can be contacted on Suffolk in 2020. They were
So how did I become a confident and able to cope as a animalreliefneutering1@ called out to over 100
volunteer for Home-Start in result of the support they gmail.com , 07907 122888. locations across the county
Suffolk you may ask. Well, received. It has been different including callouts in this area -
my journey began over five but still enjoyable and very Accident all of this during a pandemic!
years ago when visiting an rewarding. And 2021 looks set to be
event in Grundisburgh. Home- Rescue another busy year, with SARS
Start in Suffolk was hosting a Home-Start in Suffolk staff responders being mobilised to
stand and wanted to find out teams offer all volunteers Service 72 incidents in January alone!
more. After a friendly chat support and they are always
and having learned more about just a phone call away if I Suffolk Accident Rescue SARS is also helping combat
what Home-Start does to have any concerns or Service (SARS) is a the pandemic with charity
support families in our county questions. I really feel like I voluntary emergency medical volunteer and retired
I knew I wanted to be am part of the team. charity, operating in Suffolk responder, Dr Andy Mason
involved. and its border areas. Our currently vaccinating staff at
So if you're reading this and volunteer clinicians offer the West Suffolk Hospital.
I was invited for an interview feel you could offer some time specialist assistance at serious Andy is very keen to continue
followed by a full training to become a volunteer for or life threatening medical vaccinating in the local
program and from there my Home-Start then please email incidents. community after the initial
volunteer journey began. Five [email protected]. programme at the West
years on and what an to find put more. Since we started in 1972 we Suffolk Hospital has been
interesting and rewarding have helped treat thousands of completed.
journey it has been! I have Or if you live in Suffolk, have patients and saved countless
met some incredible families, a child under the age of 12 lives. SARS volunteers are There are many ways you can
all unique, but all needing and feel you could benefit specialists in prehospital care also get involved and help
support and a friend; someone from Home-Start support, and include anaesthetists, support SARS this year. Please
you can rely on, whether please get in touch on 01473 consultants in emergency take a look on the SARS
visiting or calling to ask; “how 621104 or visit medicine and critical care website www.sars999.
are you feeling?”, “how’s your paramedics. They carry org.uk/get-involved/ Or why
week been?”, and to generally Help with pets equipment and drugs not not sign up to the SARS 999
be someone to be there just for normally found on frontline Lottery? For as little as £1 a
them offering emotional and Ihave been doing animal ambulances and can undertake week you could win up to
practical support. rescue for 40 years, and have advanced procedures at the £25,000 while helping save
been neutering feral cats on scene of an incident, which are local lives. We are always
By providing that listening local farms for 20 years. not normally possible outside keen to hear from you so
ear, the extra pair of hands, Recently I secured funding to the hospital environment. please get in touch via email
that friendship – whether it’s neuter, microchip, and worm [email protected] or
that hour on the phone or a and flea any cats over five Our charity receives no central phone 01359 244186.
three hour home visit, the months old, and have set up government funding and relies
positive impact on a family accounts with 11 vets. We are on voluntary fundraising to
can be amazing. For me, it’s now neutering over 100 cats a maintain its activity. The
knowing I have made a week.
difference. To be told that the
family feel they have made a Animed, part of the CVS
friend during a time when life group which is the largest pet
is particularly difficult for food distributor in Europe, is
them, is what makes now on board. We get given
volunteering so special to me. nine pallets of pet food three
times a year to support the
In 2020 the pandemic arrived animal charities we already
and at Home-Start in Suffolk help.
we have had a huge increase
in families needing support in Since Covid, we have been
these challenging times. But able to link up with the heads

13

National census due soon

The decennial census is and the population. It has BREDFIELD BOWLS CLUB
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34%&!56!-%7&2!%+8%&'%#9%! the green, and we would like
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21&)%)3&(()(4,*5%,() code in the post, allowing the helpers, volunteers and East Suffolk Council last year,
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For more information, visit We are always looking for
census.gov.uk. new members, and welcome
people to come and have a go
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Words and photos Julie Kemp, 07939
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25 Stoney Road, Grundisburgh, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 6RD

14

New play area for Grundisburgh About The News

Grundisburgh Playing Field Committee is working closely www.grundisburghnews.org.uk
with Andrew Jolliffe, our local Communities Officer at East
Suffolk Council in planning the installation of new play Grundisburgh & District News is a free community
equipment. Taking into account the excellent response from the magazine produced by volunteers. In normal times,
community regarding their preferences, the committee is around 3,000 copies are distributed to homes and a range of
awaiting the final quote and design from the playground central locations in Grundisburgh and 17 other villages (as
manufacturer. listed below the banner on the front page). Four issues a
year are published.
Applications for funding are underway and the committee is
pleased to have been successful with monies secured from the Contributions, comments and ideas are welcomed: Send to
Play Space Fund and Grundisburgh & Culpho Parish Council Ford House, The Green, Grundisburgh IP13 6TA,
for which we are most grateful. Once the final design and quote [email protected]. All issues are included on our website
are to hand these will be released to the public so hopefully they www.grundisburghnews.org.uk. Information can be supplied
can get involved in fund raising with us. on paper or email.

Richard Garnham, Chairman, Grundisburgh Playing Field Management Committee, If emailed, the topic of the article should be shown in the
[email protected] subject box. Photos can be sent as JPGs (but not embedded
in Word documents) or as prints.
Andrew Jolliffe welcomes hearing from village organisations in
our area and can be contacted at East Suffolk Council on 01394 Editor: Nicola Hobbs, 01473 738267,
444660, [email protected] [email protected], Ford House, The Green,
Grundisburgh IP13 6TA
Update from the Scouts
Deputy editor: Richard Watkinson, 01473 735540,
Grundisburgh Scouts are unable to meet due to the pandemic, [email protected]
but our textile bin in the playing field car park is open for
business. It is emptied roughly every two weeks and clean Diary editor: Ian McIvor, [email protected].
clothing, shoes, bed linen and towels can be deposited there, tied
in plastic bags. Please DO NOT leave duvets, pillows, rugs or Advertising: Peter Knights (see below).
soiled rags. Since the group first started the scheme ten years
ago, we have raised over £8000 towards the cost of the much Picture editor: Peter Kendall, 01473 738267,
needed replacement scout hut. [email protected].

We hope to hold ZOOM meetings with our members until we Distribution coordinator: Stephen Cooper,
can get back together again in the near future. Take care. [email protected].

Pat Ross, Scout Group Secretary, Subscription service: Pat Hall, Crest Cottage, Chapel
01473 735352 Road, Grundisburgh IP13 6XL, 01473 735319.

More help is wanted ...... Treasurer: Sue Haddock, 01473 738872,
.... with the production of The News. In [email protected].
particular we need more people to follow up
and write stories - about people or places in Admin: Alison Knights, [email protected]
any of our 18 villages. Also one or two
people who could chase up information when Website: Ian McIvor, [email protected]
we are close to going to press. If you could
help, please contact Nicola Hobbs or Richard Checking: Richard Watkinson and Peter Kendall.
Watkinson - see panel to right
IT consultant: Will Barber, [email protected]
GARDEN KEEPER
Chair of management team: Stephen Cooper,
Landscape Design & Ground Works distribution @grunews.com

PATIOS • DRIVEWAYS Next issue No 260 Summer 2021
TREES • HEDGES • PONDS
Publication: Friday 28 May
FENCES • CLEARANCES
TURFING & MUCH MORE Copy date: Wednesday 5 May

Contact John for ADVERTISING RATES
advice and free quotes
1/16 page (w.44mm x h.66mm or w.92mm x h.33mm) £15
01394809136 1/8 page (w.92mm x h. 66mm)
07888684281 £50
1/4 page (w.92mm x h.136mm or w.190 x h.66mm)
Email: £110
[email protected]
www.keepingthegarden.co.uk Booking a run of four entitles advertisers to a 10%
discount, provided payment is made within 30 days of
invoice date.

Single adverts must be paid for in advance.

All advertisers will receive a copy of The News in which
their advert first appears.

Local organisations advertising fund raising events are
charged at half the normal rate.

A small charge is made for originating artwork.

Adverts for next issue to be sent by 5 May to Peter
Knights, Garden House, Meeting Lane, Grundisburgh
IP13 6UB or [email protected]. 01473 735887.
Earlier booking is recommended as space is limited.

15

Culpho’s Lockdown Carols.

During a year like no other some things Grundisburgh sings by torchlight
remain firmly in place, one of those being
the Christmas Carol Service at St Botolph Thanks to Covid,
Church, Culpho. Grundisburgh’s annual carol
service was held on the village
Ipswich Choral Society had been invited to sing green instead of inside St.
the carols for the service, so on Saturday 19 Mary’s church. Luckily it was a
December members of the choir supported by fine evening and the green was
their Music Director Robin Walker, arrived filled with self distancing
smiling and wrapped-up warm to rehearse in the singers carrying their own form
church. Lockdown has left choirs unable to meet of illumination.
and sing together, so to be invited to indulge in
some ‘live’ singing for the first time since The service was led by Colin
March, albeit in ‘COVID formation’, was simply Grimwood and Mark Cresswell,
a joy. and the carols accompanied by
church organist John Cooper,
On the following day the COVID-shaped service supported by the church choir.
was led by James Hall, attended by our Patron,
Lord Cranworth and a small congregation. Our
Church Warden, Richard Garnham, had set out
the church for the safety of all, and Christobel
Garnham’s beautiful windowsill decoration with
tea lights provided some very welcome sparkle.

Although still very cold, the choir and
congregation finished the service outside, with
the final carol and a traditional Christmas
farewell ‘We wish you a merry Christmas’. It
was a particular pleasure to greet our newest
neighbours and their children, who were able to
join us at a safe distance and enjoy the sound of
Christmas almost on their doorstep.

In these difficult times one thing is certain,
nothing will take away the joy of Christmas or
the need to make and enjoy music together.

Chris Pearce, Culpho resident
and chair of Ipswich Choral Society

CHARSFIELD C OF E PRIMARY SCHOOL

Learning together, helping each other.

Why choose Charsfield?

 We offer small class sizes with high adult to pupil ratios.  We have a family feeling with a caring ethos - our children

 Our experienced staff help every child to thrive and are happy at school!

succeed.  We offer daily breakfast and after-school clubs.

 We offer an exciting and diverse curriculum including Forest  Charsfield Primary School is situated just off the B1078. Just 5

Schools; our children ENJOY learning and WANT to learn! miles from Grundisburgh and 3 miles from Wickham Market.

Please visit our website: www.charsfieldprimaryschool.org.uk Please call to find out about visiting - Tel No: 01473 737347