Parish Pump April 2021

DENSTON HAWKEDON POSLINGFORD STANSFIELD STRADISHALL

Also available in ASSINGTON GREEN CLARE COWLINGE THURSTON END and WICKHAMBROOK

PARISH PUMP
No 340 parish.pump@ gmail.com APRIL 2021

The REAL story
behind The Dig
By Louise
Duckling p11

Cricket club starts preparing..Ph.oto:
Sam Sykes

Credit:
LARRY HORRICKS/
NETFLIX © 2021

...for first matches this month

Stansfield cricket club members were out in force recently repairing the nets and getting the wicket ready as they prepare to
play Long Melford and Sudbury this month. L-R: Nick Burton; Simon Stone; Sean Spearman; Glenn Patullo; Rob
Simpkins; Freddie Guiry; Robin Sharp; Matt Clayton; Simon Last. Full story p31-32

T SUFFOLK PUB OF THE YEAR G
W R
E We are looking forward to re-opening in May, but in the meantime don’t miss our E

N ELTON JOHN TRIBUTE EVENING Y

T IN THE GARDEN @ THE GREYHOUND H

Y FRIDAY 23 `APRIL - 7PM O

O 3-course meal £39.50p U

N NTelephone or Facebook to reserve places - socially distanced event
No 1 in the area
E DMeeting Green, Wickhambrook CB8 8XS 01440 821017 www.greyhoundwickhambrook.co.uk

PARISH PUMP Elections on 6 May:
have you registered?
If you have a news item or wish to
publicise a local event please contact On Thursday 6 May 2021, residents your completed application to register
Richard Evans at [email protected] in Suffolk will go to the polls to must be received no later than
or 01284 789546 have their say on who represents them at 11:59pm on Monday 19 April 2021
Suffolk County Council and as their
ADVERTISING: Suffolk Police and Crime To vote by post in the elections on 6
Wendy Johnson Houghton Commissioner. In addition, there will May 2021 your completed form must
be a number of local council by- be received by the Registration Office
[email protected] elections. no later than 5pm on Tuesday 20
April 2021.
ADVERTISING RATES Suffolk County Council
To vote by proxy in the elections on 6
INSIDE PAGES The next scheduled elections for Suffolk May 2021 your completed form must
for 12 months County Councillors are due to be held be received by the Registration Office
(6 month rate in brackets) on Thursday 6 May 2021. This gives the no later than 5pm on Tuesday 27
chance for the public to elect their April 2021.
Eighth page £58 (32) representative on Suffolk County
Council for the next four years. How would you like to exercise your
Quarter page £114 (62) For more information visit Suffolk right to vote on 6th May? There will be
Half page £177 (95) County Council elections 6 May 2021 Covid safe arrangements for you to vote
Full page £290 (£160) in person, but if you don’t fancy that,
Police and Crime Commissioner there are alternatives: you can vote by
WHO’S WHO in post, you can appoint a proxy to vote on
YOUR VILLAGE? The next election for Police and Crime your behalf and you can even appoint a
Commissioners (PCCs) is due to be held proxy to vote on your behalf by post.
Stansfield parish council on Thursday 6 May 2021. This election
Chairman: Sarah Hopkins was rescheduled from Thursday 7 May If, much nearer the time you find you
Email: [email protected] 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 are unable to vote (usually for medical
pandemic. reasons) there are emergency proxies
Stradishall parish council available, but they are a bit complicated
Chairman: Ady Swift This will be the third time these in that forms have to be collected from
Vice Chairman: Adrian Lee elections have been staged across West Suffolk House and returned there
England and Wales. It gives the public before the proxy can vote – this is not
[email protected] their chance to decide who should be usually something a carer dealing with a
accountable in their area for how crime medical emergency is likely to want to
Denston meeting is tackled locally. PCCs are elected undertake, so, if you are at all unsure of
Chairman: Jeff Fellows every four years. One Police and Crime your ability to get to the polling station,
01440 820310 Commissioner is to be elected for apply for a postal vote: https://
[email protected] Suffolk in 2021. www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/Council/
elections/upload/Application-form-to-
Suffolk county councillor To vote in the election on 6 May 2021 vote-by-post.pdf
Mary Evans, Clare Division,
01284 789546 WHO’S WHO AT YOUR CHURCH
[email protected] CHURCHWARDENS

West Suffolk councillor for Denston, COWLINGE Mrs Josie Wreathall 01440 783286
Stansfield & Hawkedon DENSTON
LIDGATE Mrs Fiona Evans 01440 820172
WHAT’S WHERE?
OUSDEN Mrs Janet Mitson PCC Secretary 01638 500587
Wickhambrook Surgery STANSFIELD
www.wickhambrooksurgery.co.uk STRADISHALL Mrs Nicola Nunn 01638 500237
Boyden Close, Nunnery Green, WICHAMBROOK Mr Hugh Douglas-Pennant 01284 789412
Wickhambrook. CB8 8XU Acting Jane Helliwell 01440 820095
Appointments, emergencies and general Dr. Paul Bevan 01440 821313
enquiries: 01440 820140
Dispensary: 01440 823801 BANSFIELD BENEFICE MINISTRY TEAM

The surgery is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm, RECTOR Revd Eve Bell 07815 441304
Monday to Friday. READER Dr Philip Draycott (Wickhambrook) 01440 820328
ELDER Dr Paul Bevan (Wickhambrook) 01440 821313
Police Force HQ 01473 613500 Mrs Fiona Evans (Denston) 01440 820172

Denston Village Hall Enquiries: Visit the website, http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk Follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bansfieldbenefice
Denston: 01440 820675 Stefan Read the blog, http://bansfieldbenefice.blogspot.com Email us, [email protected]

Stansfield village hall booking enquiries
Tel: 01284 789192
[email protected]

2

Julius flies the flag for

the Greens in election

Two county council candidates so far - will there be more?

Many people used to consider that displays any awareness of the urgency of ‘
the green movement was nothing the situation and is proposing serious
more than a bunch of woolly headed alternative approaches to economic and political arena in order to help bring
dreamers living in a fantasy land who social policy that can steer us away from about a much better world and a secure
were blind to the realities of the the old destructive ways. future.
business world and so called modern
life. Even today we see the Tory In fact one of the strengths of local
Government is considering opening a politics, particularly concerning the
But now it is becoming obvious to new coal mine in Cumbria flying in the environment, is that problems can be
more and more people that the way face of what most rational people would apprehended and dealt with at ground
humanity has been living has become consider prudent environmental practice. level and from a position devolved from
destructive, unhealthy, irresponsible and While the Labour party’s environmental national government.
short sighted. response is at best tentative and faltering.
And it is into that arena that I hope to
It is now imperative that we humans I have lived in this area for most of my be elected as councillor representing you
change our relationship to the Earth and life and have been running my for the Green Party. Thankyou for
her resources from the rape and pillage landscaping business in the Clare area reading this article and please remember
approach to one of cooperation, since 1999. In this time I have learnt to vote. Julius Bell - Green Party
sustainability and good husbandry through my clients and others much
before the whole system that we rely about how people really think and what
upon to support our life collapses and they really value in life. And I am now
we are wiped out. inspired to bring my understanding of
these wishes and values into the local
The Green party is the only party that

www.suffolkchair.co.uk

3

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4

An ‘old gadger’ does this part of
Suffolk proud. But who is he?

There is an old gadger who lives in
Stradishall; he has lived in Suffolk
for two years. Apparently, he moved to
Suffolk because he loved the soft,
beautiful gentleness of the landscape. He
admired way the history saturates the
houses and churches. Like many people
in the pandemic, he ran out of useful
things to do at home. What could he do
that would be satisfying and benefit this
beautiful place and the community? This
old guy tries to keep himself fit. He does
this by roaming the roads and tracks
around the village.

During his regular ramblings he
became conscious of how much litter
and rubbish was scattered on the verges.
He felt it was a cultural insult to his
beautiful new domain. What to do? He
could have complained but what would
that achieve? Nothing probably. From
an earlier life he had inherited a litter
picker. Why not use it? Perhaps he could
combine his regular walks with some
picking.

‘He met the Queen’

That was six weeks ago. He relates, Apparently, he has always had a thing other to come out of the dark ages and
that it is achieving good results. Would about the environment. Not as sexy as stop polluting the North Sea. Sounds
you believe the road is looking smarter? Bill Gates but he’s been there. I heard he good; how did that happen?
The Suffolk incinerator has benefitted came from up North. Managed to make
by consuming at least 20 wheelie bins of Stanhope open air swimming pool eco No idea, but it seemed to work. I think
stuff. Some of the stuff is what he friendly with loads of solar panels on a he even had dinner with David
expected – plastic bags, plastic bottles roof on the ground. Someone in Durham Attenborough. A long way from picking
and sweet wrappings. The naïve surprise County Council picked up on this and the up litter in Suffolk. I suppose so, yes, but
was beer cans by the hundreds, wine swimming pool got some sort of award. I once an environmentalist always a pain.
bottles by the dozen and in one haul, think he met the Queen! Never? So I’m I think he thinks that if we all did
sixteen (small) vodka bottles. told. something then may be the disaster
threatened for the planet may just be
He says a satisfying side issue is Before that he spent some years averted. Can’t see the connection
compliments from passers-by and local swanning around Europe from time to between litter and global warming. Nor
villagers, and, even better, action. There time. He helped to get some industry or can I, but it takes all sorts!
was one house, that shall be nameless,
whose garden and outside foot path were
covered with litter. So much that it was
put in the “too difficult” pile. Would you
believe that some days after, all the
rubbish was gone! Shame is a delightful
driver.

Somebody asked: “Who is this old
gadger and why would he want to pick
up the litter of us Suffolkites?” No idea
really but I did hear a few rumours.

5

WICKHAMBROOK SHOP & POST OFFICE:
PROUD TO SERVE OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

Thorns Corner, Wickhambrook CB8 8XW (01440 820220)

POST OFFICE SHOP & PETROL GREAT OFFERS
EVERY MONTH
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; Monday-Friday 7am-6.30pm;
Sat 9.30am-12noon; Sun - closed Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 8am-1pm

During these difficult times, Wickhambrook
Stores are delivering shopping to customers
who are vulnerable or isolated.
Please give us a call if you think we can help
- or if you would like to volunteer as a
deliverer.

01440 820220

www.clarepharmacy.co.uk

6

Stansfield Village Hall News – April 2021.

Your generous donations to the Raise the Roof Fund keep
coming in. Our heartfelt thanks go out all of you who have
sent donations for the Raise the Roof fund. So far we have
received over £2,400 from individual villagers towards the roof
fund. If you would like to help us Raise the Roof, you can make
a donation on our PayPay Giving Fund page via the Village Hall
facebook page, or email [email protected] to use
bank transfer or cheque. Every donation helps.

Virtual Yoga in Stansfield. Starting on 1st April this Yoga
class is suitable for all abilities and offers you the chance
to be active with others in your community who you are invited
to socialise with online afterwards. Following the initial taster
session on the 1st of April, classes will continue every Thursday
at 9:15am where the first eight weeks will be supported by Fit
Villages offering you a subsidised rate of £4 per class.
Booking is essential. To reserve your place please contact
Catherine Rolfe on 07790842432 or
[email protected]

If you are interested but require digital support contact Chris ajonesandson.com
Lawson on 07748181434 or [email protected]
Yoga at Stansfield Village Hall in June! When the virtual course
finishes at the end of May, which should coincide with the
easing of COVID-19 restrictions indoor adult group exercise
classes, we are hoping to be able to continue the Fit Villages
Yoga as a physical class at the Village Hall.

The Great Stanfield Lockdown Escape. Fed Clare Liaison and Support Project (C.L.A.S.P.) Registered Charity No 1029710
up with lockdown? Missing the chance to
socialise? Why not join the Great Stansfield YOUR COMMUNITY
Lockdown Escape! In this virtual escape
room, via Zoom,you work as a team in NEEDS YOUR HELP
breakout rooms, to solve puzzles and find
answers against the clock, to move from one CLASP was founded in Clare in 1985 to serve those in
room to another to make your escape. Clare and surrounding villages who might be in need
The puzzles/questions will have a local theme. of help and assistance, as well as supporting
Email your friends to help you make up a team worthwhile local activities. CLASP continues to
of 2 to 6 people, and meet up in cyberspace on operate during the Covid Pandemic, albeit on a
Saturday, April 10th and join in the fun of the reduced level.
Great Stansfield Lockdown Escape! https://
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-great-stansfield- CLASP normally operates a SENIOR CITIZENS
lockdown-escape-tickets-146662508511 CENTRE providing a lunch and social activities on a Wednesday, CAR AID
We are asking for a minimum donation of £5, which provides free transport to take clients to and from medical
and if you are able to donate more - your appointments, the CLASP MINIBUS available for hire by local charities,
generosity will be greatly appreciated. schools and support groups, and FUND-RAISING EVENTS, including
Table Sales in the Town Hall.
Stansfield Plant Sale. We are planning to
hold this year’s plant sale at the Village CLASP is totally managed and run by VOLUNTEERS and is always
Hall on Saturday 22nd May. Calling all delighted to welcome new volunteers to assist with its community activities.
growers – could you raise some extra plants IN PARTICULAR, CLASP NOW NEEDS TO RECRUIT A NEW
this spring in aid of our church and village SECRETARY TO COMMENCE DUTIES IN MAY 2021.
hall? Herbs, flowers, fruit and veg, all
gratefully received. The duties include organising monthly Committee Meetings, taking and
circulating the Meeting minutes, and dealing with other communication and
C leaner Wanted. Stansfield Village Hall, administrative matters as they arise. If you are interested in helping your
3hrs a week, £10 an hour, some flexibility community with CLASP please contact the CLASP Chairman, Mike Arnold,
to hours, phone 789192 or email on 07934 087559.
[email protected] for more
details.

7

DENSTON e:[email protected] wwww.mrspencers.flowers
February
winners

The winners are:
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2 Camilla Hamilton £10
3 Rosemary Macaire £5

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S pring has sprung, and the warmer weather has seen the barrypassmore.co.uk
property market explode into the busiest I’ve known it for a
number of years. We are definitely currently in a ‘Sellers’
market, with many houses receiving 20+ viewings on the first
available viewing days. The stamp duty holiday maybe phasing
out but this definitely hasn’t slowed demand, and the next few
weeks/months might definitely be the best time this year to sell.

If you would like a free no obligation honest valuation, then we
would love to come and have a chat with you, still in a COVID
secure way. Please contact us on 01440 979980, call or text on
07949 448428, email [email protected] or follow our
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to see all of our properties before they hit Rightmove and
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Have a great April
Lee and the team at Barry Passmore

8

Springing
into Spring

It feels like Spring is finally arriving; A brown hare: not to be confused with...
the sun is warmer, the fields are
greener and daffodils have begun to behaviours that you can spot during this have been in decline since the 20th
bloom. The Brown hare (Lepus time. The most well-known of these is century. Changes in land use in the
europaeus) is one of my favourite ‘boxing’. This is often a female fending countryside have had a detrimental
mammals to spot at this time of year. off an over-amorous male, rather than effect on hare populations. Hares favour
Southern England is a stronghold for this two males fighting, as was originally a mosaic habitat consisting of arable
species and the flat, open fields of believed. You may also see ‘madcap land, hedgerows and grassland. In this
Suffolk are ideal for watching them. chasing’, where a female initiates a chase part of Suffolk, we are lucky that our
with several males, to test their fitness. If farmers have set-aside patches of habitat
At first glance they may be confused they can keep up with her, they are in for non-agricultural use and left
with their relatives the European rabbit good health and therefore good paternal hedgerows intact, allowing hares to
(Oryctolagus cuniculus), but there are material. These behaviours, most thrive.
some key morphological differences to commonly seen in March and April, are
help you distinguish between the two. where the English idiom “mad as a Another threat is hare coursing.
Hares are bigger than rabbits, possessing March hare” derives from. Although illegal since the Hunting Act
longer ears with distinct black tips and (2004), it is still one of the most
amber, rather than brown, eyes. Hares The ‘Easter bunny’ was originally a common wildlife crimes in the UK. Not
also have larger hindlegs, which help hare and the idea of this individual only does this end in the unnecessary
them to reach speeds up to 40mph, vital delivering eggs dates back to pre- killing of hares, but farmland is
for escaping predators. Hares are mostly Christian Northern Europe. Ancient damaged and it’s linked to other rural
solitary, sheltering in scrapes in the crimes, so it is in everyone’s best
ground called forms. The young of hares peoples collected the eggs interest to prevent it. If you see any
(leverets) are precocial. This means that of the Northern lapwing suspicious activity, such as large groups
they are relatively independent, born (Vanellus vanellus), during of cars parked by the side of fields at
fully furred and with their eyes open. In Spring. As these birds night, do not approach anyone, but do
contrast, the young of rabbits are altricial, inhabited the same habitat call the police. If you can safely take
being born furless, with their eyes closed and often laid their eggs in photographs of individuals and/or car
and fully dependent on their mother. a hare’s form, this number plates then do so as this helps
naturally led to the with any investigations.
Mother’s leave their leverets for hours conclusion that the hares
at a time, returning intermittently to laid eggs. As we approach the Easter break, keep
check on them. It is vital that if you spot Despite the importance of an eye out for this iconic species and let
these young that you leave them alone hares in our folklore and as me know about any other exciting
and do not touch them, as any human a prey species for foxes, wildlife spots you have at:
scent on the leverets may lead to stoats and buzzards, they [email protected]
abandonment.

Spring is the peak of breeding for hares
and there are numerous interesting

...Rabbits

9

The Modern Day Kitchen

Martin Kinna

M ost of us remember our mothers War time kitchen (above) and (below left) 1960s ‘sophistication’ - a wine basket
in our family kitchens cooking
up food we knew would be delicious. took your accumulator to have it soybeans in the pod just in case you
My Mum and her siblings had been recharged so you could be sure of wanted to know. Yotam Ottolenghi’s
born in India at the tail end of the getting a good reception for your unnecessarily convoluted recipe for
British Raj. Little surprise then that at wireless, ( “Please turn up the reaction, ‘Rhubarb, chipotle and lime jam in a
home in Surrey many ingredients were Auntie can’t hear!”) cheese toastie’ (sic) included in his
referred to by their Hindi names. ingredients a hibiscus tea bag as if that is
Inevitably things have changed. Indeed something we all should have in our
During the war, when I was being they have changed hugely since the kitchen cupboards.
brought up, curries, lentils, rice were sixties which gave us raised hem lines,
possible even when many other items flared trousers and spaghetti which we Every weekend the papers are full of
were scarce or on ration. It was also washed down with red wine that came in ingredients most people have never
possible to make do with substitutes bottles that sat in raffia baskets and were heard of before. I think I am too old to be
such as powdered egg and even tinned so exotic we took them home and made expanding my horizons in this direction
fish. There were, however, some things them into lamps. and still very happy with retro meals
that we could not stomach, the prime with such comfort food as rice pudding
one being a form of whale meat called Dear old Mum would not recognise and roast meat with vegetables from the
Snook. This was tough, oily and had a half the ingredients we see in the garden.
terrible smell. Once tried is was then cookery pages of today’s newspapers.
abandoned forever although it was But then neither do I. Last Sunday there That said I do sometimes knock up a
always available in the shops, as was was a recipe for ‘burrata with asparagus Thai Red or Green Curry from scratch,
Spam. pangrattato and sage’ that would not but I drive the supermarket staff mad
have got a glance. We looked up what trying to find the ingredients.
It is almost impossible to conjure up endgame beans were and it turned out
the sights and smells of the high street they are a preparation of immature Zhoug spaghetti with rasam and
in the war years. Most towns had shops asafoetida anyone ?
solely selling horse meat, which was off
ration and everybody did their best to
keep in with their proper butcher , often
like Mr Jones in Dad’s Army, in case he
could ‘Slip you a sausage’ or a little
piece of stewing steak.

In those days the idea of cooking with
olive oil was quite alien. That was for
ear ache, came in very small glass
bottles and was only available at Boots,
the chemists. And that was where you

10

A Skirt with Louise Duckling
through
History

Sutton Hoo: The Story behind The Dig

Picture the scene. The year is 1939. Edith Pretty and (below) the mounds Regiment, who had first proposed to her
War clouds are gathering over at Sutton Hoo on her eighteenth birthday. Edith was
Europe. At the same time, an now 42 years old.
extraordinary event is taking place in perhaps most crucial to the success of
Suffolk. The British public are the dig. Her life was exceptional, in Married life was all too brief. Edith
captivated, as history is being rewritten. many ways. gave birth to her only son in 1930, at the
age of 47. Her husband died four years
On a windswept plateau, overlooking Edith was born into a life of privilege. later, from stomach cancer. The wealthy
the atmospheric estuary of the river Her father was a wealthy industrialist, widow found herself spending much of
Deben, an ancient gravefield of low and she received a private education at her time at home, grieving over her
circular mounds is being excavated. Roedean. The family travelled husband’s death and with increasingly
The largest mound reveals a extensively overseas, visiting many fragile health. During this period of
magnificent Anglo-Saxon ship burial countries including India and the United reflection, Edith’s thoughts turned to the
containing finds of remarkable wealth States. mysterious mounds on her land.
and unparalleled artistic quality. The
treasure forces a total revision of our Intrigued Edith had visited archaeological sites
understanding of the so-called ‘Dark during her travels, including Pompei and
Ages’. During the First World War, Edith the pyramids and tombs of Egypt.
served in a Red Cross Hospital in Furthermore, her father had conducted
It is no wonder that Sutton Hoo has Cheshire, where she helped Belgian excavations at the family estate in
captured our imagination so deeply. It refugees. She also worked overseas with Cheshire, so it seemed only natural for
has been described as Suffolk’s own the Red Cross in France, witnessing her to do the same. She enlisted the help
Valley of the Kings, and – as with terrible carnage. of Ipswich Museum. They
Carter finding Tutankhamun – the recommended Basil Brown, a local
human stories behind the quest have In 1925, Edith inherited the family archaeologist with many years’
become an integral part of the legend. fortune, estimated at around £15 million experience of the local soil conditions.
in today’s money. The following year,
The key protagonists at Sutton Hoo she used her wealth to purchase the 526- Work started in June 1938. On his first
were an unlikely couple: a female acre Sutton Hoo estate. She also married day, Brown wrote in his diary that the
landowner, Edith Pretty, and a self- Frank Pretty, a Major in the Suffolk mounds were larger than he had
taught archaeologist, Basil Brown. anticipated and that he “was rather
Pretty and Brown are placed centre alarmed by their size”. Excavations
stage in the recent film, The Dig, based began on three smaller mounds, which
on John Preston’s 2007 novel of the showed little sign of historic
same name. In both the film and book, disturbance.
poetic licence is taken to heighten the
drama. Yet the real-life story is It was an inauspicious start. The three
compelling enough. burial deposits had in fact been
comprehensively robbed of all but a few
The tale begins with the vision of one items. Yet these finds included
woman. Edith Pretty was responsible fragments of once fine objects – enough
for the excavation on her land and was to suggest the mounds had once covered
high-status graves. Edith was intrigued.
She agreed to sponsor a further
programme of work.

And so, in May 1939, Brown returned
to Sutton Hoo. He asked Edith where
she would like him to investigate. She
pointed at the largest mound and said,
“What about this?” They were about to
unearth the richest burial site ever
discovered in Northern Europe.

Next month: Basil Brown’s
excavations and the Sutton Hoo
treasure.

11

Praogbelemwith Carol Reay-Glover
CAROL is a trained counsellor living locally who can offer advice on personal problems, such as relationships, divorce, child
issues, employment, depression - or general worries. Email her in complete confidence at [email protected]

Dear Carol,

My son who is six was
bitten by a dog two years
ago. It wasn’t a serious
bite, just one of those
accidents with a friend’s
dog.

The thing is he’s now
terrified of dogs.
I don’t want him to be.
Living in the country
there are so many dogs.
All our friend have them.

I tried ignoring the
problem thinking I didn’t
want to make a big thing
out of it but the problem
is getting worse.

What do you suggest?

J

Dear J,

It’s such a shame when a gently chat it through with films or cartoons with dogs with it? Even have a dog to
child has a bad experience him when opportunities in. Even Wallace and stay? You can give your son
like this and it can affect come up and show him by Gromit could be a start. tasks like feeding the dog,
them badly. your own actions that dogs Then introduce him to safe, filling its water bowl,
can be perfectly safe. non-threatening dogs. brushing it, anything. Get
I hope your friend’s dog is him involved.
safe and that they know you Start by watching films or cartoons
how to keep people safe with dogs in. Even Wallace and I think the only way to
around it. Gromit could be a start. deal with this is by
familiarising him gently
It’s important we all Then I think you may Could you invite a friend and with a great deal of
realise dogs can be have to actively address the with the smallest and safest care, with dogs. That way
dangerous, should never be fear. Start by watching dog around and gradually he’ll soon come to see them
left with children and encourage your son to play as pals and play mates.
should be approached with Always supervised of
thought and care. course!

I understand that it is not Good luck J,
ideal for your son to carry
on with this fear. Carol

The first thing to say is I
wouldn’t ignore it. You can

12

Suffolk Day 2021 is set to be a great celebration locally, when they get under way later in the morning. I imagine Market
especially if the roadmap out of lockdown proceeds as Hill residents will hope he is not in full cry at 6am. While there
planned. For 21 June is both the day when Covid restrictions is the formal side to the day, with a procession and the
are set to be lifted and also our county day which will proclamation, it is intended to be a cheerful, relaxed day
commence with a live broadcast by BBC Radio Suffolk on marking what matters to us most about our wonderful county.
Market Hill, Clare starting at 6am.
In Clare there is talk of a shop window competition to be
Mark Murphy, the radio station’s Breakfast Show host, is the judged by Mr Murphy and an afternoon tea for the over 70s.
instigator of Suffolk Day as the annual celebration of all things Has anyone got any ideas of how we should mark Suffolk Day
Suffolk and everything our county has to offer. Over the years 2021 in the villages? A celebration perhaps of our landscape?
since Suffolk Day was first started it has become a tradition Culture? Food and drink? Maybe all of them - given we should
that the day’s events kick off with an outside live broadcast by at last be free of Covid restrictions! To find out more about
Mr Murphy at the venue chosen for the reading of the Suffolk what is happening on Suffolk Day or to register an event please
Day Proclamation. The first Suffolk Day was launched from see Suffolkday.co.uk
the steps of the Town Hall in Ipswich – as befits our county
town.

This year, the gathering of the county’s Mayors and
dignitaries for the reading of the proclamation will be in
Suffolk’s smallest town: Clare. The Clare Town Crier will be
present to announce and introduce the official proceedings

Dementia and the inspiration behind the Debenham Project

One of the last meetings I attended as for the welfare and support of those who
a county councillor was one of the are family carers looking after someone

most inspirational: at the Suffolk Health with dementia, and of meeting the health

and Wellbeing Board we had a and social needs of those that they care

presentation from the team behind what for. The Debenham Project is

is known as the Debenham Project: a established and will continue to evolve

community project providing a range of and develop its caring approach (Caring

local support services for people with in the Community, Caring for the

dementia and their carers which are Community, and Caring by the

recognised as among the best in the Community) throughout the coming

country. years. Our plans are ambitious, and our

A dementia friendly community is one aspirations are governed only by:

in which both those with dementia and “If it is not good enough for my

those caring for them mother, it is not good

have the best possible enough”

opportunities to live “If it is not good enough for The range of services

beyond the diagnosis. my mother, it is not good offered is remarkable:

This includes having enough” advice and

opportunities to enjoy information; lunch

good times despite the clubs; a carers’ club

difficulties they face and being supported and information café; reminiscence

to cope when times become tougher. therapy; community transport; one to

The Debenham Project sprang out of a one support; activities; chair-based

public meeting 12 years ago with local exercise sessions - and more; A great

people talking about the challenges faced measure of the success of the project is work to enable Suffolk to become a
dementia friendly county. I hope locally
by ageing residents in rural communities. that it has evolved with the minimum of here in south Suffolk we can become
dementia friendly communities.
The team from Debenham told us that bureaucracy and the maximum of

this spawned “a unique project in which goodwill and motivation. The Health

our community has taken responsibility and Wellbeing Board agreed to support

13

Can CLASP help you - Louise
or can you help CLASP? and
Hugh
C LASP (Clare Liaison and Support pandemic.
Project) was founded in Clare in Another service is CarAid which, make donations to other local
1984 to serve those in the town and worthwhile causes, such as recently
surrounding villages who might be in using a pool of about 30 volunteer committing to the part funding of a
need of help and suppor - as well as drivers (who may claim a standard defibrillator for use in Clare.
being involved in a number of mileage rate), takes ‘clients’ needing
worthwhile local activities. transport from their homes in the Clare CLASP is totally managed and run by
and the local villages to hospitals, volunteers and is always delighted to
CLASP operates a senior citizens doctors, dentists or other medical welcome new people to assist with its
centre every Wednesday from 10.30 to practices. This is free of charge, but activities.
3.00pm in the Clare Old School many passengers make voluntary
Community Centre. Morning coffee, a contributions to petrol costs. Despite having existed in Clare for
three course lunch, and afternoon tea are many years it is surprising how many
provided for a small charge for up to 30 Pre-Covid about 30 people per month local residents seem to be unaware of the
clients, who can also participate in table were using this service. CarAid services provided, and it is hoped that
games and other activities. A minibus continues to operate during the viewing this article will encourage local
service is operated to pick up anyone Pandemic and would particularly residents to take advantage of and/or
with transport problems. welcome some volunteer drivers from assist with CLASP’s charitable work.
Stansfield Please call John Webb at
The CLASP minibus, operated by CarAid 07724 696283. Dedicated Mobile CLASP Chairman
qualified volunteer drivers, is available 07934 087559
for hire at very modest rates for use by CLASP also organises fund raising Senior Centre 07561 115158
local organisations. events, principally Table Sales in the Phone Contacts:
Clare Town Hall seven to eight times Car Aid 07724 696283.
Both the lunch and minibus services per year, not only to help fund the Minibus 07842 141281
are currently suspended due to the activities mentioned above, but also to
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14

Our
roadmap
out of
lockdown

15

COUNTRY COOKING

with LOUISE MACKRILL

Let’s transport ourselves to the Med

We may not be able to travel abroad just now but there’s no reason
we can’t transport ourselves to warmer Mediterranean climes from
our own kitchens, creating mouth-watering deliciousness with our own
seasonal ingredients, such as Spanish paella, French bouillabaisse, Italian
pasta primavera, Turkish kofta, Israeli shakshuka, Greek spanakopita or
moussaka ….

Grilled chicken with
Greek quinoa salad

What’s not to like about this quick & easy Greek salad topped
with tasty grilled chicken

225g quinoa, cooked & rinsed 300g vine tomatoes, chopped
25g butter Handful pitted black Kalamata olives
1 red chilli, deseeded & finely chopped 1 red onion, sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed 100g feta cheese, crumbled
400g chicken mini fillets Small bunch fresh mint leaves, chopped
1 ½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil Juice & zest of ½ lemon

Mix butter, chilli & garlic to a paste. Toss the chicken fillets in 2 tsp olive oil with some
seasoning, lay in a hot griddle pan & cook 3 – 4 mins each side until cooked through.
Transfer to a plate, spread the spicy butter over, leaving it to melt. Tip the tomatoes, olives,
onion, feta & mint into a bowl, toss in the cooked quinoa, stir through the remaining olive oil,
lemon juice & zest, season well. Serve with the chicken fillets on top with the buttery juices. Serve with some warmed pitta to mop
up the juices.

Mediterranean stuffed peppers

Fifteen minutes & five ingredients to make this Mediterranean supper in the mee-cro-wa-vay as Nigella calls it!

4 red peppers
2 pouches cooked tomato rice (I like Tilda Rizazz Mediterranean tomato or the peri-peri is good if you like a little kick)
2 tbsp pesto
Handful pitted olives of your choice, chopped
200g goat’s cheese, sliced

Cut the top out of the 4 peppers & scoop out the seeds, sit on a plate, cut side up, & cook in the microwave on high for 5 – 6 mins
until wilted and softened. Meanwhile mix the cooked tomato rice with pesto, the chopped olives & 140g of the sliced goat’s cheese.
Fill the peppers with the rice mix & top with the remaining goat’s cheese then cook a further 8 – 10 mins in the microwave.

16

Turkish lamb kofta Louise’s
Kitchen
Kofta is the Turkish answer to meatball. There is a lovely Mediterranean feel to this Pop-up
dish Restaurant

500g lamb mince 2 tbsp each parsley & mint, finely Al fresco dining
2 ½ tsp each ground cumin & ground chopped on Saturday 8
coriander 2 tbsp olive oil May at 12.30pm
½ tsp each ground chilli & sumac Tahini Sauce: 125ml Greek yoghurt,
1 egg, lightly beaten 60ml tahini, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tbsp olive Welcome drink, canapes,
25g dried breadcrumbs oil, ½ tsp sumac first course, main course,
dessert, cheese, coffee & petit
Mix lamb, spices, egg, breadcrumbs & herbs in a bowl, season & roll into oval balls. four £27.50 per person
Place on a lined tray, flatten slightly, cover & refrigerate for 15 mins to firm up. Whisk e:[email protected]
the tahini sauce ingredients together, season & place in a serving bowl. Heat the oil in a
frying pan over medium heat, add kofta, fry for 7 – 8 mins until browned all over & just
cooked through. I love to serve this with the tahini sauce, herby tomato & cucumber
salad & warmed pitta bread.

Aioli 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
300ml olive oil
Pinch of saffron strands 1 tsp lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, peeled & crushed
2 egg yolks

Creamy & garlicky, perfect as a dip for spring vegetables & new Jersey Royals which
we can find at the farm shop later in the month
In a small bowl pour 1 tbsp of boiling water over the saffron & set aside. Put the garlic,
egg yolks & mustard into a food processor or blender, blitz to a paste & very slowly
dribble in the olive oil to make a thick mayo-like sauce. When everything has come
together add the saffron, saffron water & lemon juice, then season to taste. The aioli
will keep covered in the fridge for up to 2 days but I would eat the lot in one sitting
with crudites!

Jeff Fellowes’ fine wines

Temperatures now are such that lunch Of course red wine goes equally well Domaine de Tourelles which is from the
can be taken outside on warmer with Chicken, and Lamb and I have Bekaa valley in Lebanon. This is Cuvee
days. A selection of white wines to drink recently found a number of Medoc, and Pierre Bruin 2018 and is a blend Cab
with grilled chicken would start with any Haut-Medoc, ie Left Bank from Sauvignon, Syrah, Cinsault and
of these: Aldi have a Gruner Veltliner Bordeaux wines on offer. Carignan so is full of black fruit
F.Mayr, from Austria which offers green flavours. I would open this bottle and
stone fruit and a little acidity. 2019 £7 Chateau Fontestau 2013. A vintage Cru aerate it, or decant, for it to give of its
12.5% Bourgeois. This had little to offer other best. Majestic £10 14%.
than it was wine, red and alcoholic. The
Lidl’s offering is a Pinot Gris, E.Weiss fact that it was £10, reduced by £9, was a Wine Press
from Alsace. This is the same grape as good indicator.
those tired Pinot Grigio’s one sees but INAO. The French appellation body
this has juicy pear fruit and is altogether Chateau Tourteran 2011 was has approved six new grape varieties
better. Try it with creamy cheese. 2019 £8 altogether better. Another Cru that can now be grown in Bordeaux.
12.5%. Alsace wines are little known in Bourgeois this was fading but offered This is because they are adapting to the
the UK but are well worth investigating. balanced fruit, tannins and reduced effects of climate change. The six are,
acidity and was unmistakably Left Bank Touriga National, all Port lovers will
An example of Pinot Grigio’s as style. Worth looking out for. £10 13% recognise that one, the other red grapes
described above is Stella Alpina PG from are Castets, Arinarnoa and Marselan. I
Majestic. I found this to be cloying and There seems to be more of these LB had a bottle of the latter from the
lacking clarity. £10. They do have a white wines on offer and Waitrose have Languedoc recently which I found dry
from the Loire, Le Bois Dore from several. I enjoyed a bottle of their 2018 and herby.
Saumur. This is 100% Chenin Blanc. The Baron des Tours :Medoc. A much
blurb states it has grapefruit, pineapple fresher wine, very pleasing, medium The white grapes are Alvarinho,
and honeycomb notes but although a bodied with black currant notes. Food Albariño in Spain, and Liliorila, a new
pleasant enough wine it did not set my friendly. £12 but they had a 25% off for one on me.
pulses racing. £10 2019 12.5% six bottles, and at £9 is a bargain. 14%.

A wine not dissimilar to the above is

17

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18

We all marvelled at their ability to
hold onto their dignity and that it

never felt ‘poor me’

The Salt Path, by Raynor Winn, Being homeless means
received a unanimous ‘thumbs up’
at this month’s book club. finding a home is a daily

When Winn’s husband, Moth, routine and ‘home’, when
receives a terminal diagnosis and they
lose their home, business and income it’s found, means
through a single bad investment the
couple decide there is only one thing quintessentially a place that
they can do: ‘we walk, until we stop
walking, and maybe on the way we find feels safe, be it a tent in a
some kind of future’.
sheltered spot on a
‘Are you mad?’, the voice of their
distraught daughter probably echoes headland, bolstered by
every reader’s thoughts as, inspired by
a guidebook they find whilst (literally) familiar rituals and
hiding from the bailiffs, they decide to
embark on the 630 mile South West possessions and the love of
Coast Path.
an other - ‘he is my home’.
It turns into a relentless journey of
living wild, sleeping wild, being ‘cast Whilst there are uplifting
adrift’ and ‘shipwrecked from life’, but
it is also very much a journey of hope stories of the kindnesses of
amidst the restorative power of nature.
We thought it was ultimately a strangers, pitched against
compelling love story of a couple in
their fifties ‘lifewrecked’ together, these are those of prejudice
conquering hardships together and
gradually coming to terms with and the visceral withdrawal
unthinkable loss.
from the taint of
The themes of ‘home’ and
‘homelessness’ run through every page. homelessness. We all

www.harrisharris.co.uk marvelled at their ability to

hold onto their dignity and

that it never felt ‘poor me’.

We liked the writing style

which, whilst unpretentious

and ‘grounded’, could also

very easily become lyrical

and poetic, whether

describing a beautiful April book
landscape or exploring the

depths of human feelings.

We found ourselves, alongside Winn,

hoping against hope that Moth’s health would recover – for much of the walk

his terminal illness is ‘the elephant in

the tent’ – and it is not until nearly

Harris & Harris Books the end of their time on the path
when, during a wonderfully poignant

• Two floors of new and old moment in the tent at the edge of
books for readers of all ages Lyme Regis, the inevitable is
acknowledged and they ‘let death in’.

• Fast ordering service We found ‘The Salt Path’ an

• Books posted worldwide inspirational read and we are looking
• Gift certificates available forward to making the sequel The
Wild Silence, a future book club

• Email for bookshop events choice.

and newsletter Next month we look forward to

7b High Street, reading Little Fires Everywhere by
Clare Celeste Ng.

CO10 8NY If you would like to join us for a
01787 277267 Zoom meeting please contact Anne
on 07557357362 or email
e: [email protected] [email protected]

19

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Clements 10am - 4.30pm Clements

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mmaiasiosonnddeeclcelemmeenntst.sc.oco.u.ukk e: [email protected]

20

In Suffolk they were also
known as King Harrys, due
to their likeness to Henry
VIIIth’s colourful clothing.

Goldfinches would probably feature likeness to Henry VIIIth’s colourful the 17th century Dutch artist Fabritius
at the top of many lists of favourite clothing. which inspired Donna Tarrt’s 2013 book
garden birds. With a mainly chestnut The Goldfinch. In Victorian times their
body, they have bright red and white Their appeal goes back centuries and beauty almost became their undoing as
faces. they often turn up in Renaissance they were trapped and sold as caged
Flashy yellow and black wing patches religious paintings where they were birds, so much so that they were declared
stand out to make them one of the most usually painted in the hands of the an endangered species.
exotic birds you are likely to see in your infant Jesus and symbolised the soul,
garden. resurrection, sacrifice and death. So fill your feeders with Niger seed
(and also black sunflower seeds) and sit
The increase in people putting Niger Perhaps of the most famous paintings back and enjoy these charming birds.
seed out on their feeders is at the heart of is a portrait of a captive goldfinch by
their recent revival in fortunes according In other
to British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). news, I am
They believe that there are two and a delighted
half times more goldfinches in the UK that the
than there were 25 years ago. Cemetery
Wildlife
I recall the first time I purchased a Project is
feeder designed to hold these seeds – for in receipt
what seemed like weeks, nothing of a grant
happened and then one day I noticed the of £500
level had dropped. I sat, waited and from
suddenly a group of three or four Suffolk
arrived! County Councillor Mary Evans.
A bench and wildlife camera are
They sound as fabulous as they look – amongst the items that will be
the RSPB describes their song as purchased. More news to follow
‘delightful liquid twittering’. It is easy soon, but in the meantime, here is
to see why their collective noun is a a picture of the primroses in full
‘charm’. In Suffolk they were also bloom on the site.
known as King Harrys, due to their

Goldfinches apart, my favourite spot of the month has to go to this exotic little
duck sitting on a tree stump alongside the Stansfield to Thurston End road.
Anyone know the species or where he originates from?!

21

‘A bookshop is a sweetshop
for the mind.’

A‘ fter lockdown #1, the first non- Kate Harris outside her bookshop in Clare
essential shop I visited was Harris
& Harris, Clare’s much-loved were wanting to buy from me! I realised offer safe take-aways at the shop door for
independent bookshop. It’s not that I that, unlike a grocery shop, my books pre-orders, she set up a covid-compliant
especially needed any books to read; wouldn’t perish so perhaps I could find a station at the threshold. Frank got to work
after all, my home is crammed to the way.’ She received fantastic support on building extra tabs on the website to
rafters with books I have yet to read. from the Booksellers Association which facilitate a virtual ‘browse’ and the ball
But that’s not the point. As any real issued advice on what was possible started rolling.
book-lover knows, a visit to the within compliance. Once she
bookshop is not only about finding a established that she was permitted to Eventually, though, she simply ran out
book to read. It’s also about touching
the book, sniffing the pages, admiring continued on p23
the jacket design. As proprietor Kate
Harris says; ‘a bookshop is a sweetshop
for the mind!’
Clare has an absolute gem of a
bookshop and it’s no coincidence that,
for a third year, Kate’s shop was
shortlisted for the Regional Finals of the
Independent Bookshop of the Year –
part of the prestigious National Book
Awards (the Oscars of the bookshop
world). ‘I think it’s pretty nifty’ says
Kate. ‘Being shortlisted has done me no
harm.’
For Kate and her beloved bookshop,
the last year has been something of a
challenge, but it was a challenge to
which she rose magnificently. In
December 2010, Kate and her husband,
Frank, moved from the South Coast in a
snow storm. In August 2011 (at the
height of the recession), she opened
Harris & Harris. ‘If I could open a
small, independent bookshop in a
recession, I was pretty sure a pandemic
wasn’t going to close me!’ Kate says.
In spite of her determination, Kate
admits that she felt frightened about
being forced to close down. ‘I went into
the bookshop that day to turn off lights,
unplug the computer and put everything
to bed, not knowing if there was a future
for Harris & Harris. But within
moments of being in the shop, my
emails and messages began to ping.
People were wanting books – and they

22

continued from p22 I really want to hear their stories. My Bloom because she appreciates what
dream was to build a bookshop that they do and finally she sent a cheque to
of new books as the supply chain dried became your bookshop, not mine. I want local charity, CLASP. This is the
up and it took seven long weeks before everyone to be proud of Harris & Harris epitome of community spirit.
new volumes began dribbling back in. It and show it off to friends who visit for
was then that Kate started to ramp up her the weekend.’ With luck, on 12 April, Kate will be
social media platforms and produced able to fling open the Harris & Harris
storytelling videos on Facebook, aimed at When Kate was a little girl, she bookshop door to customers once again
stuck-at-home children. As boxes of dreamed of being a philanthropist and and she can’t wait to ‘see friendly faces
books began to arrive once again, she during the pandemic she promised and watch the town come alive again. I
adapted her videos to produce the herself that if the bookshop made it so look forward to the day when I can
popular ‘What’s In The Box Mrs through to the other side, she would press books into people’s hands,’ she
Harris?!’ sessions. Unpacking a box of donate to worthy local causes thus says. ‘We’ve done it before and we can
bookish goodies, she would tempt acknowledging the support she had been do it again. It’s going to be emotional!
viewers with the contents in her warm, shown. Earlier this year, Kate found Bookshops have always been a social
passionate and inimitable way. And this herself in the position of being able to hub of the community and people look
is how she kept her head above water. give generous book vouchers to two forward to shifting down a gear, having
local schools and the pre-school in Clare a browse and soaking up the literary
‘It was hard work’ admits Kate. so they could refresh their libraries, and deliciousness. I have been open for
‘Making one transaction via email or to thank the teachers for all their hard almost ten years and the support I have
over Facebook was way more work. She sent a cheque to Clare in been shown really gladdens my heart.’
challenging than taking payment over the
counter, but it eventually paid the shop
rent and the bills. The Government grant
helped, and I could top up my furlough
pay. I could put bread and cheese on the
table!’

In the summer, she opened once again
to book-hungry customers (as long as
they wore masks and had slathered
themselves in hand-gel). Being a
particularly bijou premises, entrance was
restricted to two customers at a time and,
occasionally, this generated queues as
long as those snaking outside the Coop.

Once Lockdown #2 arrived, Kate was
ready for anything. ‘We permitted safe
collections at the door,’ she remembers.
‘I ran around town dropping books on
doorsteps and Frank and I drove about to
far-flung villages, making deliveries. We
also posted a lot of books! I made many
new friends from far and wide and even
sold books to a customer in Denmark
who promises to visit one day. When we
were allowed to open for the three weeks
leading up to Christmas, sales were
phenomenal. By this time, many people
were really understanding the value of
local retailers and wanted to support the
smaller, independent shops. It was – and
still is - very humbling. When I heard
that Harris & Harris was the first non-
essential shop that many people wanted
to visit, it warmed my heart.’

If Kate was surprised at the support, I
don’t think anyone else was. Harris &
Harris is many people’s favourite local
shop where you can not only browse for
a book, but be assured of a warm
welcome, have a chat, and inevitably
bump into friends. ‘It’s not just about
selling books,’ Kate explains. ‘I do an
awful lot of listening and have made
some really good friends over the years.

23

A meeting of Stradishall Parish Parish Council to adopt the phone box restrictions)
Council took place on Monday 1st and if you support the idea, what should •Monday 10th May 2021 – Annual
March 2021. County Councillor Mary it be used for? Please email or ring the Parish Meeting at 7pm followed by the
Evans and District Councillors Marion Parish Council with any suggestions. Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.
Rushbrook and Karen Richardson joined The Annual Parish Meeting is a village
the meeting along with two members of Overgrown hedges and trees meeting and residents of Stradishall are
the public. A large part of the meeting The Parish Council’s Hedge Policy is invited to come along and meet parish
was taken up with preparations for the now available on the Parish Council councillors and representatives from
2020/21 annual audit and reviewing website at http:// other local government and village
supporting documentation. stradishall.onesuffolk.net/about-us/ organisations.
policy-documents/. • Monday 5th July 2021
County Councillor’s report • Monday 6th September 2021
This was Mary Evans’ last meeting with The policy will be used to deal with • Monday 1st November 2021
Stradishall Parish Council as she is not complaints about hedges and trees •Monday 10th January 2022
standing for re-election in May. She has which are obstructing the public • Monday 7th March 2022
supported Stradishall immensely in her highway. The public highway consists
time as County Councillor and she will of any verge, pavement, road, At the moment remote meetings are only
be greatly missed. The Parish Council bridleway, or public footpath, whether allowed until 7 May. After that the
would like to thank her for all her hard or not maintained at public expense Government is saying that face-to-face
work and support over the years and over which the public has a right of meetings will have to take place which
wishes her well in her retirement. Mary way. Almost all hedges are owned by follow COVID guidelines. Councillors
Evan’s report is available on the Parish the adjacent property owner and it is and members of the public will need to
Council website at http:// their responsibility to ensure that hedges sit 2m apart and everyone will have to
stradishall.onesuffolk.net/about-us/ and trees do not cause an obstruction. wear face coverings. The Government
meetings/meetings-reports/ along with is being lobbied to allow parish councils
the District Council report. Dates of meetings in 2021/22 (dates to continue to hold remote meetings.
may change depending on Coronavirus
Wheelie bin stickers to remind drivers
to slow down Should
Stradishall Parish Council is considering the
purchasing bin stickers for residents in Parish
Stradishall who feel that there is a Council
problem with speeding or who would adopt the
like to remind road users to drive BT phone
carefully through residential areas. If box in
you would like to receive a bin sticker, The
please email the Parish Council or ring Street?
07880 686069, Monday to Thursday
during office hours. The Parish Council
email address is
[email protected]

Should the Parish Council adopt the
BT phone box in The Street?
Following the successful project to
purchase the playing field, Stradishall
Parish Council is looking for a new
project. One suggestion is to adopt the
phone box in The Street and use it as a
book exchange, information point or to
house a defibrillator. The phone box is
listed, therefore there will be constraints
as to what work can be undertaken,
however the Parish Council would
welcome your views.

Do you think it is a good idea for the

24

Lambing finished with 41
lambs from 25 ewes which
is 164%.

I always start off talking about the weather, and it certainly Where to buy our produce:
has been much nicer recently, in between the spells of rain! • Horringer Farmers Market, 1st Saturday of the
The ground has dried off sufficiently enough to allow us to let month (9:30am – 12:30)
the ewes and their lambs out onto the paddocks. And any • Thurlow Homemade & Homegrown Market, 1st Sunday of
further rain should not pose a problem now that they are the month (10am - 1pm)
stronger and doing well. • Horseheath Farmers Market, 2nd Saturday of the month
(9am – 1pm)
We will be moving them around quite a bit as to not over • Steeple Bumpstead Farmer’s & Craft Market, last Saturday
graze any areas. Lambing finished with 41 lambs from 25 ewes of the month (9:30am – 12noon)
which is 164%. Last year we achieved 160% so just we have • Order via email – join our mailing list for our most up to
done just as well I’d say. date stock list.
• Facebook – we have a shop on our Facebook page
Marj, our poorly ewe, survived but only just. It was touch @riverglemsmallholders for our pies and beef boxes.
and go for a while and she’s still in the recovery stages. • Free (covid safe) delivery within a seven mile radius of
She lambed by herself two weeks early; we really didn’t expect Stansfield. Or order and collect at any of the above markets.
her to do that so were surprised even more that one of the four
lambs was alive. Quads really must have taken so much from
her, hence her illness.

Our vets had suspected that if we didn’t lose her, we would
lose the lambs. But it was too early to perform a caesarean with
the lambs not fully formed, so we were trying to keep her alive
to give one or the other a chance. To have both is truly a
blessing.

She is too poorly to feed her youngster, so we are doing that
along with another couple of triplets which were born around
the same time. It is always best to remove one when more than
two are born; sheep really are modelled to bring on a maximum
of two. Whilst they can cope with more in the early stages, it is
not long before the mother can’t produce enough milk for all
three and either one lamb will suffer, or all three will be
underfed.

I think all keepers of captive birds will be pleased when the
migrating birds leave us, and the restrictions set around Avian
Flu are lifted. Only when this happens can we let our birds out
for the freedom they desire.

Free range birds do find these times difficult and are itching to
get out. Many keepers are reporting stressed birds and fighting
amongst flocks. I always keep my birds safe from foxes, so they
are generally kept in safe, roomy enclosures with a roofed area
to keep them dry. So although I have not been able to move
them about, they are content in their areas.

You may be wondering how you are still managing to buy free
range eggs and meats in the supermarket if all birds are being
kept undercover? Eggs can continue to be marketed and
labelled as “free-range” for 16 weeks after the birds have been
brought indoors, but if the restrictions last beyond that they must
be downgraded to “barn produced” using stickers on packaging.
Similarly, poultry meat can be labelled free-range for 12 weeks.

25

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A meeting of Stansfield Parish Speeding said that they will cover all signage costs
Council took place on Monday The Parish Council is hoping to apply to and Stansfield Parish Council is waiting
15th March 2021. County Councillor Suffolk County Council for temporary to hear back from QLS that they will
Mary Evans and District Councillor use of a Speed Indicator Device (SID). fund any additional costs.
Mike Chester joined the meeting. A Two locations have been suggested,
large part of the meeting was taken up Plough Hill and Upper Street. The first Anglian Water Bexwell to Bury
with preparations for the 2020/21 annual step is for the Parish Council to find sites pipeline
audit and reviewing supporting where the SID can be set up and obtain Anglian Water is planning a new 70km
documentation. permission from residents who live next pipeline, known as the Bexwell to Bury
to them. Some possible sites have been St Edmunds pipeline, which will
County Councillor’s report found and this information will be sent to connect into their existing water
This was Mary Evans’ last meeting with Suffolk County Council who will carry network. The below ground pipeline will
Stansfield Parish Council as she is not out their own assessment to see if the run north to south from an existing
standing for re-election in May. The sites meet their criteria. reservoir at Bexwell to an existing
Parish Council thanked Mary Evans for reservoir at Rede, to the south of Bury St
all her hard work as county and district Update on the Quiet Lanes Project Edmunds.
councillor. She has given the Parish Three routes have been accepted by More information about all the
Council a huge amount of help and Quiet Lanes Suffolk: interconnected pipelines can be found on
support over the years and this has been • The road from Stansfield down through Anglian Water’s website http://
invaluable. Mary Evans’ report is Assington Green to the main Stansfield - anglianwater.co.uk/spa. The exact route
available on the Parish Council website Denston - Wickhambrook road. of the pipeline from Bury St Edmunds
at http://stansfield.onesuffolk.net/ • Assington Green via Gosland Green to
meetings/meeting-reports/15th-march- Poslingford Dates of meetings in 2021/22 (dates
2021/ • Thurston Lane starting just past the may change depending on Coronavirus
houses in Stansfield to the junction at restrictions)
District Councillor Mike Chester Thurston Hall. At the moment remote meetings are only
introduced himself. He will be covering allowed until 7th May. After that the
Mary Evans’ role as District Councillor Quiet Lanes Project Government is saying that face-to-face
until the May elections. Poslingford and Denston Parish Councils meetings will have to take place which
have offered their support. Consultation follow COVID guidelines. Councillors
Village Hall Update notices have been displayed. With the and members of the public will need to
Derek Adams attended the meeting and exception of one, all responses were in sit 2m apart and everyone will have to
updated Parish Council about the Village support of the project. Money has been wear face coverings. The Government
Hall’s progress to raise £36,000 for a allocated to Quiet Lanes Suffolk (QLS) is being lobbied to allow parish councils
new roof. They have received locality by Suffolk County Council. QLS have to continue to hold remote meetings.
funding of £2,750 from Mary Evans and • Monday 24th May 2021 - Annual
£2,600 from local residents. The Meeting of the Parish Council followed
scaffolding will be provided for free. by the Annual Parish Meeting
They are also awaiting the outcome of a • Monday 19th July 2021
grant application for £20,000 from the • Monday 13th September 2021
Mick George Trust. They have been • Monday 15th November 2021
working with a local architect who has • Monday 17th January 2022
suggested a corrugated roof, but they • Monday 21st March 2022
will need to strengthen the roof structure
first. The Bridge Club hopes to pledge Litter picking
some money too. West Suffolk Council’s website has a lot
of guidance and advice for groups and
Update on the Housing Needs Survey individuals who want to get involved in
Due to staff absences at CAS this project litter picking and can provide equipment
was delayed by a couple of months. The and collections. Individuals can
working group has requested that more complete an online form to request their
information be included in the executive own set of litter picking equipment to
summary. The executive summary will use in their local area. To find out more
be distributed after 29 March when the visit
current lockdown restrictions have been https://www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/lwyl/
eased. arrangelitterpick.cfm

27

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28

Pat Theobald
1943-2021

Pat was born Patricia Anne Allum milk their Goats for the children’s London West End and going on coach
on the 21st of December 1943, the breakfast, much to their disgust as holidays, taking in all the sights of
second child of three of George and it was still warm. And Paul England, Scotland and Wales. She
Florence Allum. Pat lived in Braintree remembers playing in the orchards enjoyed her many trips to races, going
from 1943 until moving to Wakes where mum would be doing the to the Grand national, Cheltenham
Colne in 1967 with her husband hard work of going up and down festival and Newmarket, always
Richard. Pat had a happy childhood in the ladder all day picking apples. seeming to have a canny knack of
Braintree, going out with friends and Although money was tight, Pat picking a winner. Although her
going on trips to the coast with her would always make sure the mobility was not as good in the later
father, mother and brothers David and children didn’t go without anything years, she still enjoyed going to watch
Raymond. She would love listening to and would put their needs above live music and comedy shows with
music by the likes of Buddy Holly, her own. Richard and loved going shopping in
Rob Orbison and many more. She town and chatting to all the people she
would often visit the nearby Pat was very popular and active knew and buying yet another jumper to
swimming pool where she became a in the local Denston community a collection that she never wore!
very good swimmer. She would swim and would help with jumble sales,
around Southend Pier and swim for village fetes, going around the She needed the help of a Mobility
Essex County. village collecting for poppy appeal Scooter on occasions in the last couple
donations and cleaning for the village of years and this didn’t always go to
After finishing school at Braintree, church. For many years she would plan. While on a trip to Clacton and
Pat went to work at a tooling company organise the teas and cakes for the riding along the sea front, she crashed
and over her life had a variety of annual garden open day in aid of the into a table and chairs. Richard pointed
different jobs. Never afraid of hard British Red Cross. If there was any out she was going too fast because she
work she worked doing fruit picking, event taking place, they knew that they was in hare mode rather than Tortoise
worked in a Chocolate factory, a pub, could rely on Pat to lend a helping hand. mode.
a bakery and many cleaning jobs. She Once she completed a 15 mile charity
also had a spell making Cricket walk, Richard strolling on ahead as In all seriousness, Pat was a most
jumpers for Somerset Cricket club. usual. By the time she caught up he’d generous, sociable and loving person
Perhaps her favourite job was working finished his break and was ready to go and would have been touched by the
at the Officers mess at RAF again so she didn’t have time to have many letters of condolences received
Wattisham, where she enjoyed the one! But in typical determination she from friends and neighbours. She loved
banter with all the Servicemen made it to the finish line. her family and watching her children
stationed there. and grandchildren grow up and forge
Pat loved to knit, and we remember their own lives. Although her life on
In 1964 Pat met Richard and they her surrounded with balls of wool, earth has now ended, we can take
went onto marry in 1966. Before needles and knitting patterns. She would comfort that a part of her will still live
marriage they would take in a film and knit at lightning speed sometimes on in all of us. Pat was loved and will
go to a pub like most couples did at making school jumpers for her be missed by everyone and we will
the time. Pat went on to have four daughters (whether they liked them or cherish the memories we have of you.
children. Julie, Jeanette and Joanne not) and lots of baby clothes for her Thank you for everything you’ve given
were all born within three years of many grandchildren. Pat loved watching us—and the warmth we shared during
each other (people always joked that her Western films and soap operas on your precious time on earth. God bless
they should have controlled television and remember how animated you. Always.
themselves)! Paul followed some she got watching the wrestling, with us
years later, by accident or design we telling her it was all made up, but with
don’t know! Pat was also a loving her enjoying it all the same and
grandmother of eight Grand Children, probably more for it.
perfectly split between four girls and
four boys. Pat and Richard celebrated She loved telling the story of when she
their 50th wedding anniversary in was once chatting to the actor Ian
2016 and were married up until Pat’s McShane when he was filming the TV
passing this year. series Lovejoy in the village where she
lived. She inevitably made the crew
Having three young children at the copious amounts of tea and was proud
time meant a busy household. The to say the he used her toilet, getting a
mile and a half walk to the only shop signed photograph for the trouble!
in the village, with Julie just walking
and Jeanette and Joanne balancing on She also loved playing Bingo, going
the pushchair. They would walk to a with her friends to the big Gala halls
neighbour’s house where Pat would hoping for that big win. Later, Pat
would love to watch shows in the

29

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Why batsmen might
be in for a treat at
The Meadow this
season...

Putting the cricket square to bed

As soon as the stumps are drawn for the last
time at the end of the season, up and down the
land cricket squares are set upon with gusto in
preparation for putting bat on ball the following
year: it is a time-honoured process that ensures
consistency of performance of this small area of
hallowed turf for both batsmen and bowlers alike.

The first part of the process is to scarify the whole
square to remove any thatch of decayed grass
leaves; at this stage grass has been reduced to about
6mm long and the overall appearance is of a large
bare patch.

Grass seed and autumn fertiliser are then spread
prior to a layer of Ongar loam being applied to a
depth of about 3mm. Ongar loam is a perfect
(natural) balance of sand, silt and clay which not
only provides an ideal growing medium for the
blend of ryegrasses sown but also ‘holds together’
creating a consistent bounce of the cricket ball, time
after time.

Scroll forward to the spring and the only
‘detractors’ to the perfect smooth surface we have
created are worms and moss; the former ruin the
surface with their casts (causing uneven ball bounce
as well as damage to mower blades) while the latter
out-competes with the grass leaving bare patches
which again affect bounce consistency.

Consequently the roller and ferrous sulphate are
the two ‘agents’ used to correct the above two
problems whilst spreading of a balanced fertiliser
ensures strong growth: the square is now ready for
the subsequent conquests between willow and
leather (as well as 22 ageing, but determined village
cricketers!) (with thanks to Nick Burton)

Nick Burton working on the cricket square

continued from back page beyond the boundary; fertiliser/weed and when we take on a Sudbury CC XI at
moss killer were applied to the ‘square’; their Friars Street ground, beginning at
This great energy and passion also the cricket store was swept and spring- 1.00pm.
carried through into the work and care cleaned.
required to prepare and maintain the On the following Sunday at 1.30pm,
ground and wicket. I am very pleased to In just over three hours, the product of we have another away fixture at Long
report that this enthusiasm has continued slumbering inactivity of winter had been Melford.
undiminished over the autumn and cleared away and the Meadow was
winter and into the spring. When the call looking green and spruce, ready for new As well as the skills with bat and ball
went out for help with groundwork in life. that Stansfield players unquestionably
advance of the new 2021 season, no possess, it is very often attitude that
fewer than nine club members turned up Team spirit and togetherness - it's makes the difference between winning
at the end of March to repair and clear amazing what it can achieve! and losing a game. With this current rich
the cricket nets of weeds, dead leaves vein of team belief and spirit, we have a
and moss; machinery was started up and And now we are on the cusp of a new real chance of chalking up a first win
tested; brushwood was cleared from season, with COVID-19 restrictions during April for many a long year. Go
being eased in time for our first Stansfield! Together, we can do this.
scheduled match on Sunday 18th April,

31

Confidence
high as new
season beckons

BY ROBIN SHARP

As difficult and upsetting as the continue when things are ‘back to participation in the game when we were
effects of the coronavirus normal’ remains to be seen. finally able to play again in mid-July.
pandemic have been on everyone, such The sudden flurry of matches did not
times of restriction, stress and The results of such feelings of diminish this zeal or sense of wanting to
emergency can also have some positive togetherness were apparent in Stansfield ‘belong’. For every one of the seven
outcomes. last year, and certainly as far as the games played in the nine-week spell,
Cricket Club was concerned. Though the Stansfield was able to put out a full team
For instance, levels of pollution have cricket season was repeatedly put on and recorded six victories. Extra-
lowered thanks to fewer journeys being hold, the desire to come together ordinary statistics for SCC!
made by fossil fuel-burning transport - outdoors and take part in a team game
the air is ‘cleaner’; there have been was growing. continued on p31
fewer road traffic accidents and a
reduction in numbers of reported crime. It gave rise to a burst of enthusiasm for

Overall, people have been reporting a
greater sense of belonging and an
awareness and desire to help others. Of
course, whether these benefits will

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