Parish Pump March 2021

DENSTON HAWKEDON POSLINGFORD STANSFIELD STRADISHALL

Also available in ASSINGTON GREEN CLARE COWLINGE THURSTON END and WICKHAMBROOK

PARISH PUMP
No 339 parish.pump@ gmail.com MARCH 2021

Dig it with Charlie! Piper becomes a star
of BBC Countryfile…

Photo:
Sam Sykes

Credit:
LARRY HORRICKS/
NETFLIX © 2021

Charlie Haylock, the Suffolk dialect Charlie worked as voice coach for the ...thanks to this stunning
expert and behind the scenes star actor and became so integral to the photo by Bev Cunningham
of The Dig, is coming to Stansfield production that he was allowed to re-
village hall on 3 July to talk about his write some of the script to Story and more photos - p8 & 9
role in the making of the acclaimed “Suffolkate” the dialogue and make
film about the archaeological discovery it sound more authentic.
at Sutton Hoo, starring Ralph Fiennes. Full story on page 3

T SUFFOLK PUB OF THE YEAR G

WR

E WE ARE LOOKING E
N Y

T TO RE-OPEN ON 17 H
Y O

O MAY. TAKE CARE. U

N NNo 1 in the area
E DMeeting Green, Wickhambrook CB8 8XS 01440 821017 www.greyhoundwickhambrook.co.uk

PARISH PUMP

If you have a news item or wish to
publicise a local event please contact
Richard Evans at [email protected]
or 01284 789546

ADVERTISING:
Wendy Johnson Houghton

[email protected]

ADVERTISING RATES

INSIDE PAGES
for 12 months
(6 month rate in brackets)

Eighth page £58 (32)
Quarter page £114 (62)
Half page £177 (95)
Full page £290 (£160)

WHO’S WHO in As a result of the weather being Within
YOUR VILLAGE? so wet we have had to do our 500 metres
daily walks along the road between and just half
Stansfield parish council Poslingford and Stansfield as the an hour
Chairman: Sarah Hopkins paths are waterlogged. later we had
Email: [email protected] both half
We were shocked by the amount of filled our
Stradishall parish council litter thrown into the hedgerows. big plastic
Chairman: Ady Swift Following advice from Mary Evans sacks.
Vice Chairman: Adrian Lee and Joanna Kirk, (Parish Clerk), I
went online to Sadly, a
[email protected] www.westsuffolk.gov.uk and filled few days
in the application form to become an later we
Denston meeting individual volunteer litter picker. noticed that
Chairman: Jeff Fellows more
01440 820310 Just two days later a man arrived to rubbish had appeared along the road side.
[email protected] deliver high vis jackets, grippers and
rubbish sacks. So now we plan to do a weekly collection
Suffolk county councillor to try to keep the problem under control.
Mary Evans, Clare Division, So off we set with all the necessary
01284 789546 kit to do our first collection. Clare Powell
[email protected]
WHO’S WHO AT YOUR CHURCH
West Suffolk councillor for Denston, CHURCHWARDENS
Stansfield & Hawkedon
Mary Evans COWLINGE Mrs Josie Wreathall 01440 783286
DENSTON
WHAT’S WHERE? LIDGATE Mrs Fiona Evans 01440 820172

Wickhambrook Surgery OUSDEN Mrs Janet Mitson PCC Secretary 01638 500587
www.wickhambrooksurgery.co.uk STANSFIELD
Boyden Close, Nunnery Green, STRADISHALL Mrs Nicola Nunn 01638 500237
Wickhambrook. CB8 8XU WICHAMBROOK Mr Hugh Douglas-Pennant 01284 789412
Appointments, emergencies and general Acting Jane Helliwell 01440 820095
enquiries: 01440 820140 Dr. Paul Bevan 01440 821313
Dispensary: 01440 823801
BANSFIELD BENEFICE MINISTRY TEAM
The surgery is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm,
Monday to Friday. RECTOR Revd Eve Bell 07815 441304
READER Dr Philip Draycott (Wickhambrook) 01440 820328
Police Force HQ 01473 613500 ELDER Dr Paul Bevan (Wickhambrook) 01440 821313
Mrs Fiona Evans (Denston) 01440 820172
Denston Village Hall Enquiries:
Denston: 01440 820675 Stefan Visit the website, http://www.bansfieldbenefice.org.uk Follow us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bansfieldbenefice
Read the blog, http://bansfieldbenefice.blogspot.com Email us, [email protected]
Stansfield village hall booking enquiries
Tel: 01284 789192
[email protected]

2

The pub crawl with ‘
Ralph Fiennes, the
story of the man with
three testicles, and
much more besides -
from the incomparable
Charlie Haylock

The Dig, the film which was released to rave reviews in
January, tells the extraordinary story of one of the greatest
archaeological discoveries of all time at Sutton Hoo on the

banks of the Deben. What made the discovery of the Anglo-

Saxon burial ship all the more remarkable was that it was due to

the determination of self-taught archaeologist Basil Brown.

What makes the film so special is the authenticity of the

Suffolk accents and dialogue thanks to Suffolk dialect expert

Charlie Haylock. In his new talk, ‘Charlie and The Dig’, which

he is presenting in Stansfield village hall on Saturday 3 July, he

tells of how he was recruited as a voice coach by actor Ralph

Fiennes who plays Basil Brown.

Charlie’s role was soon extended and he advised all the

actors taking on Suffolk characters and re wrote lines of

dialogue to use Suffolk words and phrases. So “Come along

t’gether” instead of “Come along you lot” and “You marnt be

down there” instead of “You mustn’t be down there.”

Charlie, like so many of us in the county, has long despaired

of actors trying to project a Suffolk accent and yet sounding

more like West Country pirates. His talk will cover all the extra

tuition he gave his star pupil so that he became pitch perfect. He

even took Mr Fiennes, dressed in his Basil Brown tweed suit,

on a pub crawl to listen to the Suffolk cadences rhythms and,

indeed, silences.

Everyone who has heard one of Charlie’s talks before will not

be surprised that the pub tour generated several hilarious tales

that will feature in the show - not least the story of the man with

three testicles.

The full details are yet to be confirmed in part because there is

the uncertainty of whether we will be able to stick to the

planned roadmap out of lockdown and relax social distancing

from 21 June – Suffolk Day.

What is certain is that Charlie and The Dig will be a very

popular and

very

entertaining

event. There

will be more

information

about the

evening and

how to book in

the next issue of

PARISH PUMP. Basil Brown and Ralph Fiennes

3

Is your copy of PARISH PUMP arriving in
your Inbox at the start of every month?
If not, email [email protected]

Advertising your
business in
PARISH PUMP has
never been easier -
or cheaper.
This space could be
yours for a year for
less than a fiver a month.
Details on page 2

[email protected]

ONLY OIL

OIL BOILER SERVICING
AND REPAIRS

R. Corder & C.A. Nunn

www.angliapestmanagement.co.uk Tel: 01473 827792
or 01787 313250

4

How was lockdown
for you?

Stansfield Lockdown project: Life in Stansfield during the Covid-19 pandemic

By Sarah Hopkins
Stansfield parish council chairman

This project came about following an -reaching effects, could be an of photos), which encapsulates
idea by our local councillor, Mary important historical and social lockdown for you.
Evans, who suggested we might like to document for the future and will give
follow the example of some other a glimpse into the details of our Some ideas could be:
villages and create a record of the everyday lives and the substantial
extraordinary and unprecedented times changes that we have all had to make. 1.How you cope with staying at
that we are experiencing during the home
Covid-19 pandemic. The project will appear initially on
the parish council website and may be 2.Triumphs, trials and tribulations of
It would be interesting to hear about archived elsewhere. It will also be home-schooling
how you are coping with lockdown, what emailed to residents upon request.
you are finding hardest, what you are 3.Limitations and advantages of
appreciating and how you have had to How to take part working from home
change your way of living.
We welcome contributions from all 4.Juggling home-schooling with
A record produced by residents of Stansfield residents. If you would like working from home
Stansfield would be of interest both to to be involved, please write a short
ourselves, as a way of reflection and also article about your experiences during 5.Coping with furlough/job loss
to future generations, as an insight into lockdown. Your contribution could 6.Your experiences as a key worker/
the lives of Generation Lockdown. An also be a poem, a favourite lockdown on the front line
account of the events that we are living recipe, a piece of art or a photo (series 7.New lockdown hobbies/fitness
through, given their magnitude and wide regimes
8.Learning new technology and
Zoom meetings
9.How do you fill your time?
lockdown reads/TV programmes/
jigsaws
10.How you feel about returning to
normal life and hope for the future.

However, these are just suggestions
as this is your project and your
experiences.

Please email your contributions to
[email protected] . If
you prefer to write your contribution
in the traditional way, please ring me:
Sarah Hopkins 01284 789535. Offers
of help with collation and technical
assistance are very welcome.

Deadline: Sunday, 11th April 2021

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 wins
lottery grant

Some of you will have already spotted Stansfield village hall’s temporary protective roof and
the bright green protective roof (inset) a new replacement side door
covering on Stansfield village hall which
will protect the hall interior while the I’d like to thank all the villagers who Quiz
remaining funding needed to install the have sent donations for the Raise the
new roof is raised. Roof fund. If you
enjoyed our
Thanks to a grant of £2,040 awarded So far this month we have received virtual fun
by the DCMS/National Lottery, Local over £1200 towards the proposed roof quiz in
Connections Fund, this work has been work. If you’d like to make a donation December
fully funded without the need to dip into towards the fund, please email you might
funds set aside for the new roof. [email protected] Every like to know we are planning
contribution helps! another virtual event for April.
Security
A more subtle improvement that you In response to a press release about So gather your teams, or join
may not have noticed is the replacement the village hall roof in the Suffolk Free one for a virtual escape room
side door, near the kitchen/bar area Press, Total Access Scaffolding Ltd in challenge with questions to
which will improve both hall security Sudbury has pledged to donate the answer and puzzles to solve.
and the safety of hall users. supply and erection of all the More details to come…
The new door is fitted with a fire exit scaffolding needed when the new roof
bar, so that in the event of a fire anyone is installed. DA
in the kitchen or bar area can exit easily
without the risk of delay caused by a
locked door. We are grateful to Suffolk
county councillor Mary Evans for a grant
of £500 from her locality budget towards
the cost this project.

Donation
Following the story about the village
hall roof in last month’s PARISH PUMP,

Keep fit and carry on https://www.activesuffolk.org/forms/view/stansfieldvirtual1
Alternatively, you can get in touch with Fit Villages via
Last year’s plans to introduce a Yoga or Pilates class at telephone: 01394 444605
Stansfield village hall in conjunction with Fit Villages When relaxation of Covid 19 restrictions allows, we plan to
were scuppered by the onset of the pandemic. convert the Fit Villages online activity into a physical class at
the Village Hall. DA
The successful, albeit brief, re-opening of the Tai Chi
classes at the village hall in September showed that during
imposed isolation local people have missed the chance to
socialise and exercise. Active Suffolk Fit Villages have
offered us an online exercise class as an alternative.

Under the guidance of a quality checked Fit Villages
Instructor you will be able to exercise and enjoy the chance
to meet up with friends for a chat after the class and connect
with your community.

The first class will be free, and the rest of the sessions (6-
9 weeks) are subsidised. Classes are for all ages, genders
and a wide variety of ability and fitness levels.

Please help us to provide the type of exercise class that
best suits participants’ preferences by completing the short
online survey at the Web address (next column) by 10
March. There are just seven questions and it only takes a
couple of minutes. Thank you for your participation.

7

Piper
gives
Bev a
Bee
line to
success

Piper, a chocolate Labrador owned redundancy three years ago. Having own work.”
by Stansfield residents Mark and worked in the greeting card industry for No stranger to licensing images for

Clare Humphrey, has found herself the over 25 years as a creative director for a BBC card ranges, Bev also has three

star of a BBC Countryfile greeting card. card publisher, Bev started working images in the BBC Gardeners’ World

The shot taken by photographer and freelance, styling and art directing shots range, all shot in her Assington Green

Assington Green resident Bev taken by other photographers. garden and conservatory. The cards are

Cunningham, was originally captured as At the same time for fun, she embarked sold nationwide, but Bev says “I’ve

part of a shoot commissioned by Clare on an online dog photography course, even spotted one of my cards in the

as a surprise Christmas present for amusingly called ‘Furdography’, which Wickhambrook Post Office. I thought

husband Mark. rekindled her passion for photography. little do people know that the image on

Bev, who specialises in that card was shot in a

licensing imagery to the “I’ve even spotted one of garden just a few miles down
greeting card industry, licensed the road.”

the shot of Piper when greeting my cards in the Bev, now operates as
card publisher Abacus cards, Wickhambrook Post Ginger Bee Studios. The
based in Newmarket, saw the name is a combination of

image on social media. The Office. I thought little do other names by which she is
image made it through the known. “My parents call me

publishers selection process people know that the Ginge, on account of (no
and was then approved by the image on that card was surprise) my red hair and my
BBC, before going into partner, Will, and step

production and launching in shot in a garden just a few children call me Bee, so it
January of this year. seemed rather apt.”

Bev is delighted they selected miles down the road.” As well as supplying

the image of Piper, which was imagery to card publishers,

taken in Ickworth Park in the autumn of Bev explains: “As an art student I used my Bev also supports artists and other

2019. Bev and Clare have become good camera all the time but as the years passed creatives in the card industry via a

friends, since Bev moved to the area two by being a busy working mum I left Facebook group and blog called the

and half years ago and regularly enjoy photography behind. Once I realised I was Creative Card Collective.

walking their dogs together. perfectly capable of creating the shots card The group now has 245 members,

It was Bev’s love of dogs that got her publishers needed I started to get serious from around the UK and overseas and

back into photography following about photography and began licensing my once lockdown restrictions are lifted,

8

Bev plans on offering portfolio surgeries, workshops and
seminars for creatives in the industry.

In addition to greeting card image photography, Bev has also
started offering headshots and portraiture. Although this work
has been curtailed by lockdown restrictions, Bev was able,
before Christmas, to undertake a shoot with local artisan
jeweller and resident, Leaya Slater.

“I really enjoyed working with Leaya, she is producing some
gorgeous pieces of contemporary jewellery and like most
people selling online needs to convey ‘the brand’, which as a
maker is all about her and her craft as well as the jewellery she
creates.

“With an online presence becoming ever more important for
businesses and the fact people like to feel they
know who they are buying from, quality
headshots and branding imagery is
increasingly important.

“I really enjoy working with other small
businesses, besides which the headshot
and branding photography is a lovely
contrast socially to the solitary work I do
for cards.”

If you are interested in speaking to Bev
about either portraiture and headshots, or
even dog photography then please get in
touch via [email protected]

Bev Cunningham and
some of her successful
images

9

DENSTON
February
winners

The winners are:

1 Gill Bailey £20

2 Sheila De Voil £10

3 Eliza Reay-Glover £ 5 e:[email protected] wwww.mrspencers.flowers
barrypassmore.co.uk
DKC PLUMBING SERVICES

Oil fired boilers servicing
Breakdowns - Heating systems
General plumbing - 24 hr call out

Fully insured - 5 star rated

David 07740 272791

PROPERTY OF THE MONTH

This three bedroom semi
detached family home is
currently available in
Wickham Street, priced
at £280,000, with a larger
that average garden. This
is a must view home.

And so it begins....
February was a month of surprises here at Barry Passmore Estate Agents
Wickhambrook, with COVID still about, snow arriving along with
freezing temperatures, we were thinking it might of been quiet. Instead
of that quiet spell, we had a record week the second week of February,
with more viewings and sales than we had achieved in a single week
since opening in June last year. To say we were over the moon would
be an understatement. So, to then, again set record figures for sales,
viewings and valuations in week three took our breath away a bit. The
prime months for selling homes has well and truly started by the look of
things, and with the potential extension to the stamp duty holiday this
will only build over the coming weeks and months. A great time to buy
and sell a property.

I sent out a Facebook post earlier in the week, but thought I would
repeat the message through the PP, to send out our warmest thanks to all
the people locally that have supported our fledgling local business,
whether it be through viewing one of our properties, bringing their
property to the market with us, or even something as simple as sharing
one of our Facebook posts to your friends and family. It really means a
great deal that you have got behind us in this way. Please call 01440
979980, 07949 448428 or email [email protected] if we can be
of any help with all your property needs. Please also follow our
Facebook page @ Barry Passmore Estate Agents Wickhambrook to see
all the latest news and properties before the hit Rightmove and the other
property portals.

10

Camera,
lights,
action!

Hello all and welcome to this new several domestic cats. Do not worry distinguish between some of the foxes
column. I have just begun a PhD about your feline friends being out with within the area, allowing me to keep
on Primates, having completed a degree these wild species, I have captured track of when and how often they
in Zoology and a Masters in Wildlife several videos now where the foxes are appear.
Conservation, all at Anglia Ruskin afraid of the cats!
University. Wildlife has always been my Sexing foxes, on the other hand, is
passion, but since moving to Suffolk However, to begin this column I quite difficult, as both the male (dog)
from Cheshire six years ago, I have wanted to introduce you to a few foxes and female (vixen) look very similar
really been able to immerse myself in the that have captured my heart. One-eye, when seen on a camera trap. However,
surrounding countryside and discover the so called because only one of the eye’s we think Spot may be a subordinate-
amazing British wildlife we have here. glows bright in the dark, has been vixen as she is often seen with another
visiting the camera since spring 2019. fox, who is possibly her mother or
Through writing this column I hope to This reflective layer, found at the back of sister.
share this passion with you, and provide the eye, is known as the tapetum lucidum
an insight into what wildlife can be which, in Latin, roughly translates to When the two are together, Spot acts
found in our beautiful countryside. ‘bright tapestry’. submissively, flattening her ears back
and lowering herself to the floor, so it
A few years ago, I received a camera It is present in some, but not all is likely this other fox is the dominant-
trap for Christmas, something that I had animals and enables them to see better in female. Neither One-eye or Spot have
regularly used on field trips during my the dark. Although it is absent in humans been seen since early January, but if
degree. This has provided me with many you may have seen it in your own cats they are both vixens, this is likely
exciting videos and I would highly and dogs. It is difficult to tell whether because winter is the mating season
recommend anyone interested in this non-reflective eye has been present and many females will now be in their
discovering the wildlife near them to get since birth, or if injury caused it, but it dens preparing to have their kits.
one. Good ones can typically be bought does not seem to have impacted the life Subordinate-females, although non-
upwards of £50 from Amazon. of this lovely fox. breeding, will help raise these young. I
am yet to see young foxes, but remain
The cold weather we have had seems Subordinate vixen hopeful to see them this year.
to have prevented many from venturing
out, so the camera trap has been fairly Another individual is Spot, who again I would love to hear from you if you
quiet. I expect this will change once as the name suggests, has a small pale see anything interesting, so please
spring arrives. Over the years I have seen spot on the foreleg. These slight don’t hesitate to contact me at :
many red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), deer differences have enabled me to
and badgers (Meles meles), as well as [email protected]

One-eye (left) and Spot (right) both seen here in December

11

Emerging from the Gloom

Martin Kinna fighting during the Commune

I am typing this on a lovely spring of 1871.
morning. Through the window the
fields have returned to an overall green Ouida lived with her mother
and a more vigorous green than before
the early snows. There is a lot of bird in the Langham Hotel in
life and along the lanes snow has given
way to wonderful swathes of London for four years before
snowdrops that seem to increase year
on year. It cannot be said to be warm departing for Italy where, to
but it is not bitingly cold. It may not
last, of course, but for now one can feel support herself, she wrote for
the end of winter hibernation is just
around the corner. a living. Her prolific output

The spirits are rising and the better included twenty four best
news of Covid cases and vaccine
delivery are also giving one reason to selling novels, fourteen
hope that better times are just around
the corner. volumes of short stories, five

Not wishing to stray far during past novellas. two volumes of
months of restriction has altered my
habits for a while. Instead of bombing essays and countless articles
into Bury to do the shopping we have
frequently stopped at the little parade of on the arts and politics. Her
shops just opposite the Spread Eagle
pub. Most notable there is the Tesco best known books are Under
Metro with a cash machine, useful for
when one is on the last crumpet or out Two Flags and A Dog of
of bread. There is also a cleaners that
has been open throughout lockdown, a Flanders.
butcher of whom friends speak highly
and a very nice small independent Her father is said to have
coffee shop which we have been
patronising “just because it is influenced her by impressing
independent and because he is there”
and the coffee is very good too. masculine ‘codes of culture

Across the road by the car park there and thought’ on her and these
is a curious somewhat stunted
monument to the celebrated Victorian influenced her writing
novelist Ouida, which, having Googled
her, I find is pronounced ‘Wee-Dah’ considerably, making her
and was adopted as her pen name after
her early attempts to pronounce her real much sought after by an eager
name Mary Louise Rame.
public. I have never read her
Her mother was English, her father
French and she was born in Bury St but perhaps I should . I am
Edmunds in 1839. Her father made a
living teaching French in the local assuming she was a sort of more TESCO’S FINEST: The Ouida monument in
schools but was also frequently absent,
it is assumed in France, and he was intellectual Barbara Cartland of Bury St Edmunds and (inset) the lady herself
thought to be a Bonapartist agent. He
disappeared in Paris during the street her day and one imagines there

being a racy undertone to the stories of These two characters, the first being

dashing young regimental officers and Charles the Second, are part of our

flamboyant heroines. history and as such remembered as the

She lived most of her life in Italy where names of certain pictures and pubs. Four

she scandalised society by having an of these belong to Greene King who

affair with a married Marchese. She was have taken it upon themselves to change

also unusual in her day by working the names of these premises in case they

extremely hard in a man’s world and is, be considered offensive and as a nod to

in a way, an early feminist. How the Black Lives Matter campaign.

extraordinary, then, to find this exotic life I ask you what is more important,

remembered here just opposite Tesco! remembering our history or

Imagine a high rankng male baby being misconceived political correctness?
born at the Court of the Stuart’s and I have long since stopped drinking

those excellent Greene King ales

being nicknamed the Black Boy because because of the appalling way I felt they

of his deep olive complexion and jet treated landlords and closed pubs some

black hair. Imagine too meeting a small years ago.

boy in ragged clothes. His face is sooty, If I had not done so I would stop

his hands grimy and he carries a set of doing so now for the ridiculous

brushes. He is a Victorian chimney oversensitivity and historical

sweep and probably fresh out of an incorrectness. Or should I do it because

orphanage. He is known as a Black Boy. they now are owned by the Chinese ?

12

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 don’t have choices. At all. Don’t know why I’m sending this
even. Got to get on with it. It’s obvious.
I would really like to completely change the direction of my
life. But what’s the point of it all if you’re just plain unhappy.
Maybe I just do like another 10 years and then make a change.
But it’s not really possible. But then I might be too old. I do have a good idea what I’d like
I hate my job and just don’t like it. I am a round peg in a to do.
square hole. I just can’t stand it. Going back after the Christmas
break was a joke. Thanks for any tips.
But I’ve got loads of responsibilities and 2 small kiddies. So I
B

Dear B, dreams just enough to begin to talk on. Map it out. Again, tell yourself just
them through. I don’t know whether because you entertain a thought, doesn’t
Your email was so clear. That’s what you’re a single parent or co-parent of mean you have to act on it.
struck me first. You don’t have any your young children. If you’re in a
doubt that you are in the wrong job at relationship have a chat about your ideas Finally, imagine one of your children
the moment. None at all. And that is and thoughts with your partner. There is was grown up and presented you with
what I would like to feed back to you no risk in discussion and often just by exactly this problem. What might you
first of all. airing our problems we can see more advise them to do? I am imagining you
clearly how to solve them. The more you encourage them to at least think through
The next thing you’re sure certain of is talk it through with as many people as an early plan.
your lack of choice. That is what I possible the more ideas you’ll gain as to
would like to question you about. You how to achieve your goal. B, I really hope you can give yourself a
are someone who takes your chance to plan towards change.
responsibilities very seriously which is You have a clear idea what you would
admirable. But you also have a like to do. That’s unusual and Making sure you are happy and
responsibility to yourself. You deserve marvellous! So have a good think about fulfilled could be an ingredient of
to have at least a chance at a happy and what small steps you could take to set parental responsibility itself. Just a
fulfilled working life. So, instead of yourself on the path you would like to be thought.
writing off any chance of change I am
going to suggest you respect your Good luck,
Carol

13

Al fresco Louise
dining and
Hugh

booked

out in 30

minutes

An early clue to the level of pent available places were snapped up In her email to regulars on her
up demand by consumers within 30 minutes. database, Louise said: “We cannot
following lockdown has been offered guarantee the weather but we can
by the amazing response to a Greek As a result, she said she would repeat transport you to the Mediterranean
style al fresco dining event being run the event the following weekend - and with our Greek style Sunday lunch
by Louise Mackrill’s kitchen pop-up the 30 places for that were also taken which will include meze selection,
restaurant next month. up in double quick time. spanakopita, moussaka and baklava.”

After emailing the welcome news She is now pencilling a luncheon for If the reaction to her marketing is an
that her popular pop-up would be 1 May at her Laurel Bank farmhouse accurate guide, local eateries can look
resuming on 18 April, the 30 base in Assington Green although she forward to a busy summer.
is yet to decide the theme.

D.J.ALBON

BUILDING SERVICES

Specialising in all aspects of building, decorating, property
maintenance and repairs at competitive prices

Brickwork • Chimneys re-pointed, repaired, rebuilt
Extensions • Alterations • Restorations • Groundworks

Driveways • Roofing • Fencing and repairs
UVPC Windows • Doors • Conservatories • Fascia • Soffits
Guttering • Plastering and repairs • Painting and Decorating

Tiling • All Maintenance

No job too small • Free Estimates

For a friendly and professional service call

Office: 01787 278815 or Mobile 07948 004680

FRESH FISH • SMOKED FISH • SHELL FISH

01787 377768 THURSDAY
07971 811947 Coggeshall 7.30am-12.30pm
Long Melford 2.30pm-5pm

FRIDAY
Clare Market Hill 8am-10am
Lavenham Market Place 11am-1pm

Depden 2-4pm

SATURDAY
Willow Tree Farm Shop 9am-1pm

14

‘Your Honour, I am not
a cat.’

The instant celebrity status won by ZOOM: Jackie Weaver (above) at the behaviour is the lack of sanctions.
Jackie Weaver for her handling of a virtual meeting of Handforth parish “Complaints can be taken to the local
volatile parish council committee council planning committee and (right) monitoring officer but if the result is
meeting has generated a couple of good the feline face of a Texas lawyer. telling someone they need to apologise
side effects in that it has prompted or need to go on training - they can
greater interest in the work and role of camera so he appeared on screen with a ignore it.”
the unsung heroes of our democracy: feline face saying to the judge: “Your
parish and town councils. honour I am not a cat.” SALC is offering more training for
parish councillors and recommending
In many of our communities it was the So how will it be when our parish model standing orders covering how to
parish or town council that led the local councils meet again in public? Jackie deal with disorderly conduct. There are
response to Covid during lockdown Weaver’s no-nonsense approach has discussions going on about whether
organising the collection of prescriptions strengthened the campaign by the councils will be able to operate hybrid
and shopping for residents shielding at National Association of Local Council meetings with some participants present
home, checking that neighbours were for the availability of sanctions to tackle in person while others login virtually.
staying safe and well. disruptive behaviour at parish council
meetings. Whatever the new way of working
However, the infamous meeting, which becomes, it will be after I have stopped
went viral when the zoom recording was Most of England’s 10,000 parish and being a councillor. I send all best wishes
uploaded to YouTube showed an town councils are well run and work to the town and parish clerks, sitting
unpleasant side of parish politics and effectively for their communities. councillors and those coming in after the
served yet again as a reminder that in a However, Cllr Sue Baxter, who chairs by elections for constructive meetings to
virtual meeting everything you say or do NALC says,: “All too often we hear enable them to do what they do best –
will be picked up by your camera and about the negative impact poor and serve the communities and residents they
microphone unless you mute and turn off disruptive behaviour can have: by represent.
the video function. councillors, clerk and residents. Simply
put, we must tackle this issue and put a
Behaviour at meetings has deteriorated stop to the actions of the few
online but I suspect some of that is overshadowing the many whose tireless
unintentional. Although I witnessed efforts play such a vital role in our civic
people speaking and acting in ways they life and local communities.”
would never have adopted in a public
meeting. People sitting at home in front Jackie Weaver’s counterpart here in
of a screen can sometimes forget they Suffolk is Sally Longmate, Chief
are participating in public. Executive of the Suffolk Association of
Local Councils. She says part of the
I have been in virtual parish meetings problem with tackling disruptive
where people have failed to mute so
their disparaging remarks about the other
attendees have been clearly audible. I
have been in other meetings where
people have forgotten they are on
camera and, for example, wandered off
screen, to return with another large glass
of wine.

There have been incidents where
questioning and challenges have been
more aggressive than they would have
been face to face in a public meeting.
There have also been meetings where
attendees, not known by the other
participants, have remained almost
anonymous keeping the camera off.

At least no one has befallen the fate of
the American lawyer whose children it
seemed had set a kitten filter on his

15

A Skirt with Louise Duckling
through
History

Through Suffolk on a Side Saddle

To conclude my series of life- punishing. Fiennes criss-crossed through abbey. In terms of the local economy, it
affirming stories, I would like to London and Essex, and then on to seemed to be a “thriving industrious
pay tribute to a seventeenth-century Ipswich (“a very clean town”). She town”. On the downside, the dense
woman called Celia Fiennes. In 1697, explored many Suffolk towns and population meant that provisions were
she made a remarkable decision. villages on her way to Norwich, before scarce and expensive – especially for
Defying the conventions of the age, switching back to Thetford (“now much travellers!
Fiennes set out from London to explore decayed”).
as much of England as possible on Fiennes travelled on to Chippenham
horseback, at a time when this was by The eight-mile trip from Thetford to Park near Newmarket, riding “in sight of
no means easy. Bury St Edmunds was arduous, with Newmarket heath where the races are”.
Fiennes complaining that “the miles are She gives a sumptuous account of
Women of the period did travel, very long”. She was rewarded, two Chippenham Hall and its extravagant
sometimes extensively, but Fiennes was miles out from Bury, by the decor, but no detail of the twelve-mile
exceptional. Unmarried and 35 years “wonderfully pleasant” view of the journey from Bury St Edmunds. Did she
old, she was her own boss, travelling compact town, “standing on a great hill” pass directly through our corner of West
without a male companion of her own and “thick” with trees and gardens. Suffolk? It is certainly possible, but we
social station and accompanied only by will never know.
her servants. Arriving in the town centre, Fiennes
was fascinated by a rich apothecary’s We do know that Fiennes visited every
The roads at the time were narrow, home. Constructed in “the new mode of county in England and provided a rare
overgrown, liable to flooding, and building”, with four rooms per floor and eyewitness report. Yet her expeditions
poorly marked. Highwaymen, and the a large shop front, it was one of the remain largely unknown. By some
threat of robbery, were a constant cause tallest houses in Bury (“at least 60 accounts, she inspired the nursery rhyme:
of concern. Yet Fiennes was an intrepid steps” high). The interior was “Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross, To
traveller, zigzagging across the country beautifully furnished with china, see a fine [or Fiennes?] lady upon a white
– riding side saddle, no less! – with a embroidered damask, and quantities of horse”.
spirit of adventure. fine plate. Fiennes pored over an
exquisite book of herbal remedies, Even so, if the name sounds familiar,
Fiennes began her journey to regain featuring “every sort of tree and herb then it is probably due to her more
her physical health “by variety of dried and cut out and pasted on the famous relation: the modern-day
change of air and exercise”. She also leaves”. explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
aimed to improve her mind, by learning Thankfully, Celia Fiennes is gradually
as much as she could about the places Fiennes discusses Bury’s street layout, gaining recognition for her own travels
she visited. Luckily, she recorded her housing, cleanliness, and the ruins of the and remarkable zest for adventure.
extraordinary travels in a private
journal. Fiennes’s text was first
published in 1888 as Through England
on a Side Saddle in the Time of William
and Mary.

Fiennes wrote in an unpretentious
style. She provided detailed descriptions
of the counties, towns, churches, and
country houses she visited. She was
curious about the industries,
manufacturing processes, and social
practices she encountered on her travels,
and documented them extensively. Her
meticulous notes are a valuable
historical resource.

In 1698, Fiennes embarked on a tour
from London to Bury St Edmunds,
noting the routes and distances travelled
in her journal. The schedule was

16

Our
roadmap
out of
lockdown

17

COUNTRY COOKING

with LOUISE MACKRILL

March 2021

Knock up a quick leek hotpot, perfect for St David’s Day on 1 March, or
bake a lemon drizzle cake for Mothering Sunday on 14 March

March is a bit of an in-between month, not quite spring but definitely not
winter, it’s a good month for seasonal produce such as wild garlic, spinach
and purple sprouting broccoli. Hopefully we have made it through the
harshest months now and we will see brighter skies and nature preparing
for spring.

Spring green rosti

Delicious, low-fat weekend brunch.
Try serving topped with a poached or fried egg
for some added protein.

200g spring greens
500g coarsely grated potatoes
4 spring onions, thinly sliced
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp chopped parsley

Cook the greens in boiling water for 3 or 4 mins until tender, drain, roughly chop them
& mix with the grated potato, onions, cumin & parsley. Heat some oil in a frying pan
and add the rosti mixture pressing it down, cook gently approx 10-15 mins on each
side until golden & cooked through.

Mulligatawny chicken soup

This substantial, warming soup is a meal in 1 onion, chopped
itself. 2 chicken thigh fillets,
Fry the onion & chicken in some oil for 5 diced
mins, stir in the celery, carrots, potatoes & 1 celery stick, chopped
tomatoes, cook a further 5 mins, stirring. 2 carrots, chopped
Stir in the stock & curry paste, simmer for 2 potatoes, diced
20 mins until the chicken is cooked through. 2 tomatoes, chopped
Remove from heat & ladle half the soup 1.5 litre hot chicken stock
into a jug, add the chutney & yoghurt. 2 tbsp Madras curry paste
Using a handheld stick blender whizz the 2 tbsp mango chutney
soup in the jug to a course puree then tip 100g natural yoghurt
back into the soup pan. The soup is now
ready to serve with a dollop of yoghurt,
some fresh coriander leaves & some warm
naan bread.

18

Kiwi lime pie The Cake
Caravan
Kiwis are an excellent import and are high in vitamin C & dietary fibre at Laurel Bank

200g ginger nut biscuits, crushed Farm
75g unsalted butter, melted Assington Green
200ml double cream
200g condensed milk The Cake Caravan is open
4 unwaxed limes, zest & juice nearly every day for freshly
4 or 5 mint leaves finely shredded baked cakes to order:
2 ripe kiwis
e:[email protected]
Mix the ginger nuts with the melted butter & press into the base & sides of a 23cm to order your cake
loose bottomed tart case. Whisk the double cream, condensed milk & lime zest, stir
through the mint then pour into the tart case. Chill for at least an hour. Top, tail & peel Good sized Victoria
the kiwis, slice, tumble over the tart sponge £6
Brownies £7
Iced cakes (chocolate,
coffee, lemon, carrot) £7

Jeff Fellowes’ fine wines

P erhaps it was the sight of all the recent has heartier dash of Merlot, which is the I found that, having
snow, and ice, which led me to try a reverse of what one would expect from taken two glasses, that
couple of white wines with the following the left bank. I tasted more Cabernet the wine opened up, and improved, the
results. Sauvignon than Merlot. The price following day. Also has a most attractive
indicates this wine has little to offer in label. Anything from stews to pizza would
Pecorino Offida Saladini DOCG. One of the way of fruit, tannins and acidity, the go well. Maj 2018 13% £11
the first estates in Italy to adopt organic hallmarks of the Left bank wine.
farming and has resulted in this citrus, fruit Wine Press
and mineral notes wine. Recommend that it If your palate enjoys red wine devoid
be drunk when eating soft cheese. Rather of the above this is for you. Maj 2014 Can’t remember things? Feel the world
sharp to the taste and lacks clarity. Maj 13% £10 is becoming even more difficult? The
2019 13.5% £10 solution? Have a wine and cheese party, all
SuperTuscan is the name given to very seventies of course, but researchers
Next a Picpoul de Pinet from the wines from near the coast in Tuscany. looking at links between diet and cognitive
piquepoul grape grown in the Languedoc. They evolved when wine makers began performance found, over time that red wine
Baron de Badassiere, apparently a son of using Cabernet Sauvignon to blend with could improve brain function.
Louis XV. Quite refreshing, clean on the the native Sangiovese grape. Much
palate. Ideally suited to seafood. Gog sought after now and command premium A professor at Iowa State University said
Magog Farm Shop on Haverhill road from prices. Most unusually they are not in the that “their results suggested that
Cambridge. 2019 13% £11. classification of Italian wines, and were responsibly eating cheese and drinking red
originally described as IGT. (Indicazione wine daily are not just good for helping us
Apostata Tempranillo. Made from aged Geografica Tipica). I once sampled a cope with Covid 19 but perhaps also
vines, which concentrates the grape, in bottle of Tignanello in the Villa Antinori, dealing with an increasingly complex
Castile. Piazza Antinori in Florence. Majestic world that never slows down.”
have a so-called Baby Tuscan Dogajolo
A full bodied substantial wine with black Carpineto. This is very smooth on the A bottle of Chateau Labour 1865 sold
fruits, spices, vanilla, soft tannins and a palate but still retains plenty of fruit is recently in the US for 31,070 dollars.
very satisfying finish. Maj 2018 14.5% £11 rounded following ageing in oak barrels. (£22,775)

Chateau Livran. A left bank Bordeaux
wine from the Medoc. The blurb states it

19

SPITFIRE MOWERS & GARDENING www.headplumbingservices.co.uk

• Mower and Garden
machine service and repair.

• Grass cutting and gardening
jobs.

• Based in Glemsford
covering areas in Suffolk
and Essex.

• Small Workshop and store in Glemsford with a craft section too.
• Push along, ride on and tractors.
• Lots of items we can get in

cheaper for you from hand
tools to parts to even
machines themselves!
• The Craft Cabin includes
Paint your own, Craft
packs and resin items to buy. It also includes A place to craft while
adhering to social distance rules!

20 years experience in the industry
so why not give us a try
www.spitfiremowers.co.uk
07429391775

20

Powerful and moving, the book certainly
captivated us – as one member quipped it is

very unusual for us to spend the whole
meeting actually talking about the book!

An animated and very interesting Amal’s sister-in-law, eloquently March book
discussion followed the reading of explains how ‘ordinary’ human
this month’s book, Mornings in Jenin, emotions are experienced notable gaps in the history, compared to
debut novel of Palestinian American ‘extraordinarily’ by those living as they if the story had been told from an Israeli
writer, Susan Abulhawa. do with war and terror – it ‘exposes us perspective. One of our group
very young to the extremes of our introduced us to ‘sensitive editing’ and
It follows the lives of four generations emotions until we cannot feel except in pointed out that whilst the book does
of the Palestinian Abulheja family from the extreme…Our anger is a rage the indeed privilege the Palestinian voice
1941 to 2002. They farm the land near Westerners cannot understand. Our there are moments throughout where a
Ein Hod until, driven out of their village sadness can make the stones weep. And ‘sensitive editor’ may have encouraged
by the invading Israeli forces in 1948, the way we love is no exception…I think a more nuanced perspective. Multiple
they are forced to live in a refugee camp it is where God lives.’ points of view provide some balance
at Jenin. It’s a powerful story, gruelling and depth, as for example when the
and shocking, but we all agreed an Amal’s mother, Dalia, broken by so author quotes a newspaper report,
important read offering significant many losses, eventually descends into introduces a candid conversation
insights into an intractable conflict premature dementia and we thought the between a Palestinian and Israeli child
which has been ever present in all of our descriptions of her mental collapse were about the occupation, or makes
lives. amongst the most beautiful and comparisons between suffering mothers
sensitively written in the book. Dalia’s on both sides.
We liked the narrative style where the baby, Ismael, was stolen from her by an
clear chronological progression of events Israeli soldier to give to his wife, a Moreover, we agreed that against a
is sometimes told through an observing traumatised Holocaust survivor, ‘young backdrop of division and hatred there is
third position and sometimes through the life to care for will bring her back’. One a central theme of ‘connection’ –
very distinctive personal voices of the woman’s loss and heartbreak becomes connection through a sense of common
characters. But it is mainly through another woman’s reason to live. Very humanity such that ultimately
Amal, the youngest of the Abulheja early on we learn Ismael, renamed Palestinian and Israeli are connected
family that we really see, feel and smell David, has a scar on his face which we through their shared compassion and
the squalid poverty and fear of everyday are told will ‘eventually lead him to his loss. Powerful and moving, the book
living in a refugee camp. We also get to truth’ – the author sows a reassuring seed certainly captivated us – as one member
delight in her childhood friendships, that the truth will prevail and the reader quipped it is very unusual for us to
their play and childish squabbles, their dares to hope for a future reconciliation spend the whole meeting actually
first romances – events all the more with his past. talking about the book!
precious for being so ordinary. There is
a wonderful passage where Fatima, It was observed that there were some Next month we look forward to
reading the much celebrated ‘The Salt
www.harrisharris.co.uk Harris & Harris Books Path’ by Raynor Winn. If you would
like to join us for a Zoom meeting
• Two floors of new and old please contact Anne on 07557357362 or
books for readers of all ages email [email protected]

• Fast ordering service

• Books posted worldwide

• Gift certificates available

• Email for bookshop events
and newsletter

7b High Street,
Clare

CO10 8NY
01787 277267
e: [email protected]

21

‘Quiet lanes’
plan being
considered for
Stansfield

Stansfield parish Advisory signs (like the ones left) are down through Assington Green to the
council is placed at either end of a Quiet Lane to main Stansfield-Denston-
considering designating show motorised users clearly that the Wickhambrook road.
some rural roads in the road is a shared space.
village as ‘Quiet Lanes’ •Assington Green to Gosland Green
as part of a county wide The parish council believes this would •Thurston Lane starting just past the
project. be of real benefit to the village and those houses in Stansfield to the junction at
who visit. The lanes being considered Thurston Hall.
Quiet Lanes are a are already used by walkers, cyclists and If you wish to make any comments
nationally recognised horse riders and link with existing about these proposals at this initial stage,
designation and are footpaths and bridleways in the village. we would welcome these either by email
intended for shared use to [email protected] or
by walkers, horse riders, It has identified the following routes as to Joanne Kirk, Clerk to Stansfield
cyclists and other road users. being suitable for designation – see maps parish council
below: [email protected] -
They encourage drivers to ‘Expect and Tel: 07880 686069
Respect’ more vulnerable road users and •The road from Stansfield (just past the
so allow non-motorised users to enjoy Rushes and Pippin Post ‘entry sign"’
rural lanes in greater safety.

These types of lanes do not impose
traffic restrictions and are not enforced.

22

Photograph: COLIN TURNER

Lord Edric Spud *writes...

Louise Duckling’s monthly columns John Cobbold (right) with Alf Ramsey and (below left) with a young Bobby
are one of the shining jewels in Robson, outside Ipswich railway station
PARISH PUMP’S crown. Faultless copy
delivered on time with well sourced directors, a couple of whom I had the interval.
images to illustrate her words, is any good fortune to know. Mr John has been described as the
editor’s dream.
When he chose Bobby Robson as most eccentric man in football, and one
However, when she said her February manager in 1969, it was a decision not of the kindest. This blue blood - he was
column was going to be about a Regency without its critics and he took some flak. the grandson of the 9th Duke of
lady called Elizabeth Cobbold, I had a “Is the club in crisis?” asked a reporter. Devonshire and nephew of Harold
question. Macmillan - was at ease with nobility
“The only time this club will be in a and the dustman, as we (that’s a story
Not related, by any chance, to the crisis is when the cocktail cabinet is for another day) were called then.
brewing family of Tolly Cobbold fame? empty,’ he replied.
On one occasion there was a strike at
The very same, she replied. Joe Mercer, manager of Manchester the Tolly Cobbold brewery in Ipswich,
Isn’t it curious as the years pass how City, was once asked what was the complete with a picket line.
you can remember every detail of events toughest part about coming to Ipswich.
half a century ago? It is those closer to “Trying not to fall down the steps after Mr John chatted to the strikers and
now which seem to vanish into the ether. half-time,” he said referring to the ample said he really needed to go into his
Suddenly, my memories of John supply of refreshment provided from the office. “Let him through lads,” said the
Cobbold came flooding back. He was a overflowing cocktail cabinet during the local shop steward, “Mr John has never
legend in his own lifetime and stories done a day’s work in his life.”
about him, invariably with a glass in
hand, could fill a book. Indeed, they He stood unsuccessfully three times as
have. a parliamentary candidate in general
He will be remembered best for being elections. It was said that had he married
chairman of Ipswich Town football club the then Liberal candidate in Ipswich
from 1957 to 1976 during the glory with whom he was friendly, he would
years. Even those who have little interest have joined his uncle in Westminster.
in the game might have heard of two of But that was never a possibility.
the managers during his reign: Alf
Ramsey and Bobby Robson. Politics’ loss was football’s gain. The
Mr John (to differentiate him from his Cobbolds were the boardroom backbone
brother, Mr Patrick) was a chairman of of ITFC for more than half a century.
the old school. The Old Etonian believed Since their association with the club was
managers should be left to run the severed, the Tractor Boys have sunk
football side of things while he took care without trace.
of the club. He picked a handful of
wonderful, fellow-minded souls as And I bet the cocktail cabinet is
empty.

* The Lords of Stansfield in 1066
were Crawa, Edric Spud and Wulffled

23

French style in your home & garden

Country furniture, antiques, vintage kitchenalia - and tea room

Maison de Open 7 days a week Jardin de
Clements 10am - 4.30pm Clements

Market Hill, Clare 07950 767674

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

www.suffolkchair.co.uk

ajonesandson.com C L Property

Maintenance

Internal/External Painting & Decorating
Ceramic Wall & Floor Tiling

Complete Kitchen & Bathroom Installation
Most Aspects of Work Undertaken

For a Free Estimate Call Chris On:
01787 282695

Mobile 07919 202433
Email: [email protected]

24

Learning
the lingo...

It was almost a year ago that we first My highlight of the month was seeing a barn owl hunting in the paddock adjacent
entered lockdown and many people to the end of my garden. I have seen them regularly in the Glem valley, but never
pledged to do something productive with this close to my house. Barn owls suffered big declines during the 20th century,
their time, such as writing a book, and it is testament to the good practices of our local farmers that we are fortunate
learning to play an instrument, or a to have plenty of hedges, woodland and wide field margins – which play host to
language. voles, mice and shrews which are much favoured by the owl.

It crossed my mind (briefly) to have to a guidebook. On a particularly dull numerous finches, pipits and the like –
another go at the latter. I have always day, I tested this theory and went the smaller birds.
been envious of people who can speak through the 272 commonest birds in
and understand more than one language Britain as determined by the RSPB The problem is that many of these
– like my great-nieces who from an early Handbook. I was quite ruthless in my birds are much more likely to be heard
age spoke both German and English count, so excluded things like gulls, rather than seen. They flit from the
fluently (the advantage of having a geese and ducks. Whilst I can distinguish safety of hedges, trees and reeds: they
German father and an English mother). the fairly bog-standard herring gull, are much less likely to be spotted
Canada goose or mallard, the finer perching in full view like the prey birds
Sadly, I am particularly useless at nuances of a bean or a pink footed (for obvious reasons!). However, despite
languages. I seem to have no ear for goose, any other gull, a dabbling or their size, their songs and calls can travel
them – I can just about determine French diving duck leave me reaching for the great distances, making it much easier to
from German when I hear it – but my guidebook. pinpoint and then hopefully identify.
attempts to speak them are fairly
derisory. Today I have decided to have I came up with a mere 72 and then To aid me, I am going to use modern
another go and attempt a new worked out that of those I would technology – the ubiquitous App. What
‘language’. Not one that I will ever recognise the ‘language’ of 24, whether I am really looking for is one that allows
speak...but understanding the sound of it be their song, their alarm call or chat. me to record the sound on my phone and
different bird songs. Of these 24 there is one that I can only then tells me what I have just heard.
identify by its song – and that is the
I thought I had a reasonable repertoire cuckoo (which I have never seen). I suspect I will be trawling through
of birds. By that I mean birds I can numerous ones that appear to be free,
readily identify without having to refer I am endeavouring to add other species until you actually want to use them in a
to my repertoire and learning the lingo meaningful way when you have to pay,
will hopefully open up a whole new only to find they are useless. Any good
chapter. I know that I am missing every suggestions would be most welcome.
type of warbler from my list and Email me on
[email protected]

25

...those who make themselves an
exception, cause the most
mayhem...

H‘ ere we go again. It’s that time of to the footpath at all times. For some of think nothing of disappearing after the
year when social media is full of scent of a fox, so he experienced a rude
springtime horror stories about dogs us, that means keeping our dogs on a awakening when I took him on, since
attacking sheep. Year after year this disappearing after anything was no
happens and I wonder when people will short lead. In the spring, ground nesting longer an option. Nevertheless, and in
begin to understand? spite of my (mostly) best efforts, he
birds such as stone curlew, lapwing and remained an efficient hunter.
I don’t have many bugbears left these
days but I do have one or two. And one meadow pipit can easily be disturbed by Although I always walked him on
of them is dog owners making footpaths or farmland where I had been
themselves an exception. By this I mean dogs hunting off the path so it is well given permission to walk my dogs by
some dog owners appear to believe the owner of the land, he would
everything applies to everyone else but worth insisting that your dog stays close randomly retrieve bemused pheasants,
them. When it says ‘All dogs should be chase and kill squirrels, and pounce on
kept on leads’ (always with very good by you at all times. Just because we can’t leverets hidden in the grass, consuming
reason) – it apparently doesn’t mean their them in very few gulps. On a couple of
dogs. Heck, they don’t even carry leads see the birds, doesn’t mean they aren’t occasions, he fetched me newly born
with them!! I find that those who make muntjac kids from where the doe had
themselves an exception, cause the most there. Louise left them in the undergrowth. Needless
mayhem; allowing their dogs to rush up to say (and much to my chagrin), they
to other dogs on footpaths, (“don’t worry A few years ago, I haadnadblack Labrador didn’t survive.
– he’s friendly!”) - disturbing wildlife called George. He wasHjuusgt habout the
and livestock, chasing farm cats, fouling nicest dog you could imagine. He loved He was famous for standing in a horse
wherever they like. paddock, lifting his head to catch the
people, particularly children. He was scent and then trotting off two hundred
I wrote an article last July for PARISH yards or so to a fieldmouse nest for a
PUMP, explaining that walkers (and their pretty well trained, good with other dogs
dogs) in this part of the world are obliged
to follow the route of the footpath and and was quite the affable, benevolent
not stray off it. Whilst there is ‘open
access’ heathland in Suffolk, it isn’t gentleman. He was also a good hunter.
around our villages. So, asking the
public to keep to the footpath is done for I had been gifted him by people who
many good reasons.
lived at the hunt kennels in Thurlow
The countryside is a working
environment and although it is a where no-one had time for him.
wonderful place for recreation, it is not a
‘playground.’ In many ways, it’s easier Consequently, in his early years, he used
to exercise your dog freely in a town
park. Many footpaths around here bisect to take himself off with the hunt terrier
or run alongside arable land and the
farmer is working hard to produce a crop around the countryside looking for sport.
to feed us all. And what may look like a
margin of grassland alongside an arable By the time I acquired him, he would
field, is most likely being managed by
the farmer to encourage birds, insects,
mammals and wildflowers.

These are the reasons, therefore, why
we (and that’s both dog and owner) keep

26

tasty mid-morning snack. Dogs are and I was walking on a public highway. I of beer – and let’s face it, no-one wants

predators and, regardless of size, breed or later discovered that the farmer was a bit that.

training may retain the instinct to hunt, doolally, but that’s another story. Still, I But enough of what we can’t do. Let’s

chase and kill. It goes without saying that don’t fancy that happening to me again! focus on what we can do. Suffolk has

George was always walked on a lead Social media has also been brimful of 3,500 miles of public footpaths and we

through a field of sheep. He wasn’t a bad stories of lockdown walkers tramping are lucky enough to live in arguably one

dog. He was a good dog with a strong over crops because the footpaths are of the most beautiful parts of England.

hunting instinct and an owner who wasn’t muddy (no kidding) and they didn’t want If you, dear reader, or someone you

always paying enough attention. to get their sparkly-clean trainers dirty. know, still isn’t 100% sure of the rules,

Those owners who allow (and I use that When challenged, they said they thought google The Countryside Code which will

word deliberately) their dogs to savage they were walking over grass. The back up everything I’ve written here.

sheep always seem rather surprised that simple answer, surely, is to buy a pair of All these 3,500 miles of footpath are

their ‘fur-baby’ (another bug-bear of wellies (which can be way cheaper than detailed clearly on Ordnance Survey

mine) who is ‘one of the family’ maps which are free online to

could possibly have done this. In some circumstances, everyone.
So perhaps it’s worth the farmer is legally So, let’s get out there and take
exercise and enjoy ourselves. But be
remembering that if your dog

chases or attacks sheep you could entitled to shoot your dog considerate and be aware. Although
be sued for compensation and, in this isn’t livestock country there are

some circumstances, the farmer is a number of flocks dotted around

legally entitled to shoot your dog. a pair of trainers) and stick to the our villages and some will be grazing in

Many years ago, I was on holiday in footpath. fields crossed by footpaths. I’m sure I’m

Wales when the farmer who owned the Not only is it trespass to walk over preaching to the converted but if any of

land where I was walking, lumbered over agricultural land without prior you see someone rampaging through

to me yelling and waving his shotgun in permission of the landowner, but crops or letting their dog run riot around

my face, threatening to shoot my dogs. Or damaging crops and endangering livestock, you have my permission to

possibly me – I wasn’t entirely sure. At livestock impacts the farm business and, print off this article, screw it up into a

the time, both my dogs were on leads, inevitably, will increase the price of your tiny ball and aim it at them in the hope it

were absolutely not bothering his sheep, Weetabix, your leg of lamb or your pint knocks some sense into them!

May 6 elections for Suffolk county LETTER TO
council and police & crime commissioner
THE EDITOR
Elections are being held on Cheryl’s Street Meet on the Beat
Thursday 6 May for the Suffolk As I was diving into the latest packed
Police and Crime Commissioner and PC Cheryl Claydon, our local Police edition of the Parish Pump, I was
Suffolk County Council along with Community Engagement Officer, is surprised to find page 2 devoted to a
local district and parish council by keen to get to know the villages and party political advertisement for the
elections. residents in her patch. Conservative Party! I’m none the-less-
sure that any assumption of PP editorial
To minimise the covid risk, the She managed to hold some face to face support for this Party is entirely
number of nominations a candidate meetings in the autumn but covid unintended. Luckily, we have two more
needs to stand have been reduced. restrictions and winter weather brought editions of your excellent publication to
her plans to a halt. She is now looking to go, before the important County Council
Nominations have to be submitted to set up Street Meets in our area from late elections in May. So, no doubt, we can
the electoral services team at West March - most probably at weekends. now expect that page 2 of the March and
Suffolk Council by 4pm on 8 April. April editions will feature the candidates
The list of candidates, known as the from the other parties to give them a
Statement of Persons Nominated, is chance to ply their wares and convince
published after 4pm on 9 April. us to vote for them instead.

For further information contact Yours as ever
[email protected] or by
writing to Electoral Services, West Andy Benson
Suffolk Council, West Suffolk House, Shadowbush Cottage
Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, Poslingford CO10 8RD
Suffolk, IP33 3YU.
* We would welcome contributions from
selected candidates of any political
persuasion who are contesting the
forthcoming elections. The more the
merrier - Editor

27

[email protected]

refinedblinds.co.uk www.chimneymaƩers.co.uk

DO YOU NEED A CARPENTER? K T GRIDLEY
GENERAL BUILDING
TRADITIONAL CARPENTRY BY
All types of building works undertaken
LAURENCE FREEL
Groundworks
Advanced C&G and 30 Years Experience Cart-lodges and Extensions
Brickwork, Blockwork and Flint Walls
PERIOD HOMES SPECIALIST Garden Fencing, Paths and Patios

Kitchens fitted—wardrobes—airing cupboards—bannisters— Maintenance and Repairs
doors—locks fences—gates—flat packs
Springbank, Lower Street, Stansfield, CO10 8LP
SMALL JOBS WELCOME Tel: 01284 789309 Mobile: 07702 265425.
PHONE:- 07415 183330 E: [email protected]
W: ktgridleygeneralbuilder.co.uk
E-mail: [email protected]
J.R. HUMPHREY & SONS

YOUR LOCAL FAMILY BUTCHER

Always a fine selection of meats,
cheeses, dairy products, poultry

and smoked hams

5, Market Hill, Clare, Suffolk.
Telephone 01787-277294

28

We have purchased a Suffolk ram
named Bill. He’s a youngster and
hopefully has many years of
service ahead of him.

The snow was a welcome break from Spring is sprung: Sheep with their lambs. A sure sign winter is on the way out.
the mud as it froze the land making
it easier to walk. Just left us with the lick and plenty of hay. Marj is receiving helping to keep the breed alive by
problem of getting water to our stock as extra special care and we are regularly supplying a demand for them. Naturally
we turned the taps off to save any pipes feeding her with high energy liquids and with nature there will be some male
from bursting. So, filling buckets of feeds to help boost her energy levels. chicks, and these will be reared for our
water in the bath and transporting them This is a worrying time as we could not table.
became the norm. We are lucky to live only lose the lambs she is carrying, but
in an area not often affected by long we could lose Marj too with whom I Where to buy our produce:
term snow, so it’s only a hindrance for a have a close bond.
short period of time, very short as it • Horringer Farmers Market, 1st
happens as now we are experiencing Avian Flu continues to be a serious Saturday of the month (9:30am – 12:30)
spring like weather! threat. We will need to keep our • Thurlow Homemade & Homegrown
hens under cover until the migrating Market, 1st Sunday of the month (10am
Lambing has started. At the time of birds fly back to warmer climates. - 1pm)
writing, we have 16 lambs from 9 Hopefully by the end of February. • Steeple Bumpstead Farmer’s & Craft
ewes which is 177%, with a further 16 Although I received two notifications Market, last Saturday of the month
mums-to-be waiting for their turn this just this week (8-13th February) of two (9:30am – 12noon)
percentage will change with each birth. more cases in the UK, so no signs of • Order via email – join our mailing list
Large commercial farmers will be them leaving just yet. The hens are now for our most up to date stock list.
worrying about percentages, trying to laying very well and with a promise of • Facebook – we have a shop on our
get as close to 200% as possible which warmer weather on its way, we can start Facebook page @riverglemsmallholders
means two lambs per ewe. Last year we to think about hatching out new chicks. for our pies and beef boxes.
achieved 160%. This year looks likely We rear Ixworth hens which are rare • Free (covid safe) delivery within a
to be less, we put that down to our Ram breed, by hatching more chicks and 7mile radius of Stansfield. Or order and
ageing. We will require a younger one selling them on to new keepers we are collect at any of the above markets.
next year so have purchased a Suffolk
ram named Bill. He’s a youngster and
hopefully has many years of service
ahead of him.

With the snow, rain, and mud we
have been incredibly lucky to be
loaned a farm building by our landlord,
meaning we can not only lamb indoors,
but we also have the space to house
them while the wet conditions remain.

One of our ewes (Marj) has suffered
with Pregnancy Toxaemia,
otherwise known as Twin Lamb disease.
This common ailment occurs during the
last month of pregnancy, during this
time the unborn lambs are making heavy
nutritional demands on the ewe, to help
them cope with this last stage of
pregnancy we give them a concentrated
feed supplement, mineral energy rich

29

Help shape plans
for new hospital

R esidents are being asked to step
forward, and help shape the plans
for the new West Suffolk Hospital. Plans
are underway to begin working on the
design of the building and services within
it, but a new Co-Production Community
Engagement Group (CCEG) is being
established to help develop and shape the
hospital re-development proposals.

Chief executive Stephen Dunn said:
"The vision for the project is to ensure the
way that health services are delivered is
fit for our current and future needs and we
need your help to do that. The new facility
is for West Suffolk people and is to be
designed by West Suffolk people. We are
looking for community members who
have an interest in hospital services which
will bring an additional perspective to the
redevelopment plans.

If you would like to join the CCEG or to
find out more information, please visit our
website at wsh.nhs.uk/cceg and complete
an expression of interest form. You can
also e: [email protected]
to register for the dedicated newsletter to
keep abreast of developments. More
information about the development and
plans can be found online at wsh.nhs.uk/
new-healthcare-facility - alternatively,
you can write to register your interest in
receiving the newsletter via the post:
Future System Programme, West Suffolk
NHS Foundation Trust, Hardwick Lane,
Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ

30

Local libraries seek to meet the
growing demand for online content

Fund raising day this month includes an online book festival featuring top authors

The annual fundraising event for Know
Suffolk Libraries is on Saturday your
20 March and will celebrate the many authors:
ways Suffolk Libraries makes a Bernard
positive impact on people’s lives Cornwell,
across the county and help to raise Kathy
vital funds to support the library Reichs,
service. Anthony
Horowitz,
This year there are three big events Elly
designed to build on the growing Griffiths
demand for online content created by
these challenging times. They continue
Suffolk Libraries ambitious
programme of activities designed to
inspire, engage and entertain wherever
you happen to be:

An online book festival between
Monday 15 and Sunday 21 March
which will feature some world-
renowned international authors
including Bernard Cornwell, Anthony
Horowitz, Kathy Reichs and Elly
Griffiths.

People can book for free but Suffolk
Libraries would appreciate a donation
when you sign up. You can see the full
programme and book your ticket via
www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/whats-on/
festival/sld

A new scarecrow trail activity
designed to inspire people to create
their own scarecrow based on a
character from a book, film, TV or the
theatre is also taking place.

The scarecrows can then be placed in
people’s gardens or windows and
logged on an online map so people can
have fun discovering them whilst out
for their daily exercise. For more
information visit
www.suffolklibraries.co.uk/scarecrows

Suffolk Libraries will also be holding
its first ever online quiz on Saturday
20 March at 7.30pm, sponsored by
Pretty’s Solicitors. Tickets cost only £3
per person and there are some great
prizes for the top three scores. It’ll be
hosted via Zoom by Suffolk Libraries’
resident quizmaster and manager of
Southwold Library Charlotte Clark,
assisted by her dog! You can sign up
via the Suffolk Libraries website.

31

www.jwtreesurgeryandgardens.com

32

FIELD OF DREAMS FARM SUFFOLK

for your locally grown vegetables FRAMING

Farm fresh fruit and vegetables delivered to @
Stansfield every Thursday afternoon. Select SEA PICTURES GALLERY
a box of fruit or vegetables from our Well Lane, Clare CO10 8NH
website to fit your families requirements
Framing studio open to visitors allowing
No plastic • Locally grown • you to select your choice of frames,
Supporting local farmers • Secure online payments
mounts and glass as well as seek help
wwwwww..ffiieellddooffddrreeaammssffaarrmm..ccoo..uukk with more specialist restoration matters.

33 All work uses conservation materials
protecting and preserving your artwork.

Open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday
and Monday from 10am-5pm.

For more information call
01787 279024

Jean Dorothy Trewhella

23rd June 1929 – 28th January 2021

Jean was born in Clifton, Bristol in Friday night, were always greeted by a
1929, eldest daughter of Leo and
Dolly Matthews, and brother to John. home-made lasagne followed by
Her father’s family lived in Clifton,
and Leo, after work in the South treacle tart; and Jean’s roast rib of beef
Atlantic as a marine zoologist,
returned to Bristol in 1929. The family and apple pie were legendary.
soon moved to Portishead, where her
grandparents lived, and moved back to Jean enjoyed village life and
Clifton in 1937. Summer holidays
were often spent in Cornwall or activities, including The Wives
Pembrokeshire. She also spent time
with her aunt Marjorie and had an Fellowship, the Book Club, village hall
early experience of sailing when she
visited her uncle’s yacht in Ireland. lunches, Garden Club and pilates.
Jean went to Clifton High School for
Girls, and then St Kathryn’s School Friday lunch times were regularly
which had been evacuated to near
Wellington and where she acquired a spent in the Queen’s Head, Hawkedon,
life-long loathing of bread-and-butter
pudding! with Chris and family friend Tim

Jean went to Bristol University to Wood from Cavendish.
study Medicine, qualifying in 1955.
Bristol was also where she met Chris, Retirement for Chris and Jean was
and they married on 1st January 1955.
They moved first to Truro, where she full of holidays in their motor-caravan,
did her house jobs as a junior doctor at
the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, to France, Italy and Spain, often
then to Birkenhead in 1957 and on to
Epsom in 1963, where she worked as a accompanied by John and Sara Dennis
part-time clinical assistant at St Ebba’s
mental handicap hospital and also in their caravan. They went several
carried on family planning work.
times a year going to their beloved
Family holidays were spent either in
Cornwall, sailing or here in Stansfield. ‘plot’ – a non-mobile caravan site in
Sailing holidays were up and down the
south and east coast, and over to Provence just north of St Tropez. They
Brittany. Chris, as a school teacher,
had long summer holidays but Jean also enjoyed more exotic holidays in
had less time off work, often joining
the family at weekends in whichever India, China and sailing in Thailand,
south coast harbour we were in at the
time. Given the vagaries of the wind, and loved regular visits to Cornwall.
she often did not know where she was
going to until the last moment, and on Jean and Chris had two sons (Matt
at least one occasion was sitting on a
train waiting to leave Waterloo for was born in Redruth in 1956 and Will
Weymouth, when she heard her name
being called. She quickly got off the born in Liverpool in 1959), four
train, went to the information office
and found a message to come to the grandsons (Tom, Freddie, George and
Isle of Wight instead of Weymouth as
that’s where the family was. 1955 when working and living in Johnny) and two great grandchildren
London, retiring here in 1966, and the
Leo had bought the Old Rectory in house has been in the family for nearly (Mara and Aled).
70 years. Chris and Jean and the family
often came over here for holidays and Raise a glass to Jean’s memory, but
long weekends, and they spent more time
here looking after the house as Leo and please make it something other than
Dolly got older, eventually retiring here
themselves in 1990. Tia Maria. This was what Leo thought

The Old Rectory was always a haven of was her favourite tipple, and was all
hospitality for family and friends. Family
visiting for the weekend, usually on a she was ever offered when the rest of

the family were on the vintage port!

And think of the spring flowers

already on their way here, as she loved

her garden and the flowers she saw on

her holidays. WT

34

continued from back page undisturbed. always disagrees with this assessment.
Dolly Especially doctors and Scotsmen.
some of those terribly helpful tea towels
available that explain to a ‘foreign A member of the Village Hall Sloightly on the Huh
visitor’ the basic idea of cricket. But as committee, but in cricketing slang, a (as in ‘them bails is sloightly on the
we approach the start of the new season dolly is an easy catch. huh’)
– which we hope can begin in April, The bails that are balanced across the
restrictions permitting – now would be a If a batsman fends the ball and it pops tops of the stumps are lopsided. A
good time to explain some of the more into the air, it’s a dolly if the fielder only particularly ‘Suffolk’ cricketing term.
puzzling terms. moves slightly to catch it. Sportingly,
Stansfield players often drop such Snickometer
Agricultural Shot catches, just to give batsmen another NOT a device used to measure the
A powerful slog shot resembling a chance. length of chocolate bars, but used in
scything motion, with little technique or televised cricket to assess whether a fine
footwork. May result in the ball going to Duck/Golden Duck noise, or ‘snick’ has occurred as ball
‘cow corner’ (see below). A ‘duck’ is when a batsman is passes bat, and thus whether the batsman
dismissed without scoring a run. A has been caught. You’re unlikely to see
Baggy Green ‘golden duck’ is when the batsman is this used in Stansfield
The baggy, green cap worn by dismissed with his first ball. Spectators
Stansfield cricketers. Coincidently, also at Stansfield have a good chance of Yorker
worn by the Australian cricket team. spotting this far from rare bird. A ball bowled to hit the pitch close to
the batsman’s feet and notoriously
Bouncer (Chin Music) Jaffa difficult to deal with. If a batsman spots
A ball that is bounced off the wicket to An exceptional, unplayable delivery. a yorker in time, he/she will jam the bat
target the batsman’s chin or throat. The Its origin is unclear. Jaffa was an ancient down in the ground in a defensive
ball rises with significant speed from the port in Israel, and then a sweet orange stance.
pitch, so it’s intimidating and hard to hit. grown nearby. The cricketing use of The origin of yorker is hotly debated.
Though not strictly illegal, it may result ‘Jaffa’ might come from the notion of a Some say the term came from Yorkshire,
in harsh words in the pub following the particularly good orange or a tasty others suggest it derived from the saying
game. biscuit. “to pull Yorkshire” - 18th century slang
meaning you were deceiving someone.
Cow Corner LBW (Leg Before Wicket) Not to be confused with a ‘Marmite
The area of the field where ‘good A means of dismissing a batsman, Yorker’, the recipe for which can be
batsmen’ are least likely to hit the ball. when the umpire believes a batsman’s found in ‘Cakes & Bails’ price just £3
Generally, the deep part on the body part (usually leg) has impeded the (see me).
batsman’s leg side and where fielders are path of the ball, when it was clearly
seldom placed. Hence, an area so going to hit the wicket. The batsman
deserted that cows could happily graze

35

Mind your language...

As we dare to think about summer and cricket,
ROBIN SHARP explains how to tell the difference
between Cow Corner, a Dolly and a Jaffa

It might be admitted that, used, on occasion, by one
sometimes, Stansfield Cricket player reprimanding another.
Club players are so absorbed in One who, perhaps, has allowed
the beautiful summer game, they a ball to slip between legs to
forget that some who wander cross the boundary, through
down to the Meadow on a Sunday fingers to spurn a catch, or who
afternoon may not be has made an over-enthusiastic
immediately familiar with the call to render a partner ‘run
terminology used in the sport. out’. As startling as that kind of
‘language’ may be, I mean the
In short, those casual spectators technical language used to
have no idea about what’s going describe certain aspects of the
on, let alone understand the finer game.
points of the game. The language
used can sometimes be Of course, we could have
bewildering. Not the language continued on p35

Hello, I’m Andy Smith,
your local and friendly
Chimney Sweep

• Traditional and rotary
power sweeping

• Servicing open fires and wood HETAS
burners for maximum efficiency APPROVED

• Nests and bee hive removal PUBLIC
LIABILITY
• Chimney inspections with HD camera INSURANCE

• All swept chimneys inspected. N.A.C.S
Certificates issued

www.Rothwells.biz aannddrreeww@@aannddyysscchhiimmnneeyysseerrvviicceess..ccoomm
tel: (01284) 789109 mobile: 07485 038299

36