Higham

Stratford St Mary

RaydonHolton St Mary

QuartetQuartet

August 2020Issue 384

The Parish Magazine

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Small Ads Pin BoardNo charge for non-commercial ads placed for one monthonly, space permitting. Email quarteteditors@hotmail.co.uk

Quartet Diary

August8 Green Gym, HSM

11 Raydon Fair Trade CoffeeMorning

September8 Raydon Parish Council

MeetingRaydon Fair Trade CoffeeMorning

9 HSM Parish Council Meeting

12 40th Ride and StrideRaydon Spring Clean

14 Stratford Parish CouncilMeeting

October6 Raydon Fair Trade Coffee

Morning

13 Raydon Parish CouncilMeeting

November3 Raydon Fair Trade Coffee

Morning

9 Stratford Parish CouncilMeeting

10 Raydon Parish Council

Meeting

11 HSM Parish Council Meeting

December1 Raydon Fair Trade Coffee

Morning

FOR SALE

ALSTONS Sandringham. Bedsidethree drawer Cabinet. In very goodorder (like new)

Light Brown in fine wood grain effect£25.00

Ironing Board approx 4.10 ins wide(Sound) £10.00

Contact 07583413995

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Editors Corner Stratford St Mary

Articles for the Quartet are included if wehave room, and if, in the opinion of theeditors, they are of general interest to ourreaders. Please remember all articles willbe subject to editing. We prefer you tocontact us via email where possible.

Copy deadline for next edition:19th August 2020

Contact details: Email:quarteteditor@hotmail.co.uk

Editors:Anne Priestley; 1 Corpus ChristiCottages, Holton St Mary. CO7 6NN

Jane Lelliott ; 5 Swan Meadow, StratfordSt Mary. CO7 6JQ

Distribution: Dave Leach07930390517

Invoicing: Jenny Leachquartet.advertising@gmail.com

It’s been quite an experience, hasn’t it -and not one I want to repeat, I must say,but we finally appear to be coming out oflockdown. It’s good to see eventsappearing in our villages again. Wendyhas got the Raydon Coffee morning going,various pubs are beginning to reopen(there’s word on The Sun Inn at Dedhamand The Crown at Nayland later on in themagazine) and it looks as if the Cycle rideis happening this year - there’s word fromorganisers in Stratford, Holton andRaydon!

A reminder for Village Hall committees thatwe need to hear from you to find out whenVillage Halls are re-opening and any otherclubs or societies who usually tell us abouttheir activities - we need to hear from youtoo!

It’s good that the news is positive however,so let’s hope we continue to get back tonormal as quuickly as possible. There’sstill some summer left to enjoy! On thatnote, following on from last month, wethought you might like a longer walk thistime. See pages 16 and 17 for a circularwalk from Holton to Stratford.

Happy reading

Anne and Jane

Stratford St Mary ParishCouncil Emergency TeamIf an emergency does arise, pleasecontact one of the following teammembers:

Norman Woodard12 Swaynes 01206 323015Norman.woodard@fatbloaters.com

Chris GriffinBrook Farm, School Lane 01206337363/07885 807567chrisbrookfarm@gmail.com

Steve Kite42 Strickmere 01206 32248207958 515573

Bill Davies3 Spanbies 01206 322990billdav@hotmail.com

The Village EmergencyTelephone

The Stratford St Mary Village EmergencyTelephone System (VETS) is now up andrunning.

If you are with a person who you suspecthas had a cardiac arrest, immediately call999 as normal. An ambulance will bedispatched as soon as possible, howeverdue to the location of Stratford St Mary, thismay take a while.

You will probably be alone with the patientand cannot leave them to go and get thevillage defibrillator, so we have a group of10 volunteers who will respond to atelephone call from you. All the volunteersare on the same number and if a volunteeris available you give them your location,they will collect the defibrillator and cometo your location, they will then assist inCPR and using the defibrillator until theambulance or medics arrive.

The number to call these volunteers is :-

01206 700919

Colchester Food Bank Donations

Following the example of many other localvillages, Stratford St Mary has startedcollecting for the food bank in Colchester.Our two collection points are at 13Strickmere and Gatemans (next to thechapel).

We are accepting all non perishable foods,i.e. Pasta, rice and tins etc, and alsotoiletries and pet food. Our donations aretaken once a week and the donation boxesare out seven days a week.

Thank you in advance for your support.Sarah Brass and Lynn Palmer.

Prestige virtual assistanceMaking time for you

Providing a flexible approach topersonal assistant support remotely tobusiness owners, directors and

entrepreneurs.

Quartet Special OfferFree no commitmentOne hour consultation

Kate BainesM: 07799 391343

E: info@prestigevirtualassistance.co.ukW: www.prestigevirtualassistance.co.uk

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HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUSTCYCLE RIDE/STRIDE/WALK –SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER2020

12 Sep - a date for your diaries.

With permission from Government, it ishoped that SHCT will take place this year.

I will pass on sponsorship forms to thosewho have taken part in previous years,when I receive them. Newcomers arevery welcome to take part, to support anychurch of your choice, and can contact meon 322259, or call into Rosebank, LowerStreet, to collect a sponsorship form.

David Isaac

Stratford St Mary Parish Council websitehas now been updated. Please pop over towww.stratfordstmary.onesuffolk.net and letus know what you think. If you would likeyour event advertised on the website aswell as in the Quartet, whatever it may be,please let the parish clerk know onparishcouncil@stratfordstmary.org.uk

Interested in becoming a CFR?

CFR’s are trained volunteers who aredispatched by the ambulance service to lifethreatening emergencies in localcommunities. The volunteers normallywork within a radius of 8 minutes drive fromtheir location but depending oncircumstances this could be further afield.They can normally get to a casualty beforean ambulance can get there, assess thepatient and start possible life savingtreatment immediately. If the situationchanges the CFR can update AmbulanceControl to give them an updatedassessment of the patient.

The Local area is covered by a CFR baglocated in Langham ( the bag was suppliedby Stratford St Mary Parish Council) andalso other bags in Dedham, East Bergholt,Capel St Mary and Manningtree. The bagis presently used by only one volunteer inLangham.

A volunteer can be on call whenever theywant, if you are logged off duty, you do notget called.

At the moment the Stratford St Mary bag isnot utilised as much as it could be and Iwould like to improve this. Ideally I wouldlike some volunteers in the Langham,Stratford St Mary, Boxted and Dedhamareas to complete the training and then joinme in covering our area. The more hourswe have the bag active the better cover wehave for ourselves.

If you are interested in finding out moreabout becoming a CFR please contact me(Peter Dawson) on 07775 667753 and Ican let you know more about it.

Can you help me?

Hi my name is Emma and I live at OldSchool Cottage, Ipswich Road just on theA12 at the end of the layby past the PitstopCafe .

We have lived here for 3 years and can'tseem to find any history on the property,what it looked like and how it hasdeveloped over the years.

I spoke to Geoff Horrex who told me that itwas once a Victorian school many yearsago. I would love to get any information onthe property as I feel that there is so muchmore history to the property to be found outand I would love to hear from anyone thathas any information please.

My email is emma.roe16@googlemail.com

Contact 07415014841

Emma

SSM 100 Club WinnersJuly 2020

4 Ronnie Brisk £40.00

52 Paul Woolard £10.00

90 Eddie Pring £5.00

Raydon

Fair Tradecoffee morningJuly 14th was a mildday with sunshine andclouds, and after 5months we were ableto hold a proper FairTrade coffeemorning!! Everything

took place outside, (a good job it didn’t rain)with everything and everybody at safedistances.

It was so lovely to see friends again who wehad been unable to meet up with over thepast months. It seemed like a real partyatmosphere with our usual great coffee andwonderful Frinton goodies.

Our “Frinton Baker” had designed aningenious method for us to select either acheese scone or Victoria sandwich. Eachindividual item was in a clear bag tied withstring, you just picked up a string and heypresto nothing else was touched.

I think we all enjoyed being part of thecommunity again and agreed that our nextFair Trade coffee morning due on August11th was another date for our diary. Docome along and join us, you’d be mostwelcome. 10.15 to 11.30 RaydonChurchyard, (we have a plan if it’s raining)

Many thanks again and to Geoff whohelped to plan and make sure all was safe.

Wendy Mumford

01473 312123

Suffolk Historic ChurchesTrust Ride and Stride.

September 12th 9am-5pm. Sponsorshipforms will be here at the begining ofAugust.

We need to make a huge effort this year soall you walkers and riders make sure youhave a sponsorship form and start signingyour friends and family up. Call me and I’llget a form to you as soon as they arrivehere. We also need recorders to sit in theChurch and sign visitors in, you can besponsored for this job as well, in fact I allready have two volunteers.

Wendy Mumford 01473 312123

Community SpeedWatch

We are pleased that Raydon ParishCouncil is planning to introduce aCommunity Speed Watch, inresponse to the review undertakensome years ago when speedingtraffic was the major item of concernto residents.

We are enthusiastic about thisinitiative and we already have ateam anxious to get started. Wewould welcome any of our fellowresidents who might wish to join theteam. The equipment and trainingis being supplied free of charge bySuffolk Constabulary.

Anyone interested should contactthe Parish Clerk, Jane Cryer, on07920 713940, or emailraydonpc@gmail.com.

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Raydon Parish CouncilSchedule of meetings 2020

All at 7.30pm in the KGF Pavillion

TO BE CONFIRMED

Tuesday 8 September

Tuesday 13 October

Tuesday 10 November

NB: if you would like to see copies of theminutes of any Raydon Parish Council

meetings, please contact

Jane Cryer, Parish ClerkSunnyside Cottage, Overbury Hall Road,

Layham IP7 5NA

07920 713940 / raydonpc@gmail.com

Raydon and District Garden Club

It’s August and here comes mid summer inthe gardens once again. The rain showerswe have been having in July have certainlyhelped and saved many hours watering byhand but of course some things like indoortomatoes, runner beans, cucumber etc stillneed plenty of water throughout thegrowing season especially if in greenhouse. The flower gardens look great andthe dahlias are at their best.

Now normally we as a club would belooking forward to getting the Flower &Produce Summer Show ready but due tothe current restrictions and the almostimpossible means to keep social distancewithin the village hall when the generalpublic arrive in the afternoon to view andjoin in with the prize giving, plusunderstandably the show judges notwanting to come, it is with regret thecommittee has taken the decision to“CANCEL THE SUMMER FLOWER &PRODUCE SHOW” this August.

What a disastrous 40th year for the club(but one never to be forgotten) with allmeetings cancelled since February,cancelled Spring and now summer shows,no garden visits, no summer coach outing,and the meeting for September not lookingtoo promising at this stage, but let us bepositive and hopeful that things willimprove enough for us to hold at least oneor two meetings in October and a socialevening in November even if we have to

have a booking system in place so weknow numbers etc in advance so we canmake all necessary arrangements to enjoysocial distance. It’s been lovely weatherand I have enjoyed all the extra time tospend tending the garden, but it’s now timeto get out a bit and enjoy the widercountryside and of course meet youmembers once again. It’s holiday time andfor some that means going abroad but notfor us this year, it’s day trips out only, mayventure over the border either Essex orNorfolk but that’s it, ah well always nextyear ?

Members PLEASE NOTE :- Yourcommittee has decided that all clubmembers who had paid their membershipsubs for 2020 will be able to enjoy fullmembership for 2021 at no cost. Anymember who had not renewed before lockdown (last March) will need to re-join byNovember AGM social evening at £12.50per person. Any new persons wishing tojoin the club can do so at the first or secondmeetings in 2021 at £12.50 pp.

Your Raydon ParishCouncillors

Sue Newton (Chair)07808 818847Keith Lovering07939 075143

Howard (Jim) Lowe01473 313094

Amanda Pyall (Vice Chair)01473 310050Sigi Steer

07591 875267Jayne Tann01473 828283

Faith Backhouse07999 018049

Stephen Coe07947211802

Trevor Sayer07747 610317

Jane Cryer – ClerkSunnyside Cottage, Overbury Hall Road

Lower Layham IP7 5NA01473 824287/07920 713940raydonpc@gmail.com

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Hopefully in 2021 we can add a extrameeting (perhaps in January) and perhapsan additional local evening garden visit tohelp make up for lost time in 2020 so watchout for future news in the Quartetmagazines.

As most of you will know the village hallhas been up for sale since March and thelatest situation is that its “under offer”which means if sold we as a club will needto find a NEW Home possibly by Christmas!!!! Your committee feels that the KingGeorge Pavillion on Raydon playing fieldwill suffice as it’s the only option if we keepin Raydon which we strongly recommend.For those of you who have not been to theplaying field or inside the building It issituated more in middle of village, (besideall new houses) has larger car parking area(which is due to be tarmac), easier to drivein and out, with extra lighting to be installedin due course ? the main room is fullycarpeted so should be warmer in winter.Hopefully the outside will also soon bedecorated which will make it feel moreinviting. Your committee will have to re-structure the Shows as it’s a smaller areabut otherwise it should make a nice newvenue so we can continue to enjoy our clubfor many years to come. Again updateswill be made each month in the Quartet asand when necessary.

Enjoy the summer and get out and about ifyou can to enjoy everything around in ourbeautiful countryside. Until we meetagain either this year or next (it will be our41st year)

Geoff Horrex 310422 / 07810086143.

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Holton St MaryHigham

Suffolk Historic Churches Trust

Saturday 12thSeptember 2020

Good News!

The Trustees of SHCT have decided to goahead with this year’s Bike Ride onSaturday 12th September and it will only becancelled if there is a change in theGovernment Guidelines.

If you would like to bike and need asponsor form or if you would like towelcome visiting cyclists to Holton St MaryChurch, please get in touch with me.

Caroline Favell 01473 310268martinfavell99@gmail.com

Green Gym Group

The Green Gym will meet at 10.30 onSaturday, 8th August in Church Square.Possible tasks include some pavementclearing and work at the back of theChurchyard. It will be lovely to see youthere. Any queries, please do call me:07976 010754. Thank you.

Richard Appleton

Holton St Mary Social ClubThe committee would like to wish all ourmembers well. We are looking forward towelcoming you all back when it is safe todo so.

Kind regards, Peter

quaywallslongmate1@btinternet.commobile:- 07957 910608home:- 01473 314150

ZoomAs many of you know, Holton St MaryParish Council have been conducting ourmeetings via Zoom for the past fewmonths. We have purchased a Zoomsubscription for this as it is inappropriate tobreak the meeting after 40 minutes.

After discussion at our last meeting, itseemed sensible to us to make thissubscrption available to residents andother village meetings and turn it into avillage resource.

If you live in Holton St Mary and need toconduct a meeting online, please feel freeto email the Parish Clerk and make use ofthis service.

hsmparishclerk@gmail.com

VJ Day – Not Forgotten

On 15August 75 years ago, the war in theFar East came to an end. Today, we cangive thanks that those who were oncefoes are now sharing our values andallies. We can take note of thecontribution that Japan makes to theeconomy of this United Kingdom,particularly in car manufacture. The Worldhas moved on from those dark days ofWorld War II.

But it is right that we remember thesacrifice of so many in the campaignsfought across the Far East against theImperial might of Japan. Together with ourAmerican allies, Commonwealth troopsand the awe-inspiring Ghurkas, Britishtroops went through some appallingexperiences. This was not only inengaging with a foe fighting a “total war”,but also in terrible treatment as prisonersof war. Returning to this country, many ofour troops coming home after the VE Daycelebrations felt themselves to be “TheForgotten Army”. They were the ones whohad given their “Todays” for us to have our“Tomorrows”. We do well to rememberthem.

Doing so, can bring personalrecollections: family members involved inthe Far East War; a friend suffering life-long health issues arising out of brutalexperiences; a mother with a young sonreceiving the one letter from her husbandafter years of silence, only then to be told

that he had died in enemy hands. TheBurma Star Association flag may now belaid up, but we can continue to honourthose who earnt the Star. On VJ Day wehave an opportunity to show our gratitudeand appreciation. We can show that we willremember them. God bless them.

Peter Snelling

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Staying busy duringLockdown

What do you do if you are a trainee maderedundant mid-degree during thepandemic? Well, if you are Veronica, youkeep painting. Veronica tells me thecurrent situation has caused her a lot offrustration, doubt, anxiety and pressure,But she’s not one to give up.

Veronica has been paiinting commissionswhere she can and trying to keep going.Now as lockdown eases, she is hoping toexpand to sell her work and expertise morewidely.

She has already had successfulexhibitions and has sold her artworks atthe Higham Arts Festival 2019."

‘I would like to organise a mini artexhibition display of 5-10 of my artworks inthe Holton St. Mary Village Hall.’ She tellsme. ‘A month for example, so that visitorscould see it and contact me for details.’

Veronica is also keen to organise local artworkshops (max 10 people to maintainsocial distancing) to give enthusiasts andamateurs a local focus

Another idea is personal and privategarden and art workshops using a widearray of media such as watercolour,charcoal, oil, pencils, etc. depending onwhat style you want to learn. This mightsuit people who love to paint but can’ttravel.

If you are interested in commissioningVeronica ie. for paintings to display athome, pet portraits, etc., buying a painting,or being part of a workshop or gardengroup, you can e-mail her onvmclaindv@gmail.com or call07939966349.

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Footpath 2: Holton St Mary toStratford St Mary (circular: 7.2km)1. Start in Church Square. Walkbetween ‘Lampitts’ (left) and the ‘The OldSchool’ (right) towards the MillenniumGreen. Pass to the left of a brick garageand padlocked wooden gate. Bear subtlyleft or turn right to follow, counter-clockwise, the edge of the Green passingthrough a willow tunnel and over balancingbeams and stepping-trunks. Both routesbring you to a gate at the far end of theGreen. Pass through, turn right and after afew metres, left on a wide grassy vergeand follow the field edge. After about 100metres turn 900 left with the field on yourleft and woodland on your right and walktowards Squirrel’s Hall. At the fence thatborders ‘Squirrels’ Hall’ bear half rightdown a short narrow path to a height-challenging stile. Cross, and keep right andparallel to the fence heading towards astile in the field corner with a red and white

sign: ‘PLEASE KEEP TO THEFOOTPATH. AND DOGS MUST BE KEPTUNDER CONTROL’.2. Cross this stile and afternegotiating nettles and shin-snaringbrambles, walk approximately 10 metresstraight ahead to another ‘stile’. This isactually more like ‘walking the plank’ withno handholds and over a forlorn piece ofirrelevant chicken fence. Cross withtrepidation and walk straight ahead on anindistinct and very un-even grass vergebetween two fields for approximately 20-25metres. When you arrive at hedging onyour right, turn half left to walk along a longand un-even path that bisects a large field;your sight may allow you to pick out aFootpath sign in the distance. Aim for thissign. The field is peppered with some quitedeep (and potentially ankle-twisting) holesdug by animals (badgers, less commonly,foxes and deer) neatly filled with theirsweet and musky-smelling faeces. Youhave been warned…3. After 380 metres, keeping youreyes open for the holes and noting the

noise and sight of the HGV-infested A12racetrack in the medium-distance, youreach the Footpath sign and the B1068(Higham Road).Turn right. This is a veryquiet road with very little traffic in yourdirection of travel towards Higham. On-coming traffic is slightly more common …and often ‘en vitesse’.4. After 780 metres turn left at theFootpath sign; there is also a ratherincongruous and brightly-coloured sign for‘Wheatlands’ and ‘Coral’s Farm’. Walkdown a grassy track passing twoproperties on your right and (usually) ametallic light-blue horse-box on your left toclimb gently and briefly under a few pinesto a stile. Cross, and walk on a narrowgrassy path between a fenced horsepaddock on the right and hedging on theleft. Go through the gate and continuestraight ahead for approximately 30metres. Turn left (it is private to the right)and walk on a grassy track forapproximately 70 metres.5. At a T-junction of paths markedon the left with a yellow arrow-markedpost, turn right to walk down a grassy/dirttrack for 1 km. On the right for the first 300metres there is a point-to-point field withanticipated accoutrements. Descend thehill and, keeping a huge mound of almostodour-less manure on your right, bearslightly left and then right and continuedown the field edge with a row of trees onyour left. Enjoy the views over DedhamVale.6. This verge meets a narrowtarmac road but Immediately before theroad turn sharp right and continue to walkon a wide grassy verge with a hedge andthe road on your left and a field on the right.Follow the field edge turning right.7. After approximately 40-50 metresturn left through a wide gap between treesand then almost immediately left again. Ina few metres on the left there is a short,narrow and barely obvious path that takesyou down the bank to a single-track tarmaclane (Green Lane); turn right. The lane isquiet with only a slight chance of meeting avehicle, in either direction. Cyclists aremore likely but they risk body and machineas some steep sections can be covered

with a highly de-stabilising cocktail of sandand pebbles. At the top the lane meets theB1068 (Higham Road). Turn right, sensessharpened for traffic.8. After approximately 60 metres ata white sign, turn left down a single tarmaclane (Sandpits Lane). Continue down thelane for approximately 1.25 km passing inturn ‘Dewlands Farm’, ‘Tiffins’, ‘Pintins’ onthe left and ‘Laits Barn’ and ‘Lark Hall’ onthe right.9. Fifty metres past ‘Lark Hall’ on theright there is a barely visible Footpath sign,but a more obvious stile. Cross this andhead diagonally across the grassed fieldand go through a natural archway in thehedge. Continue across the next fieldwhich may or may not have a crop andthrough another archway in the hedge.Continue, keeping left of a row of immaturehedges, behind which are 10 staticcaravans and on to a concrete drive. Passbetween a large weigh-plate on the left anda dark green/silver-grey metal barn on theright.10. Watching and listening for farmvehicles as you cross the farmyard (APTFarming), head for a gap between stackedpotato boxes on the left (marked ‘APTF’)and a brick and green metal farm office onthe right.11. Continue down a narrowish tree-lined path with a brick wall and then a wide-meshed wire fence of Holton Hall on yourleft. After about 80 metres, the pathemerges dramatically on to a large field(always sown with a crop). Bear half leftand cross diagonally to a white kissinggate with the squat tower of St Mary’sChurch in the immediate background. Ifappropriate and safe to do so, kiss yourpartner and go through the gate and bearslightly right and then left, to pass betweenthe Church tower on the left and the WarMemorial on the right. The grassy path hasbecome a gravel one which leads to awrought iron gate and beyond, ChurchSquare. Hallelujah…!

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DEDHAM TENNIS CLUBThe courts are now fully open andcoaching is available for adults andjuniors. Memberships are available or thecourts can be hired for £8 per hour.

More details are available onwww.clubspark.lta.org.uk/dedhamltc

Or email dedham-tennis-committee@googlegroups.co.uk

A�er a three-month absence, the Stour ValleyU3A has begun resuming a number of itspopular ac�vi�es:

� Curry groupmembers ate at theZayneb restaurant at Capel St Mary.� Five-mile walkers took a trip toHarwich and enjoyed a stroll along the widepromenades at Dovercourt which allow forsocial distancing.� Country walking group visited theTa�ngstone area.

(Both groups had to forego thetradi�onal pub lunch!)

� Wine apprecia�on group membersrecently spent a pleasant a�ernoon in therambling garden of a member. Everyonebrought their own refreshments, glasses andsea�ng to adhere to health and safetyguidelines.� Canoe and kayak group is yet to finda suitable �de at Manningtree but hope toventure out before the end of July.� French, philosophy and book groupscon�nue to meet via Zoom.Artwork and poetry created by membersduring the lockdown has also been publishedon our website for all to see h�ps://u3asites.org.uk/stourvalley/page/106719

Lectures for July August and Septemberremain cancelled.

For further informa�on contact chairmanGraham Manuel gandamauel@gmail.com,secretary Sue Bastedsusanbasted10@gmail.com or visit ourwebsite www.stourvalleyu3a.org.uk

Stour ValleyThe Holton St Mary UnitedCharities Trusthas some funds available to thoseresidents in the village of Holton St Marywho are in need. If you feel you might wantto make an application please contact:

Paul Torrington onfamilytorrington@btinternet.com or 01473312046.

Sun Inn - Getting back toNormal

Lots of you have been waiting until our FullMenu returns. Well, I'm very happy toconfirm it will - Friday, 17 July.....

OUR BIRTHDAY 17 years......

yes SEVENTEEN (I used to be free)

Thanks to all of you who have visited sincewe reopened on 4 July. Reopening was asmanic as opening all those years ago, butat least this time we knew a bit more aboutwhat we were doing, unlike some of ourequipment and technology! And thanks toyou all who've sent feedback - it is truly arelief to know you think we've struck theright balance between keeping everyonesafe and keeping the atmosphere asnormal as we think we can.

I've done another entry below for 'Diary ofan (not empty anymore) Pub Landlord'.

You are still encouraged to book tables forfood or drinks. But it isn't completelynecessary, especially if just drinks in theafternoon or evening. We would ask you toscan the QR code when here to registeryour visit for potential TRACK & TRACE.

We're also now cashless so bring yourcards/phone but any high value sports caris also accepted.

Thanks again for all the support you haveshown us, it means a lot.

Piers & Team Sun Inn

Mothers’ Union- More thanjust a monthly meeting.If you had to describe Mothers’ Union howwould you start? Perhaps you knowMothers’ Union as the group of ladies whomake the tea, or that they have monthlymeetings.

Mothers’ Union is a movement of over 4million Christian in 84 countries round theworld. Mothers’ Union members volunteerin local communities putting their faith intoaction by acts great and small, givingindividuals a helping hand and enablingcommunities of all faiths and none to havethe confidence and skills to transform theirlives in a sustainable way.

The Mothers’ Union members are not allmothers or even all women. Married orsingle, male or female, young or old thereis a place for anyone who has beenbaptised in Mothers’ Union. Liverpooldiocese even has a group called MiniMums, who are all school children whowanted to have their own group withinMothers’ Union.

The main aim of Mothers’ Union is tosupport marriage and family life, especiallythrough times of adversity. In SuffolkMothers’ Union branches run parentingprogrammes; these are very popular andoffer parents of teenagers, as well as ofyoung children, the opportunity to exploreand reflect on issues such as activelistening, so that parents can develop andmaintain positive relationships with theirchildren

Mothers’ Union members make drain bagsfor the oncology unit, memory bags for theneonatal units, hats for seafarers, fiddlemuffs for people with dementia. You willfind us collecting toiletry items for theIpswich night shelter and Women’s refugeor for emergency wash bags for the localhospitals.

Holton St Mary Parish Council

Our next meeting will be on 9th Setemberat 8pm. We will be able to tell you closerto the time if the meeting will be in theVillage Hall or via Zoom.

hsmparishclerk@yahoo.co.uk

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in their new role. It was this thought ofproviding support in their parish for all newmothers that led to the first meeting ofMothers’ Union in 1876.

Mary Sumner was a visionary, as it is onlyrecently that researchers such asProfessor of Psychology Daniel Stern haveidentified that this need for support issomething a new mother feels immediatelyafter birth. Many new mothers turn tosomeone from their past for support- orfrom their own families. The obviouscandidate being their own mother, but iftheir own mother lives a long way away, orhas perhaps died then there may be a keysupporter missing.

I visited one Mothers’ Union branch in Yorkprovince to give a talk some years ago. Inoticed that the committee of the branchincluded several young mums. I remarkedon this and was told that one of theseyoung mums had lost her mother shortlybefore the birth of her first child. All theladies in the Mothers’ Union had ralliedround and given this new mother so muchsupport and love that not only had shejoined the Mothers’ Union but also severalof her friends had too.

New mothers seek out support from asmany as ten other mothers, people theytrust and who they will seek advice andsupport on subjects such as crying,sleeping, feeding and what does this rashmean?

Daniel Stern writing in his book The Birth ofa Mother’ writes “Motherhood is a craft andall beginning mothers need to apprenticewith someone who has already beenthere”. Not just to give advice andinformation but to surround the new motherwith a psychological environment wherethey feel secure and encouraged toexplore their mothering capacities. That iswhy the Mothers’ Union Toddler groupsand are so popular around the country.

Mothers’ Union also supports familieswhen they fall on hard times. Our Awayfrom it all holidays take many forms fromdays out to short breaks. In our currenttimes we are looking for new ways toprovide that much needed break. Duringlockdown surveys revealed that it wasmothers who shouldered the greatestburden of home schooling, child care andwho suffered the most from domesticviolence.

Mary Sumner would be amazed at howMothers’ Union has grown from that firstmeeting in old Alresford to the organisationthat exists today. Irrespective of scientificand social progress new mothers still needexperienced mothers to support them andalways will. To find out more aboutMothers’ Union and how you can join go toww.musuffolk.org.uk

Mothers’ Union members hold fund raisingevents to support the Away from It Allproject which provides a much-neededbreak for families who are going throughstressful times.

All our outreach work is supported throughprayer. We stop to pray at midday eachday, and in July each year we join a waveof prayer made up of Mothers’ Unionmembers across the world. This year weare producing a Book of Comfort whichincludes prayer, poems and reflectionsspecifically for the Covid19 pandemic.

There are 36 branches in our dioceseincluding a branch here at East Bergholtand Brantham and also a number ofDiocesan members who live in parisheswhere there is no branch nearby. Ourwebsite www.mothersunionsuffolk.org hasmore information about our organisationand we also have a Facebook page. Lookus up and when we are able to meet again,perhaps you would like to join in with ourfellowship and outreach.

What has the Mothers’ Union got incommon with Heineken lager?

Back in 1973 Heineken had a successfuladvertising campaign that spoke of how this particular lager ”refreshes the partsother beers cannot reach.”When asked what I think the Mothers’Unions’ USB is I say, we are the charitythat refreshes places other charitiescannot reach.

That is because we are a grassrootsorganisation. With over 4 million membersin over 84 countries we are in a uniqueposition of knowing what is needed, whereit is needed and when it is needed.Mothers’ Union does not have to fly inpersonnel because we are already there,living and working alongside those in need.

In the past part of our overseas workfocused on relief work to help those

suffering from the effects of naturaldisasters such as famine and floods.However, over the past few years that haschanged and the focus now is on buildingresilience.

In remote areas where flooding is an ever-present danger during the rainy season,women and children would often be sweptaway by flood waters and villagesoverwhelmed by swollen rivers.

A Mothers’ Union resilience initiative usedthe fire drill format, that is present in all UKpublic buildings, to enable communities toprepare a strategy to protect the mostvulnerable in their communities from theannual flooding. In one diocese in Africalocal Mothers’ Union members facilitatedtraining in resilience to floods whichinvolved the whole community. Thecommunity found a location on nearby highground for the assembly point whereeveryone would go once the flood alarmhad been raised. Men would form a chainacross any rising water and the babies andchildren would be passed along the chainso that none of them were swept away. Thewomen moved across in front of the chainof men so that they could be caught if theylost their footing in the fast running waters.This drill would be practiced and when therains next came and the village was indanger the alarm sounded, the menformed the chain everyone headed for safehigh ground and nobody drowned.

The next time you see Mothers’ Unionholding a fund-raising event pleasesupport this vital work; better still considerjoining our organisation. Check us out onwww.musuffolk.org.uk

What was Mary thinking?

The founder of the Mothers’ Union was avicar’s wife called Mary Sumner. When herdaughter had her first child, Mary Sumnerwas very aware of the amount of supporther daughter, and all new mothers needed

As the first news bulletins of the COVID-19virus were being reported Mothers Unionmembers in Suffolk were at the beginningof a project to create a Book of Comfort.

Once lockdown was announced thisproject gained a more urgent momentumand over just a few weeks members wroteprayers, poems and reflections that spoketo the challenges of this time. The Book ofComfort also includes photographs andartwork, which are visual prayers that allowGod to speak into our hearts throughimages of His creation.

We pray that this Book of Comfort will bejust that to all its readers. Available as ane-book which can be downloaded to yoursmart phone, tablet or laptop you candownload by clicking the link https://bit.ly/3dC8Nln It will also be available as aprinted book, from online publisherLulu.com.

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The Crown Reopens AfterLockdown

And Offers A TakeawayService

14 July 2020- The Crown, Stoke byNayland is open again following lockdown.The opening weekend on the 4th of Julywas a great success and the restaurantteam would like to thank everyone who hastaken the time to send direct messages,left reviews and tagged The Crown.

…Please continue to share photos andsocial media tags as it is a tremendousboost for everyone here - all your kindcomments and congratulations havemeant the world. Thank you!” says NicoleBarrett, The Crown general manager.

There is ample space across the property’sbeautiful garden terrace and many guestshave already been enjoying alfrescodining, with a chilled glass of wine. There’salso an outside bar and a new sociallydistanced layout inside the restaurant. Ateam member will be on hand to greet you

and take you through the new safety stepsrequired as you arrive.

Capacity is less than usual, however TheCrown will always welcome you and look tosafely seat you, if you just walk in for lunchor dinner. You can come in for a drink toowith no need to book, please just note thatit will be table service only and subject toavailability.

The award-winning restaurant is alsooffering a new takeaway service duringnormal kitchen hours. The menu can befound on website www.crowninn.net alongwith details of revised opening hours.

For any bookings or enquiries, pleasedon’t hesitate to get in touch on telephone01206 262001 or emailinfo@crowninn.net.

Headway Suffolk - Gettingthrough Coronavirus andbeyond.

The last few months has been nothing likewe’ve seen before. The coronavirusstopped us all in our tracks and closedmost of Headway Suffolk’s services, suchas our hubs, therapies, community supportand Brainy Dogs.We had to adapt how we delivered rehabto continue to support our clients in newand different ways and assist the localauthorities to provide even further care topatients leaving hospital.The services included a virtual hub, whichallowed clients to stay in touch by video,taking part in activities and socialising,which helped reduce anxiety and isolationand keep everyone mentally well. OurIpswich reception became a helpline foranyone with concerns or questions, with afriendly ear at hand to providereassurance.Our dedicated and hard-working supportteam we’re able to deliver vital homecare,including increased commissioning fromSuffolk County Council, to ensure clientsreceived care and help at home during adifficult time.

Clients continued receiving counsellingbut this time done remotely by phone andvideo, so they could share their worriessafely and to keep everyone mentally well.We also sent out activity packs to clientsto engage in fun and stimulating activitiesto relieve the boredom of lockdown and tokeep the brain healthy.We prepared and delivered freshly-cooked meals, as well as food parcels, toensure clients who needed them,particularly if they couldn’t use aconventional oven, ate healthy andnutritiously. Brainy Dogs was also able toadapt with regular videos, blogs andstaying in touch with those who neededhelp with their four-legged friends.As we begin to gradually phase a returnto some of the normal services, we’d liketo say a massive thank you to everyonewho helped us and our clients throughsuch uncertain times. Whether that waswith a donation, supplies of PPE or anyother way, we simply couldn’t do it withoutyou.Due to lost funding from social care andthe cancellation or postponements offundraising events, we estimate we face ashortfall of £100,000 in funding, which iswhy we launched our CoronavirusAppeal.If you would like a donation, you can doso by card atwww . h e a d w a y s u ff o l k . o r g . u k /coronavirus. You can also pay by cashor cheque by calling us on 01473712225 or emailinfo@headwaysuffolk.org.uk.Memory Jogger

Have you had a really good meal out, orknow of a local supplier or retailer that youfeel needs shouting about? We’re startinga section on page 27, under local servicesfor you to leave a recommendation. Afterall, it’s good to promote quality localservices!

Email us with your experiences atquarteteditor@hotmail.co.uk

24 25

Our last meeting was our March 2020AGMwhen Dave Carman was voted in, again,as President and Speaker Secretary,Graeme Forsyth as Secretary and ValPretty as Treasurer.

In the light of the Coronavirus outbreak allClub meetings have been cancelled for thenext few months. We always take a breakin August and we plan to meet again on 16September 2020, conditions permitting,when Norman Jacobs will return again andthis time speak on "Clown Bertram -Clacton's most famous entertainer".

Meeting Venue We meet at theconvenient St John Ambulance HQ,Manningtree CO11 1EB

New members are welcomed Our Clubendeavours to be simple in structure, befree of the constraints and obligations ofservice clubs, and involve members to aminimal cost. New Members are alwaysvery welcome at all meetings of the StourValley Men’s Probus Club, just join us at10am on a meeting date. The club isdirected primarily to providing fellowshipbetween members who are compatiblewith each other, and provide theopportunity for development ofacquaintances. We meet on the first andthird Wednesday of each month inManningtree at 10 for 10.30am. Pleasecontact President Dave Carman on 01255880202 for further details Holy Family Roman Catholic

ChurchIpswich Road, Brantham CO11 1TBParish Priest: Fr. Paul Vincent OCDAssist. Priest: Fr Bineesh Elenjikkal OCD180 Hawthorn Drive Ipswich IP2 0QQTel: 01473 684963.www.stmarksparish.org.uk

Services for AUGUST 2020

Full details are published on the Parishwebsite, address above.

Catholic CommentaryCardinal Vincent Nichols recentlycommented “I am grateful to the PrimeMinister for his decision that our churchesmay now open again for individual prayerfrom Monday 15 June 2020.

He continued “this is a first, measuredstep in restoring the more normal practiceof our faith and will be welcomed by somany, who have waited with great patiencesince 23 March when our churches wereclosed, by Government decision, as part ofthe fight against this pandemic. I thankeveryone for that patience. It is importantthat every care is taken to ensure that theGuidance given for this limited opening isfully observed, not least by those enteringour churches. Our preparation is takingplace with thoroughness.”

Mass from St Mark's has been recordedand streamed on YouTube each Sundaymorning and can be accessed all week at

h t t p : / / w w w . y o u t u b e . c o m / c /StMarksCatholicParishIpswich

At the time of writing at the end of June,it is pleasing to note that Mass will becelebrated for the first time since March atHoly Family, Brantham on Sunday 5 July,following the strict government guidelines,since as Cardinal Nichols stated “theprotection of the health of our society,especially of the most vulnerable, is aproper cause for caution and care”.

Mass, Morning and Evening Prayer,Devotions and other spiritual resourcesmay be accessed over the internet. Forexample, a full daily programme isprovided by the clergy and staff from theNorfolk Shrine of Our Lady viawalsingham.org.uk or viachurchgservices.tv.

Events & Diary DatesThe 100 Club Draw took place on Sunday19 July at the promoter's home and

witnessed on FaceTime by a member ofthe congregation. Three lucky winnersshared a record £165 prize pot. The Club,set up to support the life and mission of ourParish, has grown from strength tostrength since its launch. New Membersare always very welcome and the AnnualNewsletter, that includes an applicationform, can be found at the rear of the churchor please visit the Parish websitewww.stmarksparish.org.uk. The next drawtakes place on Sunday 23 August.

The popular Bring & Buy CoffeeMornings that have taken place at Viv &Wyn’s home, Paddock Gate, WhitehorseRoad, East Bergholt are cancelled for theforeseeable future. We had been raisingfunds for the Centenary Celebration of theopening of our Holy Family Church.

Supporting our Local HospiceAll Parishioners are asked to collect usedpostage stamps, ALL YEAR, not just atChristmas and place them in the box at therear of the church to help support theoutstanding work of our local Hospice.

The Sick & HomeboundFr Bineesh Elanjikkal is the IpswichHospital Catholic Chaplain. Please beaware that for reasons of patientconfidentiality, the current practice in theNHS is NOT to inform the chaplains of anyCatholics that are admitted to hospital. So,unless you or your relatives inform thechaplain of your hospital stay yourselves,you will not be visited by a priest or anyother member of the chaplaincy team.Please let Fr Paul Vincent know of anyonewho is ill at home or housebound, so thatthey may receive appropriate pastoralcare. Both Fr Paul and Fr Bineesh can becontacted at the Priory on 01206 684963.

All are very welcome at Holy Family,Brantham, CO11 1TB and to attend HolyFamily services; it is not necessary to be aCatholic and enquiries about the CatholicFaith are always welcome. Please contactthe Presbytery, as above, or a local personwhom you know is a Catholic.

SESAW NEWS

I don't believe it. Mum just called me"Fatso" as she harnessed me up for awalk! She says we dogs have taken

lockdown to the "nth degree", whateverthat means, and just because I'm notmeeting my public doesn't mean I shouldn'tkeep trim.

Everyone wants life to go back to normalbut humans have proved themselvesadept at coping with change. Sharon, aseamstress in "real" life, sews washable,pleated face masks in triple layer densecotton. Jayne knits "Rainbow of Hope" carhangings and has a new teddy bear line.Mandy sells donated items on Facebook.Jeanette arranged a pop-up stall to sellplants and run her famous Tombola. By theway, Jayne is still taking orders for maskson 07720 079370.

All Rescues are braced for a possible influxas new pet owners return to work andrecently acquired animals start sufferingwith separation anxiety if unused to beingleft alone. Please get in touch if you arehaving difficulties with your pets, contactdetails below but be patient if our responsetime is slow due to staff shortages.

Unfortunately we cannot accept any freshstock as our big fundraising events arecancelled until next year. All efforts areconcentrated on animal welfare leavinginsufficient people to sort, or storage spaceto hold, goods.

Kenny (the Boss) Chihuahua!

Suffolk & Essex Small Animal Welfare, Reg.Charity No.1124029,

26 27

The Constable CountryMedical Practice

The Medical Centre,Heath Road, East Bergholt, ColchesterCO7 6RT

Surgery opening hours8.00am – 6.30pm Monday to FridayTelephone 01206 298272Fax 01206 29901036 The Street, Capel St Mary, IpswichIP9 2EE

Surgery opening hours8.00am – 6.30pm Monday to Friday

Dispensary 8.30am – 6.15pm(closed between 1-2pm)Telephone 01473 310203Fax 01473 311722

MOBILE LIBRARYStratford St Mary - Route 11The bus stops every 4 weeks onWednesdays

5thAugust, 2 September, 30 September, 28October

Black Horse - 11.05am - 11.20amTally Ho! Corner - 11.25am - 11.45amStrickmere (School Lane end) - 11.50am -12.10pm

Route 14The bus stops every 4 weeks onTuesdays

11 August, 8 September, 6 October, 3November

Holton St MaryChurch Square - 9.30-9.45amRaydonSt Mary’s Raydon - 9.50-10.30amLower RaydonSulleys Hill - 11.30 - 11.45amHighamThe Green - 11.55am to 12.10pm

The customer service line 01473 283838is staffed 9am to 5pm from Monday toFriday and can handle any librarycustomer queries renewals andreservations to any general library queries.An answer phone is available outside ofoperating hours and people can also emailhelp@suffolklibraries.co.uk

Crime preventionhttp://www.suffolk.police.uk/safetyadvice/

reportacrime/tellthepolice.aspxPC 1347 Gilkes Pcso 3041 Cooperbabergheast@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

Telephone…101

Local ServicesWeek Commencing 2nd August Refuse Week

9th August Recycling Week16th August Refuse Week23rd August Recycling Week30th August Refuse week -Bank Holiday week

Waste Services 0300 1234 000 (option 4)Email: recycling@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk Visitwww.recyclenow.com to find your nearest recycling banks

Bin collections

Power Cut? Call 105 | The NewFree Way to Report Issues

www.powercut105.comExperiencing a power cut? No matter whoyour provider is, 105 is the new number tocall to get help and advice, free of chargeon mobile and landlines. You can also call105 with any welfare concerns related to apower cut, or if you are worried about thesafety of over or underground electricitycables or substations.

Support may be available free for thosewith medical needs, people of pensionableage or with children under 5.Register on UK Power Networks websitehttp://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/internet/en/help-and-advice/priority-services-during-a-power-cut/

Tell us your favourite local service -could be a pub or restaurant ortakeaway, or other service you thinkwould benefit getting arecommendation...If we agree, we’llprint it here

I go to a super fish van in the George carpark in Hadleigh. He comes from Lowestofton a Tuesday from 7.45am until 12.30 andcouldn’t be fresher. He also goes toHollowtrees Farm on a Thursday, 8am until12.30. His name is Paul phone number07810251395

Simply Thai Manningtree - It was simplydelicious! Freshly cooked, and arrivedwithin the quoted time frame. 01206396060. Delivers to Holton St Mary

Zaynab and Mother Indian at Capel.Really good and highly recommend. Theydon’t deliver, but it’s made quickly for pick-up.

28 29

Local Directory

There is an artist in all of us.

"Would you like to be part of a personal orgroup art workshop, improve your drawingskills, or commission an artist to paint yourpet / favourite photo at an affordable price?

Show your support by contactingVeronica de Vera at 07939966349e-mail vmclaindv@gmail.com.

Veronica is an oil artist and a successfulHigham Arts Festival 2019 Exhibitor"

Prestige virtual assistanceMaking time for you

Providing a flexible approach to personalassistant support remotely to businessowners, directors and entrepreneurs.

Services include:

•Research Project•General Admin

• Time Management (diary/emails)•Social Media Posts

•Document Management•Project Management

•Office Moves

Kate BainesM: 07799 391343

E: info@prestigevirtualassistance.co.ukW: www.prestigevirtualassistance.co.uk

Highly experienced KS2 teacher andex Deputy Headteacher offeringMaths and English

tuition.

Full DBS clearance. Based in Holton StMary. For further details pleasecontact: Trena Walker 07773652095.

30 31

32 33

34 35

Mending your home

ACER TREE SPECIALISTS LTDAll staff NPTC qualified and fully insured. 10 million public liability

• 24 hours emergency tree work• All aspects of tree work under taken .• Hedge maintenance and reductions.• Stump grinding• Tree removal• Pruning• Pollarding

25 years experience. For a free no obligation estimate

Call 07786836928 or 07891135561Or Email Acertreespecialists@hotmail.co.uk

36 37

38 39

40 41

In the House

42 43

44 45

Professional Services

46 47

Body Mind as Onebrings movement&mindfulness to adults

of anyage,gender andability

Classes onlineMovement & Mindfulness (ZOOM)Yogalates™(Pilates & Yogafusion)£18 per personTuesday&Fridays9:30 to 11:00 am

Mindfulness (ZOOM)Gentlemovement & guided relaxation£12 per personMonday &Fridays7:00 to 8:00 pm

www.bodymindasone.com

When lock-down easesBody Mind asOne

group classes will be available

48 49

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52 53

Benefice Letter

What - no hymns?

As I write this letter, we have been able to open churches in the Benefice for the lastcouple of weeks for private prayer. When I opened up on Saturday and looked around thequiet, calm space of the Lady Chapel, the words of a favourite hymn came into my mind:

Be still for the power of The Lord is moving in this placeHe comes to cleanse and heal, to minister His grace...

How strange not to be able to hold regular services or to sing communal hymns.

Now that restrictions are easing, the opportunity of resuming services of public worship is areality and we are planning how to do this as safely as possible, albeit somewhatdifferently. We are currently in a vacancy which provides us with the added challenge of noregular minister and Government restrictions mean that we cannot include singing in ourservices - this is a marked departure from what we are used to.

Which hymns will I most miss singing? I wonder if you have a favourite hymn? I imaginethat many of us can think of a hymn that reminds us of different times in our lives. Just themention of 'When a knight won his spurs' or 'He who would valiant be' transports me backto primary school assemblies and also the years spent as a teacher, belting out the hymnsfrom the back of the hall, in an attempt to encourage the children to sing. I remember toomy father-in-law (not a churchgoer at all) singing 'bread of heaven' regularly to himselfabout the house or in the garden. I think of him whenever I hear it. According to a nationalpoll for the programme Songs of Praise - 'Jerusalem' was voted the nation's favourite hymn- there can't be many of us that don't know the words to that one. There are hymns andsongs which have marked specific milestones in our lives - at weddings or funerals forexample, which speak to us of times past and evoke powerful memories.

I read recently in an article that university researchers had undertaken an analysis of themusical choices of 80 different guests who had taken part in the long-running radioprogramme Desert Island Discs and concluded that music can define a person's career orlife choices from the age of 10. They proposed that music plays a significant role betweenthe ages of 10-30, by connecting an individual to people, places and times that are centralto their identity. So just as Al Stewart, Bob Dylan and Ralph McTell take me instantly backto my college days, I wonder what music, tunes or hymns transport you back to thosesignificant moments?

Although we haven't been able to sing at public services recently, we have neverthelesshad opportunities to sing along to many streamed and online services, in the comfort of our

54 55

Benefice Services and Events

Services in August &September

We are delighted to announce that theChurches will be back open for PublicServices in September but please checkthe Benefice website www.4Marys.org.ukfor any ad hoc online services in August.

The vacancy has made it quitechallenging for the Churchwardens andBenefice Ministry Team to arrange publicservices but we are pleased that we havethis as a plan for September.

6th September – 10am Stratford St MaryHoly Communion13th September – 6pm Holton St MaryEvening Prayer20th September – 10am HighamHoly Communion27th September – 10am RaydonMorning Prayer

Due to the changing nature of Covid19 wemay have to ask that you book yourselvesinto a service but more details will be madeavailable in September.

House GroupThere will be no House Group in August

Midweek monthly ServiceWe hope to be able to offer a MidweekService in the Parish Room in September,again more details next month.

Private PrayerDuring August the churches in ourBenefice will be openfor Private Prayerfrom 10amto 4pm on the following days

Monday: Higham

Wednesday: Stratford St Mary

Thursday: Higham

Friday: Holton St Mary

Saturday: Stratford St Mary

Sunday: Raydon

Covid 19 Social distancing rules will applywhen visiting the churches, so please doread the notices

EldersOur four church Benefice is fortunate tohave three lay elders who are appointedlocally and licensed to help and assist withcertain aspects of church ministry. Forexample, they may undertake pastoralwork e.g. visiting people in their homes orin hospital, work with young people inrunning family and children’s services andassist with general church services. Thelay elders work as part of our local ministryteam and may be contacted about localchurch matters if churchwardens areunavailable.

Christine Cousins 01206 322530Janet Dewey 01206 322148Sandy Ranson 01206 322156

Reader:Nicola Tindall: 01787 212340 nicolajtindall@btinternet.com

Please contact Nicola to discuss any aspect of faith and services in the Beneficeincluding home visits.

Benefice Administrator:Frances Torrington: 01473 312046 familytorrington@btinternet.com

Please contact Frances to talk about baptisms, confirmations, weddings andfunerals.

Benefice website: www.4marys.org.uk

Churchwardens:

Higham Hugo Parker 01206 337234

Holton Richard Noel 01206 298276Paul Torrington 01473 312046

Raydon Geoff Horrex 01473 310422Simon Tennent 01473 310320

Stratford Jonathan Dewey 01206 322148

own homes(and with no one listening) and to watch some beautiful recordings from pastservices in cathedrals and churches across the country. I also discovered recently that Icould listen to playlists for hymns simply by asking Alexa - happy days!

One of the things I have found truly uplifting, was listening to The Ipswich Blessing where43 Ipswich churches from different denominations and traditions have collaborated duringlock down to record a wonderful rendition of The Blessing by Elevation Worship in a songabout unity and hope. Do listen to it if you get the chance, it certainly lifts the spirits.

And so ... until we can sing again, we will be including recordings and music in ourservices, both online and in public services as soon as we can.

In the meantime, stay safe and keep singing .

Sandy Ranson.

Benefice Contacts

56

For your Prayers

For healing, for those who are ill or in need, in our parishes and beyond:

Higham: Nicholas Maxwell-Lawford, Gill Wilson & family, Val & IanBoothman

Holton: Angela & Ron Stedman, Sylvia GoldingRaydon: Michael Mumford, May Peacock, Janie O’Brien & her familySSM: Nancy Ablitt, Laura KerryOthers: Helen Gregory, Penny Watkins, Graham Brench, Jan

Holloway, Shirley Burrows

We pray for our Benefice during the vacancy.

We pray for Nicola Tindall due to be ordained as a deacon in St EdmundsburyCathedral on 5th September.

We pray for those due to be married in our Benefice in the coming months:Louise & Marc, Ellen & Liam, Neelu & Reuben, Rachel & Douglas