C O M M U N I C A T I N G

I N S T O W U P L A N D

In ThIs Issue

Digging and plantingAlloTmenT lIfe 5

April YouTh ReflecTIons 20 Birds, Butterflies and frogscounTRYsIde RAmbleR 35

Jupiter – visible for a few weekslIfe, The unIveRse … 37

Reports from Parish Council Churches Village Clubs

S U F F O L KNewsletter of the Year

No 253 A p r i l 2 0 1 3

2

Chairman’s Remarks Nic Perks, Stowupland Parish Council

It is mid March and winter is still very much with us but I remain hopeful that by the time you read this around

Easter time Spring will have well and truly sprung!

I have just come from the Church where large numbers attended the funeral of Violet Calthorpe who died earlier this month, aged 92. Violet retired as recently as 2011 from the Parish Council, having served our community as a very active Parish Councillor for 40 years or more. Violet was one of the very first councillors I met when my wife and I first arrived in the village in 1999. She knocked on our door and left us in no doubt that she expected us to open our garden for the Church the following summer, despite it looking, in her words, ‘au nature’! Once over the initial surprise we said we would be pleased to do so and that was just the start. Rest in peace Violet.

The prolonged winter weather has taken its toll on our environment. Much of the village green has been under water for what seems an age and the roadside verges are showing considerable signs of wear. We are constantly in touch with Suffolk County Council Highways department pressing for the edges of the Green to be repaired but will probably have to accept that until the weather improves there is little that can be done. Potholes are also becoming increasingly frequent in our roads and are being reported as they occur. Localised, but thankfully minor, flooding in some areas is being investigated but the saturated ground means that there is little relief to be had when it continues to snow and rain with the frequency of the past months.

Despite the weather we have begun several overdue projects. We have undertaken a tree survey, to note the position and health of all the trees around the village for which we have responsibility. The main driver for this has been for insurance purposes but it also helps us plan tree surgery and maintenance costs for our 3-year plan, which is currently under review. We have surveyed and noted the position of trees around the Green, in the cemetery and churchyard and, by the time you read this, we will have completed our survey of trees around the allotments. We also rely on residents to tell us when they see trees that may present a problem or a hazard to the public so please tell us if you have any concerns relating to our trees.

We have also conducted a review of the Play Park and the play equipment. Some of the items have been made safer but it seems clear that some of the equipment is approaching the time when it will need serious refurbishment

33

or replacement altogether. We would also like to add some items, especially for our younger residents. We propose to hold site meetings one afternoon after school and one Saturday morning for anyone who uses the Play Park to come along and offer their views on what they would like to see there in the future. Full details will be published nearer the time.

Finally please note that this year the Annual Parish Meeting will take place on 17th April at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. All are welcome to come along, particularly if you represent a village organisation in which case please come along and tell us about your club, society or group and what you have been up to over the past 12 months. Free teas and coffees available, maybe even some cake! See you there.

Happy Easter to you and, l hope, this edition finds us all basking in the sun and enjoying the daffodils. Happy days.

Discover Suffolk In 52 Ways over 23 Days –

The Suffolk Walking Festival 11th May - 2nd June 2013

Ever wanted to weave your way through fields of flax, march through history, search for treasure or ramble through the countryside to the sound of poetry?

Well now is your chance! With over 50 guided walks to choose from, the Suffolk Walking Festival is a cornucopia of delightfully themed walks that will take you through gently undulating countryside, around villages and towns awash with some fine architecture and along the wonderful landscape of the Suffolk Coast.

The festival kicks off with the 'Launch Jaunt' at Ickworth House near Bury St Edmunds on 11th May and runs for three weeks until 2nd June.

In the middle of the festival (18th - 22nd May) is the Discover Suffolk Challenge Walk, which follows the coast path from Landguard Fort, up to Lowestoft and covers 66 miles in five days. We don't want anyone to feel obliged to do all five days, but there will be prizes and lots of praise for those hardy folk who do!

There is also a charity walk in aid of St Nicholas Hospice Care, which is 14 miles around the lovely landscape of the Lark Valley. Not all of the walks are this long – there is a good range for all abilities and some suitable for children too.

We hope you will join us on some of these walks. For the full programme, please visit the Suffolk Walking Festival website www.discoversuffolk.org.uk or any tourist information centre in the county where you can pick up a brochure and book tickets.

This festival is sponsored by Discover Suffolk and supported by all the local authorities in Suffolk.

4

M & M BUTCHERSMark Hammond

Suppliers of high quality meats, poultry, game and award winning sausages

Local meats ❈ Home-cooked piesHome cooked hams

Dry-cured bacon and gammonSelection of homemade burgers

Big selection of specialist cheeses

Local Delivery

O P E N I N G H O U R S Monday & Tuesday – 7.00am to 1.00pm

Wednesday, Thursday & Friday – 7.00am to 5.00pm

Saturday – 7.00am to 12.30pm

The Green, Stowupland, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 4AR

Telephone: 01449 677720

Allotment Life David Andrew

55

Last month we thought that winter was coming to an end and that we could catch up with those tasks put on

hold by the adverse weather conditions. The last remnants of the purple sprouting broccoli, a few brave leeks and the broad beans preparing to do battle against the elements only serve as a reminder that winter is grimly determined

to hang on and frustrate. Not to worry, however, as spring will soon arrive and we will all know of its coming when some rather self-congratulatory letter is published in the local press advising that the first cuckoo has been heard or the first bird’s nest has been seen.

In the meantime, those chitting potatoes will have a few extra days in the spare bedroom before planting. Tradition has it that we plant first earlies on Good Friday but as this is a movable feast day it is not advisable to follow this too religiously. It really depends on local conditions and the ancient authority on any allotment site will tell you to rub off all but two or three shoots before planting in late March. Thank him for his wisdom, and maybe even promise that you will follow his wisdom, but don’t bother as the effect of rubbing off is to give considerably fewer (although somewhat larger) spuds and, after all, we are only growing them to eat and not trying to win the heaviest potato competition!

One final piece of potato wisdom: it is a well known fact that red potatoes suffer less from slug damage because the slugs mistake them for beetroot, and are quite understandably put off! You can see that being an allotment holder has educational benefits as well as health benefits as we continue to learn something new every day.

Allotment people really are the most grimly determined bunch (some would say foolhardy) and, following quite heavy overnight snow recently, a lone figure was seen digging his plot. Closer inspection revealed it to be the plot ho1der’s wife (perhaps I really should have gone to Specsavers!) and this naturally led to any number of questions such as why. Did she actually volunteer, was she being paid or was it just to avoid those household chores etc. The ‘experts’ certainly have no answer to this but will continue to debate it for weeks to come.

On another plot, the occupant was heard to declare after a few minutes hard work that he “wished he could get someone to dig it for him” and duly returned home apparently exhausted by his efforts. After a short time, his wife came to the plot and was soon digging with some purpose and completed the patch to a much higher standard than previously. It would appear, however, that a dangerous precedent has been set by the aforementioned ladies and we are no longer able to insist that allotmenteering is a male dominated pastime.

6

As independent opticians we offer a morepersonalised eyecare service that you can trust for

all the family including:-

Optomap retinal examinationColorimetry

A wide range of competitively priced framesand spectacle lenses

Contact lensesPrescription and non-prescription sunglasses

F. G. BROWN – OPTICIANSDenmark House, 41 Bury Street,

Stowmarket.Tel:- 01449 612812/674030

Your sight care is our priority

Including perms,

colouring, tints, highlights,

cuts, blowdrys, etc.

Only the best products fromGOLDWELL are used.

Phone GILLIANfor your appointment now

on 01449 678162or 07795 087670

18 Jubilee Crescent, Stowupland

Unisex SalonFor all Salon Services

Popular pre-school ballet classes combining both dance and music

Encourages confidence and independenceDevelops movement, musicality, coordination,

concentration and creativity

Fun and enjoyable for girls and boys

WOOLPIT BURY ST EDMUNDS

STOWMARKETTots

3-5 year oldsTiny Tots 2-3 years olds

(with accompanying adult)

Contact Suzanne Hume01449 706161 • info@MissSuzanne.co.uk

www.bébéballet.co.uk

Trial

Class

Suzanne Hume • S C H O O L O F D A N C E

77

Report Judy Clarke

February meeting

A very well attended evening, with the return of Lesley, after an absence through ill health, and a visitor, Gill. President Gillian welcomed

everyone and wished all a belated happy new year. The record of the December Christmas meeting was read and agreed,

after which Gillian was presented with some flowers in recognition of all the work she put in for that meeting. Catching up from the cancelled January meeting, a lot of business needed to be advised to the members, particularly reminders for forthcoming events – the Spring Group meeting, the jumble sale in early April, our birthday celebration, later in April, and our display at the Church flower festival in early May. The garden club teas continue to help with Institute funds and a list was made of volunteers to make cakes for those occasions. The craft workshop went very well and some of the finished gift boxes were on display. It is planned to hold another one later in the year, when Christmas trees will be made from material. Meanwhile, Christine and Colleen have both offered their talents to run small ‘at home’ needlework sessions. Judy gave details of planned outings.

Gillian presented a small tub of flowers to Mary C. as the year’s winner of the flower of the month competition, and Mary M. received the Linda Bewey salver and a M&S voucher as the winner of the alphabet competition for 2012.

The demonstrater for the evening was Vicki Hease, who showed us the art of water colour painting. It was fascinating to see what appeared to be only light coloured patches on an otherwise blank piece of paper become, under Vicki’s brush work, a bunch of tulips. Mandy’s expression of thanks was well deserved.

This month’s compettion winners were – alphabet, letter N – 1st. Penny with ‘Nessie’; 2nd. Judy nutcrackers; 3rd. Christine’s needlework.

Flower of the month – and there were several to choose from – 1st. Mary C’s hellebore; 2nd. Mary M’s narcissus; 3rd. Brenda’s iris.

With the distribution of birthday posies for January and February, the meeting ended.

No one is watching, until you make a mistake.

Acorn Kennels

Jodi Palmer

Acorns

Wash Lane

Mendlesham

Stowmarket

Suffolk

IP14 5TD

Opening Hours

Mon – Sat

9.00am to 12.00pm

Visitors welcome other times

by Appointment

Fully Licensed and Insured

Tel:

01449 767160

07754 851789

For friendly

personal care

Lothlorien, Church Road, Stowupland, Stowmarket,

Suffolk. IP14 4BH

01449 678213

C.M. Hayward

Electrical Services

8

Reynolds&

Rushton

Carpets & Decorating

Wide range of quality carpets supplied & fitted

Carpets01449 771682

Decorating01449 676692

Quality need not be expensive

Bespoke Framing Service

Greeting Cards & Photo FramesX-Stitches Stretched & Framed

Fast & Reliable Service

www.EasternFrames.co.uk

Red House Farm,Station Road

Haughley.

Tel. 01449 675897

Monday – Friday9.00am – 5.00pm

Saturday 9.00am – 12noon

99

Parish Council Report March Meeting

The meeting opened with a minute silence as a mark of respect following the recent death of Violet Calthorpe who

had served the village as a Parish Councillor for over 40 years.

As a matter of report, it was advised that the metal panels for the bus shelters have been delivered and will be installed soon. The legal team at Suffolk County Council are pursuing

the Safety to School scheme but it was felt that the legal process could take some time to complete. The Parish Clerk is inviting relevant members from both Suffolk County Council and Mid Suffolk District Council to attend the next finance and policy meeting to be held on 28th March to discuss the process for allocating the Section 106 monies paid by developers.

The police reported that two lads had been robbed in Church Road and that an arrest had been made in connection with this incident. During the course of the last month there had been an assault in Thorney Green Road, an attempted theft from a storage facility in Mill Street and in the same road, a vehicle had been damaged. It was also reported that Suffolk Police are targeting rural burglaries at detached properties in isolated areas as part of Operation Ecru. None of these has so far affected any properties in Stowupland but the public are reminded to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Police who confirmed that they do act on all information received. Over the next few months, further traffic speed checks will be taking place. Every effort will be made to ensure that the summer sports events held to promote links between young people and the police will be advertised far earlier this year. It was also advised that the Police do have a twitter account and there is some useful information available on it. One Councillor reported that an incident of flooding that had been tweeted on this account had been responded to within 30 minutes.

The Stowmarket Green Councillor advised that there had been no action in respect of the proposed station/bus interchange and that he would be pursuing this.

The Allotments Group will be carrying out an inspection of the allotments on 16th March and will also do a plan of trees within the hedgerows around the allotments. The Community Events Committee reported that ticket sales for the Casino Night to be held on the 6th April are going well but that more volunteers are still needed for Music on the Green. Councillor Burden is to join the working group. An event management plan is being prepared as part of the licence application and the event has to be advertised in the local press as part of this application. It is hoped that the speed watch initiative will start in the next few months despite there being no response to last month’s

10

Telstar appeal for more volunteers. The positioning of the second post to hold the vehicle activated sign will have to be approved by Suffolk County Council . The Cemetery and Churchyard Committee reported that other than a few remedial tasks that require attention, the overall condition of both areas was good. The Green Working Group is to seek quotes for work on a number of trees in the Birch Close area and also a dead tree between Poole Farm and Century Cottage. A drain outside Berwick House and a nearby soak away both need to be looked at as they keep blocking. The Emergency Planning Group reported that the village emergency plan has to be updated in a new format and once this has been completed, each Councillor will be given a copy and a further copy will be available to the general public to be held in an accessible place yet to be confirmed. Councillor Burden attended a meeting on how Social Media can be used to inform residents in the case of an emergency situation. Councillor Voden attended a Suffolk Rail workshop as a follow up to the conference he attended last October on proposed plans for the Norwich to London rail line including freight and station upgrades. Re-viewing the franchise for Greater Anglia has been put on hold until the ongoing Great Western situation has been resolved.

An inspection of the play park equipment has taken place and it was found that many of the timber members need to be replaced as they are coming to the end of their life and some general maintenance work needs to be carried out. Overall it was felt that there is very limited equipment in place for the under 7 year olds and the Parish Council may need to apply for a grant to provide more equipment for this age group. However, it was felt that they may not be the best people to make a decision on what kind of equipment is required and plans will be made to hold meetings to liaise with parents and other interested parties. There are also a number of molehills within the play park that need to be dealt with.

Councillor Bloom advised that there are two large pot holes between Wood Farm and Lapwings on Back Lane and Councillor Green will report these to the appropriate authorities at Suffolk County Council along with some pot holes around the junction of the A1120 and B1115. It was felt that the proposal to install road humps at the end of The Green near Columbyne Close should be shelved for the time being due to the noise levels likely to be caused as large vehicles go over them. Also it was felt that they would only slow traffic up whilst they transverse them and they would immediately speed up again.

The Chairman reported on his meeting at the High School. The litter problem is to be addressed as a reminder at assembly and the school intend to place good news stories in Telstar and also to undertake some artwork for the cover of the magazine. The two tier education system should come into force in September 2015 which will mean a further two year groups at the High School which will require six additional classrooms and provision made for a larger turning circle for buses. It is not expected that there will

1111

be any money made available for any further requirements. Andrew Pearce from Suffolk County Council has now made contact with the school to discuss the Safety to School initiative with them. There has been an improvement in incidents of vandalism at the school. The Parish Clerk is to attend a meeting this month on provision for youth in the village.

The District Councillor reported that Mid Suffolk District Council have set up of fund of £200,000 using the new house bonus which will be made available for Parish Councils to submit bids for assistance with funding new projects to support local communities. She also attended a ‘Litter Pick Tea Party’ which had been organised as a thank you to all those people who strive to keep their communities free of litter. Mark Murphy from Radio Suffolk also attended. It was well attended with around 50 people who found it to be a good networking opportunity. The affordable housing project appears to be progressing and it is hoped that there will be some further news to report before too long. She has been advised that it is for the Parish Councils to find out about the section 106 monies held by District Councils although she feels it should be the responsibility of the district council to disseminate this information. The process of people working for Mid Suffolk District Council to apply for their own jobs should be complete by June.

The County Councillor advised that he was disappointed with Stowupland High School’s Ofsted report but some of this may be due to the change in the way the report was being made. Many parents are still campaigning against the change from 3 to 2 tier education and citing some legitimate concerns including questioning why this process was not placed before the Suffolk County Council Scrutiny Committee. The Parish Council has their own concerns about the physical impact additional student traffic will have on the village. Money being provided to schools to build additional classrooms is for stand-alone buildings only rather than extensions to original buildings. He advised that work to repair damage to the bollards outside the Post Office has been scheduled as has the work to replace the speed marker signs along Thorney Green although these have been waiting for five months. Also waiting to be completed are the repairs to the road edges by the Green but this cannot be undertaken until there is an improvement in the weather. The Probation Service is looking for community projects for offenders to complete as part of their rehabilitation and any ideas from Parish Councils will be welcome.

Among the correspondence received was one from a resident complaining about litter, which has been passed to the school, and a request for approval by the Parish Council for an application by the Village Hall for some of the section 106 monies and this was duly given. Mendlesham Parish Council is formulating a Neighbourhood Plan which Stowupland will be following with interest.

The meeting closed at 8.50pm with a reminder that the Annual Parish Meeting will be held at the Church Hall on the 17th April.

12

Parish Council Bits and Pieces Rachel Godbold, Parish Clerk

Music on The Green

It has come to my attention that some members of the community have misunderstood something that was

written in the March edition of Telstar regarding Music on The Green and have made disparaging comments about the Parish Council and the event itself. The Parish Council has agreed a budget of up to £10,000 to stage Music on The Green. I can advise that this will be taken from the Community Events balance and not from your council tax contributions. The reason that the request to spend the funds came to the Parish Council is because the Community Events Group do not have a separate bank account – all income and expenditure must pass through Parish Council accounts so that the Council is in a position to monitor and ensure that only surpluses made on previous events can be used.

When the original Parish Plan was carried out in 2005, two thirds of the responses asked for Community Events to be staged on The Green. A small group consisting of volunteers and members of the Parish Council was formed and many events including Music on the Green, the village Fun Day, bingo and quiz nights were started.

Music on The Green started as a relatively small affair and this was originally funded by the Parish Council, a grant from Mid Suffolk District Council and the promise to pay for it by a couple of Parish Councillors if it made a loss! Luckily it made a profit and has gone from strength to strength being combined with the village Fun Day. Since then, profits from all these events over the years are kept separate from the Parish Council funds to enable the group to put on the events each year and also to pay for a group of elderly and/or disabled people from the village to attend the local panto.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding the Parish Council accounts or come along to a meeting to discuss anything that you don’t understand.

A few people spend an awful amount of time putting on this event for us all to enjoy and it is hurtful for them to hear some of the comments that are made.

Obviously, you can’t please everyone and some feel that Music on The Green isn’t for them. Having attended every one since the start with my family and friends I can advise that it is a wonderful family day, with people of all ages from great grandparents to tiny babes in arms enjoying themselves and I urge everyone to come along on 29th June to support this event. Of course, if you can offer an hour or so to help out that would be even better!

1313

CHARLIE HAYLOCK 'An Eccentric Look at Suffolk'

at Stowupland Village Hall

Wednesday, 8th May, 7.45pm

Raffle • Refreshments

Tickets, £5.00 each, can be bought at the door or in advance from Judy Clarke, tel. 01449 615 386

fund-raising eventS T OW U P L A N DLOCAL HISTORYGROUP

Letter to Telstar Cycle Paths

Hello. I am a bike rider and would like to answer Mr Brand's query about riders not using cycle lanes.

Cycling is hard physical work. When you ride a cycle you quickly become aware that in most cases it is quicker and less effort to cycle on the roads rather than use the lanes provided.

If you take Cedars Park as an example you will see that the red cycle routes are bissected by dozens of side roads. At each one the rider must slow down in order to look behind and into the side road to avoid being hit by a car emerging or entering that road. This results in a significant delay and loss of momentum and energy already expended.

I believe that no bike rider really wants to mingle with motor traffic. The best cycle lanes are those which use part of the roadway and are of a generous width – no one wants to cycle over drain covers and amongst the debris which accumulates in the gutters.

Regards,

Tan Cullen

14

U.R.C. ChapelMinister: Revd Chris Wood Telephone 01449 678 173

Being Transformed

Recently we were able to enjoy a family day out to Ickworth Hall, Bury St. Edmunds – all part

of getting to know Suffolk better. Although quite cold, it was a spring-like day, providing an opportunity to walk around the extensive grounds with lots of snowdrops evident, as well as taking in the House with its lovely restaurant.

As we arrived, Aaron, our fourteen year old son, challenged me to a photographic competition. The basic idea being that we each took photos as we walked around, and then, on our return, to choose and print two of our favourite shots for Jayne to judge.

Normally I would be up for the challenge, given that I’ve always enjoyed taking photos, but I was concerned that there wouldn’t be enough colour – or possibly sunlight – to do justice to any photos we took. The other reservation being that Aaron has always had a good ‘eye’ for photography, and I had an inkling that I was likely to come second!

Refusal would have been hard to justify, so I reluctantly agreed, and both of us set off confident that it would be a closely fought contest. So we walked the same paths, covering quite a good number of miles, with the sun occasionally breaking through, causing an extra flurry of shots, there was plenty to keep us occupied. Sometimes we pointed our cameras in the same direction, but in the main we focused on different subject matter, each expressing delight in what we’d been able to achieve.

Despite being exhausted when we finally got home, we each produced what we believed to be our two best photos and presented them to Jayne in such a way that she couldn’t identify which belonged to whom. She carefully picked out two photos which she believed (tactfully?!) was one provided by each of us, and then chose one of them as her favourite – with the comment: ‘I don’t know why I’m drawn to this one because it’s quite different – but it certainly stands out’. Both belonged to Aaron – much to his delight and amusement!

I had to agree with her findings, there was something about his photos that captured the colour, beauty and vibrancy of a tiny plant – helped by his ability to use the software available to better effect so that a small flower became transformed to make it stand out in the midst of the ordinary.

This month, having just celebrated Easter, we are encouraged to reflect on how the friends of Jesus walked together on a journey. There wasn’t much sparkle in their lives – in fact they were downcast having lost their Lord and friend in awful circumstances a few days previous. They were joined by a stranger,

The����������United��reformed

���������church

1515

Reading the ‘Talking Point’ in the March Issue, reminded me that Jack Carter once told me that the cottage called ‘Klondyke’, in Chapel

Lane, at the end nearest The Green, was a Chapel meeting place at one time, before the Chapel was built. Did they move there from ‘Harold Cottage’ to be more central in the village? Our next coffee morning is on Friday, 26th April 10.00am to 12.00noon. Please come and have a chat, cuppa, and a cake. Everyone welcome.

We are holding a Jumble Sale on Saturday, 20th April at 2.00pm in the Village Hall. If you have any jumble or bric-a-brac, please let any Chapel member know and arrangements will be made to collect it or alternatively bring it to the Village Hall on the day after 12noon but before 2.00pm. Any contributions will be gratefully accepted with the exception of Electrical Goods as the law does not permit us to sell them. We would also welcome you coming to buy.

Services at the URC Chapel are held each Sunday at 10.30am and we cordially invite anyone who wishes to join us in our worship. A warm welcome awaits you.Our speakers for April are as follows:

7th April John Webb 14th April Revd Jim Dalgleish 21st April Frank Lewis 28th April Mary Durrant

Afternoon FellowshipWe recommenced on 4th March with a talk by Revd Chris Wood and we enjoyed

having the Freeman Primary School children to entertain us on 18th March.Our April meetings are:

8th April Hilary Crisp 22nd April Social Afternoon 29th April Christine Tanner

May Meetings 13th and 20th.The meetings commence at 2.00pm and we welcome anyone to come and

join us for fellowship and a cuppa. Mary Clark

eventually revealed as their Lord, who had the ability to see beyond their own seeing, and in so doing transform their ordinary lives in such a way that they could see once more the colour, beauty and vibrancy in the world around them.

I certainly want to develop the ability to encounter the world around me in such a way that even the ordinary things can be transformed to reveal a greater depth of colour, beauty and vibrancy that allows God’s glory to stand out and be admired.

God Bless, Chris

16

Colin Moyes Home ImprovementsComplete kitchen and bathroom and bedroom refurbishments.For purpose made joinery requirements and carpentry works,uPVC doors, windows and conservatories.

Now celebrating their 30th Year of trading

To contact Colin Moyes Home Improvements

Marshalls Meadow, Thorney Green Road, Stowupland

Call either 01449 615548 or 07802 927885.

NOW OPEN – Charity shop in aid of the

NSPCCIf you have any goods around the house

which you do not need, we would appreciate it if you would think of the very vulnerable children

in our society and donate them.

If you feel it is more than you can donate, call me and I will come to meet with you and discuss taking your

item on a consignment basis. You will get something for it, and we will make a small commission on the sale.

We are at 12 Bury Street Open: Monday - Saturday, from 10.00am to 4.00pm

Call me and leave a message, I will call back asap.01449 614 993 or 07900 640 441

Stowupland Mountain Rescue TeamTeam training continues to go well. One recent exercise involved two

members of the team walking to Great Bricett, including the long steep ascent towards Combs. Two causes for concern on the walk were low-flying helicopters in the Wattisham area and a real fear that they might be late to the second base camp and thereby miss lunch at the Veggie Red Lion. One of the support vehicles located them some 400 metres from their destination, gave a cheery wave and continued on without stopping.

The pub quiz team underestimated the opposition at the March quiz night at The Limeburners and found themselves in last place with only one point (out of ten) at the end of the first round. As in all sports, a level playing surface is all-important. Once we’d stabilised our table by the addition of several glasses of refreshment, we slowly improved our scoring, eventually finishing in third place. So we were able to donate our winnings to our chosen charity – the Harrison Kemp Cerebral Palsy Fund. Two members will be absent from the quiz team on Thursday, 4th April. If you would like to take their places please contact the number below.

Cathy and Karen, two founder members of the rescue team, will be taking part in the London MoonWalk – on a 26.2 mile route starting from Battersea Power Station around 11.00pm on 11th May. The event raises awareness of breast cancer; walkers are sponsored and money raised is used to find a cure for this disease. More about the walk next month. In the meantime, if you see two ladies dressed in pink, striding out along some isolated stretch of road somewhere in Suffolk, it could be Karen and Cathy.

Please contact the telephone number below if you get into difficulty and we will do our best to effect a rescue. Let us know if you would like details of or join us for the Stowupland Three Peaks Challenge. Also, if there is a group of you who would like to form a quiz team to raise funds to help Harrison, we would welcome the competition.

The team can be contacted on 07525 934 120.

TELSTAR is also available as a link on the Parish Council website:

www.stowupland.onesuffolk .net 1717

18

6th March meeting

Sue Cowling and Steve Williams provided valuable help and advice when we were setting up our group and last year gave

us an excellent talk about the 1871 gun cotton explosion, so it was a great pleasure to welcome them again.

Sue was elegantly dressed as Lady Margaret Gowle, a wealthy lady who lived in the original Chilton Hall (which was then a working farm) and made her will in 1523. She left land which could then be let

and the rents used for the ‘common weal’ (common well-being) of Stowmarket. As time went on, some of the land was sold and the proceeds invested, providing income for the charities. Subsequent buildings on the land were also for the good of the town: such as schools, council houses and cemeteries. The Violet Hill area is an example.

Steve was dressed as an early 18th century pauper. Until the Industrial Revolution, there was a huge gap between the rich and the poor and

the latter would have worn second-hand clothes. However, charities like that founded by William Kent, a tallow

chandler of Woolpit, provided new coats each year, embroidered with the initials of the benefactor. Such a coat (or gown for a woman), indicated that the wearer was one of the ‘deserving poor’, worthy of hand-outs.

Land bequeathed was often in nearby parishes. Closest to home for us is the land NE of Spoonman’s Farm, given by James Rivett, in the late 16th century. Part of it is now used for the Stowupland allotments.

Similar bequests followed Lady Margaret’s, for the upkeep of the church or for the care of the poor, and were eventually amalgamated to create the ‘Stowmarket Charities’, now the Stowmarket Relief Trust, which continues, discreetly, to give help where it is most needed.

Sue and Steve’s talk was very well received and there was much interest in their book, ‘Alms and Legacies’. It can be obtained from them (49 St Peters Road tel. 01449 615 665) or from the Stowmarket Bookshop in Bury Street, price £7.00.

Pat Smith will be speaking about the Stowmarket Relief Trust at the Stowmarket L.H.G. meeting on 20th May, 7.30pm at the Salvation Army Hall, Violet Hill Road.

Local History GroupMarion Harris – Tel. 01449 770 895

S T OW U P L A N DLOCAL HISTORYGROUP

MembershipAnnual memberships come up for renewal in April, at a cost of £10.00

Admission to meetings is £1 for members and membership enables you to use our archives and join some particular visits. Forms are available at meetings and from our Membership Secretary, Christine Williams, tel. 01449 771 430.

VisitsThere will be a guided tour of Abbot’s Hall at 7.00pm on Wednesday,

3rd July. It should be much more informative than a casual visit and is open to non-members of our group. The suggested donation is £5.00 per head.

We hope to arrange a visit to Columbine Hall at 2.30pm on Saturday, 13th July, under the Invitation to View scheme. The tour takes two hours and the price of £15.00 per person includes tea and home-made cakes.

For either of the above, please get in touch or sign the list at the next meeting, if you wish to join us.

InformationWe are very grateful to all who help us with information about the history

of the village. Anything from old photographs you may be clearing out to the history of your home is of great interest.

Charlie Haylock – ‘An Eccentric Look at Suffolk’This is a special fund-raising event for our group. Charlie will be

speaking at 7.45pm on Wednesday, 8th May in the Village Hall. There will be a raffle and refreshments. Tickets cost £5.00 and can be bought at the door but are now available from Judy Clarke, tel. 01449 615 386.

Talking-Point A cordwainer was a maker of fine boots and shoes. The word is derived

from ‘cordovan’, the leather produced at Cordoba, in Spain, and dates back to the 12th century. A cobbler repaired such items, rather than making them.

For our next ‘Talking Point’, when did Stowupland’s ‘Half-a-Mow’ project come into being?

ProgrammeWednesday, 3rd April‘Eccentric Anglican Clergy’ by Roy TrickerRoy is an expert on Suffolk churches and has contributed to many guide

1919

books, including Stowupland’s. This talk, however, will be about the more unusual clergymen.

Wednesday, 1st MayAn informal evening, with displays of photographs, documents and

artefacts. Any items relating to Stowupland’s past will be very welcome.Both meetings will be at 7.30pm, in the Village Hall and refreshments will

be provided. Admission £1.00 for members, £3.00 for non-members.We look forward to seeing you.

20

Youth ReflectionsApril

Although Easter has been and gone, I’m going to write about it in this month’s article. Easter is a religious time of year, the most important

time for Christians. But it is also a time for chocolate and food! Have you come to realise I love eating food! As I write this it’s snowing outside and people have been stranded in their cars. No wonder everyone talks about the weather, it’s so unpredictable. Whatever next, I suppose it’s the April showers!

Do you think we might finally start to see the sun and spring will be here? Hopefully in April it won’t snow, but as my Grandad will tell you, it snowed in April 50 years ago and had done for the last six weeks.

So this April enjoy your chocolate (if you have any left), enjoy the sunshine and relax if you’re on your Easter hols.

Outings

Saturday. May 18th. London museums – Natural History, Science, and the Victoria & Albert. Admission free. There are some special exhibitions, for which there is an entrance fee. Coach fare max. £14.00

Wednesday, July 31st. – Sandringham Flower Show Admission £10.00, under 16's free. Coach fare max. £10.00

If you would like to join either or both these trips, deadline for the museums April 8th. Sandringham early June. Any further details, I can be contacted on 01449 615 386. Judy Clarke.

2121

You are invited to the

AnnualParish Meeting

Every Stowupland elector is entitled to speak and vote at the Annual Parish meeting. Stowupland Parish Council organises the meeting

and invites representatives of organisations and charitieswithin the village to report on their activities during the year.It is an opportunity for residents to ask questions and provide

feedback to all those groups and to the Parish Council.

The next Annual Meeting for Stowupland will be held

in the Church Hall on 17th April, 2013 at 7.30pm

We look forward to seeing you there.

Refreshments will be served from 7.15pm

Coffee Morningat Stowupland Chapel on Friday, 26th April10.00am to 12.00noon

Everyone welcome for coffee / tea, cake and a chat.

,

22

Andrew BinghamINDEPENDENT FUNERAL SERVICE

Stowmarkets Independent Family Funeral Service

24 Hour Personal Service • Private Chapel of Rest • FREE Parking

www.andrewbingham.co.ukTelephone: 01449 771666

The Nutshell, Milton Road South, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1EZ

D. WoolnoughProperty Maintenance

For all your building requirementsfrom minor works to extensions and alterations

For a friendly, reliable service please call Dan on

01449 677564 or 07812 753099

Graduated with The Chartered Institute of Building in 2002 andproud to have over 20 years experience in the construction industry

2323

Goodbye, dear friendA brief appreciation of the life and work

of Violet Calthorpe, 1920-2013

Mention the name ‘Violet’ in Stowupland, and how many people would respond ‘Violet who’? Known

by so many, respected by so many, loved by so many – a lady referred to widely as Auntie Violet and not just

from within her extended family. As neighbour, friend or mentor, Violet occupied a special place in the hearts of

all who knew her and never was this more evident than at the funeral ceremony held recently, which served also as a celebration

of her life and service to the community.

As a Parish Councillor for nigh on 50 years, Violet helped steer the way forward to give us the secure and vibrant village we now all enjoy, and remained a source of knowledge and trusted advisor on local matters to the very end. Her strong socialist ideals could have led her along the political path, but she preferred working closer to home, allowing other neighbourhood groups to benefit as well from the enthusiastic approach she applied to anything she undertook.

A committed Christian, Violet lived out her faith with abiding love, even at the most difficult times in her life, and helped infuse in others facing similar heartbreak or concern the same belief and trust. Her life-long service to Holy Trinity Church provided further testament to Violet’s dedication in caring for fellow parishioners and the broader work of the church, occupying as she did many different roles within the organisation – and mostly at the same time. Even then, she wanted to do more but failing health prevented her from doing so.

To Violet, family meant everything, followed closely by spending time with friends and chatting about the old days. A widow for many years, her independence was dealt a harsh blow when she began to suffer the effects of illness and, indeed, old age. Things turned full circle, however, and Violet graciously accepted help from a growing number of kith and kin. Gentle and unassuming, she was once described as saintly, but woe betide anyone who crossed her. Who can forget the scowling glance over the spectacles and the waving of the walking stick if you even thought about stepping out of line? Whatever your memories of Violet, she was undoubtedly an inspiration to us all. So, thank you Violet and, as she herself would always tenderly conclude her messages, God bless.

24

Book the Date AprilPlease note that the Mobile Library now makes morning visits.

Tues 2 Mobile Library 9.30am Jubilee Court

Tues 2 Mobile Library 9.55am The Green

Tues 2 Coffee Morning 10.00am Jubilee Court

Tues 2 Beetle Drive 2.30pm Church Hall

Wed 3 Stowupland Book Club 2.00pm

Wed 3 Open Church 2.00pm Holy Trinity Church

Wed 3 Local History Group (see page 19) 7.30pm Village Hall

Thur 4 Short Mat Bowls 7.30pm Village Hall

Sat 6 Jumble Sale (see page 33) 2.00pm Village Hall

Sat 6 Casino Night (see page 39) 7.30pm Village Hall

Sat 6 Quiz 7.30pm Sports & Social Club

Sun 7 Country & Western Dance 7.30pm Village Hall

Mon 8 Afternoon Fellowship 2.00pm URC Chapel

Mon 8 Dance Club 7.30pm Village Hall

Tues 9 Coffee Morning 10.00am Jubilee Court

Tues 9 Over 60 Club A.G.M. 2.00pm Village Hall

Wed 10 Open Church 2.00pm Holy Trinity Church

Thur 11 Parish Council 7.30pm V. H. Meeting Room

Thur 11 Short Mat Bowls 7.30pm Village Hall

Sat 13 TELSTAR DEADLINE DATE – May issue

Sat 13 Dance Club Dance (ticket only) 7.30pm Village Hall

Sun 14 Country & Western Dance 7.30pm Village Hall

Mon 15 Dance Club 7.30pm Village Hall

Tues 16 Coffee Morning 10.00am Jubilee Court

Wed 17 Baby & Toddler Group 9.30am Village Hall

Wed 17 Open Church 2.00pm Holy Trinity Church

Wed 17 Annual Parish Meeting 7.30pm Church Hall

Wed 17 W.I. – 74th Birthday Party 7.30pm Village Hall

Thur 18 P.C. Community Events W.G. 7.30pm URC Chapel

Thur 18 Short Mat Bowls 7.30pm Village Hall

Sat 20 Jumble Sale (see page 27) 2.00pm Village Hall

Diary Dates Contact Marion by email: marion@astronomer.plus.com or Tel: 01449 770 895

If you wish to attend one of the events listed, and would like help with transport, please contact Good Neighbours on 07591 539 621 (new no.)

2525

Sun 21 Country & Western Dance 7.30pm Village Hall

Mon 22 Afternoon Fellowship 2.00pm URC Chapel

Mon 22 Dance Club 7.30pm Village Hall

Mon 22 Village Hall A.G.M. 7.30pm V.H. Meeting Room

Tues 23 Coffee Morning 10.00am Jubilee Court

Tues 23 Beetle Drive 2.30pm Church Hall

Wed 24 Baby & Toddler Group 9.30am Village Hall

Wed 24 Open Church 2.00pm Holy Trinity Church

Wed 24 P.C. Footpaths W.G. 7.30pm Church Hall

Thur 25 P.C. Finance & Policy Meeting 7.30pm URC Chapel

Thur 25 Short Mat Bowls 7.30pm Village Hall

Fri 26 Coffee Morning 10.00am URC Chapel

Sat 27 Bingo 7.30pm Sports & Social Club

Sun 28 Country & Western Dance 7.30pm Village Hall

Mon 29 Afternoon Fellowship 2.00pm URC Chapel

Mon 29 Dance Club 7.30pm Village Hall

Tues 30 Mobile Library 9.30am Jubilee Court

Tues 30 Mobile Library 9.55am The Green

Tues 30 Coffee Morning 10.00am Jubilee Court

Book the Date MayWed 1 Baby & Toddler Group 9.30am Village Hall

Wed 1 Stowupland Book Club 2.00pm

Wed 1 Open Church 2.00pm Holy Trinity Church

Wed 1 Local History Group (see page 20) 7.30pm Village Hall

Thur 2 P.C. Transport, Traffic & Safety W.G. 7.30pm Church Hall

Sun 5 Country & Western Dance 7.30pm Village Hall

Tues 7 Coffee Morning 10.00am Jubilee Court

Tues 7 Beetle Drive 2.30pm Church Hall

26

PLUMBINGAndrew Snowling

Plumbingand Heating

Over 20 yearsexperience

GENERAL REPAIRS

Phone Andrew onTel. 01449 675440

Mobile 07889 276667

John Bull Motors Ltd

Petrol and Diesel MOT testing

Servicing and repairs

Unit 7B Charles Ind. EstateStowmarket

Phone: 01449 774150

Fax: 01449 675898

Email:Johnbullmotors@btconnect.com

Windows, MS Office,E-mail, Internet, Graphics,

Broadband.Solutions resolved in

your own homeOne to One tuition.

Phone Shelli of MPM on07733 262116

Let a local company inStowupland support you.

Future Events in 2013May 8 Charlie Haylock’s Eccentric Look at Suffolk (see page 13)

May 10 Community Bingo

May 18 Parish Walk – in Springtime

May 18 Sports & Social Club Music Night with ‘C’est La Vie‘

June 8, 9 & 15 Falcons Five-a-Side tournaments

June 28 Community Quiz

June 29 Music on The Green

June 30 Service on The Green

August 3 Celebration of 50 years of Telstar

September 1 Historic Cars / Yard Sale

* C O N T A C T D E T A I L SBook Group: Patricia 672 127 or Anne 01449 672 592 Baby and Toddler Group: Hannah Taylor 07788 425 725Bowls Club: John Mollett 01449 775 369 Country & Western Dance: Winston & Janet Adams 01206 501 866Dance Club: May & Paul Durham 01449 672 601Local History Group: Marion Harris 01449 770 895Short Mat Bowls: Pam Fayers 01449 770 080 Sports & Social Club: Rick Langford 01449 770 402W. I. Judy Clarke 01449 615 386Community Events Keith Welham 01449 673 185Mobile Library: 07721 879 855

2727

at Stowupland Village Hall

on Saturday, 20th April at 2.00pm

Cakes · Draw · Bric-A-Brac · Tombola Books · Refreshments etc.

Admission 20p Proceeds to Stowupland Chapel

JUMBLE SALE

28

Stowupland Pre-School Helen Brown, Chairperson

Stowupland Pre School has had a busy start to Spring Term. We welcomed many new children to the Pre-school

in January and have lots who are eager and waiting to join after Easter – we will be bursting at the seams! Responses to parent questionnaires we sent out in January showed that many families from the Stowmarket area are choosing our Pre-school due to its fantastic reputation and the enthusiasm and dedication of our experienced staff. These comments speak volumes about the dedication of our staff team:

‘I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this pre-school. We feel it’s the best around and this is mainly due to the brilliant staff.’

‘I believe Stowupland pre-school to be the best and will certainly be putting my other child down to attend when he’s old enough. Can’t praise the staff enough!’

(Parents of children attending Stowupland Pre-School, January 2013)

The children have been enjoying a variety of learning opportunities this term. They have made the most of the snowy weather by enjoying crunchy winter walks in the snow to explore the local area. The children enjoyed learning about other cultures through celebrating the Chinese New Year, the year of the Snake. Great fun was had making snakes and decorations for the 'Chinese Restaurant' home corner and the children were given the opportunity to taste noodles! In-keeping with the traditions of the Chinese New Year each child was given an envelope containing a gold (chocolate) coin.

Our newly equipped outdoor area and canopy has provided children with more outdoor learning opportunities and the canopy has meant it can be accessed in all weathers. To further this learning the children set up a wormery which they have enjoyed observing. We also have a story hut log cabin where we are hoping to sit and enjoy sharing stories with each other when it gets a bit warmer. We are also very grateful to PPG industries in Stowmarket who are giving up their time to come and stain our story hut to preserve the wood.

Councillor Gary Green has kindly donated some money from his locality budget which has been used towards some new ICT equipment. The children are having great fun using this and are already becoming ICT experts!

We have many events to look forward to in the coming month including a Pampered Chef evening for parents, friends and family at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 27th March.

2929

If you are interested in the events above or are looking for a fun and friendly Pre school then please do get in touch and come and see what we can offer. We would love to see you!

Email: info@stowuplandpreschool.org.uk

Tel: 01449 678 550 to speak to Jeanette Moss, Pre-School Manager

Age UK Suffolk Christine Williams, Local Link, Tel: 01449 771 430

Housing choices

With more people considering their housing options than ever before, Age UK have put together a selection of guides to help you understand

the various housing choices that are available. This includes information on adapting your home as well as care at home.

Adapting your homeThis guide has information and ideas about adapting your home to

enable you to live safely and independently. It also looks at grants that may be available to pay for adaptations in certain circumstances.

Care at homeGiven the choice, most of us want to live independently in our own

home for as long as possible. But as we get older, we may need support and assistance to help us do so. This guide contains information on the ways we can get help at home – it could be with personal care, making our home more suitable for our needs, or financial assistance from benefits or elsewhere.

Housing optionsThis guide looks at the different types of housing options available,

including moving in with the family, moving into sheltered accommodation or a care home, and other types of suitable housing.

For a set of guides on this or any other subject affecting the older person, please do not hesitate to give me a ring on (01449) 771430.

30

The Curate’s Letter Revd Paul Clarke

If God made us, who made God? One of the things I love about my job is that people often ask questions about my faith. Sometimes they ask about something I am pretty confident about, other times they completely flummox me! However, the result is always the same. I ask

some questions of my own, attempt to grapple with theirs and we have the most amazing discussion – everybody learns something new.

Jesus knew the value of asking questions. In fact, he was asked an amazing 183 questions in the New Testament and only gave a direct answer to three of them. For the others he either answered with a parable (a story that led to further questions) or simply asked a question back. Not in an attempt to evade the original question, but to go deeper and provoke conversation. As a follower of Jesus, I find his approach exciting and as a result have learnt much from the conversations I have had with people of all faiths and none.

It’s also why I view prominent atheists these days with dismay at the way they seem to take ‘cheap shots’. For example, Richard Dawkins urged people to ‘Mock and ridicule’ people of faith. It is not very rational or scientific and ultimately it helps nobody. If we don’t agree with somebody we should not ridicule or exclude them from the conversation, surely we should engage and ask questions. It’s not just prominent atheists that are guilty of dogmatic thinking; there are plenty of Christians who have been accused of the same. Churches throughout the ages have sometimes been reluctant to entertain difficult questions, thinking perhaps it is blasphemy to even ask them.

Our journey of faith does not end when we decide to believe in God – it’s just the beginning as we ask questions, difficult questions, of ourselves and God in an attempt to deepen our understanding.

If you ask the deeper questions in life such as the one at the top of this article why not join some local people who do the same? One of the ways we do this is in our home fellowship groups that run every fortnight, look out for the dates in this magazine for April. You won’t find a group of people with all the answers, but we do love a good discussion! Or, if the prospect of coming to a group seems ominous why not contact one of us – I am always up for coffee!

After all, What have you got to lose?

Your Curate,

Paul

3131

Holy Trinity ChurchVicar: Revd David Swales Tel: 01449 675 503

Curate: Revd Paul Clarke Tel: 01449 672 140

Churchwarden: Mrs Ann Doubtfire Tel. 01449 770 363

Church Email: holytrinityuk@hotmail.com

www.facebook.com/haughleybenefice

S e r v i c e s i n A p r i l 2 0 1 3 April 7th 9.30am Parish Communion

4.00pm 1st @ 4 Service

April 14th 9.30am Morning Worship and Trinity Starz

6.30pm Evensong (B.C.P.)

April 15th (Mon) 10.30am Songs of Praise at Steeple View. All welcome!

April 21st 8.00am Holy Communion (B.C.P.)

9.30am Morning Prayer (B.C.P.)

April 28th 9.30am All-Age Family Service

6.30pm Parish Communion(B.C.P. – Book of Common Prayer)

Benefice Home Fellowship Groups in April / May17th April, 7.30pm at The Vicarage, The Folly, Haughley or18th April, 10.30am at 1 Church View, Haughley

1st May, 7.30 pm at The Vicarage, The Folly, Haughley or 2nd May, 10.30am at 1 Church View, Haughley

Youth Discipleship Groups in AprilFor anyone aged 9 – 12: 6.45pm – 8.00pmFor anyone aged 13 – 17: 7.45pm – 9.00pmOn 10th & 24th April at 1 Church View Haughley

Food Bank BoxIf you would like to donate items for the Food Bank to help those in need of a helping hand, we now have a box at the back of the church for you to leave your items. Thank you!

.

32

P a r i s h R e g i s t e r sF u n e r a l s Our love, sympathy and prayers to the families of those who have recently died:

27th February Doris Tyrrell 15th March Violet Calthorpe

‘ 1 s t @ 4 ’ S e r v i c e Please come along to ‘ 1st@4 SERVICE’ on Sunday, 7th April at 4.00pm and enjoy ‘Church With A Difference’ and some rather nice cupcakes!

F a m i l i e s We welcome all families and children to our Morning Worship Service with Trinity Starz on Sunday, 14th April at 9.30am and please do stay and have FairTrade refreshments with us in the hall afterwards!

1 0 0 C l u bCongratulations to the winners of the April Draw

1st 12 Mrs Y Alexander

2nd 78 Mrs A Roberts

3rd 99 Mrs S Meadows

B e e t l e D r i v e sCome along and enjoy some fun in a friendly atmosphere at the Beetle Drives which will be held on Tuesdays, 2nd and 23rd April at 2.30pm in the Church Hall. All are very welcome to join us!

W e e k l y C o f f e e C h u r c hHoly Trinity Church has an Open Church & Social Session from 2.00pm to 4.00pm each Wednesday. Come on in and enjoy your Parish Church, to wait for children coming out of school, for a quiet prayer, for a free cup of tea/coffee and a chat in the Church Hall, or to enquire about church activities etc.

Holy T r in i ty Church N O T I C E B O A R D

A P r a y e rO God, our heavenly Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, we entrust to your loving care the members of our families, both near and far. Supply their needs; guide their footsteps; keep them in safety of body and soul; and may your peace rest on our homes and upon our dear ones everywhere; for Jesus Christ our Saviour’s sake. Amen

3333

Annual Church Meet ing 2013Holy Trinity Church holds its Annual Meeting on Thursday, 18th April at 7.30pm, with refreshments from 7.00pm. In the first part of the meeting, Churchwardens are elected, in which all parishioners have a vote. In the second part there are reports on church activities, as well as elections for the Church Council for which Church Electoral Roll members can vote. Everyone is very welcome to attend.

Stowupland Mountain Rescue

Team warn climbers to check weather

and leave a copy of their route before

going out on to the mole hills.

They have a trained ‘search and

rescue’ cat to help people in trouble.

Be safe when walking and climbing

in the Stowupland area.

Stowupland WI

JUMBLE SALEat Stowupland Village Hall

on Saturday, 6th April at 2.00pm

Admission 20p

34

CO

N

STABULAR

Y

SUFFOLK

3535

It’s snowing outside once more as I write this in the second week of March and I had hoped the weather

would be a bit milder by now. A bitterly north-easterly is blowing and the birds on the feeders in the garden are having difficulty hanging on; more finches are arriving daily as the weather deteriorates. A single female siskin

paid us a brief visit – a welcome surprise. This morning a sparrowhawk passed through the garden causing all the birds to scatter and even a few hours later they were still nervous. These hawks are a constant threat to our garden birds but are part of the make up of the wildlife that surrounds us.

It seems wherever you drive these days the farmer’s bird deterrent kites in the shape of hawks are evident. The wood pigeon population has multiplied over the last few years causing havoc for our farmers even more so during a harsh winter. I have observed pigeons and crows feeding almost under these kites, it appears they soon get used to them and know they are false.

The snowdrop season soon came and went and were covered in snow for some of their flowering period. We have the bluebell season to look forward to and hopefully some warmer weather as we stroll through the woods admiring the blue carpet before us. A bluebell wood is a typical English scene and nowhere else do they grow in such profusion.

Butterflies will soon be stirring from their hibernation. You will often come across them fluttering on the window of the garden shed particulary on a warm day. Please make sure they escape as they are our future generation and have survived all winter.

Be aware of the frogs and toads starting to spawn in your garden ponds. The frogs will lay their familiar large blob of eggs which expand when they have contact with the water, toads will lay their spawn in a long string of eggs up to a metre long and prefer deeper water for some reason. Garden ponds are vital these days as there are fewer farm ponds and neglected ditches for our amphibian friends. The rooks are busy building and repairing their nests and within a few weeks will be sitting on eggs. I often look up at a rookery and think to myself how uncomfortable it must be sitting on eggs at the very top of a large tree day and night in howling gales and rain. If you ever come across a rooks nest that’s been blown out of a tree and still reasonably intact you will be surprised how deep and intrically woven with grasses the cup of the nest is. We only see a bulky twiggy structure from the ground. Please take care as you ramble along our footpaths as some are very slippery at this time of year.

Countryside Rambler Brian Ward

36

Are You In Pain? Chiropractic may help with many problems including lower back pain, neck pain and related headaches as well as arm and leg pain

STOWMARKET CHIROPRACTICHEALTH CLINIC

Michael T E BaileyDoctor of Chiropractic

Registered with the General Chiropractic Council

7 Stowupland Rd, Stowmarket. IP14 5AG

Tel/Fax 01449 612620www.michaelbailey.net

Also offering Deep Tissue and Sports Massage with Judith Gunion MHFST

Fed up of running aroundafter your car?

Why not give us the inconvenience– it’s part of our service

WE COLLECT & DELIVER

Servicing, Welding, MOTs arrangedGeneral repairs –

shocks, clutches, brakes etc.Air-conditioning recharged

All work guaranteed

Established 1990

Contact: S Mayhew,Gipping Road, Stowupland

(01449) 771102(07802) 545737 (Mobile)

Personal Service at Competitive Rates!

Reduce your Accountancy costs

Call Sarah Place Accountants

Professional efficient Accountants with over 15 years experience

AccountsBook-keeping

PayrollSage

VAT & Tax Returns

01284 747 139

• All gas installations, boilers and servicing

• Landlord’s certificates

• Full bathroom design and installation

• Power flushing

• Local, reliable, competitive service

• No call out charge

74 The High StreetNeedham Market SuffolkIP6 8AW

M McBrideplumbing & heating services

211463

T: 01449 721833M: 07813 846778E: mattmcbride@btinternet.com

M McBrideplumbing & heating services

211463

T: 01449 721833M: 07813 846778E: mattmcbride@btinternet.com

M McBrideplumbing & heating services

211463

T: 01449 721833M: 07813 846778E: mattmcbride@btinternet.com

• All gas installations, boilers and servicing

• Landlord’s certificates

• Full bathroom design and installation

• Power flushing

• Local, reliable, competitive service

• No call out charge

74 The High StreetNeedham Market SuffolkIP6 8AW

Paymentby any Card

accepted

3737

It must be about two years since I joined the Footpaths Working Group, which keeps an eye on the state of the

footpaths in the parish and encourages the use of them. I was given several footpaths to survey at intervals and the task was a pleasure: they were, anyway, among my favourite walks. Increasingly enthusiastic, I bought a

pair of walking boots.You know what they say about buying an umbrella. No sooner were my

beautiful boots stationed by the front door than something went wrong with one of my toe nails. Minor surgery was required, and for a few months I could not face putting that foot into anything more than a sandal.

Then along came George, the grandson for whom we now care, while our daughter is working. At 15 months he’s enthusiastic, can walk, run and climb, but is not quite up to miles of footpaths. My boots have become my favourite footwear, however, and have served me well (often complete with ice grippers) but only for pavement walking in, out and round about Stowmarket, with George in his buggy.

Finding a weekend with enough time to get out on the footpaths has been difficult. But I’m determined to do it. Spring is here and before we know it the primroses will be giving way to cowslips. My boots and I are going to head for the fields!

I nearly saw comet PanSTARRS (visible now) but lots of clouds passing by the crescent moon seemed to do quite a good job of hiding it from me. Meanwhile two friends living elsewhere both reported seeing it, and one sent me a picture to prove it! Perhaps I shall have more luck in the next few days. At least I have managed to photograph comet ISON which should become easily visible in late autumn.

The bright planet Jupiter remains visible for a few more weeks in the evening sky, slowly moving in front of the stars of Taurus. It is currently over 465 million miles distant, a tiny fraction of the distance to even the nearest star. Saturn shines in the south-eastern sky during the evening, reaching due south around 1am BST. Its steady yellowish colour hints at its planetary nature, but a pair of binoculars should just reveal evidence of the rings.

If we have a clear evening sky on 25 April, look for the rising moon around 8.07pm BST. The moon enters the earth’s outer shadow – the penumbra – at 8.51pm BST but that is about as far into the shadow as it gets. Consequently this is not a significant eclipse and the challenge will be to see whether anything of the eclipse is visible at all! There might be a small dimming of the moon’s brightness at the time of maximum eclipse at 9.07pm BST.

Life, the Universe & StowuplandMarion & Lawrence Harris

38

Don’t forget we openfor season 9 on

Good Friday

Have you found us yet? On the A1120 @ Earl Stonham

(near the Shepherd and Dog pub) a fantastic perennial

nursery with over 200 varieties of perennial plants.

All quality plants grown by us, clearly labelled,

beautifully displayed and very competitively priced.

Everything is full steam ahead for another busy year.

The plants are really starting to grow now with the

longer daylight hours. Large choice of Campanulas,

Delphiniums, Dianthus, Geraniums, Hostas, Iris,

Lavenders, Lupins, Phlox, and many many more.

New plants for this year include Peonies!!

4 varieties, pinks, yellows, reds and whites, all doubles.

Very limited numbers so email or phone if interested.

J Arthur Bowers Multi-purpose compost

still £3 a bag while stocks last.

Like us on FACEBOOK for all our latest news.

Mon to Sat: 9 til 5 Sun: 10 til 4 Closed Thursdays

www.perfectperennials.co.uk 01449 711320

InstallHIGH PERFORMANCE UPVC

NO MORE ROT!NO MORE PAINTING!

B.K.PLASTIC FIXINGS STOWMARKET

TEL: 01449 674725

ALL WORK GUARANTEED PERSONAL, FRIENDLY ATTENTION

FREE ESTIMATESESTABLISHED 20 YEARS

B.K.PLASTIC FIXINGS

Practice Opening Hours Monday-Friday8:30am-6.00pm

Saturdays8.30am-12.00pm

WWW.CEDARWOODVETS.CO.UK

Surgeries throughout the dayby appointment

Plus a 24 hourEMERGENCY SERVICE

Plus a 24 hourEMERGENCY SERVICE

Large FREE car park

Combs House, Stowmarket Business Park, Needham Road, Stowmarket IP14 2AH

Tel. 01449 676966

Your Best Friends’ Best Friends!Your Best Friends’ Best Friends!Your Best Friends’ Best Friends!

3939

CASINO NIGHTat Stowupland Village Hallon Saturday, 6th April 2013

at 7.00pm ♣ Dress Code: Smart ♠ Cash Prizes

Tickets: £15.00 per person will include chips which are used for gambling.

Tickets available from Adam Bennett 07841 161 010 or Keith Welham 01449 673 185

A Stowupland Community Event

40

Tel: 01284 717760, Fax: 01284 717761www.coastlinegraphics.co.uk

.......................................... ..................Customer: Date:

Approved by:

Eco Sweep 07-01-09

Please Note: The purpose of this proof is to represent the closest approximation of the final product.It is the responsibility of the client to thoroughly review for any discrepancies.

For local, reliable service please callAlan:

01449 613457or 07508 051 518

WASHING MACHINE DISHWASHEROVEN HOB TUMBLE DRYER

Domestic ApplianceRepairs

Gipping Press Ltd

Tel: 01449 721599www.gippingpress.co.ukenquiries@gippingpress.co.uk

Digital & Litho Print

Design Publicity

Unit 2, Lion Barn Ind Est, Needham Market IP6 8NZ Stow

upla

nd N

ews

- Mon

o

Tel: 01449 777 112Mobile: 07540 500 988

Tip 2Beauty Toe

• Manicures • Pedicures

• Facials • Waxing

And much more

Come and relax in my peaceful therapy room while enjoying any of the above treatments

Situated in Stowupland

4141

The hall is established as a charitable organization and run by a group of (voluntary) trustees. A range

of groups and individuals use the amenity but there is spare capacity for private and club bookings.

Located in the centre of the village, in Church Road, with ample parking, the hall is clean, spacious and well heated; and licensed for a range of activities with bar facilities for the sale of alcoholic drinks. There is a main function room, a kitchen and smaller rooms for meetings and classes. Hire charges are reasonable.

If you are interested in hiring the hall for group activities, parties, wedding receptions etc, and would like to know more about the facilities and details of hire charges, please contact

Hugh Blanch, the Booking Secretary, on 01449 612 156.

Annual General MeetingThis year’s Annual General Meeting will be held in the Meeting Room at the

Hall on Monday, 22nd April at 7.30pm. The trustees look forward to receiving reports from the groups and organisations which use the hall and its facilities, including the sports amenities. This is a public meeting and members of the community are very welcome to attend.

I should be interested to hear from anyone who would like to make a contribution to village life by serving as a Trustee. The post of Secretary to the Management Committee will fall vacant this year. If you would like to know more about serving on the committee in this, or any other capacity, please feel free to call me on 01449 676 576.

Village Hall News Registered Charity No 304822

John Craine Tel: 01449 676 576 Chairman, Village Hall Management Committee.

42

FAST TEST STOWMARKET

MOT~SERVICING~AIR-CON

Fast Test can service all makes and models of cars

and light commercial vans, as well as welding

repairs, computer diagnostics and

Air-Con re-gassing. Fast Test can also offer a lift home

or to work in the surrounding Stowmarket area or a courtesy

vehicle

Contact: Adam Bennett

Tel: 01449 770902

Address: Unit 12

Tomo Business Park Tomo Road

Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5EP

FAST TEST STOWMARKET

MOT~SERVICING~AIR-CON

Fast Test can service all makes and models of cars

and light commercial vans, as well as welding

repairs, computer diagnostics and

Air-Con re-gassing. Fast Test can also offer a lift home

or to work in the surrounding Stowmarket area or a courtesy

vehicle

Contact: Adam Bennett

Tel: 01449 770902

Address: Unit 12

Tomo Business Park Tomo Road

Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5EP

FAST TEST STOWMARKET

MOT~SERVICING~AIR-CON

Fast Test can service all makes and models of cars

and light commercial vans, as well as welding

repairs, computer diagnostics and

Air-Con re-gassing. Fast Test can also offer a lift home

or to work in the surrounding Stowmarket area or a courtesy

vehicle

Contact: Adam Bennett

Tel: 01449 770902

Address: Unit 12

Tomo Business Park Tomo Road

Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 5EP

Contact: Adam BennettTel: 01449 770902

Address:Unit 12, Tomo Business Park,

Tomo Road, Stowmarket,Suffolk, IP14 5EP

Fast Test can service all makes and models of cars and light

commercial vans, as well as weldingrepairs, computer diagnostics

and Air-Con re-gassing.Fast Test can also offer a lift home

or to work in the surroundingStowmarket area or a courtesy vehicle.

STEVE ROBSON

Building contractors

Extensions, Alterations,

Ground works.

We can help with planning

and designing.

01449 711303

07941 317151

4343

Sports & Social Club

The entertainments programme for the year.

Saturday 30th March Easter Draw 7.30pm in the club house.

Saturday 6th April Quiz 7.30pm in the club house.

Saturday 27th April Bingo Eyes Down 7 30pm in the club house.

Saturday 18th May Music with ‘C’est La Vie’ 8.00pm in the club house.

Saturday 25th May Bingo Eyes down 7.30pm in the club house.

Saturday 15th June Music with Dave Whitmore 8.00pm in the club house.

Saturday 22nd June Bingo Eyes down at 7.30pm in the club house.

Saturday 27th July Barbecue and Ka-ra-o-ke. Full details to be advised.

Saturday 14th September Bingo Eyes down 7.30pm

Saturday 28th September Music with Richie Monroe 8.00pm in the club house.

Saturday 12th October Music with ‘Elvis’ 8.00pm in the club house.

Saturday 19th October Bingo Eyes down 7.30pm in the club house.

Saturday 16th November Music with ‘Slightly Soiled’ 8.00pm in the club house.

Saturday 23rd November Bingo Eyes down 7.30pm in the club house.

Saturday 14th December Christmas Bingo Eyes down 7.30pm in the club house.

Saturday 21st December Christmas Draw and music with Paul King 8.00pm in the club house.

44

Bowls Club John Mollett

By the time you read this the bowls season will be a matter of days away. 13th April will see the opening

of the green and our first matches are on Monday, 22nd April with the start of the Stowmarket 2 wood league. We hope to see you all at the opening drive together with any draw prizes you may kindly donate.

The club held a social evening which proved most enjoyable and no doubt others will follow. Many thanks to Ray and Mark for organising it. The sing-a-long got us all joining in. lt has been suggested that we could have some social bowling during the summer with a barbecue to follow. More about this as the season gets under way.

I am anticipating that the Pie and Pudding evening held on 16th March was a great success-at the time of writing it looks as if we will have had a sell out.

Best wishes to all bowling this year; good bowling, great friendship and results. We all like to win, but whatever happens I hope you enjoy your games.

The green is showing signs of recovery from the poor winter and treatment has continued throughout the winter when conditions have allowed.

Stowupland Good neiGhbourS

A volunteer service run by residents for residentsHelpline 07591 539 621 (New Number)

Shiona Elms, Treasurer

Spring is here! I am writing this article on a chilly, but lovely sunny Sunday morning. A pair of blue tits are very interested in our bird box. Time to think about the garden.Can we help you tidy up your garden, clean your lawn mower, cut your

grass, tidy your flower beds or just to sow a few seeds?Would you like a trip to a garden centre? Our band of volunteers are

always on hand to help if they can.Give us a call – our Helpline Number is 07591 539 621

4545

Falcons Football Club Ian Wearing, Chairman

Tel: 01449 615 789 Mob: 07901 373 373

Email: ian.wearing@complexmail.co.uk

Under 7s Festival

Just as we thought the bad weather had passed, it’s snowing a gale as I write this. Games have been called

off yet again and the backlog gets longer and longer with many of our teams still trying to get their quarter and semi final cup games played. Midweek games loom.

The first Sunday in March saw Stowupland Falcons host a fun filled festival for under 7 teams from across the county. Six mini pitches were set up and 21 teams descended on the village. Over a hundred 6 & 7 year olds got their first taste of football and it was a joy to see so many little boys and girls bursting with joy as they played their hearts out, many for the first time. The event was especially good as many of our adult players help put the event on by running a tea, coffee and cupcake stall along with a few culinary experts flipping the burgers. Thanks to all who helped put the event on and ensured the afternoon will be one that so many fledgling players will remember.

Unfortunately I have to echo the report in last month’s Telstar regarding a few irresponsible dog owners. The main pitch behind the church has suffered from dog mess being left behind in recent weeks. Many of the village boys and girls play on this and other pitches on school land, and this causes a severe Health & Safety issue to them. I must ask that the few irresponsible dog walkers please take a leaf out of the book of the many fully responsible dog owners and clear up after their dogs. Please help the club to provide a safe environment for all our kids to enjoy the open air. Thank you.

When you read this we will be around six weeks from the end of the season, and some teams will know whether they are on target to finish well in their leagues. We do have a few teams with a good chance of winning their leagues and others that are having great cup runs. So it’s all getting exciting now and I’m trying to split myself in so many ways to try and catch as many important games as I can.

All three adult teams are having very good seasons with all three in the top halves of their leagues. The Reserves have a great chance of promotion this season with the 1st team not out of the running yet either. The A Team, in their first season of adult football is doing exceptionally well with many

46

of the 16 year olds proving to themselves they can compete against older, more experienced players. Many that started off in the As have already progressed into the Reserves and 1st Team, which is testament to the coaching they have had during their youth years.

The Fundraising committee has been working hard during the season in preparation for this years BIG-5-ASIDE which takes place on the weekends of 8th & 9th June for Youth and 15th June for the Adults. This year we are introducing a women’s tournament, due to demand, so yet again Falcons leads the way. The events will be even bigger and better again so we look forward to seeing you at some point over the weekends.

Preparations are also well under way for the end of season Presentation Day. This year the event will be on Saturday, 18th May. Players are reminded to get their plaques back to their managers as quickly as possible – if you haven’t already.

Well, that’s probably enough from me. As I’ve said so many times before, if you want to find out more about how the club runs or you would like to see if there is any way you could help run your village club, then please don’t hesitate to contact me or just speak to me as I’m up watching teams most weekends.

Yours in football.

(1). Edify not needed3. (2). Parch1. (3). Sheep2. (4). Ember

1 2 3

2

3

S H E E P

H M A

E M B E R

E E C

P A R C H

MarcH TRIVIA ANSWER

From the telStar commItteePlease note that the opinions expressed in letters and articles are

not necessarily those of the Telstar committee or the Parish Council. We cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of material submitted for publication, however we reserve the right to include, edit or amend as we think appropriate.

Telstar is produced in good faith but errors and omissions may occur during the process of production. Please let us know if this is the case so that these errors may be corrected.

4747

Printed by Gipping Press Ltd 01449 721 599

Stowupland Village Websitewww.stowupland.onesuffolk.net

Parish Council Minutes of meetings and agendas are displayed at the Village Hall notice board (left of main entrance)

Parish Council:Nic Perks - Chairman 01449 774 200

Jerry Voden - Vice Chair 01449 770 334 Mary Bloom 01449 676 549Morris Brand 01449 770 678Gary Burden 01449 xxx xxxRoger Carter 01449 612 856Roy Cooper 01449 674211

Rick Hamilton 01449 775 403Ben Miller 07765 408 001Sally Reeves 01449 612870Keith Welham 01449 673 185

Clerk to the Parish Council:Rachel Godbold

1 Felix Road, IP14 4DD01449 770 660

rachel.godbold@sky.com You can contact the Clerk as follows:

Tues – Thurs from 10.00am – 12.00noon

Mid Suffolk District Council:Caroline Byles 07515 730 097

Caroline is happy to help you with anyDistrict Council matter.

Suffolk County CouncilGary Green 07545 423 824 gary.green@suffolk.gov.uk

Police Safer Neighbourhood TeamPC 1443 Stefan Henriksen

Police Station, Violet Hill Road, StowmarketIP14 1NJ 01473 613 500

stefan.henriksen@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

Good Neighbour Scheme: HELPLINE No. 07591 539 621 (new no.)

Village Hall Bookings: Hugh Blanch – 01449 612 156

SToWuPLAND TELSTAr11 issues per year.

Joint issue in December/JanuaryDelivered to every residence.

We welcome new residents to the village.

Articles for Telstar to:Tony Stevens

Home Lea, The Green IP14 4AE 01449 612 882

Business Advertising:Claire Pizzey

01449 677 005Email: adverts.telstar@hotmail.co.uk

Adv e rt i s i n g di s c l A i m e r:All adverts are placed in good faith

and the publishers cannot undertake responsibility for work carried out.

Diary Dates:Marion Harris01449 770 895

Email: marion@astronomer.plus.com

If an event has been organised,whether a one-off or a regular one

please do not assume that everyoneknows the details, venue, date, etc.

Advertise it in Telstar

Email reports, articles etc. totelstarmag@aol.com

Distribution Co-ordinator:Jill Lambert

01449 615 474To the team of distributors who trek the roads and streets of Stowupland

each month. Thank You

Produced in the village,for the village

D E A D L I N E D AT E :1 3 t h A P r I L