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The Village Link

Great Thurlow – Little Thurlow – Great Wratting

December 2015

January 2016

Candlelit Carol Service

Friday 18th December

7pm St Mary’s Church

GREAT WRATTING

Christmas CAROL Concert

6.30 to 7.30 pm

Saturday 19th December

2015

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, GREAT THURLOW

Thurlow Bonfire Night -

see page 3

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Editorial co-ordinator Alison Coffey 783478 Administrative co-ordinator Kevin Crowson 783654 Senior Reporters Gt. Thurlow Margaret Ince 783117 Lt. Thurlow Iris Eley 783534 Junior Reporter Vacancy Please supply all adverts in either Jpeg or Bitmap format (not PDF)

Advertising Rates (per quarter page) Single advertisement - £10 Six months advertising - £40 Twelve months advertising - £65 Back Page Advertising Rates (per month) Full Page Colour - £50 Half Page Colour - £30 Quarter Page Colour - £20 To be supplied in Jpeg or Bitmap format

The E

ditor

Conta

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EMAIL ADDRESS FOR THE VILLAGE LINK

To contact The Village Link Team please email

TheVillageLink @TheThurlows.org.uk View The Village Link Online at www.TheThurlows.org.uk

Copy Deadline 15th Of Each Month

Welcome to the joint December and January edition of The Village Link.

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who contributes to The Village Link, especially the team of volunteer distributors who once again this year have

delivered your copy in all weathers. You are all very much appreciated! I would also like to thank Chris for excellent proofreading!

I would also like to thank the three Parish Councils and our regular advertisers for their financial support. A big thank you to our regular contributors of articles and news that fill the pages of the Village Link. We

are still looking for a Junior Reporter - don’t be shy! There are many activities going on in and around the villages this coming

month with several carol services and a Christmas concert to get you all in the festive spirit! All in aid of good causes so please come along and lend your support.

All that remains is for me to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year

Alison

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Websi

te

Don’t forget to check out the Thurlow website. Keep looking as the site is updated regularly.

WWW.THETHURLOWS.ORG.UK

2015 POPPY APPEAL for ROYAL BRITISH LEGION In the lead-up to the annual Remembrance Day, the poppy collection in the Bradleys and Thurlows took place in the usual way this year. Thanks to a group

of dedicated people who have undertaken door-to-door collections, as well as to the school, the Cock and the Estate office which all agreed to allow static collection points, a very good result has been achieved. When the collection

made at the Remembrance Service held at Great Thurlow and donations for wreaths are added to the other collections, the total comes to a magnificent £1,272.82! Well done everyone, particularly Mrs Spires, Mrs Rodwell, Mrs Suggs,

Mrs Hunt, Mrs Preston, Mrs Hilton, and Mrs Sheppard who knocked on many doors in the Bradleys and Thurlows seeking support for the RBL. Sam Sheppard Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator

Thurlow Bonfire Night The Thurlow Fayre committee would like to thank all those who came to the Thurlow bonfire night and firework display considering the wet morning on Saturday and for their understanding in parking on the road through the village because due to the wet ground conditions,

alternative arrangements had to be made at the last minute with no cars being allowed onto the recreation ground for safety reasons A crowd of around 850 were treated to a 30 minute colourful display with new Showstopper

and Daredevil fireworks rounding off the evening. As a result of the good turnout a profit of around £1,500 was made which will allow small donations to be made to local charities including the East Anglian Air Ambulance, St Nicholas Hospice and Addenbrookes Charitable

Trust. Allan Loveday

Q. What do monkeys sing at Christmas? A. Jungle bells, jungle bells...

Two snowmen in a field, one turns to the other and says, "Can you smell carrots?"

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Gre

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Great Wratting Neighbourhood Watch

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

Name of Scheme Great Wratting YOUR CO-ORDINATOR IS: Clare Egloff 07780724798 Your village now has a new Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator – Clare Egloff. I live at

The Holdens, Withersfield Rd, Great Wratting. Please feel free to contact me, pop in or call. If you would like to help them out, please let me know. We would also encourage you to register with Police Connect* (see below). Contacts for your NHW scheme are:

Beverley Griffen covers Withersfield Rd 783441(with Clare 783852) Clare Egloff covers Thurlow Road 783852. Lynda Bunch covers Coronation Cottages 783507, Danielle Miller covers 783234 The Street. Geoff Bullett covers School

Road.

Your SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM is: St Edmundsbury Rural South Your Community Watch Liaison Officer (CWLO) is: Cheryl Peace who is CWLO for Bury Town and St Edmundsbury Rural North until such time as they replace Diane Townsend Tel: 01284 774041 or email

her at Cheryl.peace@suffolk.pnn.police.uk Websites: www.suffolk.police.uk Official Neighbourhood Watch website: www.ourwatch.org.uk

Suffolk Neighbourhood Watch Association: www.suffolknwa.co.uk

* POLICE CONNECT– get the latest information about crime & policing

issues in your postcode area by email, text message on mobile phone or voice message on your landline. Register by going online at www.suffolk.police.uk - or call the team direct on 01473 613997 Thank you for your support regarding this scheme and your Co-ordinator/s

welcome your comments and/or input to help make it successful. Please report

suspicious any activity, persons or vehicles, direct to the Police on 101. Let your

co-ordinator know what you have reported.

Always dial 999 for an Emergency.

NHW is for the community and run by the community

& supported by the Police

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Little T

hurlow

Parish

Counci

l Little Thurlow Parish Council

LITTLE THURLOW PARISH COUNCIL Four members were joined by Borough Councillor Jane Midwood and three

members of the public at the November meeting. Councillors received an up to date Financial Statement to assist in their

consideration of the Budget for 2016/2017. It was agreed that the Parish Council would continue to give financial support to the Village Link and the Thurlow Fayre and to contribute to the cost of cutting the grass on Little Thurlow Green and

Thurlow Sports Ground. The Parish Council will also share the cost of insuring the play equipment and replacing the bark.

A letter of thanks is to be sent to Mick Erridge who has produced a new bench for Pound Green for the cost of materials only.

During the Open Forum access to footpaths in the Thurlows was discussed. This had been raised by a parishioner for the Parish Council's consideration, although LTPC have no plans to discuss footpaths with the Estate.

It was noted that Thurlow Estate did not wish to engage with the Parish Council on this matter but would be prepared to talk to individuals.

Matters of concern included road safety near the entrance to The Square, the increase in HGVs using Church Road and the future of the Pre-School building.

There was one Planning Application noted - Felling of trees in a Conservation Area at Sargent House, Church Road.

It was agreed that two Councillors would meet two Great Thurlow PC Councillors to discuss how to improve Joint Meetings.

The next meeting will be held on 5th January 2016.

As always, full Minutes of this meeting will be available on the village website in due course.

Please note that the agenda for the meeting appears on the village website prior to each meeting, thank you.

Molly Hawkins, Parish Clerk

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NEWS FROM THURLOW VILLAGE HALL The committee has been working hard since our last update. Although we often seem to be ‘taking one step forward and two steps back’, we feel we are generally moving in the right direction. It has taken time to put in place routine systems, checks and maintenance but we are ‘getting there’. These are some of the things we have done:

Appointed representatives from most Thurlow groups and organisations

Established routine health and safety checks

Completed minor but necessary plumbing and electrical repairs

Had an electrical safety inspection

Had an asbestos check (thankfully we have none)

Purchased necessary small items such as a new water urn, microwave cooker and

large capacity bin

Successfully applied for grants to make improvements: Entrance hall floor covering

(District Council Locality Budget) - completed; Cavity wall, roof insulation and LED lighting (County Council Locality Budget and Green Suffolk) – in progress.

Although the cost of each item above is not necessarily huge together they add up to quite a large amount of money! Regular running costs also need to be factored in to our expenses. We have been able to pay all the costs because we have a much healthier budget achieved in the following ways:

Donations from the Thurlow Fayre

Fundraising – Quiz night, white elephant stall, selling refreshments at our monthly

Farmers’ Markets

Grants (as detailed above)

Increased bookings – regular bookings include Tiddly Tots Toddler Group, dance

classes, monthly Farmers’ Markets, Bingo, meetings of village organisations, Art and Craft classes and ‘one off’ parties and weddings. We believe our Farmers’ Markets have advertised the hall to a wider group of people.

Our plans for the future are to complete the programme of insulation, then apply for grants to improve the heating which is very inefficient and expensive, at present. Further in the distance we hope to install a new kitchen. We hope that making the building more comfortable will in turn encourage more people to use it because, after all, this is and has always been the purpose of our Village Hall ie “ for use for meetings lectures and classes and for other forms of recreation and leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants.” (from original Constitution, 1958). PLEASE HELP

By joining in with events and activities

Considering hiring the village hall for your own events

Giving us your ideas about improving the village hall

Supporting our fundraising (look out for our two luxury Christmas hamper raffles)

Attending our monthly Farmers’ Markets where you can buy quality local produce

and crafts or meet your neighbours for a coffee and chat

New

s fr

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Thurlow

Vill

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News from Thurlow Village Hall

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Thurlow Sports Club Thurlow Youth FC So far, to date at the beginning of November, the seven teams have fared as follows: Under 16s – are at the top of their division unbeaten (P8 W7 D1 L0) leading by 9 points

and have also won both cup matches that they have played. Under 13s – have struggled in their first season playing 11-a-side against more experienced teams in their division (P5 W2 D0 L3) and have also lost their cup match.

Under 12s – still play 9-a-side and have done well so far standing second in their division (P6 W3 D2 L1). Under 11s – managed by Tony Williamson, although there is no league table for U11s and

below, this side (P4 W3 D1 L0). Under 10s – the boys have enjoyed an excellent start winning all four matches to date. Under 8s – this is their first season playing as a team and the record to date is (P6 W2 D0

L4). Under 7s – this is also their first season and they have enjoyed a mixed start (P4 W2 D0 L2).

If any boy is interested in training with Thurlow Youth FC, Tony Williamson can be contacted by email Tony.will@hotmail.co.uk or mobile 07809 550420.

Bowls Hut Due to its dilapidated state and also for safety reasons, the old Bowls Hut that had become

an eyesore in the corner of the recreation ground was demolished prior to the Thurlow Bonfire Night. The dry timber proved an excellent source of material for the large bonfire! This is the end of era. Although the Sports Club still keeps the bowls green cut and it is in

surprisingly good condition, it has not been used for over five years. It is kept in case a group of people from the village wish to use it for some form of recreational purpose in the future.

Play Area Additional bark has been laid around Curly Slide, Cradle Nest Swing and Monkey Bars to comply with standard regulations. The gates have also been reset. The two picnic tables

and bench seat have also been fixed to the ground so please do not attempt to try and move them. It is also noted that adults have used the Zip Wire when in fact it has been built for children only!

Allan Loveday

Thurlow

Sport

s Clu

b

Thurlow Sports Club

Thurlow Life - Past and Present Facebook page follow the link…

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thurlow/

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Suffolk Sports Awards 2015

These awards originated in 2006 and are hosted by Suffolk Sport in collaboration

with Suffolk County Council and media partner BBC Radio Suffolk. The awards cover 13 different categories including the Elena Baltacha Award and the Suffolk County Council Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Following on from winning the St Edmundsbury Unsung Hero Sports Award in October, Allan Loveday of Thurlow Sports Club was shortlisted with three other

nominees for the BBC Radio Suffolk Unsung Hero Award, held at Trinity Park, Ipswich on Friday 13th November, with an invited audience of 250. The other three

nominees with diverse sporting backgrounds shortlisted for the Unsung Hero Award were as follows:

Jane Samkin - for her efforts to make the Great Run Local in Southwold a fantastic

success. Ann Williamson - involved in Women on Wheels in Bury St Edmunds and who has

also established a social cycling group named Bury Bicycle Collective. Andrew Proven - active in promoting

Disability Sport in the Waveney area and has been involved in the establishment of the Lowestoft Boccia Club.

Each of the four nominees’ contribution to sport was portrayed on the big screen to the audience. Stephen Foster, who had

been on BBC Radio Suffolk earlier in the evening, stepped up to open the envelope and announced Allan as the winner,

much to Allan’s surprise against other worthy nominees. Allan was presented with a cup and trophy in recognition of his efforts for his dedication over 43 years in supporting sport and community activity in Thurlow together with his

wife Susan. Allan said that he was honoured to receive the award on behalf of all those people who have supported him in his efforts to improve the facilities at

Thurlow and also who have represented Thurlow in the different sports clubs over the years.

We would all like to congratulate Allan on his well deserved success and to thank him and Susan for all the incredible work they do in the Thurlows! Ed

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Thurlow

WI

Thurlow WI

THURLOW WI REPORT Thurlow WI met for their November meeting where Dawn Abbey, President, read out the results of the competition held at the Federation meeting at Culford, although not a winner much fun was had in its creation. This month the members had once again produced cakes

for the Bonfire night celebration. Dawn thanked them all and invited them to make items for the stall at the November Farmers Market. Four members will attend the Kedington Christmas Party, arrangements were made for the

dinner at Depden where gifts will be exchanged and a collection will be taken for ACWW instead of giving cards. Then it was time for fun - trying our skills at Serviettework. This involved stripping down a

serviette and sticking the pictures on it on pots and boxes. Much chat and laughter took place and all members except one managed to create really nice items to take home. Lucky winners this month were Janice, Phyllis, Olive, Sue, Dawn, Iris and Sarah. We next

meet in the hall on the 12th of January, 7:30pm when we hope visitors will come along for a taster of WI life and see the programme for 2016.

Iris Eley

Tales from the Garden

Tale

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TALES FROM THE GARDEN With shortening daylight there are not so many hours when you can work outside, but still there are many jobs to be done. With a mild and damp November this year the lawn still needs a fortnightly cut. All the

tomatoes have been picked and the green ones are in the kitchen and soon they will all be ripe. The empty greenhouse has had a good clean and the glass washed down and the seed trays and pots put away. The dahlias which were still in bloom because we have not

had any frost were dug up and the foliage and flowers taken off and tubers left to dry and have now been packed away in the greenhouse. The geraniums from the flower beds have been potted up and are still blooming profusely now they are in the greenhouse as are the

ones that will spend their winter on the window sills indoors. In place of the dahlias and geraniums 180 wallflowers were planted which hopefully will paint a picture of colour in the spring.

Late autumn is the time to pick quince, medlars and bullaces. These fruits make lovely jelly and jam and we have recently spent evenings boiling, simmering stirring and potting up jelly from these wonderful late autumn fruits and making Sloe Gin. The brussel sprouts are

looking healthy in the garden and hopefully there will be some ready for Christmas. Abigail, the first winter storm of the season, has seen trees shed their lovely golden leaves and is a great opportunity to collect them to make leaf mould to use as a mulch which we

have done from last year’s fall in the little garden in the corner of the car park in the Recreation Ground where hopefully we will soon see bulbs poking their heads out of the ground for the new season in 2016.

Allan and Susan Loveday

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Thurlow Estate News Farm

Farm All land work has now come to a halt due to the weather closing in, luckily we are almost where we need to be for the time of year.

Because October and November have been so mild this year, we are finding that the crops are almost growing too well! We actually now need some cold weather to slow crop growth and therefore allow them to be more resistant to any prolonged cold snaps over the next

few months. The colder weather is also a good natural way of dealing with pests in the crop.

The farms are now looking to undertake other operations that can be completed in wet weather. These include the annual ditch maintenance program which helps improve land drainage and is focussed this year around Great Thurlow and the annual hedge cutting

program.

The Farms Team are also finding that the numbers of pigeons are starting to build up on the oil seed rape crops and so will be dedicating more time to controlling them.

We have had the results back in from our sugar beet crop, which was harvested and lifted last month. We achieved 70 tons/Hectare, which we understand is a good yield for this particular year.

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Shoot

Shoot The first few days of the shooting season are now passed and have gone very well by all accounts. The keeper will now try to hold onto the birds until the end of the season, a spell of cold weather will help as it will encourage the pheasants to stay closer to the food and

shelter that the keeper provides.

Events

Events The annual Christmas Concert will be held at Great Thurlow Church on Saturday 19th December and there will then be refreshments at Hall Barn. The concert tickets are £10 and can be purchased in advance from Jane Sheppard on 01440 783209 or on the day at

the Church. The Thurlow Hunt Point to Point will take place at Horseheath Racecourse on Saturday 27 th

February. For further information please visit www.thurlowhunt.co.uk. Other fixtures at Horseheath Point to Point Course are as follows: 1) Cambridgeshire with Enfield Chace - Sunday 01 February 2015.

2) Puckeridge - Saturday 28 March 2015

Hunt

Hunt The Open Meet in early November went very well with a good turn out by riders and spectators alike. The main hunting season is now in full swing and the ground conditions appear to be holding up enough at the moment.

Pro

pert

y

Property The new Rook Tree office building is really taking shape now. We have almost completed

the internal fit out, with only the flooring left to be finished and the external works aren’t too far behind. We are looking for completion of

the project before Christmas.

We currently have several three bed, and one four bed property to rent in the Thurlows and surrounding areas. For further information

please call the Estate Office on 01440 783 661.

Woods

Woods Aspect Forestry have now finished all of the programmed work prior to Christmas and will not return to the Estate until February or March when they will undertake two areas of thinnings to complete their contract for this year.

We are now delivering loads of firewood five days a week so please call the Estate Office on 01440 783661 or email firewood@thurlowestate.co.uk to order your load of seasoned

hardwood. Please make sure that you order in good time if you are looking for a load of logs before Christmas as we always get very busy at this time of year.

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Thurlow School T

hurlow

Sch

ool

Thurlow Halloween disco was

awesome. Everybody had a

great time but I didn’t see my

friend come back ……

WELL DONE to all of the cross country runners who

ran a mile at Castle Manor

In class 4 we have made comics e.g. (The Adventures

of Bob by Thomas and the story, 1st Year Anniversary,

by Archie)

Everyone is trying their hardest to get house points

but it is still undecided which team will win!

Have a nice half term EVERYONE !!!!

By Thomas Hearn and Archie Chapman

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Nature Note N

atu

re N

ote

Nature note I’m writing this in the middle of November, having just got in from a ramble. It’s been a

dull, misty day and it was already dusk by 4pm. I was reminded of that gloomy poem by

Thomas Hood, which I’ve quoted before:

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,

No comfortable feel in any member –

No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,

No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds –

November

But things are changing. We need to remember that poor old Thomas Hood, who died at

the age of just 45, wrote this in London in 1844 at a time when the city was often choked

with smog and winters were much colder than they are today. November 1 st this year was

the warmest November day ever, we’re told, and I seem to have plenty of feeling left in

the members that matter. Moreover, there are lots of leaves still on the trees. I had to cut

my lawn again this last week – unthinkable even 25 years ago, let alone over 250 years

ago. And, amazingly, I did see a butterfly on the wing the other day – a bright peacock,

feeding quite happily on some late hedgerow flowers. I also saw and heard quite a few

birds today. Robins, wrens and a song thrush were all singing and the hedgerows were

busy with foraging parties of tits and goldcrests.

Best of all, I saw two birds that lent a splash of colour to the general drabness. One was a

nuthatch, a small chunky bird with a steel-blue back and warm buffy underparts. The

name comes from an old-English word meaning ‘nut hacker’, a reference to its habit of

wedging a nut in some crevice and hammering it with its strong dagger bill to reach the

kernel. It behaves like a little woodpecker, with the difference that it’s the only British

bird that can climb headfirst down a tree trunk as well as up one. They have been scarce

in the village in recent years but now seem to have returned, I’ve noticed. The first sign of

one is usually the call, a loud, cheerful tweet – or should I say tswoeet, to distinguish it

from the output of Twitter – but they regularly visit our gardens and you might catch a

glimpse of one raiding your bird table for a suitable nut to hack into. The other colourful

bird was a grey wagtail down by the river. The name doesn’t do it justice because

although the back is dark grey what you first see is a flash of lemon-yellow on the belly as

it pirouettes along the water’s edge flirting its long tail.

So, Thomas Hood’s lament doesn’t quite apply, or at least not yet. Mind you, by the time

you read this winter may have us in its grip again, and there were some pointers today in

the flights of chattering fieldfares that are now pouring into our countryside from more

northerly countries. Maybe they know something about the Christmas weather we don’t

yet.

Jeremy Mynott

Lavender Cottage 10 November 2015

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The Surviving Winter Appeal Griff Rhys Jones adds his voice to Suffolk’s Surviving Winter

campaign, announcing huge £15k boost for the campaign Suffolk’s Surviving Winter campaign this year has touched the lives of many generous people in Suffolk,

including comedian, broadcaster and all round ‘good guy’, Griff Rhys Jones. Griff Rhys Jones, who has lived

in Suffolk for most of his life and has a deep love for our county, was inspired to step up and support the

campaign for its important support of local needs at this time of year.

“The way we care for older and more vulnerable members of our community says a lot about who we are

here is Suffolk,” he said of the Surviving Winter campaign. “Raising £10,000 in the first two weeks was an

amazing total, but I am pleased to announce that a generous private donor has now offered a £15,000

match fund, meaning that for the next £15,000 donated, this will be doubled!” “This year the campaign

hopes to raise £100,000 so please, if you don’t need your winter fuel payment, donate it! Please support

‘Surviving Winter’ if you can.”

The Surviving Winter campaign, organised by Suffolk Community Foundation, is now in its fifth year. The

Foundation’s development director Tim Holder says; ‘The people of Suffolk have been consistently brilliant

at supporting this important campaign, thank you so much to all that have donated so far and to Griff Rhys

Jones for lending his support to the campaign.”

“We never want to have to say no to helping an older and vulnerable person in need and that’s why we are

hoping to beat last year’s record amount raised”. “It’s a really simple idea that will make a huge difference

to the lives of older people in our community who are vulnerable and most in need. Please support us to

raise our £100,000 target this winter.”

Winter Fuel Payments are received by people over the age of 62 in November and December each year,

with payments ranges from £100 to £300. TV presenter, journalist, author and expert on well-being of the

older population Christine Webber, with broadcaster and sports journalist Stuart Jarrold, helped to launch

the campaign on 2 November, with support from the East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich Building Society and

the East of England Co-op.

Suffolk Community Foundation is asking you to pledge your Winter Fuel Payment to help those

desperately in need of extra support during the winter. You can do this online at www.suffolkcf.org.uk or by

calling 01473 602602. You can also visit your local branch of Ipswich Building Society. The money raised is

distributed in partnership with Age UK Suffolk and last year went a long way in helping vulnerable older

people in Suffolk keep warm throughout the winter. To find out more about receiving financial support

contact Age UK Suffolk on 01473 359911 and a member of the team will be happy to offer advice. As has

always been the case with the annual Surviving Winter campaign, every single penny given is used to

deliver payments to vulnerable older people who need additional financial help to heat their homes

adequately this winter 2015/16. The campaign will run until March 2016.

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FARMERS MARKET & CRAFTS

THURLOW VILLAGE HALL

LAST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH 10am - 1pm

A WIDE RANGE OF LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD AND DRINK, AND SELECT RANGE OF CRAFTS AND GIFTS

Remaining 2015 DATE: 12th DECEMBER

WWW.SUFFOLKFARMERSMARKETS.ORG.UK/THURLOW ENQUIRIES : 07780 258 202

INFO@SUFFOLKFARMERSMARKETS.ORG.UK

Community Bid for The Cock Little Thurlow Following the registration of The Cock, Little Thurlow as a community asset, a steering

committee has been formed to lead the community bid to purchase the pub. The committee met for the first time on November 5th when a Chair (Alison Coffey) and Secretary (Molly Hawkins) were appointed. At that meeting it was confirmed that the

community will be putting in a bid with the moratorium period implemented by the bid being February 27th 2016. The amount of money that would need to be raised was discussed as well as different ways in which the money could be raised. The next

meeting of the committee will take place on Monday 30th November at which meeting committee members will report back on the suitability of funding possibilities.

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Christmas Carol Concert

6.30 to 7.30 pm

Saturday 19th December 2015

ALL SAINTS CHURCH, GREAT THURLOW

Followed by Mulled Wine and Refreshments in Hall Barn

By kind permission of the Thurlow Estate

Tickets £10, Students £5 (under 16 free) (There will be no collection during the Concert)

Proceeds shared equally between Great Thurlow Church

The Children’s Hospice at Milton Thurlow Hunt Supporters’ Club

TICKETS:PAY ON THE DOOR

or from Jane Sheppard 01440 783209

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St Mary’s Church,

Great Wratting

invites you to a

Candlelit Carol Service

7pm

Friday, 18th

December

A traditional service of Nine Lessons and Carols will be followed

by mince pies and mulled wine. The infamous Great Wratting

Choir will once again be resurrected for the occasion so if you

would like to join in with this please contact Sharon on 786670.

No previous experience required!

Please note that there will be a voluntary charity collection during

the service.

We very much look forward to welcoming you into our beautiful

church at this very special time of year and always.

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Headway Suffolk

Headway Suffolk is a local charity that offers rehabilitation, support and care to people with an acquired brain injury, stroke or other neurological condition. This is carried out at our hubs around Suffolk and in people’s homes and community. The Charity has had a very successful year and is looking forward to an exciting 2016. To help us with this we are currently recruiting high calibre staff who want to work for a vibrant organisation who offer good terms and conditions, offer training and career ladder. We have a number of DVD clips on our recruitment page which tell the stories of some of our staff and the duties that they perform at Headway. Some speak of the career progression that they have enjoyed. “We do not race from one client to another but tend to spend several hours working with one person. May be giving them care but also following a leisure activity, going to the cinema or helping them to return to work” said rehabilitation assistant Sam. “I started as a driver, then a support worker. After training and experience I am now a senior having passed my level 2 and 3”, stated Trina. If you would like to find out more about our work please visit our web site www.headwaysuffolk.org.uk or contact Helen Fairweather, Chief Executive on 01473 712225

How do snowmen get around? They ride an icicle!

What song do you sing at a snowman's birthday party? Freeze a jolly good fellow! What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees?

Horn-aments!

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What’s On! D

ate

s For

Your

Dia

ry!

Month Date Day Time Event Location Information

Dec 9th Wed 11:45

to 12:10

Mobile library 109 Bury Road Great Thurlow

01473 263838

Dec 9th Wed

12.45

to 13:05

Mobile library

Thurlow

Sports Club Little Thurlow

01473 263838

Dec 9th Wed

14:00

to 14:20

Mobile library Coronation

Cottages GW 01473 263838

Dec 12th Sat

10:00

to 13:00

Farmers’ Market

Thurlow Village Hall

Dec 18th Fri 19:00 Village Carol

Service

St Mary’s

Church Great

Wratting

Dec 19th Sat 18:30 Christmas Concert

All Saints Church, Great

Thurlow

Jane Sheppard 01440 783209

Jan 5th Tue LTPC Meeting Thurlow

Village Hall

Jan 12th Tue 19:30 WI meeting Thurlow

Village Hall Dawn Abbey

How did Scrooge win the football game? The ghost of Christmas passed!

Who delivers presents to baby sharks at Christmas? Santa Jaws

What do Santa's little helpers learn at school? The elf-abet!

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Month

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hurc

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erv

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ota

December 2015- January 2016 Church Services

Date Day Time/Event Time/Event Time/Event Time/Event

6th Dec

Sun 9:30 HC

Kedington 11.00 HC

Little Bradley

13th Dec

Sun 9:30

Christingle Kedington

9:30 HC Barnardiston

11.00 HC Great Bradley

18th Dec

Fri

19:00

Carol Service Great Wratting

19th Dec

Sat

18:30 Christmas Concert

Great Thurlow

20th Dec

Sun 10:00 HC Benefice

Great Wratting

15:00 Carol Service Great Bradley

16:00 Carol Service

Kedington

18:30 Carol Service

Little Wratting

23rd Dec

Wed 10:00 HC Kedington

24th Dec

Thur

15:00

Crib Service Kedington

18:00

Carol Service Little Bradley

19:00

Carol Service Barnardiston

23:30

Midnight Mass Kedington

25th Dec

Fri 10:00 HC

Great Thurlow

27th Dec

Sun 10:00 HC

Great Bradley

3rd Jan

Sun 09:30 HC

Little Wratting 11:00 HC

Great Thurlow

10th Jan

Sun 09:30 HC

Barnardiston 09:30 SOTW Kedington

11:00 HC Great Bradley

17th Jan

Sun

10:00 HC

Benefice Little Bradley

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The Benefice service rota is also provided online at http://

www.stourheadbenefice.org/Stourhead_Benefice/Service_Rota.html

Courses for Family Carers Find out more for free!

Suffolk Family Carers is a Suffolk wide organisation which aims to offer support and information to anyone caring for a friend, family member or neighbour with any kind

of illness, disability or frailty. If you offer support, help or encouragement to a friend or family member who is unwell then you are a Family Carer and are able to access our free Caring With Confidence courses. These courses provide information and tips

on ways to confidently care for your friend or loved one. A variety of topics are covered such as effective communication to get your needs met, ways to manage your emotions and take better care of yourself, balancing caring with other

commitments you may have, and looking at day to day challenges. We also have a wealth of resources which may help with a variety of issues and concerns you face within your caring role. If you care for someone with dementia you could also access

our Caring for Dementia with Confidence course, which is specifically designed for those caring for someone with dementia or memory loss. These sessions are not only a great way to gain useful information but also give you the opportunity to meet

others in a similar situation. Family carers who have attended the sessions have said they have found it useful for a variety of reasons such as “feeling that I am not

alone”, gaining “friendship and knowledge” and knowing “that there is help out there”. These sessions run regularly so to find out more about either Caring with Confidence or Caring for Dementia with Confidence please contact us on 01473

835446 or cwc@suffolkfamilycarers.org.

24th Jan Sun 08:00 HC

Kedington

09:30 HC

Little Thurlow

11:00 HC

Great Wratting

18:00 ES

Kedington

31st Jan Sun 10:00 HC

Benefice Kedington

7th Feb Sun 09:30 HC

Kedington

11:00 HC

Great Thurlow

14th Feb Sun 09:30 HC

Barnardiston

09:30 SOTW

Kedington

11:00 HC

Little Bradley

22

Our

Rect

or

Write

s Our Rector Writes

OUR RECTOR WRITES Annoyed that no one answered his knocking when he had made a special visit and could hear music playing inside the house, a vicar left his visiting card, having

written on the back, “Revelation 3:20”. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him…” As the congregation was filing out after matins the next Sunday,

one of his lady parishioners handed him an envelope and hurried away. Inside he found a card on which was written, “Genesis 3:10”. “I heard thy voice in the

garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” This little anecdote is from Derek Nimmo’s book “Oh, Come On All Ye Faithful!” .

We are celebrating again this month the great Christian festival of light, and it is no accident that it comes at the gloomiest and darkest time of the year, when we need

more than usual to have something special to lift our spirits. The Romans had a festival called Saturnalia in December, and when Saint Augustine came to England to preach the gospel, Pope Gregory advised him to keep the

dates of the pagan feasts and give them new meaning by using them for Christian festivals. So the old

Scandinavian midwinter Yuletide festival was transformed into the birthday of Jesus Christ.

The last Sunday in November takes us into Advent. I was born on Advent Sunday, and my late mother

always maintained that was “quite an Advent”. The collect, that special Advent prayer asks God to

give us grace to cast away the works of darkness and to put upon us the armour of light. The Advent

blessing speaks of Christ the sun of righteousness shining upon us and scattering the darkness from

before our path. There are hymns which speak to us of light in the darkness: “Awake, awake, fling off

the night, for God has sent his glorious light, and we who live in Christ’s new day must works of

darkness put away”. Another says “Christ is the world’s true light, its captain of salvation, the daystar

clear and bright of every man and nation”.

Jesus told his followers “I am the Light of the World”, meaning that he had come to be an influence for

good in an evil and wicked world. Not long after that he told them “You are the light of the world,”

meaning that he wanted them too to shine out with that same influence for good. Those words echo

down through over two thousand years of Christian history. Lighted candles are familiar symbols to us

of Christ as the Light of the World, but are there also to remind us that we too are called to be lights

of the world, reflecting his light. At Sunday School we used to sing “Jesus bids us shine with a pure

clear light, like a little candle, burning in the night, in this world of darkness, we must shine, you in

your small corner, and I in mine.” And so when a child is Christened we take the flame from the

Easter candle, the candle we use to celebrate Jesus coming to life again on Easter day, and we light a

candle for the newly-baptised child.

“The Light of the World” is a painting by William Holman Hunt and showing the figure of Jesus about

to knock on an overgrown door which clearly hasn’t been opened for some time! It relates to that

verse in the book of Revelation. We sometimes find prints of the picture in churches. Two of the

churches in our group have the picture in stained glass. Fifty years after he painted the picture,

Holman Hunt felt he needed to explain the symbolism. The door in the picture has no handle, and can

therefore only be opened from the inside, representing, he said “the obstinately shut mind”.

23

Our

Rect

or

Write

s The light of Christ has come into our world, but how far has he come into our lives? How far has he

taken control of our lives, how far are we living as children of light. We are reminded in Saint John’s gospel that he was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own and his own received him not. How many times, I wonder, has our Lord come to

you and you have not received him, have not known him? How well do you know God? This concept of knowledge is closely related to that of light. If you think about it we say that someone has finally “seen the light”, meaning that he now knows something he didn’t know before. If something goes missing and we don’t know where it is and then find it we say that it has “come to light” because we

now know where it is. We say too of someone that something “dawned on him”.

Saint John says “The light has come into the world, but men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Light shows us up, of course, for what we are. So we prefer to sit is darkness and hold our little candle at arm’s length! How much of God’s good light are you letting into your life? Have you opened up the curtains to let the light flood in, have you let up the blind, or merely adjusted

the angle of the slats in the Venetian blind in order only to allow in that amount of light which is most convenient to you? And if the light of Christ is really shining in your very self then as the old 1662 communion service tells us “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works

and glorify your father which is in heaven.”

You might like to look at two poems which relate to the picture, which you can find online: http://www.scriptureunion.org.uk/Uploads/Documents/beholdistand.pdf http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/behold-i-stand-at-the-door-and-knock/

Derek Hollis.

“Oh, Come On All Ye Faithful” by Derek Nimmo was published in 1986 by Robson Books ISBN 0-86051-409-9

Prayer needs and home Communions If you are in need of prayer, or are aware of someone who needs to be included in prayer, please contact the Rector. There is no need to go into detail and no-one will

be mentioned by name in intercessions unless they give their permission but you can be assured that you or the person you bring forward will be prayed for. The same applies if you, or someone you know, hasn’t been able to come to Communion

because of illness and would like to receive. In these cases you can still be included by the Rector or a member of the ministry team bringing Communion to you in your home. For all pastoral matters please contact Rev. Derek Hollis on 01440 763066.

Calling all budding young journalists and story tellers……

The Village Link is still looking for junior reporters. If you would like to contribute an article or

story or report on an event you attended we would be delighted to hear from you! It doesn’t have to be long and doesn’t matter if you don’t want to write for every issue.

Get in touch with Alison on 01440 783478 or email the Village Link!

24

soil conditioner

multipurpose potting compost

topsoil mixes

barks

lawn dressings

lawn seeds

freshly cut turf

available in bulk bags or loose

Come and see us at Sturmer Nurseries

ARTISTEEL LTD

Artisan Blacksmith offering a bespoke service

*Gates, railings, balconies and balustrades made to your budget designed to suit your

home *Garden sculpture and trellis

*Small works for gifts, fire grates, coal pokers, ornate candle holders

*Curtain rails to fit awkward cottages and little windows, in any finish and style

*Beautiful handrails and ramps for disabled access that blend in with your home

Industrial customers:

*Health and safety guards, platform and access for industry

*Welding and repairs for farming community

*If you need a highly skilled welder, even for the day

We are used to working with architects and other designers. We are fully insured and

have all current PASMA, IPAF, MPQC Quarry passport and CSCS certificates.

Contact: mobile: 07827966976; email: etienne.egloff@artisteel.co.uk

See our facebook page, www.artisteel.co.uk.

25

I Wylie

Park Cottage Carlton Newmarket

CB8 9LD

Park Cottage

Traditional Home Reared

Bronze Turkeys

For Christmas

TEL: 01223 290907 or 07769956533

26

27

Making women feel better about themselves

I help busy women get themselves off the back burner and into the driving seat of their lives.

I am known for making a huge impact on women’s lives leaving them feeling

mentally uplifted and physically invigorated.

I’ve helped housewives to airline pilots. Email me to see my testimonials:

clairefoy@btconnect.com

Or call me for an initial chat: 01440 783342 or 07791 837114

Fully equipped, qualified & insured Personal Trainer, NLP coach & Sports Massage Therapist

28

DIY Home Maintenance

Are you looking for help with any

DIY/ Home Maintenance?

Contact Andy an experienced tradesman who has

recently moved into Thurlow.

Andy has years of experience and

prides himself on doing an excellent

job everytime. His portfolio includes

painting and decorating, DIY, general

repairs and differing types of

restoration projects.

References available on request. Please call Andrew Clay on

01440 783192

29

INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS. This is a brief guide, intended especially for newcomers to the villages, with information about the facilities and services available locally and some useful telephone numbers and addresses.

Services and Societies in Thurlow Telephone Thurlow Garage – Ray Sharrod 01440 783248

The Cock Inn 01440 783224

Plumbing Services – TKHeat – Kevin Crowson 07966 208794 01440 783654

Parish Clerk – Little Thurlow – Molly Hawkins 01440 783259

Parish Clerk – Great Thurlow – Diana Allin 01440 783560

Thurlow CEVC School – Head Teacher 01440 783281

Tiddly Tots – Zoe Hunt Wednesdays 10 am - 12 noon during term time

078911 46931

Thurlow Fayre – Alison Coffey 01440 783478

Thurlow Gardening Club – Dawn Abbey 01440 783646

Thurlow Sports Club Secretary – Allan Loveday 01440 707416

Thurlow Village Hall Committee – Ros Bunting 01440 783528

Thurlow Village Hall Bookings – Diana Allin 01440 783560

Thurlow Womens Institute – President Dawn Abbey 01440 783646

Thurlow Tennis Club—Andy Quick 01440 783070

Services and Societies in Great Wratting Telephone Neighbourhood Watch — Clare Egloff 07780724798

Red Lion, Great Wratting – George and Linda Sykes 01440 783237

The Great Wratting Book Group – Jean Newlands 01440 783111

Great Wratting Email Tree — Dawn Fisk— dawn.fisk@btinternet.com 01440 783993

The mobile library service stops at Coronation Cottages from 2.00 to 2.20 pm every 4 weeks, on Wednesday afternoons

01440 702638

Emergency Telephone

Police Response – any officer, non emergency 101

Police Response – Emergency 999

Suffolk Fire Service 01284 558888

UK Network (Electricity) 24 hour Emergency helpline 0800 7838838

Anglian Water 24 hour Emergency Helpline (water/sewage) 08457 145145

British Telecom 24 hour fault reporting 0800 800151

Floodline 24 hour with recorded update 0845 9881188

In case of disaster or village is cut off, go to Thurlow Village Hall. Key Holder is Diana Allin – 89a Hill House, Great Thurlow

01440 783560

30

Community Contacts Telephone Churches – Stourhead Benefice – Rev. Derek Hollis 01440 763066

Haverhill Social Services 01440 764949

Haverhill Citizens Advice Bureau 01440 704012

St Edmundsbury Borough Council Planning 01284 763233

St Edmundsbury Borough Council 01284 763233

St Edmundsbury Borough Council (Haverhill office) 01440 702271

County Councillor – Mary Evans 01284 789478

Suffolk County Council General Enquiries 08456 066067

District Councillor - Jane Midwood 01440 820360

Age UK - Mary Hilton 01440 783649

Thurlow Estate – Tim Barling, Agent Thurlow Estate – Tom Duffin, Assistant to Agent

01440 783661

Libraries – Haverhill Libraries – Bury St Edmunds A mobile library visits the villages every 4 weeks on a Wednesday stopping at Sowley Green, 150 Bury Road from 11:30-11:40 am; Great Thurlow, 109 Bury Road from 11:45-12:10 pm; Little Thurlow, Thurlow Sports Club from 12:45-13:05 pm and Great Wratting, Coronation cottages from 14:00 –14:20 pm.

01440 702638 01284 352545 01473 263838

Suffolk Radio – BBC FM 103.9 or 104.6 01473 250000

Refuse Collection Bin collection is every Friday morning alternating black bins one week and brown and blue bins the next.

01284 757320

Environmental Health and Pest Control 01284 757084

Health and Wellbeing Telephone Doctors – The Christmas Maltings and Clements Practice Doctors – Selby Practice Doctors – Haverhill Family Practice

01440 269366 01440 702010 01440 702010 01440 703667

Chemist – Boots, Haverhill Chemist – Sainsburys Pharmacy Chemist – The Co—operative Pharmacy

01440 702058 01440 708043 01440 702079

Hospital – West Suffolk (Bury St Edmunds) Hospital – West Suffolk Accident and Emergency Hospital – Addenbrookes (Cambridge)

01284 713000 01284 713333 01223 245151

Vets – Swayne and Partners (Haverhill) Vets – Lida Vets (Newmarket) Vets – Hawkedon Veterinary Surgery

01440 702007 01638 560000 01284 789428

Church Wardens Telephone St Mary’s Church, Great Wratting—Simon Corbett 01440 783698

St Mary’s Church, Great Wratting—Ben Stanton 01440 783103

St Peter’s Church, Little Thurlow—Robin Vestey T.B.A.

St Peter’s Church, Little Thurlow—Iris Eley 01440 783534

All Saints Church, Great Thurlow—George Vestey 01440 783240

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Great Wratting Parish Council Contacts Telephone

Chair – Gavin Acheson 01440 783515

Councillor – Anthony Lundrigan 01440 783817

Councillor – Dawn Fisk 01440 783993

Councillor – Steven Robinson 01440 783131

Councillor—Diana Curtis 01440 783898

Councillor - Keith Turner 01440 783460

Vacancy

Parish Clerk – Emma White—gtwrattingpc@yahoo.co.uk 07792455030

If you would like information about joining Great Wratting Parish Council, please contact the Parish Clerk. www.parish-council.com/greatwrattingparishcouncil

Little Thurlow Parish Council Contacts Telephone Keith Bunting – Chairman 01440 783528

Chris Field –Vice Chairman 01440 783697

Will Griffiths 01440 783496

Chris Lowe 01440 783891

Andrew Dickson 01440 783385

Jessica Hale 01440 783190

Geoff Patient 01440 783603

Molly Hawkins—Parish Clerk 01440 783259

Great Thurlow Parish Council Contacts Telephone Peter Thomas—Chairman 01440 783700

Conrad Hawkins —Vice Chairman 01440 783259

George Vestey 01440 783240

Stan Cook01440 783532 01440 783532

Rod Pass 01440 783610

Naomi Watts To follow

Jane Sheppard 01440 783209

Diana Allin—Parish Clerk 01440 783560

Parish Council Notice Board

32