www.collins-skiphire.co.ukSkiphire

For a fast, efficient & price friendly local service

01473 327596 orders@collins-skiphire.co.uk

™ ©™ ©

In TouchVolume 9 • Issue No. 11 • SEPTEMBER 2020

with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood

& Warren Heath

Image by Malcolm Bumstead, Chairman of East Ipswich Camera Club

2 In Touch online:

Call for friendly advice and free survey and quote

01473 206918

• Wet rooms • Walk in showers and baths • Waterproof wall panelling • Slip resistant safety fl ooring • Grab rails, shower seats & raised toilets • Disabled Facilities Grants • Discounts for over

60s and EX Service personnel

Bathing a problem? – we can help

www.ahminstallations.co.uk*Terms and conditions apply, visit our website for more details.

FREE*

Georgia toilet & basin with

every bathroom order

In touch 93 x 132.indd 3 01/09/2019 19:41

3www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/ipswicheast

NEWSA WORD FROM THE EDITOR

Published by: Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP

In Touch Titles• Stowmarket & Stowupland• Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew• Melton & Woodbridge• Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley• Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham,

Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall & Warren Heath• Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden & Woolpit• Needham Market & The Creetings• Shotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton,

Harkstead, Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone

• Martlesham• Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton• East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford

& Stratford St Mary• Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham• Capel St Mary (Capel Capers)• Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone

& Washbrook• Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead• Westerfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham

St Martin & Witnesham• Sproughton & Burstall

We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe

Printed on gloss paper from FSC certified sources

Please recycle.

EDITOR: Sharon JenkinsT: 01473 400380Send editorial copy to:sharon@intouchnews.co.ukReaders are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

ADVERTISINGT: 01473 400380 E: advertising@intouchnews.co.uk

DISTRIBUTIONTree Martin: 01473 400380E: tree@intouchnews.co.uk

PRINTING ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379E: steve@colourplan.co.ukDisclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any responsibility for errors or omissions.

While reasonable care is taken when accepting advertisements or editorial, the publisher/editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any written complaints.

© Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

© In Touch with Broke Hall, Ipswich East, Ravenswood & Warren Heath is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd

Thurs 10 Septemberis the advertising and editorial deadline for the October edition

SUFFOLK FARMERS’ MARKET – IN THE HEART OF IPSWICH

Sunday 6 September, 10am-2pm

Back for the autumn/winter months, Suffolk Market Events bring the very best food and produce from top quality

Suffolk farmers and artisans to the Cornhill Square.

MUSEUM LOCKDOWN ACTIVITIES SHORTLISTED FOR NATIONAL AWARD Ipswich Museums has been shortlisted in the Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award From Home for their Museums From Home activity packs.

Kids in Museums has run a prestigious annual award for the past 15 years, recognising the most family friendly heritage sites in the UK. This year, the charity asked families and museums to vote for what they thought was the best online activity for families during lockdown. A panel of museum experts whittled down over 400 nominations to a shortlist of 26 museums. Ipswich Museums is one of five shortlisted in the Going the Extra Mile category.

The activity packs were developed by Ipswich Museums and other cultural and community organisations for local families in need, including those unable to access digital resources, children with SEN, under-fives and young adults.

More than 2,000 packs were distributed via local groups including Volunteering Matters, BSC Multicultural Support, 4YP and Suffolk Family Carers. The packs were made using resources contributed by DanceEast, Suffolk Libraries and freelance artists.

Over the summer holidays, family judges will try out all the activities and their feedback will decide a winner and highly commended award for each category. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.

Ipswich Museums are continuing to create even more activity packs for families and have contributed 600 packs to The Association for Suffolk Museums (AFSM) Summer in a Box project.

AFSM is working with Suffolk County Council and museum partners across the county to deliver at least 1,600 Suffolk in a Box activity packs to vulnerable children across Suffolk. This work has been funded via a Department for Education Holiday Fund Grant to Suffolk County Council.

My social life has been turned upside down in the last few months. I used to walk into town on Saturday morning, list in hand, to visit the shops and the market stalls, meet with friends for coffee and wander home in time for lunch. Now I walk into town on Saturday afternoon when it’s likely to be quieter and wave at friends from a distance. I know this isn’t what most of you might define as a ‘social life’ (and I must admit it looks pretty sad now I see it in writing) but I’ve been ‘off the scene’ for many years and happy to be so. Of course I like to paint the town red (crimson rather than fire engine) on occasion but it’s been a while since my weekends were spent in pubs and clubs, never knowing what might happen. Or who I might meet!

I did meet my husband in a packed pub back home in Ballinasloe (yes, Guinness was involved!), so for the sake of those who do enjoy an active social life or who haven’t yet met Mr or Mrs Right, I’m delighted the pubs are open again, making an extraordinary effort to adhere to guidelines and ensure the safety of staff and patrons. Restaurants too; eating a meal I haven’t had to cook myself and not having to clear up afterwards is a thrilling (yes, thrilling) prospect right now. In fact we’ve booked a table at the new Italian restaurant in town and I’ve already decided what I’m having. I start from the back, with dessert, and work upwards and shall be enjoying vanilla pannacotta with wood-roasted apricots at about 9pm on Saturday evening.

Live performance is making a comeback too, which is wonderful news for venues, artists and audiences. It will be interesting to see if performers and writers have been inspired by their lockdown experience. In fact, if you haven’t already watched Staged, a BBC comedy starring David Tennant and Michael Sheen, find it now on BBC iPlayer. It’s a wonderful treat.

If there is anything positive to take from our experience of Covid-19, it must be that it has taught us to be kind and caring. We know we can pull together when needs must and now we must use our spending power to support our local economy and attempt to stave off further job losses. Every penny you spend locally will help to secure the future of a local business and its employees, possibly even people you know.

Enjoy your freedom safely, consider the safety of others and together we can make this ‘new normal’ work in everyone’s best interests.

Follow Suffolk Market Events on Facebook and Instagram to discover more about

the farmer’s markets and the passionate producers behind the produce.

Want to sell your wares at the next Ipswich Farmers’ Market? Email Alex at Suffolk Market Events for a booking form and

application pack; alex@suffolkmarketevents.co.uk

4 In Touch online:

NEWS / OUT & ABOUT

BOROUGH COUNCIL SECURES £3M TO TRANSFORM BURTON’S BUILDINGAnother landmark in the successful development of Ipswich Waterfront has been achieved with the announcement from government of a £3M grant that will ensure our transformation of these unused buildings. This government funding is a vote of confidence in the way the borough is taking forward the town and adding another key attraction to this regenerated area.

The funding bid for this ‘shovel-ready’ project was one of those chosen from the many submitted from across Suffolk and Norfolk through the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership.

Councillor David Ellesmere, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, said: “It’s great news that government is backing our plans to bring more of the derelict buildings on the Waterfront back into use. This underlines the correctness of our decision to buy these buildings so that we could invest further in Ipswich.

“In January we resolved to grant planning permission for this site to be a new home for the town’s renowned Gecko Theatre company and to bring the neighbouring Burtons building back into use. This is all part of our strategy to develop Ipswich Waterfront as a leading location for leisure, work, education and much more.

“The success of our bid for funding from the government’s Getting Building fund means we will shortly be talking to partners about how best to develop this area to further promote our historic and beautiful Waterfront as a great place to visit and enjoy.”

MARTLESHAM BRASS Band rehearsals and performances are still suspended because of COVID-19, but will resume as soon as it is safe to do so. We are closely following a number of studies into the risks of playing brass instruments, and will take note of any recommendations made.

Do check out the Martlesham Brass Facebook page to view the videos that some band members have been recording and which have been edited by our main band conductor Adam Cable.

When band activities resume, we will be happy to hear from anyone who is interested in joining us, with or without experience.

Publicity Officer Liz Howarde_m_howard@talk21.com / 01473 625617

www.martleshambrass.co.uk / www.facebook.com/MartleshamBrass

SPEAK EASY AT MARTLESHAMSpeak Easy has been meeting online while access to its usual home at Martlesham has been restricted. It’s been a really effective way to meet members and guests, and continue to provide speaking opportunities. In fact, with the increasing use of video conferencing for business and recreation, the current format is helping develop even more useful skills.

Support for using the new technology is available, along with a forum to develop speaking, and evaluation skills. As a member, you will also have opportunities to organise and run our regular meetings.

Guests are welcome to join us to see what we have to offer, and to take part if you would like. We hope you will choose to become a member, whether to overcome nerves about speaking in public, develop your abilities, or to enter competitions at regional, national, and even international level.

If you would like to attend one of our online meetings please contact Adam Green, who will send you an invite. Speak Easy meetings are held on alternate Thursdays (September 3 & 17) from 7.15- 9.30pm.

Speak Easy is proud to be an inclusive and diverse group, open to anyone 18 years or over. For further information please contact Adam Green: adamdcgreen@gmail.com

www.speak-easy.org.ukFacebook: Speak Easy Martlesham

As with many voluntary organisations, we have been holding our meetings online using Zoom. To commemorate the pleasure – or shock – of this experience, we have put together our ‘Lockdown Locks’, individual before and after photos on the day when we at last got ‘that’ cut!

At our July meeting we had our first Zoom speaker, Chloe Lee, Communities Officer at East Suffolk Council, who talked to us about Period Poverty in general and how it was affecting women and girls of low income during the COVID-19 lockdown, either because they couldn’t afford sanitary products or because there was a dearth of them in shops. The pandemic has hit people in many varied ways, which perhaps we would not have thought about.

We have continued to make syringe driver bags for Ipswich Hospital. Since lockdown began, we have taken in 100 for palliative care and end of life patients.

We have donated money to buy second-hand smart phones to help children who live in the rubbish heap shanty towns in the Philippines to continue their schooling online during lockdown. Education for them is the passport to escaping such living conditions and having a better life.

We have also been busy lobbying. We have written to our respective MPs (we cover five constituencies) asking them to support the Domestic Violence Abuse Bill currently going through the parliamentary process. We have also written to Suffolk County Council, Dr Therese Coffey MP, Tulip Siddiq, Shadow Minister for Children – Early Days and David Ellesmere, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council about the closure of Children’s Centres in Suffolk.

So it’s business more or less as usual as we work to better the lives of women and girls.

SOROPTIMIST CLUB OF IPSWICH

Image by Steven Rogers

5www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/ipswicheast

Mr Misty ‘The Window Doctor ’ i s a fami ly run bus inessthat pr ides i tse l f in except ional customer care .

We promise easy serv ice from start to finish.

FREE PHONE : 0800 25 45 111 FOR YOUR FREE CHECKUP

WWW.MRMISTY.CO.UK

ELIMINATE WINDOW CONDESATION

BROKEN WINDOWPARTS

BROKEN GLASS

SECONDARY GLAZINGTO BLOCK OUT NOISE

LOCKS

FAULTY HINGES

PROBLEMS WE SOLVE

COMMON SUMMER TIME PROBLEM

LAWN MOWERSTONE CHIPS &BROKEN GLASS

DOES YOUR DOUBLE GLAZING STEAM UP? WE REPLACE JUST THE GLASS AND NOT THE FRAMES AT A FRACTION OFTHE COST FOR NEW WINDOWS

IPSWICH

WE SPECIALISE INDOUBLE GLAZING

REPAIRS, CALL FORYOUR FREE CHECK UP

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

IPSWICH MR MISTY.pdf 1 06/04/2019 09:08

6 In Touch online:

SCHOOLS / ON THE GRAPEVINE

HEATHLANDS COMMUNITY PRE-SCHOOLWe are so pleased to be starting a new academic year and excited for our year ahead of learning and playing together.

We extend a warm welcome to our new children and their families who will be joining us. In keeping with our child-led approach, the autumn term will be spent getting to know our new families and learning about what fascinates and interests them so we can make sure their time with us is fun and meaningful. Due to lockdown, it’s also been a long time since we spent time with some of our existing families so we are excited to be reunited in playing and learning together.

We send our very best wishes to all of the children who left us to progress on their journey to primary school. We hope that you have fun in Reception and that you enjoyed our virtual graduation ceremony on our last day of the summer term. We had lots of lovely feedback and we thank you for taking part and spending some time remembering the lovely memories we had made together.

We will be supporting the Macmillan Coffee Morning in September and are looking forward to a trip to the local heath with the Suffolk Wildlife Trust to explore the woodland during the autumn season.

Heathlands is a well-established, committee-run pre-school situated in the grounds of Broke Hall Community Primary School. We can offer funded places for eligible two year olds and for all other children the term after their third birthday. Breakfast and afterschool clubs are also available. We are

pleased to accept applications for terms starting January 2021 and beyond. Please contact us on 01473 417517.

HEATH PRIMARY SCHOOLWe have enjoyed welcoming our new Reception starters into the school this month. It has been lovely to see so many smiling faces and we are looking forward to them enjoying a year of adventure and discovery.

As far away as it may seem now, we are already thinking ahead to September 2021 when our next group of Reception children will start their exciting journey through the school. We hope that circumstances will allow us to welcome prospective new families into school to meet our staff and have a guided tour in the near future. In the meantime, you can find out more about all the exciting opportunities that we have to offer at Heath Primary School by visiting our website.

You can take a look at the outstanding outdoor facilities that we are so fortunate to have, which include a large, established wooded area complete with an outdoor classroom, which is used for Forest Schools activities, and a beautiful pond area that has its own dipping platform. Our school garden and eco-greenhouse are bursting with life at the moment, and as part of the school garden, we also have large animal enclosures that house our chickens, ducks and rabbits. We have recently added two further outdoor classrooms to our field areas, which provide plenty of space for outdoor lessons.

All of our Early Years classes benefit from having large classrooms and extensive outdoor areas. With outdoor learning being at the heart of our curriculum, our Reception classes are able to take advantage of all of the outdoor areas around the school, as well as their own outdoor areas, which we continue to invest in and develop. Visit our website to find out more. You are also very welcome to have chat with our head teacher, Mr Whatley, by phoning the school on 01473 622806.

www.heathprimary.co.uk

Do you know your ‘hashtag’ from your ‘tag’? Have you had to ‘break out’ during a Zoom meeting with up to 29 young women aged 10-14 whilst remaining in your own living room?

For the past three months, this is what Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and their volunteer leaders across Suffolk have learned to do as Guiding has gone online.

Overnight from the 16th March, hundreds of Girlguiding Suffolk volunteers adapted the way they hold and run their unit meetings. A leader from 2nd Woodbridge (St Mary’s) Guides hadn’t used Facebook before 23rd March this year, but from tentative beginnings, she is now holding weekly Zoom meetings. This is reflected in all the sectional age groups within the county.

1st Beccles Rainbows (5-7 years) have posted a weekly activity and song in their Facebook group, and 3rd Britannia Rainbows (Ipswich) have been making sundials. 4th Kesgrave Brownies (7-10 years) have been working towards loads of different badges, as have 2nd Beccles Brownies, who held an Easter-themed family bingo night online. Two members of 1st Beccles Brownies have now gained all 18 of the Brownie interest badges.

Guides (10-14 years) in Felixstowe, Ipswich, Beccles and Martlesham have enjoyed Zoom meetings and recorded instruction videos to complete official badges. They have also taken

part in quizzes and scavenger hunts, made mug cakes and armpit fudge, as well as traditional activities like knotting, semaphore, blitz cooking and community action projects.

Rangers (14-18 years) have also been powering through badges, many of whom should have been taking GCSEs and A Levels. Hopefully for them, and younger members too, Guiding going has provided a safe and friendly space every week, a bit of normalcy in these strange times.

Since April there have even been some national and international virtual events offered; an Adventures At Home Festival by Girlguiding UK, a global campfire by WAGGGS (The World Association of Girl Guides & Girl Scouts), and a Midsummer Sleepover from Girlguiding Anglia Region. Many members camped out, made smores and sat around a campfire, all activities that they would be accustomed to doing at this time of year.

From bushcraft to blogging, gardening to geocaching, Girlguiding Suffolk is still connecting with its members by letter, email, Facebook or Zoom.

A leader with 1st Tostock Rainbows has had some lovely feedback from parents including: “My daughter always asks when it’s Wednesday? She looks forward to her Rainbow zoom every week”; “Thank you so much for all the support and activities you provide for the girls. It keeps them going when schoolwork isn’t happening and has given them the opportunity to learn throughout this time.”

Girlguiding Suffolk would like to thank all its volunteers for everything they have done during the current situation, however small. In the words of our county song, rewritten for us by ABBA:

“We are Guides, we’re pioneering,Sharing every adventure, The Way Old Friends Do”Copyright Ulvaeus/Andersson, Universal Music Ltd

#StaySafe Everyone

For more information about joining as a member or becoming a volunteer, please contact us via: www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested

#SUFFOLKGIRLSCAN – KEEP CALM & CARRY ON GUIDING

7www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/ipswicheast

advertorial

Cloudy2Clear GUARANTEE All Customers That An Average Quote Will Take No Longer Than 20 MINS!!!

Has Your Double Glazing Steamed Up?

Established for over a decade Cloudy2Clear windows have become a leading company for glass replacement. Issues with double glazing can often be gradual and may only be noticed during a clear sunny day or during the winter. A failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed

double glazing? If you act now you can avoid these problems. Now, you may think you need to replace the whole window including the frames and all the hardware, however Cloudy2Clear have come up with a simple and cost saving solution… Just replace the glass!! If you see condensation in your windows just visit our website or give us a call on 0800 61 21 118. We will send out our highly

experienced engineers for a free no obligation quote. A Cloudy2Clear quote takes on average no longer than 20 minutes. Once the quote is completed, we will sit down with you and explain the problem and tell you how we can fix it. With years of experience Cloudy2Clear have a wealth of knowledge and are recognised as a Which Trusted Trader, plus our work is backed by an industry leading 25 year guarantee.

Cloudy2Clear also replace faulty locks handles and hinges on all windows and doors. Your friendly local Cloudy2Clear specialist is Andy Kerridge and he services the Ipswich, Woodbridge, Manningtree, East Bergholt, Capel St Mary Hadleigh, Stowmarket & surrounding areas. So, if your windows are steamed up, broken or damaged give Andy a call for a free quotation on 0800 61 21 118.

CarsSmart01473 25-25-25

WOODBRIDGE ipswich felixstowe

www.carssmart.co.uk

low cost, high value,24 hour cab service

Contactlesspayments are

welcome in allof our vehicles

8 In Touch online:

Call us on 01473 232121 or email at enquiry@prettys.co.uk

Elm House, 25 Elm Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2AD

@Prettys_Law Prettys www.prettys.co.uk@PrettysSolicitors

Our experienced personal injury lawyers handle accident claims arising out of incidents at work, home, on the roads, on holiday or in a public place in the UK or abroad.

We provide personal, dedicated and professional support from the moment that you contact us through to the conclusion of your case.

We deal with claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that whether or not your case is successful, you will not be responsible for our fees.

YOUR LOCAL PERSONAL INJURY SPECIALISTS

9www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/ipswicheast

ON THE GRAPEVINE

ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE’S BUBBLE RUSH 2020 POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19

St Elizabeth Hospice’s popular annual fundraiser, Bubble Rush, has been postponed until next year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Organised by Extreme Adventure in partnership with independent Suffolk charity, St Elizabeth Hospice, Bubble Rush is a 5km fun run held in Christchurch Park. Open to all ages and abilities, Bubble Rush sees participants start in a sea of foam before passing through bubble stations around the course where foam cannons pump out masses of coloured bubbles.

Following discussions between the event organiser, Ipswich Borough Council and the charity, the much-loved event, due to take place on September 5, has now been moved to Saturday 11 September 2021 as a result of government guidance concerning COVID-19.

“It is with a heavy heart we have to postpone Bubble Rush 2020,” said Joanne Rodger, Events and Challenges Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice.

“Alongside Ipswich Borough Council and Extreme Adventure, we have been monitoring the situation and exploring all avenues to ensure Bubble Rush could go ahead as normal but unfortunately this is not possible.

“Ensuring everyone is safe is paramount for us and that is why have made this difficult decision. The community has been a fantastic support to us throughout the pandemic, particularly by getting behind our #HereTogether campaign, and we look forward to hosting our full schedule of fundraising events in the future, when it is safe to do so.”

All participants who have purchased a ticket for Bubble Rush 2020 have been emailed by Extreme Adventure with further information. Their tickets will automatically be transferred to Bubble Rush 2021 unless they update Extreme Adventure by emailing bubbles@extreme-adventure.co.uk and choosing one of the following options by 5pm on September 5.

• Take part in Bubble Rush 2021 and tickets will be reissued in September 2020

• Donate entry fee to St Elizabeth Hospice and booking will be cancelled

• Request a credit voucher, which can be used to book tickets for Bubble Rush 2021. As per terms and conditions, tickets are not refundable

Lee Steward, Director of Morrison Freight, the Bubble Rush event sponsor, added: “To mark our company’s 30th anniversary we wanted to give something back and support what we feel is a fantastic independent charity, so being headline sponsor for the annual Bubble Rush was a perfect fit.

“With all the hard work and dedication by the team at St Elizabeth Hospice the postponement is disappointing, however ensuring everyone is safe and well is paramount during this unprecedented time, so it’s the correct decision.

“We understand charities such as the St Elizabeth Hospice will have seen much needed funding reduce significantly over the past few months, so have made the decision to support the Bubble Rush which will now be held in 2021.”

St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent Suffolk charity providing free services to improve life for people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness. Centered on an individual’s needs, the hospice provides specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice.

To find out more call 01473 727776 or visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk

THE NEXT STEPS FOR REINTRODUCING SERVICES IN SUFFOLK LIBRARIES

Most libraries in Suffolk have been open for the last few weeks, offering a Select and Collect service. There have been nearly 3,000 requests to use this service with more than 41,500 books and other items borrowed since libraries reopened.

Reservations from the library catalogue were also made available again last week and due to its popularity the select and collect service will remain available for the foreseeable future. Suffolk Libraries is now setting out plans for reintroducing more services over the coming weeks and months.

Some libraries are now offering access to computers for tasks such as Universal Credit applications and job seeking. Photocopying and printing are also being reintroduced in some libraries too. These services are being launched in a smaller number of sites first so Suffolk Libraries can check how new safety procedures are working before making them available again in all libraries by the end of August.

Customers will have to contact their library directly to make an appointment to use a computer and there will be cashless payment options for paying for printing and photocopying/scanning. Customers can check out the Suffolk Libraries website for updates of which libraries are offering pc access and printing, and photocopying/scanning.

Krystal Vittles, Suffolk Libraries head of service delivery, said:“We’re very pleased with how reopening libraries has gone so far and are grateful to customers for their patience and support. It’s important that we get a balance between getting things back to normal and taking sensible steps to protect people’s health and wellbeing. We’d advise people to check our website for updates regularly as we reintroduce services across the county.”

Suffolk Libraries intends to reintroduce browsing in libraries by the end of September with activities being introduced from November onwards. The aim is to also reintroduce normal library opening hours when and where possible over the coming months with the aim to get libraries back to their pre-lockdown opening hours by the end of the calendar year. As with all these plans, everything is subject to changes in government advice and local COVID-19 infection rates.

It will now a legal requirement for all visitors to a library to wear a face covering.

Once customers enter the library to use a printer or pc, they will also be invited to take part in the test and trace process by leaving their name and contact details. Their details will only be used for test and trace purposes and staff will dispose of the information after 21 days.

10 In Touch online:

ON THE GRAPEVINE

A 22-year-old woman is taking on a 200-mile horse ride along the East Anglian coast in memory of her late father while fundraising for St Elizabeth Hospice who cared for him in his final days.

Starting from her home in Eyke, Georgie Veale and her 19-year-old, former show horse, Plum will be riding along the region’s coast over the course of a week in memory of her late father Jonnie Veale who passed away from cancer ten years ago while being cared for at the Ipswich based hospice.

Embarking on their journey on 5 September, Georgie and Plum, accompanied by her mother Sarah and horse Peter, will ride 20 miles-a-day, while joined by friends and family for support, before reaching their destination at Holkham, in Norfolk, on 11 September.

Georgie, who works as a graduate surveyor in London, said: “I wanted to do a memorable fundraising event to raise as much money as possible for St Elizabeth Hospice, ten years on since they took incredible care of my father during his final days.

“Their care and generosity allows families to be there with their loved ones during their final days. Without them, my father wouldn’t have been in a relaxed environment surrounded by friends and family, which we are extremely grateful for.”

The chosen route has been meticulously planned as to avoid bridges, gates and other rural obstacles which would prove challenging to a horse, while along the way Georgie and Plum will be stopping overnight at various stables to recuperate which have been kindly offered by supporters en route.

As the adventure fast approaches Plum’s fitness regime is in full force, with Georgie taking her for long rides across diverse terrain, such as climbing over fallen down trees, ascending steep hills and trekking, to keep her fit in preparation for their fundraising ride.

While Peter, a retired police horse who has been lent to Georgie and Sarah

by their sponsors Happy Horse Saddlery and Ryder-Davies & Partners, is also joining Plum in her training regime ahead of their challenge.

“My inspiration for this trip was to take part in something I love for this charity. My father was always supportive of my riding, while my grandmother Angela Veale, took part in a sponsored ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 1948,” explained Georgie.

“I am really excited to get started and to witness the east coast’s gorgeous scenery as we ride on the beach, swim in the sea with the horses and just appreciate how lucky we are to live here.”

Celia Joseph, Area Fundraising Development Manager at St Elizabeth Hospice, added: “As an independent charity we rely on the generosity of community support for our fundraising to ensure we can provide our much needed service and care provision to patients and their families.

“We are extremely grateful for this tremendous support and want to say a big thank you and good luck to Georgie and Plum as they take on their challenge and we encourage everyone to get behind them and support them with their fundraising.”

St Elizabeth Hospice is an independent Suffolk charity providing free services to improve life for people living with a progressive or life limiting illness throughout Suffolk, including Great Yarmouth and Waveney where the hospice provides specialist palliative care services to the community in partnership with the social enterprise, East Coast Community Healthcare.

Centred on an individual’s needs, the hospice provides specialist support, whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice.

To donate towards Georgie Veale’s challenge visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/georgie-veale

To find out more about St Elizabeth Hospice call 01473 727776 or visit: www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk

EPIC 200-MILE HORSE RIDE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR ST ELIZABETH HOSPICE

11www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/ipswicheast

R E N O V A T E O R S I M P L Y U P D A T E

I N A S L I T T L E A S A D A YGive your kitchen a stylish new look without going through all the disruption of ripping out your old one. Our bespoke worktops and

replacement doors are made to cover existing surfaces precisely, leaving a hardwearing and luxurious � nish. Known as ‘The Top That Fits On Top’, it’s a winning combination of strength and slimline dimensions that has made us a household success around the world.

AFTER

BEFORE

Fitted in one dayProfessionally � tted,

no debris, no dust, no disruption

WorktopsGranite, quartz and recycled

glass surfaces

DoorsOver 100 combinations of

Made-to-Measure doors

For a free consultation please call or visit:

IPSWICH SHOWROOM:01473 851 360

Unit 3, Alstons Court, Leslie Rd, Ipswich, Su� olk IP3 9PL

granitetransformations.co.uk/ipswich

COLCHESTER SHOWROOM:01206 807 347

Hat� elds Home Furnishers, Peartree Rd,Stanway, Essex CO3 0LA

granitetransformations.co.uk/colchester

FITTEDIN ONEDAY ●

M

AXIM U M STYL

E ●M

I NI M

U M H A S S LE

W E A R E O P E N F O R B U S I N E S S **We are working within the COVID-19 guidelines. For more information visit: granitetransformations.co.uk

12 In Touch online:

We all know the benefits of being fit and active and never has this been more important, as we all deal with the impacts and e�ects of the Coronavirus on our daily lives. Fitting in 30 minutes of physical activity a day can be challenging, but by building it into our daily routines and choosing to walk or cycle to work, school or the shops it allows us to get active and do our bit for the environment at the same time.

With the recent launch of the Government’s new cycling and walking plan, which includes improved infrastructure, cycle training and free bike repair vouchers, it’s the perfect time to change our habits and use our daily travel as an opportunity to get active and stay active.

To find out more about the Active travel improvements for cycling and walking in Su�olk visit:

www.su�olk.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/active-travel-improvements-for-cycling-and-walking

for Free Su�olk Roadsafe Cycle training Cycling is a superb way of getting some fresh air, maintaining fitness levels, and enjoying the countryside. Its popularity for commuting to work is on the increase, as are the number of families who take to the highways and byways at the weekend.

Su�olk Roadsafe are currently o�ering free adult cyclist Level 3 Bikeability training, via local trainers, which will refresh your cycling skills and help you to cycle positively on urban journeys.

For full details and to discuss your requirements email: CyclistTraining@su�olkhighways.org

The case for sustainable transport is stronger than ever

Walking and cycling can play a huge role in tackling some of the biggest health and environmental challenges that we face.

Our aim at Su�olk County Council is simple - encourage more people to get out and about by walking, cycling and public transport instead of cars. We want to embed sustainable transport as part of a long-term habit and reap the associated health, air quality and congestion benefits.

We’re already making changes here in Su�olk. In line with the Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines we’ve made several emergency changes to road layouts in Ipswich by closing o� sections of roads to motorised vehicles, widening existing footpaths and cycle lanes, providing temporary footpaths and cycle lanes.

Walking and cycling schemes are now being considered in Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Beccles, Felixstowe, Stowmarket and Sudbury.

I believe, we’ve got a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a shift in attitudes for generations to come, and get more people choosing to walk or cycle for their short journeys and for longer journeys coupled with public transport. I want everyone to feel the transformative benefits of sustainable travel in Su�olk for our health and wellbeing and the environment. I am committed to making this vision a reality.

Councillor Andrew Reid Su�olk County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Rural A�airs

The Keep Moving Su�olk website is a trusted source of information, advice and useful links to help you, your family and local community to get active and stay active.Send us your videos and images to show us how you are keeping active using #keepmovingsu�olk www.keepmovingsu�olk.com

Health benefits from physical activityPhysical activity, like cycling and walking, can help to prevent and manage over 20 chronic conditions and diseases, including some cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression. Physical inactivity is responsible for one in six UK deaths (equal to smoking) and is estimated to cost the UK £7.4 billion annually (including £0.9 billion to the NHS alone)Source: Gear Change A bold vision for cycling and walking

Councillor Andrew Reid blog…

CyclistTraining@su�olkhighways.org

13www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/ipswicheast

ON THE GRAPEVINE

The Global Shorelines Project was started by Kevin J Healy. A local resident, Kevin studied Fine Art Printmaking at Brighton School of Art under Harvey Daniels and Tim Mara 1979-81, followed by a Postgraduate in Education.

He worked for 32 years as a Head of Art, Head of Expressive Arts and Assistant Principal in Suffolk schools. Following retirement, Kevin began to produce responses to shorelines in graphic media, print and photography. All of his work for the shorelines project is given free, in aid of marine conservation initiatives. He is currently working towards the live launch exhibition, but he needs your help.

“When my wife and I retired, in common with many retirees, we started travelling to see the many places we were unable to see while working and bringing up children. We love to travel and to walk along the sea on distant coasts. However, we are very aware of the impact our travel has on the environment.

“It was with that in mind that I started the Global Shorelines Project. The initial intention was to produce and sell my own artwork and photographs, with the proceeds going to a marine conservation charity. However, the remit of the project grew as it progressed. Why not do a collaborative project, making use of social media and camera phone technology to pull in visual contributions across the entire planet.”

From this small beginning, Kevin has gradually collected shoreline imagery from the UK, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Thailand, USA, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Honduras, Guatemala, Italy, and beyond. The list goes on!

The Global Shorelines Project was initially intended as an online project, followed by live events to draw in collaborators, purchasers and sponsors.

The first (launch) exhibition will take place at 142 Gallery, Hamilton Road from 24-30 September. Kevin plans to follow this initial launch with larger scale exhibitions in the UK and Ireland in 2021, and then in the USA and Australasia in 2022. In each case, the project will partner with local marine conservation charities and sponsors.

This project is not focused on the work of professional photographers. Kevin is seeking contributions from amateur photographers, walkers, beachcombers, surfers, swimmers, sailors, artists, scientists, naturalists, etc. Basically, anyone who enjoys the sea and who would like to support marine conservation work across the planet.

If you are a potential contributor, or you would be willing to sponsor an exhibition or provide an exhibition space, Kevin would like to hear from you.

Why not visit the website to look at the existing work, or visit the upcoming exhibition to talk directly with the artist. This is a chance to support a project from the locality, which intends to be truly international in its scope.

Please mark any photograph donated to the project with the location of the shot and your name and/or social media tag using the email:globalshorelines@btinternet.co

www.globalshorelines.com / Twitter: @ComShorelines

THE GLOBAL SHORELINES PROJECT

14 In Touch online:

SPORT / CHURCH NEWS

As some areas of our lives start to come out of lockdown, we appreciate and understand that the last few months have affected us all in different ways. Do you have questions? Do you ever wonder if there is more to life than this?

Fields Church is running an Alpha course this autumn. A place to come and ask those questions you’ve always wanted to ask about faith, life, death... anything in fact! This will be an online course with video teaching and time for discussion. Why not take a little time to learn more about yourself and the Christian faith? What have you got to lose?

Contact us via hello@fieldschurch.uk if you’d like to know more or search us out on: https://alpha.org.uk

We are meetinag together virtually at 10am each Sunday to hear a message from God’s word, which you can find on YouTube by searching ‘fields church uk’. In September we will be continuing our series on prayer, looking at the fundamentals of what it means to pray. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with new messages and series.

We would love you to join us in one of our weekly life groups on Zoom, or our daily half-hour prayer meeting. These are a brilliant opportunity to lift each other up and our world in prayer to our faithful God. Times vary each day so please email hello@fieldschurch.uk to find out more.

Find us online at www.fieldschurch.uk or on social media for more details and to find out how to join us. As a community and church family, we would love to be able to support you so please get in touch. We would love to hear from you!

While some of us have been able to attend Sunday services at St John’s Church, Cauldwell Hall Road and St Andrews, Britannia Road, Bixley Farm Church has not yet resumed meeting at Tower Hall. We will be making announcements on this very soon. Meanwhile, if you would like to attend a Sunday services at the above venues, you will be very welcome.

Prayers, sermons and readings are as before and while we miss congregational singing, we are able to listen to a singer, which along with the quiet inside of the church creates a contemplative space that many find helpful. Please see our website for details of how to request a seat or call 01473 270978. We would remind you that, following the latest government guidelines, facemasks have to be worn during the service. These services are also being streamed live on YouTube. Links to these and other online meetings and resources can all be accessed via the MIE website.

We mentioned last month that two members of our church have been raising funds for Age UK’s COVID-19 Emergency Appeal. The amount raised, including Gift Aid, is now in excess of £5,000, which is a tremendous achievement.

It’s not too late to listen to their music and contribute via this link: www.justgiving.com/deborah-and-nick

This continues to be a very difficult time for many and may yet get worse as furlough ends and possible unemployment for many; coupled with the possibility of a

second COVID-19 spike leading to a rise in infections and further deaths. All of this on top of environmental challenges, social unrest and political uncertainty. Many of our assumptions about what constitutes a normal life may need to be jettisoned, or at least questioned, even here in normally quiet Suffolk. Our continued readings through the Bible, now in the Book of Isaiah, shows that abandoning God and trusting in the powers around them did not serve the people at that time well as they were eventually overwhelmed by external events. It also shows God’s heart for justice and mercy, and we have plenty of opportunities to demonstrate these qualities now.

But we also read in Isaiah 54.10: “For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will never be broken”. We pray that we may all experience God’s love and peace at this time.

We will inform you in future editions of plans for the autumn. In the meantime, if you would like to find out more, and join us or an Alpha group, please contact us at: office@mie.org.uk / 01473 270978

www.mie.org.uk

It’s OK to croquet! With the easement of pandemic restrictions, croquet is a great way to take gentle exercise in the open air. It’s a social sport of tactics and guile rather than physical strength and can be enjoyed by all ages.

Ipswich Croquet Club is keen to revitalise this great sport and is throwing open its doors to all who would like to have a go free of charge and discover why croquet can become so addictive.

Our lawns are at Fynn Valley (IP6 9JA) where we share the beautiful parkland setting and purpose built clubhouse, bar and restaurant with Fynn Valley Golf Club.

A full annual membership entitles you to play as often as you like during daylight hours throughout the year for as little as £2.50 a week. Furthermore, all the equipment you will need to get started is provided.

This is a chance not to be missed. Just turn up any Saturday between 10am and noon and there will be a friendly face to show you the ropes and tell you about the club. After a game you might like to visit the club house for a drink and BBQ. Children are welcome.

For more information: www.ipswichcroquetclub.com

E: croquetclub.ipswich@gmail.com

IPSWICH CROQUET CLUB

15www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/ipswicheast

To a

dver

tise

in th

is se

ction

, whi

ch a

ppea

rs in

18

mag

azin

es in

are

as a

cros

s Suff

olk

and

Esse

x, p

leas

e co

ntac

t a m

embe

r of o

ur sa

les t

eam

on

0147

3 40

0380

Steve from Woodbridge asks: “I am coming up to my 60th birthday and although I don’t intend to retire now, I would like to take the tax-free lump sum from my pension to pay for a new car and a special holiday. I don’t want to buy an annuity, as I am going to keep working, and I won’t need the extra income yet. Is it possible to just have the lump sum and not take an income from the remaining pension fund?”

Yes, it is Steve. You can actually take the benefits from a pension, including the tax-free lump sum, at any age from 55 onwards. Also, after taking the lump sum you no longer have to buy an annuity with your remaining pension fund (the income for life that your pension fund historically would have purchased from an insurance or annuity company).

You have explained in your email to me that you are a self-employed electrician and that you pay higher rate tax on some of your earnings. Not only do you not need the additional income from an annuity right now, but also, if you did take that income it would be added to your self-employed earnings and taxed at 40%, which just does not make sense.

Your pension fund is valued at around £200,000. You can take a maximum of 25% of the fund value as a tax-free pension commencement lump sum, (PCLS), so in your case that will be around £50,000. To be able to take the PCLS without having to buy an annuity you will need to transfer your current personal pension into a Self-Invested Personal Pension or SIPP and enter into flexible access pension drawdown.

After transferring your current personal pension into a SIPP, up to 25% of the pension fund is taken as a tax-free lump sum straight away – the £50,000 referred to above. However, instead of buying an annuity with your remaining pension fund, the money stays invested within the SIPP wrapper as a flexible pension drawdown fund.

An income can be withdrawn from the fund, but you don’t have to take an income if you don’t want to.

When you do decide to take an income, as the name ‘Flexible Access Drawdown’ implies, you can take as much or as little as you want, although you should of course consider the impact of large withdrawals on the fund value and you should always try to take a sustainable amount.

There are a number of advantages with flexible access drawdown over buying an annuity:• The tax-free lump sum can be taken straight away regardless of when you start taking any income.• The income can be varied or deferred completely and when you do take income it can be changed to suit your needs • You can purchase an annuity at any time, e.g. if rates improve.• The fund remains invested in a tax-efficient pension wrapper.• You can even continue making additional pension contributions into a separate section of the plan, and (from that part of it) you can take a further tax-free lump sum at a later date.• When you die, the pension fund passes to your nominated beneficiaries.

There can also be some disadvantages: • Annuity rates may have fallen when want to buy an annuity.• The remaining fund value is not guaranteed and is dependent on investment performance, just as your pension fund is now. That means your fund value and any income produced by that fund is not guaranteed and the value of the fund and any income produced from it can fall.

However, for someone like you, who doesn’t need additional income for the foreseeable future, but who wants access to their tax-free lump sum now, flexible drawdown can be an excellent option.

Nick Plumb is an Independent Financial Adviser and Practice Principal at Plumb Financial Services. Post your questions to Nick at Plumb Financial Services, Baylham Business Centre, Lower Street, Baylham, Suffolk IP6 8JP, email nickplumb@aol.com, or telephone Nick on 01473 830301. Nick’s comments and answers to reader’s questions in this column are provided only as a general guide and do not constitute personal financial advice. Any readers who require advice on their own situation should contact Nick to arrange a no-obligation complimentary initial consultation to discuss their own position. Plumb Financial Services are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

QUESTIONS ON CASHWITH INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL ADVISER NICK PLUMB