S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Articles for the October edition by 15 September, please

The Kirton & Falkenham

Review

The magazine for the villages of Kirton & FalkenhamPhoto by Martin RH

S E P T E M B E R R O T A S

Page 20

Flower Rota Kirton Church

3rd and 10th! Hester and Debbie Doggett

17th and 24th! June Wells and Jen R-H

24th is Harvest Festival! All Arrangers

Brass Cleaning Rota Kirton Church

9th! Margaret Pearl

23rd! Alan Davy

Kirton Church Cleaning Rota

5th! Angela Moss and Nicki Norman

12th! 2nd Kirton Brownies

19th! Jen Richmond Hardy

26th! Pat Todd and Janet Jones

Falkenham Church Cleaning Rota

4th! Joyce Haines & Pat Ling

11th! Myrtle Posford

18th! Sue Parrish

25th! Maureen Pinner

Kirton Coffee Rota

4th! Maddy Rhodes & Margaret Condick

11th! Roy Mallett & Alison Sheeran

18th! Ann & Eddie Colvill

25th! Alison Vickers & June Shepherd

PCC Meetings

Sept 9! Kirton! 10:00am Church Hall

Oct 18" Falkenham" 10:00am F’ham Church

The Kirton & Falkenham Review is published by the Parochial Church Council of St Mary & St Martin, Kirton, Suffolk. The appearance of any advert in this publication should not be taken as the PCC's endorsement of the product or service.

Twinkletoes pre-schoolTrimley St MartinMethodist ChurchTel: 07763 816224

01394 212632book your child’s FREE place

for the new termfor children aged 2–5

5 sessions per week free foryour child the term after their

third birthday

C H U R C H S E R V I C E S

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B I B L E R E A D I N G S F O R S E P T E M B E R

4th Ezekiel 33.7-11 Romans 13.8–end Matthew 18.15-20 11th Genesis 50.15-21 Romans 14.1-12 Matthew 18.21-35 18th Jonah 3.10-4.11 Phillippians 1.21-30 Matthew 20.1-1625th Deuteronomy 8.7-18 Timothy 6.6-19 Luke 16,19-31 Deuteronomy 8.7-18 <Harvest Lessons> John 6.25-35

For the daily readings see www.io.com/~kellywp/ and discover some saints and other folk who influenced lives yesterday and today.

September 20114th Trinity 11

Falkenham9.00am Revd J. Andrews H.C.Methodist9.45am Revd David Kemble SacramentKirton10.15am Edna Collins Family Service11th Trinity 12

Falkenham9.00am Revd C. Leffler H.C.Methodist9.45am Revd Jack BinghamKirton10.15am Revd Helen Davy H.C.

18th Trinity 13

Falkenham09.00am Revd G. Harrison H.C.Methodist9.45am Peter CrickKirton10.15am Roy Tricker M.P.Sunday Club in the Church Hall25th Trinity 14

Falkenham9.00am Revd P Leitch Morning PrayerMethodist9.45am Brian Nichols Kirton10.15am Revd Helen Davy Harvest Festival

Mid week Communion at Kirton ChurchEvery Wednesday at 9.30 a.m.

M O T H E R S U N I O N

Thursday 22nd September! Meeting in the Church Hall.

Come with ideas on how we can celebrate 25 years of our Branch.

Harvest Festival – Falkenham Church on October 2nd

Our service starts at 11am, followed at approx. 12.30 by a Porkie Barbie. At about 2pm, Geraldine Patey and Friends will be providing a short 'Musical'. Tickets (limit of 50) are £5 and include the Porkie Barbie, pudding and a glass of wine. Tickets are available from Loraine Beer and Pauline French.

Baptism ! August 14th! Gracie May Richardson

Marriages! August 6th! James Alexander Redbond and Shona Elizabeth Crosbie

! August 13th! James Andrew Grimwood and Daniela Silharova

Falkenham Church blessing! Beverly Elizabeth and Neil John Bixby

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LIVING STONESI doubt there are many people in the western world, Christian or otherwise, who have not heard of St Francis of Assisi. He has been a charismatic figure across the centuries and has inspired, and still inspires people today, to a joyful living of the simple gospel life

After his death the “little poor man” was canonised as a saint with all the ritual trappings of the Roman church, but the true Franciscan legacy is the legacy of gospel simplicity. Back to basics, caring for people, animals, the earth and living in simple harmony and peace without greed.

Francis’ society was very like our own, one of material growth and the rise of individualism as a strong merchant class was arising to overthrown the old feudal system of the middle ages. Francis’ father was a wealthy, social-climbing member of that society.

One day Francis was at prayer before the cross in the rather tumble-down church of St Damiano and he believed that he was being commissioned by the voice of Christ from the figure on the cross to “Go out and rebuild my church”. But Francis misinterpreted the message. His, typically impulsive, response to rush out and buy stones and reconstruct a building was not what he was being told to do. Fortunately, as a result of a dream, he soon realised his mistake and understood that he was being challenged to rebuild the Christian community, the living stones, people. It was God’s living church that needed reconstructing. People needed to be rescued from the materialism of the age. Things are not so different today.

It is so difficult when so much real energy goes into the preservation of religious buildings, not just here but everywhere. It is not easy to balance the effort that goes into essential fund-raising for the roof or the tower with the energy needed to build up the living stones of communities and congregations.

Francis’ message from the St Damiano cross still has something very valid to say to us today.

Mandy Archer

V I L L A G E D I A R Y – S E P T

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Thursday ! 1! 13:30! Parent & Toddler CHFriday ! 2! 19:00! Ballroom Dancing class CHMonday ! 5! 10:45! Line Dancing! ! 18:00! Mixed Martial Arts CH! ! 19:30! Whist Drive VHWednesday ! 7! 09:30! Yoga RP! ! 09:30! Holy Communion KC! ! 10:30! Church Office CH! ! 18:00! Mixed Martial Arts CHThursday ! 8! 13:30! Parent & Toddler CH! ! 14:00! WI VH! ! 19:00! Gardeners Club VHFriday ! 9! 10:00! Kirton PCC CH! ! 19:00! Ballroom Dancing class CHSaturday ! 10! ! Historic Churches Trust Cycle RideMonday ! 12! 10:45! Line Dancing! ! 18:00! Mixed Martial Arts CH! ! 19:30! Parish Council RP! ! 19:30! Whist Drive VHTuesday ! 13! 10:00! Open Circle 18BHL! ! 14:00! Ladies' Keep Fit CH! ! 19:30! Deben Flower Club CHWednesday ! 14! 09:30! Yoga RP! ! 09:30! Holy Communion KC! ! 10:30! Church Office CH! ! 14:30! Tea Shop CH! ! 18:00! Mixed Martial Arts CHThursday ! 15! ! REVIEW & DIARY DEADLINE! ! 13:30! Parent & Toddler CHFriday ! 16! 19:00! Ballroom Dancing class CHSunday ! 18! 10:15! Sunday Club CHMonday ! 19! 10:45! Line Dancing! ! 18:00! Mixed Martial Arts CH! ! 19:30! Whist Drive VHTuesday ! 20! 14:00! Ladies' Keep Fit CHWednesday ! 21! 09:30! Yoga RP! ! 09:30! Holy Communion KC! ! 10:30! Church Office CH! ! 18:00! Mixed Martial Arts CHThursday ! 22! 13:30! Parent & Toddler CHFriday ! 23! 19:00! Ballroom Dancing class CHSaturday ! 24! 19:30! Michael J Fitch CHMonday ! 26! 10:45! Line Dancing! ! 18:00! Mixed Martial Arts CH! ! 19:30! Whist Drive VHTuesday ! 27! 14:00! Ladies' Keep Fit CH! ! 19:30! Mothers Union CHWednesday ! 28! 09:30! Yoga RP! ! 09:30! Holy Communion KC! ! 10:30! Church Office CH! ! 14:30! Tea Shop CH! ! 18:00! Mixed Martial Arts CHThursday ! 29! 13:30! Parent & Toddler CHFriday ! 30! 19:00! Ballroom Dancing class CH

KeyCH! Church HallKC ! Kirton ChurchMC ! Methodist ChurchRP! Recreation Ground PavilionVH! Village Hall

Here to help you…

Organising an event?

– check for clashing events

Changed or cancelled your event dates?

Please tell The Diary by emailing

diary@kirton-suffolk.info

or drop a note at 45 BHL

You can publish your event on the Village web site

There’s a news blog and pages for your organisation – you only have to ask.

www.kirton-suffolk.info

Latest diary information is available at www.kirton-

suffolk.info/diary/diary.html

or view in Google Calendar

Page 18

Kirton Church Harvest FestivalYou are welcome to the Harvest Festival service at Kirton Church, which will be on Sunday 25 September at 10.15am. We’ll enjoy a shared lunch together in the Church Hall after the service, starting at 12noon. Please bring a plate of food (savoury or sweet) to share. It’ll be relaxed and friendly – you’re very welcome – adults and children – on your own or with your family.

Harvest Gifts – We’re told that last year Felixstowe Seafarers Centre really appreciated our gifts, which were given to seafarers by the chaplains. They said “Yes please” for us to do the same this year. Please think of what would be appreciated by a sailor at sea – packets of nuts, dried fruit, biscuits, sweets and so on. Other non-perishables such as rice and canned peaches would also be welcome.

If you can’t make it that day, you could leave your gift in Kirton Church porch beforehand.

The Seafarers Centre won’t be able to take perishable food. If any is given at the Harvest service we’ll make it available afterwards for donations. Any money collected will also be given to the Seafarers Centre.

We look forward to seeing you at Kirton Church Harvest Festival service.

C H U R C H C O N T A C T S

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Rural Dean and RectorRevd. Canon Geoffrey Grant! 01473 659232

Ordained Local MinisterRevd. Helen Davy! 01394 270703

Revd. Derek King! 01394 270815

ReadersEdna Collins! 01394 282718

Stephen Harvey! 01394 448780

Roy Tricker! 01473 718267

Church WardensKirton

Barbara Payne! 01394 448582

Falkenham

Lorraine Beer! 01394 448490

Pauline French! 01394 448019

Church Office

Wednesdays" 10:30 – 12:00

Sunday Club this month is on the 18th September in Kirton Church Hall from 10.15am to 11.15am with crafts, Bible stories and games. Everyone welcome.

Further details from Rita King 448389

Methodist ChurchRevd. David Kemble! 01394 282023

email:! kemble1@btopenworld.com

Methodist Church Secretary

Helen Robertson! 01394 448395

Methodist Coffee Morning 24 September

10:00–11:30am

Coffee & cake and a friendly chat

Everyone very welcome

Open Circle

13 Sept 10:00am

18 Burnt House Lane

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C H R I S T M A S D I N N E R

For several years I have organised a Christmas Dinner in aid of East Anglia Children's Hospice with a lot of help from volunteers. Unfortunately I am unable to do so this year. Is there anyone out there who would like to take it on? I am very happy to share any information and contact details that would be needed. It is not an onerous task, it more or less organises itself. If no-one is able to do it, then hopefully I will be able to do so for Christmas 2012. Please contact me if you would like more information before making a decision.

Linda Negus, K. 448354

My recent need for personal “maintenance and adjustment” has this year restricted my attendance at steam events. For the same reason I was unable to take my traction engine to the village fete in spring. Nevertheless, with support from a number of friends, I hope to keep the railway rolling.

Indeed, I was recently asked by the Felixstowe Lions Club to help entertain a group of about twenty children from the

Chernobyl area of Ukraine whose lives have been seriously affected by the nuclear accident of 1986. The weather was kind on the day and support for the event was generous. Thanks to all who helped including Julie who cooked 70 iced and individually decorated buns for the children. None went to waste!

The Lions Club later presented me with a cheque for £199 to be given to a charity of my choice. I passed this on to St Elizabeth's Hospice where it was greatly appreciated.

I hope to run a few more railway days on a relatively small scale over the coming months. Please look out for notices and come and join in if possible.

Fred Last, Station Master

Painting, Decorating &General Home MaintenanceAMG Services – your local supplier

For a free quote and adviceCall Gerry on01394 285447 or07980 370136

Page 17

Deben Flower ClubOur club outing to Highgrove House was a resounding success. What a fantastic garden! Or rather a series of connecting fantastic gardens! A long journey – yes, but well worth the 7.30am start and 10pm return. It would have been good to have had a bit more sunshine and of course we would all have liked to take photographs but understandably this was not allowed.

Our welcome was warm and our guide most knowledgeable and entertaining. The introductory video recorded by HRH Prince Charles really gave an indication of his dedication to organic gardening and his genuine love of Highrove.

The tour was almost two hours long but the time went by so quickly we hardly felt we had been there five minutes. A welcome cup of tea in the Tea Room and a browse around the shop and plant area rounded off the day very nicely.

Our new season starts on Tuesday 13th September with a demonstration by Mrs. Sandra Price from Walton–on–the-Naze Essex. Title: “Colour Matters”

So why not join the Deben Flower Club?

You are assured of a warm welcome when you join us for a demonstration of Flower Arranging, presented by professional designers.

The monthly meetings are a relaxing evening’s entertainment and require no experience or participation. However for those who would like more, there are endless opportunities for “hands-on” flower arranging.

We are fortunate within the club to have qualified floral art teachers who would be happy to organize workshops for both beginners and advanced students should there be sufficient interest.

The Deben Flower Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month except August at 7.30pm. in: Kirton Church Hall, Church Lane, Kirton, Nr. Felixstowe.

Annual Subscription: £25.00

Visitors always welcome: £4.00

For further information please telephone

01473 736651 or 01394 411422

Cycle Ride RefreshmentsSaturday 10th September

Kirton Brownies will be serving refreshments to support the Cycle Ride or anyone who would like lunch out in the village.

10am – 3 pm Kirton Church Hall

Brownies will serve at the table Ploughmans lunches. sandwiches, jacket potatoes and our popular blackberry and apple crumble and custard. There will be teas and coffees and a selection of cakes and scones to eat in or take away. We look forward to seeing you.

If not cycling just come along and enjoy a waitress served lunch in the village.

Judith Potter

N O T I C E S

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Kirton Keep Fit ClassTuesdays from 2pm – 3.30pm

in Kirton Church Hall

Term starts Tuesday 13 September

NO class on 18 October

Last class of this term 6 December

Penny Thomas 01394 283973 or penny.thomas@mypostoffice.co.uk

Suffolk Historic Churches Trust Bike RideSeptember 10

There is still time to join the Bike Ride . Please see me if you want a form.

Joy Bignell, 6 Rectory Lane

Mobile library ! Sept 13 & 27

Weir Place" 11.50am – 12.00pm

Oakdene" 12.05pm – 12.20pm

Guston Gardens" 12.25pm – 12.55pm

Falkenham Dog House" 1.00 – 1.10pm

Kirton & Falkenham WIThe WI normally meets on the second Thursday of each month at 2pm in the Village Hall.

However, in August the meeting is replaced by an outing, and so there is no monthly report this time.

Next meeting: Thursday September 8th Village Hall 2pm.

The speaker will be Mr. Malcolm and the subject : The History of Fish and Chips.

The competition will be A Fish Recipe.

Visitors who would like to see what the WI meetings are like would be most welcome. We have gained several new members this year, but have room for more!

Maddy Rhodes

(Val Bines is taking a rest during August)

Our programme of indoor evening meetings kicks off on Tuesday, 20th September with a talk with slides by Alex Bass on “Suffolk and the Brecks at their finest”. Come and learn what The Brecks are. The meeting takes place at Broadway House, Orwell Road, Felixstowe and starts at 7.30pm. Entry costs £2 per person – all welcome.

On Saturday, 1st October, Nigel Odin will be demonstrating bird ringing and discussing bird migration at Landguard Bird Observatory.

Meet at the Landguard Fort Car Park at 7.30 a.m. (map ref. TM 285319). Donations welcome.

Ann Worledge

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Church LibraryBook Review for September 2011“Epic” by John EldredgeLife is a story; and we all love stories don’t we? From an early age we are told fairy stories. There is usually a hero, someone we can look up to; and there is always a villain, someone who spoils things. We like happy endings too. We love it when the villain gets his just deserts; the wolf is killed by Red Riding Hood’s father just in time to save her, Cinderella gets her prince in spite of the wicked stepmother and ugly sisters, big Billy Goat Gruff defeats the big bad troll, and so on. Then the little ones can go to bed happy, knowing that all’s right with the world; or is it?

Most of us also love the movies, but we often feel life is a bit like a film we’ve arrived at late. Something important is going on but we’re not quite sure what it is. As Sam says in ‘The Lord of The Rings,’

“ What sort of tale have I fallen into?”

Every day opens like a new scene; sometimes happy, sometimes sad. An unexpected meeting leads to the love of a lifetime, an accident leads to the death of a loved one, a note on the kitchen table tells you he’s leaving you for good, a routine trip to the doctor leads to a frightening diagnosis. What’s going on here? Is life just a lottery of chance, or is it all leading somewhere?

The writer G.K. Chesterton said,

“I have always felt life first as a story-

And if there is a story there is a storyteller.”

Will our story have a happy ending? Or is it, as Shakespeare said, a tale

“told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing?”

Many people think of the gospel as a fairy tale but, as Frederick Beuchner says,

‘it is a fairy tale with a crucial difference, it claims to be true!’

It may seem to be too good to be true but we do appear to have an inbuilt desire to see a happy ending. Has God planted this desire within us and dare we hope that our story will turn out to have a happy ending?

Read this wonderful little book and find out how each one of us fits into the story of life on earth. If you have always wanted to star in a movie, this is your chance.

If you would like to borrow this book it is available from the bookshelf at the back of the church. Just sign it out in the usual way.

Ann Patton

Sunday Club this month is on the 18th September in Kirton Church Hall from 10.15am to 11.15am with crafts, Bible stories and games. Everyone welcome.

Further details from Rita King 448389

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Cruse Bereavement CareAre you a retired professional who would like to put your career experience and skills to good use? The Suffolk Coastal branch of Cruse Bereavement Care is in urgent need of someone to attend county and branch committee meetings and to do some liaison and administrative work. You would be helping us to continue to provide a service to bereaved people in the area. If you would like to find out more, please phone Sue Wilson on 01728 747529 for an informal chat.

E D I T O R ’ S P A G E

Page 15

This edition of the Review has been edited by Martin Richmond-Hardy while Nick has a well-deserved holiday. Thank you, Martin.

Any handwritten articles for inclusion in the October Review should be with Maddy by 10th September.

This edition is available in colour on the Village Web site.

www.kirton-suffolk.info

Review Editor

Nick Claydon" 01394 448812Email:" review@unicorndesigners.co.uk

Editorial Team

Maddy Rhodes" 01394 448549Linda Negus" 01394 448354Revd. Canon Geoffrey Grant

Advertising

To advertise in the Review please call Roy Mallett on 01394 448616 or email roymallett@tiscali.co.uk

Photo Fixing

Do you have any broken photos? If so, contact Nick at the usual address. Fixable photos include:–

Too dark / light" FadedRipped" Colour cast

Page 14

Children's Society

As a result of the Box Opening morning on 2 August, about £365 was raised for the Society, which works with children and young people in England and Wales who are living in difficult circumstances. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this total. People are often apologetic about the amount in their individual boxes, but there's no need to be – together it all adds up!

If you still have an unemptied box, please bring it to me.

Maddy Rhodes

Michael J Fitch Evening

24 Sept.

SOLD

OUT

www.fernsidebandb.co.uk

gillianhague@hotmail.com

Page 7

is proud to announce its 2011 production:

Fates Threadby Stephen Bean

This play is a ghost story, a murder mystery, and a light comedy.

It’s a race against time to save a soul.!

Please join us on Saturday 22nd October 2011 in Kirton Church Hall

Doors Open at 7pm, Show Starts 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced at £ 10.00 per person, and include a Fish & Chip Supper, to be served after the play.

Tickets go on sale 1st September 2011 and can be purchased from Norah & Michael on 01394 448238 – please ensure you place your food order at the time of purchase.

The choices are Cod, Sausage or Vegetarian Burger.

Bring Your Own Bottle.

Deadline for ticket sales is 8th Oct. to allow for catering arrangements – thank you.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Kirton & Falkenham Youth Club! re-opens Thursday 8th September 2011

KAFY club is open to any young person who lives in either Kirton or Falkenham and who will be in school years 7 to 10 in September 2011.

We open term times only and meet at the pavilion on Kirton Recreation Ground

Thursday evenings

7pm-9pm

If your would like more details please contact

Jo Shaw 448784 or Susan Harvey 448780

K & F G A R D E N E R S ’ C L U B

Page 8

September meeting

Thursday 8th. Sept.

7.30 Village Hall

Ben Potterton

Late Summer Colour

August visit – Green Island Gardens, Ardleigh.

Our last visit of a busy summer season and a white knuckle ride in a rain storm near the Orwell Bridge caused some members to take shelter at the Shell garage before returning home. 30 members however made it to Ardleigh where as often is the case there had been no rain. Green Island Gardens was acquired by Fiona Edmond in 1996 and after 3 years of re designing opened the gardens to the public in 1999. Planting is designed to give all year round interest although the borders really peak from late June onwards. Certainly a garden for all seasons. There is also a well stocked plant nursery which attracted the usual close attention of our members.

The gardens are open to the public Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sundays 10.00am – 5.00pm, 1st. February to end November, with home-made teas available.

An ideal setting to end our summer journeys. Mapman 1 : Wicked Mickey 0 [But see p10]

Sat. 3rd. Sept. – Specialist Plant Fair, Langmere.

Ben Potterton’s Blacksmith’s Cottage Nursery will again be staging a Specialists’ Plant Fare at Langmere. Some 20 specialist local nurseries will have a wide range of plants for sale, there will be talks and demonstrations , BBC Radio Gardeners’ Q Time, refreshments and Guy Barker, aka The Naked Gardener! Tours of the animal

collection and new gardens.

Open 10am to 5pm, ample parking, entry £1.50(£1 RHS members).

September meeting – We welcome back Ben Potterton with a new talk and we expect him to bring lots of plants for show and sale. It is some time since we have seen Ben at Kirton and anticipate a large audience for the start of our winter season in our newly-refurbished village hall.

Caen 2011 – Sat. 28th. pm. – the long awaited visit to the Tapisserie de Bayeux. We arrive at the Bayeux centre where we have a tour of the stunning 1000 years old tapestry followed by a short film of its history. Bayeux was the first city liberated following the D Day landings.

Appropriately we head back to Caen via the landing beaches where UK forces came ashore. We stop at Arromanches to see the remains of the artificial port assembled in the wake of the Normandy landings. The town is decorated with English and US flags ready for the 6th June anniversary. There are WW2 artillery pieces on the promenade including a vicious howitzer pointing out to sea (don’t touch Pat!).

Then along the coast passing Gold, Juno and Sword beaches and back to the hotel.

After a long day we decide on a quiet dinner and find a small restaurant in a street not far from the hotel. After a fabulous meal and in high spirits we move to make our departure when a large local man, consumed by liquid entente cordiale , grabs me in a rib breaking bear hug, before making for Brian who receives a double dose, despite his protests that he is English! By now Martyn S has seen enough and makes for a quick exit. He may only have been wishing us an over physical

P A R I S H C O U N C I L

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East Anglia One Offshore Wind Farm –Transmission WorksIn connection with the proposed North Sea offshore wind farm, an option for the onshore !transmission lines, is to cross the Falkenham Marshes. A representative of ScottishPower Renewables Offshore will be attending the next Parish Council meeting on 12th September to make a presentation on the proposals, to which all Parishioners are invited.

PUT THIS IN YOUR DIARY, COME ALONG AND PUT YOUR QUESTIONS. IT WILL BE TOO LATE AFTER IT HAPPENS!

Colin Shaw, Clerk

Council VacancyA vacancy still exists for a Parish Councillor to represent Kirton by co-option.

It is open to any anyone on the Electoral Register or has a business in the village.

For more information please contact the CLERK on

01394 448 783

See www.kirton-suffolk.info/pc/pc1.html

for Parish Council Agendas and Reports

P A R I S H C O U N C I L

Page 12

The August meeting was attended by 6 Parish Councillors, 2 District Councillors and the PTLO.

Mrs O’Brien (CC) sent a written report which explained that the new priorities of #the Leader was to work more closely with other councils/public sector organisations. She gave an update on the future approach over libraries both permanent and mobile. The new energy-from-waste facility has been given the go-ahead, and the County’s bid for a better broadband programme is being revised. Approval has been given to the Integrated Risk Management Plan.

Mrs Harvey (DC) reported on her attendance at the information day for the EA One Offshore Windfarm Transmission works, and the possible impact underground cable works might have on the Parish. She had been to the LDF meeting, and sessions on Equality/ Diversity, Licensing and Health and on Travellers/Gypsies. She passed on a report of recent sewage flooding at the Church Hall during a heavy rainstorm, but for effective action from AW, it should have been reported at the time.

Mr Harding (DC) advised that a new Housing Officer will be joining SCDC and he will be liaising with him over the problems with the local housing association. He also agreed to assist the Council over the play area in Weir Place. The Council has carried out a survey of the sand bins in the Parish, and proposals for refurbishment/replacement will be put forward for consideration at a later date.

The Chairman recommended the Suffolk AgeUK “Pride of Place” initiative, to the Council, and suggested this should be given# attention, particularly where older residents were concerned. Numerous ways in which funding for local projects are available, were noted, and passed to the Recreation Ground for future reference.

A recycling credit of £7.54 for glass had been received, and approval was given to the account from SCDC of £150 to cover the costs of the Uncontested Parish Elections.

A vacancy still exists for a Councillor for Kirton, and the Clerk continues to advertise it.

No planning applications had been received during the month.

The next meeting is on 12th September 2011.

Colin Shaw, Clerk

Page 9

bonne journée but we needed our ribs intact for the rest of the trip and, perhaps of more concern, he seemed only interested in the males in our party! So we stagger back to our hotel before the midnight hour.

Sun 29th After breakfast Mark and coach await outside the hotel and its off into the fabulous Normandy countryside to the Distillerie Busnel where our enthusiastic guide Arfur takes us on a tour of the operation that transforms the apple into the amber nectar, through the selection of apples, distillation, blending and then ageing in oak casks, some more than 100 years old and huge (don’t touch, Pat!). Then, of course, the obligatory tasting of various blends and age, well we cannot refuse such hospitality!

Then on through even more glorious countryside to Les Jardins du Pays d’Auge , best garden of the trip and for me second only to Monet’s on any of our many trips.

27 themed gardens formed on a 6 acres site in an area of half timbered farm buildings provide a garden lover’s paradise for which about 2 hours is needed to do justice. The café offers 80 varieties of crepes, slowly!

Then we head back to Caen to take in the Parc Floral de la Colline aux Oiseaux which contains the biggest rose gardens any of us have seen.

Another long, hot day and we make for the oddly titled Boeuf & Cow where we do manage a relaxed evening meal with no exuberant, garlic reeked, local lying in wait.

Mon 30th An early breakfast gives Johan the chance to give us a tour of the Chateau and the St. Pierre church before boarding the coach to visit Jardin des Plantes et Botanique and then we hit the autoroute for our journey home when my notes tell me that we had a collection on the coach to provide new dentures for a Spanish cat, or did I dream that!

So another memorable Euro trip comes to an end and we have to thank Jo, Martyn and Alma for their time and effort, our larger than life driver, Mark, and perhaps most of all, our good friend and guide, Johan, for his magical input. (pictures on the website).

Our club notes will now appear monthly on the village website for the benefit of our increasing membership beyond the villages. Our thanks to webmaster Martin RH for making this possible.

Stop Press!! Our Christmas special is Thurs. 8 December when our guest will be Adrian Bloom from the world famous Norfolk nurseries. Tickets, £5 members, will be on sale at our September meeting.

Roy Mallett 448616

Page 10

Map Man? Don’t make me laughThe Chairman isn’t happy,

This really is a pity,

It’s because of my last poem,

He didn’t like my little ditty.

He’s written to the editor,

My sat - nav poem, it stung,

But I’m half way up the poetic ladder,

He’s only on first rung.

He’s trying to get his own back,

but I’ve read what he put,

I think I’ve hit a sore point,

His thoughts are black as soot.

He thinks he’s going to beat me,

He’s pulling out all the stops,

But it doesn’t matter how hard he tries,

My poems will come out tops.

You see, I keep it simple,

Just telling the honest truth,

The whippersnapper hasn’t got a chance,

I’m far too long in the tooth.

Now he’s trying to steal my ladies,

To help him find his way,

But bribes of pubs with gardens won’t help,

My charm will win the day.

So let’s just see what happens,

Can’t wait for next months copy,

This poem will get the better of him,

He really will get stroppy.

Wicked Mickey

Yoga Classes in KirtonWe now have an established yoga class in Kirton, which meets on a Wednesday morning from 9.30 – 11.00am in the Sports Pavilion. The new term starts on 7th September, and anyone who is interested in giving yoga a try would be very welcome.

Yoga can help you increase your flexibility, and make you feel more relaxed and toned, whatever your level of fitness or ability.

If you are interested, or would just like to find out more about the classes, you can ring Anne Freeman on: 01394 274192 or you can email anne.freeman57@ntlworld.com

Debbie Mayes

Page 11

Music for Flute and HarpsichordIncluding music by J. S. Bach, C. P. E. Bach, Michel Blavet, Josef Haydn, George Frederick Handel and othersJulie Harmer - FlutePeter Clayton - HarpsichordSunday 11th September at 6:30pm

St Peter’s Church, LevingtonTickets £5 Telephone 01473 659946 to reserve your ticket

Village Hall QuizFriday October 7th at 7.30p.m.

Quizmaster: Mr. Roger Salter

Teams of 4 players

Tickets: £5.00 each

to include light refreshments

Tickets from Alison Mellors 448 889

Raffle – Bring Your Own Drinks