The Link Magazine

April 2002

In the absence of a letter from our Rural Dean, we are reproducing an article from "The Murray News", the diocesan newsletter of the Murray Anglican Church of Australia, which Margaret Laflin read when she was there earlier this year.

An outdated Custom?

Who remembers 'Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts….' or whatever form, high, low, middle or even comic there used to be. Saying grace at meals faded with the formal dining pattern when families sat down together. Fast food came in and a general loss over a century or so of the sense of God the Provider.

Grace at meals persists at church functions, of course, and as a quaint archaism in some schools and colleges, but the widespread return of the custom seems unlikely.

In all things give thanks, wrote Paul in Ephesians 5.20. Knowing one's dependence and feeling gratitude to God was probably never easy to sustain. It is very hard in this age. But we Christians are committed to it. The Father's love for us is eternal and all embracing. Being aware of it in connection with food and drink always came most readily, and so attracted the formal acknowledgement.

Sadly though, grace at meals has gone with oil-lamps and nutmeg graters, and it will not come back in our time. We might, however, think hard about the place of such domestic rituals in family religion, and possibly design others. 'The family that prays together stays together' - or so they say! Our Jewish friends have kept their faith alive through hideous adversity, in large part by loyalty to the home church and its ceremonies.
Worth a thought?

Bible Readings and Psalms for our Sunday Worship taken from the Revised Common Lectionary. It is good to be sharing the reading of Scripture with Christians - both Catholic and Protestant - across the world.

April 7th White
Psalm 16 Acts 2. 14a, 22-32
1 Peter 1. 3-9 John 20. 19-end

April 14th White
Psalm 116. 1-3, 10-17 Acts 2. 14a, 36-41
1 Peter 1. 17-23 Luke 24. 13-35

April 21st White
Psalm 23 Acts 2. 42-end
1 Peter 2. 19-end John 10. 1-10

April 28th White
Psalm 31. 1-5, 15-16 Acts 7. 55-end
1 Peter 2. 2-10 John 14. 1-14

***********************************************
Welcome to:
Katy Fuller, daughter of Neale and Sally-jane of Main Road, Willisham, who was baptised on March 10th.

May she grow in faith

****************************************

Farewell to:
Eva Ellen Aldous, aged 94 years, of Needham Market, who was buried in Willisham Churchyard on February 25th by the Reverend Barry Middleton.

Rest eternal grant unto her, O Lord

*************************************************

The Golden Link Club

will be holding a

Jumble / Spring Sale

on May 14th

in Somersham Village Hall

2.00pm-4.00 pm

Open from 12 noon to receive any items which will be gratefully received

Election of Churchwardens

Each year, around Easter, the Annual Parochial Church Council Meetings are held, preceded by the election of Churchwardens. Everybody on the civil electoral roll is entitled to vote at this election, although only regular communicant Church members who are on the Church electoral roll may be elected as churchwardens.

At the Annual Meetings there are reports and accounts presented for scrutiny, and new Council Members are elected. This year also we have to elect new representatives to the Deanery Synod-1 from each parish.

The Church Electoral Rolls are being revised-closing dates are 15 days before the Annual Meetings.

Dates for the Annual Meetings:
Monday 15th April Flowton, in the church vestry at 7.45pm
Wednesday 17th April Willisham, in the church at 7.30pm
Tuesday 23rd April Somersham, in the church at 7.45pm
Tuesday 30th April Offton, in the Village Hall at 7.00pm

Evening Walk

If there is enough interest I am hoping to go for a walk
on Saturday 25th May
at 6 o'clock sharp
from Derrick Hill.

It will be about 5½ miles, getting back to Derrick Hill about 8.30pm for a cup of tea and light refreshments. Hopefully we will see deer and other wildlife, also hear the nightingale. A friend, Richard Last, has agreed to come with me to help as a leader.

We will make a charge of £5 and all proceeds will go to Willisham Church.

We will go whatever the weather so suitable clothing and footwear is 'a must'.

If you are interested please ring John on Ipswich 658352 "Well before the day".

"Gardeners Link"
Somersham and District Gardening Club
What an experience our February meeting was!

The Radio Suffolk team arrived at the village hall together with what seemed like miles of cabling etc. followed by the broadcasters and an excited audience. The questioners were chosen from members who had submitted their gardening questions beforehand. They were then seated along the front row of the audience and off we went with cued applause and a brief conversation about Somersham and the Club. Then the questions began and the jokes flowed in between sound gardening advice from the panel of experts.

Thanks to all involved we put together a really interesting radio programme with the Radio Suffolk team, which was broadcast in February. Special thanks to Sheila Welsh ably assisted by husband Jeff for co-ordinating everything and to all the helpers in the kitchen, organising the raffle etc.
Also thanks to the village hall committee for installing the new quiet and very efficient heating in the hall in time for the evening.

Our next meeting will be on Monday 8th April 7.30pm. We will hold a very brief AGM followed by a talk on "Alpine & Rockery Plants" by expert Chris Wheeler.
Then on Monday 13th May we will meet at 7.30pm at Blakenham Woodland Gardens (Fee £1 each) for a guided walk amongst the bluebells. If anyone needs a lift or can offer transport please meet at the village hall at 7.10pm prompt.

Why not join us? New members are very welcome.
Membership subscriptions for this year are £5 for individuals and £7.50 for couples and were due in January 2002 For more information please contact: Angela Shelmerdine 01473 831661, Angie Osborn 01473 831422, Sheila Welsh 01473 657345

FLOWTON NEWS
The house-to house collection in January for the charity National Children's Homes (NCH) raised £62.61 Thank you to all who generously supported this appeal.
Sue Hitchcock

Dates and notes:
Easter Day is the latest date for handing in your Electoral Roll application forms for the new register.
Have you nominated / seconded a churchwarden?
Please return your Jar of Grace offerings.

Monday April 15th -Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting at 7.45pm in the Vestry- come and help elect the churchwardens for the coming year.

Wednesday April 24th-Annual Parish Meeting-in the Vestry-come and elect officials and hear the reports on the last year and plans for the coming year.

Flower Festival and Gardens Open June 29th and 30th
A good group of villagers came to the planning meeting in March. Final meeting on Thursday 13th June at 7.30pm in the Vestry.
If you would still like to volunteer to help in any way we would welcome you. Contact Mary on 01473 658522
Peter Rawley is co-ordinating the churchyard tidy-up and maintenance team.
Margaret Laflin is co-ordinating the catering team.
Peggy Brooks will be calling another meeting of the flower arrangers to pool ideas.

The Festival Weekend is taking shape, beginning with the concert mentioned below. We hope also to launch the new recipe book that weekend and to have the repaired windows rededicated on the Sunday night by our new priest, the Reverend Linden Fletcher.
We are putting all this effort into the weekend, partly to show others how much Flowton Church is loved and needed at the heart of our community, and partly to raise generous funds for both the repairs to the church and also for the children's hospice in Ipswich.
As people who attend the Annual Church Council Meeting will see, our Treasurer manages the finances well, but collections and Gift Aid do not amount to enough to both run our church and to effect the necessary repairs to the fabric. The regular congregation are committed in their giving, most of which is through Gift Aid and therefore grows by a quarter (28%) when returns are made to the Taxman; but we do need to raise more funds to repair and maintain the building which stands in such a central position in our village. It is our target to put the church into good state of repair for the next generation to take on.

OFFTON CHURCH NEWS
Update on proposed extension to Offton Church to provide wheelchair access, a loo and small kitchen area.

We have now received planning permission and agreement from English Heritage for the design and construction of the proposed extension to take place. The plans may be seen in the Church.

An application for a faculty has recently been lodged with the Diocesan Advisory Committee and we are hopeful this will soon be granted. We can then go out to tender and with good fortune make a start on the work before too long. It is now two and a half years since Harry Crick died. It was a very generous legacy from Harry that made it possible to entertain this work.
PTC
New Church Electoral Roll Register
Please remember to let me have your completed electoral roll forms before April 14th for inclusion in the new register.
Anne Chapman

Don't forget the Annual Church Meeting in Offton and Willisham Village Hall on Tuesday 30th April at 7 pm when the Church wardens will be elected.

Mobile Library - remember the mobile library visits the village every second Monday and stops in Castle Road Offton at about 3.05 - 3.20 pm. Information from 01473 588522.

WILLISHAM CHURCH NOTES

Annual Church Meetings
Wednesday the 17th April, in Willisham Church, commencing at 7.30 PM. Anyone on the Electoral Roll is entitled to take an active part in these meetings, so please come and support your PCC

Church Fete
This will take place at Crow Hall on Saturday the 13th July.
Please book this date in your diary now. However, help is required to organise this event. A planning meeting will, therefore, take place at 9 North Acres, Willisham, on Saturday the 27th April, commencing 10.00 AM. Please come to this meeting, as we do need your help.

Coffee Morning
A reminder that this takes place on Saturday the 25th May, at 9 North Acres, commencing 10.00 AM

Bonfire Evening
This year's event will take place at Crow Hall, on Friday 1st November.

SOMERSHAM & DISTRICT ROYAL BRITISH LEGION

Are there any ex service men or service women in the District?
If so, we would like to meet you. We are a very active Branch and meet 2nd Tuesday every month at Barking Fox

Contact: Mr. E.Burroughs 01473 831679
Mr. J.Dickerson 01473 658417

Somersham Cycle Speedway Club

The Somersham Stars are looking forward to their first meeting - a home league clash on April 7 against Eaton at 11:00. Why not pop along and watch the action? A few cheers are surely worth a couple of points!

It is an exciting time as the riders will be able to measure how effective all the pre-season training has been. And there has been plenty! Practice sessions have been held on Sunday mornings, with a mix of technique, fitness and team building exercises. You might even have seen the squad running round the village!

Team manager Pete Williamson may have trouble selecting the team with very little to choose between some riders, but to help identify the
improvers race time targets have been set for everyone to aim for.

How quickly do you think you could do 4 laps? If you think there are no activities in Somersham come along to our next session and enjoy one of the most exciting. See how your time stacks up against the team. You'll be most welcome.

If you'd like some more information on the club or the sport in general
you can contact us via (01473) 831474, e-mail ovalking@yahoo.com or take a look at the new Somersham Cycle Speedway website:
www.btinternet.com/~SomershamCSC

Ipswich Aid to Romania

will be holding a

Giant Book Sale
On

Saturday 13th April

8.00am-4.00pm

in Great Blakenham Village Hall

Food and refreshments served all day!

Donations may be left in carrier bags at
5 Watering Close, Somersham

Website: www.somersham.suffolk.gov.uk

Parish Council News
· The concrete path alongside Park Cottages has now been replaced with a modern tarmac surface. Mid Suffolk District Council completed the work.
· Mid Suffolk District Council have also cut back a bramble bush in Princes Gardens that had become very overgrown.
· Suffolk County Council have said that they will be installing a handrail down the slope between Brook Way and the Main Road (next to the Telephone box) and will also be installing an extra bar on the fencing alongside the bus shelter. Both of these should be happening from April onwards.
Donations
At our March meeting the Parish Council made donations to the following organisations:
· Suffolk Accident Rescue Service £60.00
· Rethink Disability £60.00
· Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau £100.00
· Royal British Legion £25.00
· The Link Magazine £120.00
Donations are a normal part of our March meeting, as we are able to calculate our budget for donations towards the end of the financial year.
Golden Jubilee
The Parish Council have decided to give mugs to every household in Somersham to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. A design has been picked and is currently with the ceramics company. We are still looking into how to distribute the mugs and will keep you posted.
Village Websites
It has been mentioned at Parish Council meetings that many villagers have websites all about Somersham. Somersham.com and the Parish Council website are being continually updated, so if people who have their own websites would like to have links from these two sites please contact me.
Rubbish in water channels
It has been brought to our attention that rubbish is being thrown into the water channels in Somersham, in particular the stream leading to the back of Springfield Road. Please can people not throw their rubbish into the channels, as this can cause blockages and subsequently could cause greater flooding in the village.
Transport Questionnaire
You will have received a questionnaire in you last copy of the Link from Suffolk County Council and Suffolk ACRE, regarding public transport in Somersham. I urge you to complete this questionnaire and return it to them if you have not already done so. Suffolk County Council have just received funding for improving services in the Mid Suffolk area, so all questionnaires will be taken into consideration when they start allocating the money.
Next Parish Council Meetings The Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Parish Council meeting are both to be held on Wednesday 1st May 2002, starting at 7.30pm. The meetings will take place in the Village Hall Committee Room.
Andrew Mayhew Tel: 01473 834035
E-mail: parish@andrewmayhew.co.uk

CHURCH SERVICES in our 8 linked parishes
Please check with a Churchwarden if you think that a mistake has been made in this listing.

March 31st Easter Day
Please remember to put your clocks forward 1 hour!

April 7th Second Sunday of Easter

April 14th Third Sunday of Easter

April 21st Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 28th Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 5th Sixth Sunday of Easter

Somersham Church Notes

We very much look forward to welcoming Rev. Linden Fletcher to Somersham, along with the other 7 parishes in the "new" benefice. Rev. Fletcher will be licensed on Thursday 27th June at 7.30pm in Barking Church.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will take place on Tuesday 23rd April in St Mary's Church, Somersham at 7.45 pm. All on the Church Electoral Roll are invited to attend.

Repairs to the SW corner of the church should be well under way (if not completed!) by the time you read this. It will be good to have the full area of the church in use again.

There will be a Spring Fair on Saturday 13th April from 10 till 12. See the advert for more details. Any donations for the stalls would be much appreciated.

Eleven teams took part in a very enjoyable Trivia Quiz Night on 8th March. Our grateful thanks to Rohais for compiling the questions and being quizmaster, to Rohais's mum for helping her out on the evening, and to Nina and Doreen for organising the raffle. Thanks also to everyone who came along to the evening or gave a donation. After expenses the event raised just over £150, 10% of which will go to Suffolk Respite.

The Christmas "ant" Quiz: over 30 entries were sent in for the quiz. The winners, with 44 out of 50 correct answers, were David & Rohais Haughton, proving that they're not only experts at quizzes about cars! Well done to them and thanks to everyone else who entered or bought a quiz sheet. Several entrants were "near misses" with 43 out of 50 right. Over £100 was raised for church funds. Our appreciation to Sue Taylor who allowed us to use the quiz.

St Mary's Church Somersham
Spring Fair

on Saturday 13th April
in Somersham Village Hall
from 10 till 12 midday.

Cakes White elephant
Next-to-new
Books, Videos, Tapes
Plants & Produce
Raffle Refreshments

Donations to any stalls would be much appreciated

Somersham Football Club

Three more defeats for the 1st Team: 0-6, 0-6 and 0-5. That makes 18 straight defeats in the league and certainly means that we'll be playing in Division 3 next season.
The Reserves have only played two matches since the last notes.
A 1-1 draw away to Needham Market 'A' and a 14-0 home defeat
against Whitton Maypole. Their survival in Division 5 is still in the
balance but we're still hoping to keep our place there for next
season.
We've had two very difficult seasons during which time we've lost
a few players, but against that we've signed on a lot of local
youngsters. They'll take time to adjust to the big change from
school's to men's football, but if they stick together and get the
right training and advice there's no reason why, in a season or two,
we can't start to compete on an even footing once again. There's no
lack of enthusiasm at the club. We can and will survive and
improve and then we can start talking about promotion again.

Dennis Mumby

Somersham Baptist Church

Up close and personal with Jesus.
In April we continue our series 'Christianity Explained'. After looking at Jesus last month we take a look at ourselves, how Jesus is good news for us, and what must change if we follow him and what must be believed.
· Sunday 21st April; Jesus the best news ever!
· Sunday 28th April; Becoming a Christian: What must be changed
· Sunday 5th May; Becoming a Christian: What must b believed.

All three sessions will be held at the Baptist Chapel in Chapel Lane, Somersham and will begin at 10.45am with Coffee and will finish at 12.00am.
You are welcome come, don't worry you will not required to answer questions, pray or read the Bible aloud. There will however be ample opportunity for discussion.

Sunday Meetings.
Date 10.45 AM 2.30PM
April 7th Worship and Word. Guest preacher Tim Banks
April 14th Fellowship and Teaching. Worship and Word.
April 21st Christianity Explained. Worship and Word.
April 28th Christianity Explained. Worship and Word.
May 5th Christianity Explained.

Junior Church 10.45AM Every Sunday for School Years 1-6.

Ladies Meetings
Women's Fellowship Friday 12th April at 2.30pm.
Friends and Neighbours Monday 15th April. Families In NeeD, a local charity that helps in a crisis.

Children and Young People (Held during term time)
Yr. 1-6, Wednesday Club 6.30pm.
Yr. 6-8 Quest Club Wednesday 7.45pm.
Yr. 9 on, 14+ Friday 8.00pm.

Advance notice: An evening with Derek Jefferson (yes the Derek Jefferson, Ex Town Footballer) at the Barking Fox on Monday 13th May, to book a place contact Mark.

Somersham Baptist Church, Chapel Lane, Somersham, IP8 4QE
Contacts;
Mark Newcombe 01473 831940 e-mail mark.newcombe@btinternet.com
Colin Low 01473 464833 or Edwin Mayhew on 01473 658100.

Somersham W.I.

As Spring approaches, our thoughts turn to "Summer Hanging Baskets". Be inspired by our Speaker, Mrs. B. Durrance who will be demonstrating this art to the Somersham W.I. on April 8th at Somersham Village Hall 7:30PM.
Visitors welcome - £1.00 to include tea/coffee and biscuits.

On April 29th in the Main Hall, we will be serving a finger buffet and our Guest Speaker is Mavis Davis, telling us about her years as a Rolls Royce chauffeur. Please book early as this is a Group Meeting and numbers are limited to 150. Visitors £2.50 It promises to be be a grand evening so please call:
Gillian Wilson (01473) 658782 or Liz Bain (01473) 832043