The Link Magazine

Friends of Somersham School

Finally some confirmed dates for your diaries:
Saturday 21st June- Wild West Themed Summer Fete
Friday 18th July- Summer Leavers disco
Friday14th November- Christmas Craft Fair

Clare Davies tel 832569

Flowton Church News

Flowton Fete - Sunday July 6th – a new attraction will be 2 Shetland Ponies which Juliet is going to bring and offer rides on - if your children plan to ride please bring them a sturdy pair of shoes to wear.

Somersham Cycle Speedway Club

April 2nd saw the Suffolk GP series get under way at Ipswich with the Under 13's,15's,17's & Seniors having their opening round. Gary Brown was the only Somersham representative where he scored 13 points from 4 rides.

3 days later it was the start of the British Youth & Junior League at our partner club for 2008,Kesgrave. We were originally down to have the 1st South-East Regional Round with Kesgrave staging round 4 on June 7th.Round 4 will now be held at Somersham on that date. In a meeting where the cold weather was tough for riders and spectators alike, Joe Hodge(in the Under 10's) and one of our Kesgrave loanees Ryan Jay(in the Under 16‘s) provided the Somersham interest with both riders winning the “C” finals for their respective age groups.
The following day our partner club Kesgrave hosted Ipswich in the 1st match to brave the cold weather in the South-East League. The final score was Kesgrave 86 Ipswich 91 after the visitors took the lead in the latter stages. Enthusiasm was high, and this was a promising start for the new look team. Gary Brown, returning to the team where his career started back in 1982, was top scorer with Dan Croft and Scott McDowell also in great form.

7 days later Somersham had their 1st match of the season in the Norfolk & Suffolk League and this saw Mark Cooper, Ryan Jay, Adam Gifkins, Dan Johnson and Paul Jay all made their Somersham debuts, with the latter impressing with his team riding. Barry Copping top scored this time as Somersham went down by 96 points to 84.This was a promising start to the season with some whole hearted efforts mixed with some slips and misunderstandings.
Wednesday 16th saw more Suffolk Grand Prix action, this time at Great Blakenham where the Under 9’s and Under 11’s had their 1st round. Joe Hodge provided the Somersham interest, scoring a very impressive 12 points.

Saturday 19th saw Somersham send 2 riders to Hethersett for the 40th running of their Breckland Autos sponsored Charity Cup. In an event which saw former Somersham rider Joshua Brooke retain the trophy he won in 2007, Gary scored 17 points but finished 3rd in a 4 way race-off for 2nd and 3rd places. Barry was due to ride as well but he picked up a stomach strain in mid-week so older brother Steve Copping replaced him, scoring a creditable 11 points to finish tied for 10th.

The following day saw Kesgrave make 2 changes to the line up from the match against Ipswich as they faced their 1st away match at Great Blakenham, Aaron Daley replaced the unavailable Mark Cooper and Ryan Jay replaced the injured Scott McDowell. It was a tough match as the Panthers failed to provide a race winner, going down by 109 points to 70. It was Dan Croft’s turn to be top scorer this time with Gary, Barry and Dan Johnson also picking up double figure scores.

1 week later at Hethersett it was Round 2 of the South-East Grand Prix series. Kesgrave loanees Dan Croft and Paul Jay rode, Dan in the Under 19 age group where he finished 2nd in the final. Paul rode in the Seniors where he was joined Gary Brown who repeated his 1st round victory after a fortunate inside gate in the final. Paul wasn’t so lucky, hurting his knee. He didn't actually fall (until he arrived in the pits!) but an awkward corner bent his leg back and he was forced to withdraw from proceedings.

Steve Copping,
Assistant Secretary,Somersham Cycle Speedway Club

SOMERSHAM CARPET BOWLS CLUB

With the Winter League bowling behind us and promotion settled, this month is mostly taken up with in-club competitions and friendlies before the start of the Summer League at the beginning of May.

We kicked off with the Paul Chapman Cup – a longstanding annual competition between Offton/Willisham and Somersham - formatted for bowling throughout Saturday afternoon with fours, triples, pairs and singles. Both teams started well and were closely matched throughout the first half; and with successes on both sides the overall score was evenly balanced at the interval.

After the tea-break it was again a case of both teams bowling well with some close fought ends although Somersham managed to find the extra shots to decide some of the games such that the outcome was decided before the final singles were bowled with the latter ending with one game each.

Bowled in the best of friendly rivalry it was an entertaining afternoon enjoyed by all; with the added bonus of repeating last years result which saw Somersham retaining the trophy for a second year.

Funds for each club were raised from the tombola and draw; and the afternoon was rounded off with a tasty fish & chip meal which was enjoyed by all.

Offton/ Willsham 90shots Somersham 104 shots
Result 12 - 20

The first match of the month was a friendly played away against Nacton and with the opposition showing fine form, it was a really good nights bowling with both teams very closely matched. Although showing the consistency gained of our good form carried through from the Winter League the result looked in doubt at the halfway stage with Somersham managing only a draw from the first two games. It was all to play for in the second half to influence the result, and getting to grips with the carpet and some good bowling from both fours saw us take the necessary wins to gain the overall result.

A thoroughly entertaining Nactonevening rounded off - as always - with a superb buffet supper and a great draw with numerous prizes.

The Village Shield came into being 3 years ago and is played for annually between Somersham and Brantham. Up to the present time neither club has been able to retain the trophy for more than one year.

So it was this year: depleted in numbers we were unable to put in a successful defence of the trophy losing the match by a fairly sizeable margin.

Brantham started with positive momentum – winning the 4’s on all mats, and this carried on through the afternoon. Valiant efforts were made in the following triples in an attempt to recover the position but Somersham were never in the hunt. On the day we came up against a side on the top of their game and this better form saw the trophy returning to Brantham for 2008 and Congratulations to them on a fine result.

One of our in-club competitions is the John and Rosemary Shield bowled on a regular club night. Although it was a reduced turnout this year; the pairings - randomly drawn - nevertheless produced some excellent bowling with unexpected results: and it was Sheila Bromwich and Rosemary Southgate who eventually saw off all-comers to win the Shield - Well done to both.

To finish the month Somersham took part in a Sunday charity event at Old Newton playing 4’s in aid of the MacMillan Nurses. Everyone bowled well to steadily progress through the preliminary rounds - beating some strong teams en-route - to reach the final. However at the end of a longish day Brantham ran out worthy winners which left us with runners up medals to conclude an enjoyable day.

Bowling Results (April): -
Team Shots Points
Nacton 26 - 33 3 – 5 Win

We would still like to encourage new bowlers to join the Club! …. so why not come along one Summer’s evening to try your hand.

If interested …. then you are invited to come along to the Village Hall and try carpet bowling on any club night (Tuesdays) throughout the Summer. You can just call in, or alternatively ring either Keith/ Bell on 01473 831157 or Mike/ Rosemary on 01473 831515 for details.
You'll find everyone to be very friendly; it's a social thing, and we also throw in a cup of tea and a biscuit as an introductory offer!

Barking Pre-school (Registered Charity 1020882)

Letters have been flying as the children have been learning all about how post is generated and delivered. We were very lucky to have our local postman come and visit and tell us all about his job and show the children his van. Everyone had written letters to send home and there was much excitement when the children saw the letters they had posted the previous day arrive on their doormat.

Now that the weather is improving we will be able to spend more time outside. We are pleased to announce that we have secured funding from Suffolk County Council for some portable fencing that will safely section off an area of the car park so that the children can pedal their ride-on cars and bikes on a hard surface. This will encourage more outdoor play and help develop physical co-ordination.

Children can start pre-school from the age of 2½ and from the term after their third birthday, the Government funds the sessions. The pre-school is open every weekday morning from 9.30 until 12 noon during term time and children can attend any number of sessions per week (space permitting). Our staff are committed, enthusiastic and well trained and work hard to organise a wide variety of fun and educational activities including crafts, cooking, music, story telling and construction. We have many toys to play with and activities to do so there is bound to be something to capture each child's imagination. It might seem a bit soon, but you may want to start thinking about a place for your child for the next school year starting in September. We are more than happy to invite parents/carers along for a visit to come and see who we are and what we do. Contact either Veronika Pryke (our pre-school leader) on 01473 658368 or Helen Smith on 01473 833285, to arrange a visit.

OFFTON CHURCH NEWS

Annual Meeting of St Mary's Church - Offton

The Annual Meeting, to which all parishioners were invited, was held on 28 April in the church. This annual event is important for the church, as it is here that the churchwarden(s) is/are elected to serve for a year by those parishioners who are on the electoral roll. Additionally, this is the meeting when the PCC members are elected to serve the church for a further year. Without such an event, the parish church could not technically be run. The PCC is therefore grateful to the few parishioners who attended and gave their support.

Mr Ian Dickson was elected to serve for a further year as churchwarden. There were no other volunteers to fulfil this vital role, and so Ian will have to shoulder a heavy burden during the coming period while the church has no resident vicar. The following people were elected to serve on the PCC for the forthcoming year:
Mr Paul Chapman - Treasurer
Mrs Anne Chapman
Mr Mike Bolton - Secretary
Mrs Peta Whiting
Mrs Carole Langford

There were no volunteers to serve as representative to the Deanery Synod. The PCC would welcome any new people who may like to join them and assist in running Offton church and its various events for the coming year – just contact one of the above members.

The meeting also received the various annual reports that had been prepared.

Future Events

Between the drafting of this article at the beginning of May and the distribution of this June Link magazine at the end of the month, a Family Bells Service will have been held on Sunday 18 May. It had been decided to hold such a service to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the commissioning of 2 treble bells, thus bringing the set of bells up to 8. This year is also the 50th anniversary of the re-hanging and augmentation to 6 bells from the previous 5. Hopefully, many people attended this service and enjoyed the glorious sound of the various peels that were rung by Brian Whiting and his small band of bell ringers. This group are always looking for more members, and if you are a lapsed bell ringer, or just someone who might like to ';give it a go', please phone Brian on 01449-677766. You will be made to feel very welcome.

Our Annual Fete will be held in the churchyard on Saturday 7 June starting at 2.00 pm. The Fete will feature all the usual village fun events plus others that you may not have seen before (such as the Teddy Bears Picnic – bring your own teddy bear along), live brass band music, refreshments, cake stall, plant stall etc. This is always greatly enjoyed by all who come, whatever their age, and it is an event that helps to provide income to maintain our ancient church. So please come prepared to spend a little money for such a good cause, and enjoy all the fun.

If you can provide any suitable prizes for the Tombola or Raffle, please either let Peta Whiting 01449 677766 or Mike Bolton 01473 658304 or Paul Chapman 01449 721181 know, or just bring them along on the day and hand them in at the appropriate stall.

Elsewhere in previous editions of the Link, you may have read that Willisham was holding its Open Gardens event on 7 June as well. Please note that Willisham has agreed to delay their event to the following day Sunday 8 June, and Offton Church will combine with Willisham at Willisham Church in a Songs of Praise Service on 8 June in place of the usual Evensong Service at Offton. Details of the service and all other services are published elsewhere in the Link.

With the approach of the summer holiday season, there are few other special events planned before Sunday 21 September when we will be holding a Family and Animal Blessing Service at 10.00 am. All suitable pets will be welcome dogs, cats, hamsters, snakes, birds various etc will make the grade as long as they are correctly secured and controlled. Unfortunately, horses are too large to come in to the church, although they can be tied up outside; indeed, our grass cutters might welcome their eating habits! More details will appear closer to the time.

Church Fact File

Here is a little known fact about Offton Church. Although St Mary’s Church, Offton is presently in the Diocese of St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich, this was not always the case. From circa 950 – 1071 it was in the Diocese of North Elmham, and then it passed in to the Diocese of Thetford until 1094. From then until 1914, the church came within Norwich Diocese’s area of responsibility, and only then at the start of WW1 did it change to its current home. Just how important is this piece of knowledge??

Mid Suffolk South Team
Mid Suffolk District Council Offices,
131 High Street Needham Market, Suffolk IP6 8DL
Tel: 01449 724997
http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/safersuffolk

Hello again ,
Crimes of interest In the area
Somersham -No crimes Willisham - No crimes
Flowton - 26h and 30th April - Burglary at farm office , computers and digital camera stolen

Police Direct strikes again
A local example of how the Police Direct system helps the community , on the 9th April 2008, we received a report of persons in a van stealing charity bags left outside homes in the Great Blakenham area, the registration number of the vehicle was taken by a resident and immediately sent out on the police direct system. As a result of the message - we had several calls from residents in Stowmarket who saw the vehicle and two persons were arrested for theft

The Police Direct system is free and available to everyone , to receive up to date information on crime related matters in your area.To find out more go to http://www.suffolk.police.uk and follow the featured link to Police Direct , or contact us , details below

If you have any information or would like any advice on police matters PCSO 3155 Sian Uttley or myself would be more than happy to discuss this with you. Our e mail addresses are sian.uttley@suffolk.pnn.police.uk or david.clark@suffolk.pnn.police.uk tel: 01284 774100

Please remember that there are occasions when we on rest days for 4 days so if your call is of an urgent nature please ask to speak to any officer on duty. Thanks very much. PC 466 Dave Clark

Friends of Somersham School

Howdy Partners! With the biggest fundraising event of the year coming up on Saturday 21st June, preparations are in full swing for this years fete. FOSS members are busy arranging stalls and coming up with exciting new ideas for our theme this year, which is the wild west.

We would like to ask for your help in finalising some of the entertainment…
Are you in a line dancing club or similar, and would like to come and show off your talents?
Would your band like to play at the fete?
Do you know of anyone who can hire us a bucking bronco rodeo ride for a very reasonable price?!!
We are looking for someone locally who can supply us a quantity of straw bales we can borrow to use as seating for our main arena
Are you able to donate any prizes which would be suitable for our raffle?
We would be very interested to hear from you if you can help to make our fete an even bigger success than last year. Don't be shy! If you might be able to offer your services then please contact me to discuss. We would love to hear from you.

Oh, and don't forget to come along to the fete, pencil it in your diary and tell your friends! It’s a chance to don your stetson & spurs and make your way on down to the school field for what will be a fun packed afternoon that will take you back to the good ol’ wild west.

Last month was The Archive Film evening, which was a great success, with all 150 tickets being sold. FOSS were delighted to see so many of you there. It has been said that people were heard reserving their tickets for next year already! A special thank you goes out to Leita & John Minns for managing the ticket sales on behalf of FOSS.

Finally, a reminder to everyone to keep on collecting all those school vouchers for computers/ sports. Never turn them down at the supermarkets; the school will happily accept them! We also recycle ink cartridges and old mobile phones.

Dates for your diaries:
Saturday 21st June- Wild West Themed Summer Fete
Friday 18th July- Summer Leavers disco
Friday 19th September- Fashion Show- contact if you would like to take part.
Friday14th November- Christmas Craft Fair- bookings being taken for tables now.
Clare Davies tel 832569

Elmsett Airfield Liaison Group Meeting Wednesday 12th March 2008.

The aircraft movements at Elmsett have been lower than last year due to unfavourable flying and runway conditions but the number of aircraft based at Elmsett remains the same. There have been a few complaints which have been dealt with by the Noise Abatement Procedure. All pilots do endeavour to stick to the approved routes but occasionally weather conditions can result in the need to deviate from the routes. Whenever a complaint is received the situation is always investigated and the pilot spoken to which helps to reduce the number of problems. The airfield operators will continue to rigorously follow up any complaints.

Details received from the National Air Traffic Control Services about the possibility of them creating a stacking system for Stansted over Wattisham were discussed. It is expected that if this does materialise it won’t happen very often and is likely to have very little impact on the airfield or local residents.

The Airfield Open Day will be on September 20th 2008. The YAK aircraft has been relocated but Nigel Wilson will still be helping to arrange the events for this year's Open Day. It is hoped to be able to offer charity flights for local residents but these will be on a first come first served basis. It is hoped that many members of the local community will take part in the day and that everyone will enjoy it.

A lot of aircraft spotters regularly visit the airfield and these are always welcome.
Charles Course Whitehouse Farm. Chairman EALG

Somersham Church Notes

Please check times of services in Somersham church in the Link magazine or with a churchwarden, as there may be changes to the regular pattern during the interregnum.

On Sunday 8th June we will be joining the Baptist Church for their annual open-air service at 11.30am on the playing field. This will replace our normal family service in the church.

The concert by the Melody Makers is still to take place at the time of going to press, so there will be a report in next month's Link.

Our Summer Fete will be on Saturday July 5th so put the date in your diaries. We are very grateful to the Caston family for once again allowing us to hold the fete on Church Meadow. we will be very grateful for any donations of raffle prizes, tombola, cakes, produce and plants.

As the Christmas quiz sheet seems to be so popular we are going to have a summer one! These will be on sale soon for £1 from Christine's Haircare, Somersham Garage or Pat Woolhouse.

Christian Aid Week took place in May. Thank you to everyone who put something in the envelopes and especially to the volunteers who went to every household in the village to collect them. The total amount collected will be in next month's Link.

CHERNOBYL CHILDREN LIFE LINE

In August our friends Elizabeth and Kevin Parker are once again bringing 22 children over from Chernobyl for a well-deserved holiday. There are 16 girls and 6 boys all between 7 - 8 years of age. If you could help in any way it would be appreciated. They are in need of clothes and footwear all in as new condition, also toys, games, puzzles, craft materials and vitamins. They will also need outdoor toys for them to play with while here, also booster seats so the children can be transported around.

Any donation can be dropped off at Christine's Haircare Main Road Somersham or 5 Chapel Lane Somersham or collected by ringing Elizabeth on 01449 760343

Billy the Postman

Residents in Somersham may be aware that Billy the village postman for about the last 30 years, is due to retire this summer. He has been on sick leave following a recent operation but should be back soon before finishing for good around August. Many of us felt we would like an opportunity to show our appreciation of the service Billy has given to us all, and the care he shows to the villagers, especially the elderly.

A collection is being arranged to mark his retirement and any donation can be left in an envelope with your name and address on it at:
Christine's Haircare,
David Haughton at the garage,
Sue Browne, Hawtorns, Mill Lane, or
Heather Dickinson, 5 Chapel Lane.

Please hand in your donation by July 31st so that we can plan a presentation for Billy.

Thank you

FRENCH CONNECTION
SOMERSHAM/CHALLAIN-LA-POTHERIE VILLAGE LINK

Visit to Challain-la-Potherie

A large bright and airy coach was waiting for us on a sunny morning when 38 local people met at Somersham village hall for the start of the visit to our link French village.

A warm welcome awaited us as our hosts and friends gathered for our arrival. Big smiles, hugs and bonjour all round, and refreshing drinks in the village hall before back to our hosts’ homes for an evening meal and a chance to practice our smatterings of French and English on each other. Sign language, dictionaries and laughter also helped the communications along.

Our hosts had planned an action filled weekend for us. A visit to a slate mine – La Mine Bleue – a 20 minute drive from Challain, saw everybody donning hard hats and descending down a fernicular railway to the work face. A son et lumiere show gave us an insight into the harsh working conditions of the slate miners of yesteryear, who provided the material and shaped the end product of the traditional roofing materials of the region. A long lazy lunchtime in the open air and sunshine followed, adults chatting and Vincent energetically organising the children into hilarious team games.

Sunday was free time with hosts. Some went to the National Stud and racecourse where we were given a guided tour of the stables and others went boating and picnicking by the river. Another long lunch in hosts’ gardens, games of boules, then the TUG-OF-WAR. Somersham had won over the past two years, so the French were well geared up to take the trophy this year and to give us the booby prize of the FROG.

A social evening rounded off the weekend, with more delicious food and entertainment provided by members of both villages. The sight of Rene-Luc and his three companions dressed in wet suits and flippers performing and leaping a frog dance is something that will stay in our memories for a long time. (A lot of effort had gone into making sure the frog returned with us.) A little bit of Somersham will stay in Challain as our hosts were presented with a magnificent weather-vane made by David, our garagiste and his dad. This beautiful piece of work carries the village sign on it and will be a reminder to the Challainois of us all.

A brilliant weekend, thanks to all who organised it and to those who came along and made it all so enjoyable and worthwhile. If you would like to join us on these exchanges please get in touch with:

Gill Fordham: : tel: 831529; David Haughton:at Somersham Garage, tel: 831511; Janet Hodge: tel: 832296 Pat Woolhouse: tel: 831080

Somersham Parish Council

Forthcoming Parish Council Meetings

Wednesday 4th June 2008
Wednesday 2nd July 2008
Wednesday 3rd September 2008
(No meeting in August)

All meetings commence at 7.30pm in the Village Hall and the press and public are welcome to attend.

Annual Parish Council Meeting
At the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council the following officers were elected for the next year:-
Chairman - Richard Browne Tel: 831321
Vice Chairman - Chris Mills Tel: 831667
SALC representative - Penny Pearson Tel: 831436
Parish Liaison Rep. - Richard Browne
Comm. Assoc. Reporter - Terry Fordham Tel: 831529
Village Hall Rep - Richard Browne

Penny Pearson will continue to look after the Rights of Way and footpaths in the village.
Please contact any of the above councillors if you have any information or concerns relating to their particular responsibility.

Affordable Housing
Representatives of Suffolk ACRE and Mid Suffolk District Council gave a summary at the Annual Meeting of the results of the recent Housing Needs survey which showed a need for a small development of affordable homes. The council will now consider the options available and will make a decision at a future meeting on the most appropriate way forward for Somersham.

Main Road/Chapel Lane/Hall Lane Junction
The parish council has been notified that revised signing and road markings will be carried out at this junction within the next few weeks in an attempt to improve safety at this junction. The county council has also advised it is currently developing speed management guidelines which will be used to determine which sites will be given priority for treatment in the future. The parish council had suggested that a variable message sign (VAS) (flashing) could be erected on the approach to this junction but we will have to wait until the new guidelines are adopted and in use.

The parish council also decided to remove the traffic mirror opposite Chapel Lane as it is no longer in good condition and is therefore of no benefit.

Audit of Parish Council Accounts 2007/8
This year BDO Stoy Hayward, Chartered Accountants of Southampton, has been appointed by the Audit Commission as external auditors for councils in Suffolk. The parish council accounts will be available for inspection by any elector from 16th June to 11th July, Monday to Friday between the hours of 10am to 6pm . Please contact me for an appointment. The notice setting out the full arrangements will be displayed on the notice boards from 2nd to 15th June.

Online Planning
Local Planning Authorities are moving more and more towards an electronic planning service and planning applications can now be submitted via the Mid Suffolk District Council website, www.midsuffolk.gov.uk . Additionally the Government funded Planning Portal can give you all the help, guidance and information you need to make a successful planning application and is free of charge and available 24/7/365. Visit the site on www.planningportal.gov.uk for more information. (Broadband connection is needed to access this site).

Potential Removal of Payphone
The parish council has been advised that BT is proposing removal of several payphones in the district including the payphone in Somersham. The parish council considers the kiosk should remain for emergency use in view of the sparse network coverage for mobile phones in the village and also because of its historical interest (it carries the motif of George VI).

Structural review of local government in Suffolk
As reported in the previous edition the Boundary Committee is conducting a review of local government structures in Suffolk at county and district level. The concepts and representations will be available for viewing on the Boundary Committee website www.boundarycommittee.org.uk . The Boundary Committee has advised that change WILL happen, the status quo is not acceptable. The public consultation period is from 7th July to 26th September and all residents of Suffolk will be able to comment on the proposals, either by email at reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk or by post to:- Review Manager, (Norfolk and Suffolk Reviews), The Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London, SW1P 2HW. Representations will be accepted from all but should contain as much evidence and reasoning as possible to back up the arguments put forward.

Janet Clarke Tel. No. 01473 830398
Clerk to the Council E-mail: janetinclaydon@aol.com

Somersham Baptist Church

11.30am Sunday 8th June Open air service on the playing field:
Both churches again meet on the playing field for this service. Our guest band Peershaped return for another year and Ray and Joy are stocking up on burgers and sausages for the BBQ that follows. Over the years we have been blessed by some good weather so do wander down and join us.

Many thanks to all who attended the Born in a Barn evening in April, £120 was raised for the Cogwheel Trust Charity who assist deprived children in India and Uganda.

Regular Sunday Morning Programme (You are welcome to join us for all or part of the morning).
10.00-10.30 Prayer Meeting
10.45-11.15 Bible Study (Communion 1st Sunday)
11.30-12.00 Worship
12.00-12.30 Sermon
Other Meetings
Children and Young People (During term time); Wednesday Club 6.30-7.30pm for primary school children, 14+ Friday's 8.00-9.30pm Year 9 upwards.
Meetings for Ladies;
Women's Fellowship: No Meeting in June
Friends and Neighbours 7.45pm 16th June.

Contact Mark if you need transport.
Meetings are held at the Baptist Chapel, Chapel Lane, Somersham IP84 QE.
Pastor Mark Newcombe, 01473 831940, 07930543583, m.newcombe940@btinternet.com

Letter from our bishop, the Rt Reverend Nigel Stock
St. Edmundsbury and Ipswich

These last six months have been an extraordinary time of discovery. Not only discovering Suffolk in all its wonderful diversity, but discovering the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. Every region and Diocese in country has it’s particular characteristics, and a new bishop has to try and learn something of these as quickly as possible.

At the time of writing I have spent a day in sixteen of the nineteen deaneries, and will have visited them all by the beginning of June. One thing that is true of all places, is that the church community is always a good way of finding out about an area as a whole. It is worth remembering that when people accuse the church of being out of touch. The church people of Suffolk have been very generous in giving their time to meet me. From them I have heard so much about what concerns local communities.

Part of the privilege of being a bishop, is to see the work of the church over a wider area. It is a genuine privilege to see so many examples of faithfulness, mission and enterprise. Of course there is more to do, we never can do enough in responding to the generous love of God in Jesus Christ, but I do find myself encouraged by the Christian witness that I encounter.

In July, just before the Lambeth Conference, this diocese will be hosting eight bishops from overseas. We are told not to overload their schedule, as the Lambeth Conference will be hard work in itself. But they will be seeing something of the Diocese, and parishes will be invited to send representatives to a Cathedral Evensong at 3.30 pm on Sunday July 13th where our visitors will be attending. Please will you keep the Lambeth Conference in your prayers? There are difficult issues to be faced, and I do hope that we can do that in a prayerful way. But one thing I can say is that I will be very proud to show the visitors something of this Diocese and County. Thank you for all you do as followers of Christ, and every blessing on your continuing pilgrimage.
Bishop Nigel

WILLISHAM CHURCH NOTES

Evening Walk - Saturday 10th May
Thanks to the 80 people who took part in what many felt was the best Village Walk ever. £382.50 was taken on the day, and when the Gift Aid is added to this, over £470 will have been raised for church funds. Our sincere thanks to John Minns (ably assisted by Richard) for once again organising such a splendid event, also to Leita and Jenny and all their helpers, for providing such a wonderful selection of food afterwards.

Open Gardens
See separate poster giving full details of Willisham’s first ever open gardens. Please do support this event.

Songs of Praise
Our open gardens concludes with a special Songs of Praise at 6.00pm. This replaces our normal 3.00pm Evening Prayer service, and Offton Church has generously agreed to cancel their Evening Prayer service and to join in our act of worship. We shall be joined by The Benefice Choir.

Church Fete
A select band attended the planning meeting on the 10th May. However, all the necessary arrangements were made, for what we hope will be another very successful event. Please see separate poster for full details, but YOUR help is required, so please contact Frances Gilson or any member of the PCC

Cook Book
Following last month’s issue we have received offers of more recipes, but these were from existing contributors, and it would be very nice to be able to include a few recipes from those of you who have not yet submitted anything. Please put on your thinking cap and share your favourite recipe with us, to – Frances Gilson or by email to ivan.gilson @btinternet.com

Church Roof
We have now applied for Stage II of the English Heritage Grant to repair our chancel roof and hope that repairs will soon take place.

Willisham Church Notelets/Church Guide
Our new church notelets and church guide will be on sale at all our summer fund raising events. Please look out for these two new items.

Tony and Biddy Webber
Friends of neighbours of Tony and Biddy will be sorry to learn of their car accident in France on the 15th April, following which Tony suffered a stroke. Tony is paralysed down one side and, at the time of writing, remains in hospital. We send our very best wishes to them both.

MARQUEES FOR HIRE
Willisham and Flowton churches jointly own two marquees which, when they are not in use for their own churches functions, they are willing to hire out for other church and/or private events at £10 per hire. For further details and to book, phone 01473 658387 or 01473 658330.

Imponderables

If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes?
If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
Why do overlook and oversee mean opposite things?
If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked and dry cleaners depressed.

Church Altar Flowers and Cleaning Rotas

Somersham
June 1, 8 Mrs. Judith Newman
June 15, 22 Mrs. Frances Southgate
June 29 Lois Warren
July 6 Lois Warren
Cleaning Team C
Would there be anyone out there who would like to help with flower arranging in our pretty little church in Somersham?
All abilities welcome. Please contact Christine on 830710

Flowton
June 1 Mrs. Laflin
June 8 Wedding
June 15, 22 Mrs. Carter
June 29 Mrs. Fawcus
July 6 Mrs. Fawcus
Cleaning - Mrs. S. and Miss A. Pearman

Offton
June 1, 8 Mrs. Julie Spurling
June 15, 22 Mrs. Mary Brewer
June 29 Mrs. Janet Bickson
July 6 Mrs. Janet Crickmore
Cleaning – Mr. & Mrs. Langford

Willisham (flowers and cleaning)
June 1, 8 Mrs. Large
June 15, 22 Mrs. Hodson
June 29 Mrs. Gilson
July 6 Mrs. Gilson

A brief round up from
SOMERSHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL

Miss Knowles and Class 1 have recently enjoyed a trip to Redgrave and Lopham Fen. The class divided into two groups to walk a section of the River Waveney and each group was lucky enough to have a really good view of a marsh harrier. The next premises project is an overhaul of the library. The Governors work hard to continue Somersham School's progress, but always seems to be short of enough Community Governors! Any offers? Please collect the cash for schools coupons in the Evening Star. There is a £2,000 prize for the school that collects the most. Anyone wishing to visit our school should contact our School Secretary Mrs. Maguire. Tel 01473 831251.
E-mail.admin.kfk@e2bn.net.

CHURCH SERVICES in our 8 linked parishes

If you think there may be a mistake in the rota please contact your Churchwarden.

Please contact a Churchwarden if you think that there is a mistake in the listing. Thank you.

1st June 2nd Sunday after Trinity

8th June 3rd Sunday after Trinity

15th June 4th Sunday after Trinity

22nd June 5th Sunday after Trinity

29th June 6th Sunday after Trinity

July 6th 7th Sunday after Trinity