Birdbrook News Issue No. 66 July 2014 IS LIFE IN THE COUNTRY ALL IT’S CRACKED UP TO BE?

Well, of course it is, especially in Bird- like that”, but would we? Elsewhere in this issue brook Parish and surrounding areas! there is an Police publicity poster for a scam that has been going for some time now and we believe quite a few people in Saffron Walden However there are drawbacks, not least is lack of most and have fallen foul of this amenities for example all public transport has virtually gone, one. It’s usually elderly people who seem to be shop and post office closed, but we still manage to keep our targeted. The latest version of this type of scam is pub and church. Another drawback coming to the fore in the very clever, none of us would ever fall for it, but last 12/18 months is the increase in crime we are seeing. We some very clever people already have. have for the most part been crime free in the recent past and hence a reduced policing level but lately things seem to be Your bank phones and asks for your h elp in changing. Last issue we carried a note about theft from catching money launderers. It is suggested you sheds which we experienced at the end of last summer/early either call into the bank or make special arrange- autumn along with theft of oil from storage tanks. As it is ments to take out cash which will then be collect- that time of year again we felt a reminder of the problems ed from you at home by a courier. This will of and of some of our responsibilities wouldn’t go amiss. course be marked and traceable money and will not actually be taken from your account. To verify SHEDS this is all above board you are asked to call the As mentioned above we carried an item last month about number on the back of your card immediately and possible thefts from sheds in neighbouring areas. This has Continued on page 2 now been confirmed to us in that there have been occurrenc- es in both Stambourne and Ridgewell. We further under- stand there is a possibility two gangs from London have HYGIENE SUCCESS moved out into rural areas and both are involved in this type If you eat out these days you will no doubt of crime. Unlike Birdbrook’s experience last time when it have seen the certificates advising of the hy- was expensive electric/powered tools which went these giene standards of the establishment as in- groups seem to take anything they think they can sell. spected by the district council. Well, we are HEATING OIL THEFT pleased to announce that The Plough, Bird- Again we keep being reminded this is a sort of permanent brook has been awarded the top score of 5 item and because a lot of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk is gas stars in their latest inspection. It takes a lot of free as it were there is a lot to steal. This also looks like well hard work to get to this level and we would like organised professional types as they normally leave no trace, to congratulate Pam on this achievement. amateurs generally leave spillage or even leave the tank to No doubt all the hard work has to start again drain off as they don’t have sufficient receptacles to carry it now to keep to this level and get the same all away. These current guys leave no mess and can take as score next time! much as 1000/1500 litres at a time. As most of us tend to fill Look out for the up in summer when oil is a bit cheaper or say early Septem- certificate dis- ber ready for a cold autumn spell now would be the time to be on the look-out. played in the SCAMS window. Thanks to computers, online banking and buying etc. there is a lot of this about! We all say “I would never get caught TRW

Page 1 make the required arrangements. This goes well, you have seen in the last couple of seasons causing a collect the money and it is then collected from you weight problem. and of course it goes from your account. Some people It is perhaps as well to remind ourselves of our re- have done this and even against the advice of bank sponsibilities in these events. No boundary, hedge, staff when they go to collect the money. What actual- fence etc. is allowed to encroach onto any footpath or ly happens of course is you put down the phone but public highway. This includes undergrowth, weeds pick it up immediately to call. However the person and the like. For overhanging trees the rule for any who has called you does not put the phone down and branch over a path or highway should not have any the line is still open so whatever number you dial, branches lower than 5 metres from the ground to even 999, merely gets you back where you were. avoid damage to high sided vehicles like double deck Meantime whoever you spoke to first has passed the buses etc. There is also a rule that prohibits the siting handset to someone else who answers as if they are of objects on the roadside to stop vehicles using the someone from your bank so all seems above board. verge. Highways usually own about 1/1.5 metres from You need to remember that in these cases if the caller the road edge and these items are therefore on High- to you does not put down the phone it can be up to ways property. As with overhanging trees any person two minutes before the line is disconnected so you claiming from ECC for damage to a vehicle by any of calling another number just connects you back. You these means will be referred to the property holder should really be quick enough to realise you hadn’t and any action will be directed against them. heard a dialling tone! We have been told that in the past this disconnection could have been up to three or NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH even five minutes but currently is around the two In view of all the foregoing, and minute mark. However BT are working on this and as it came out of The Parish Plan aim to have this time to as low as two seconds but it consultation that there was inter- could well be mid 2015 before this happens so be- est in a Neighbourhood Watch ware! If you are asked to call back either wait at least scheme the parish council is in 10/15 minutes or use another line, not another phone touch with the relevant authori- on the same line, or best still don’t call back but per- ties about this. It is hoped to ar- haps phone the police if you are aware it may be a range a public meeting after the scam. Also don’t forget the police will not ask for de- summer holidays to discuss how this might happen. tails of your cards over the phone. Full details as soon as they are available.

TREES etc. After all that please do sleep well at night, and all at Now we come to some or Birdbrook News hope you have a great summer. our responsibilities as Hope the sun keeps shining as it is at this moment. good country dwellers. TRW. These mainly concern trees and the highways. In recent months from late last summer onwards there have been quite a Birdbrook News Available few trees and or large Electronically branches falling. Most of HELP US REDUCE OUR COSTS these are harmless but AND SAVE PAPER! some have fallen into public places and/or across the roads. It has been very If you’d like to receive the newsletter in your gratifying to note that in all cases so far that in any inbox instead of your letterbox just send us an e-mail with your name and address to case of obstruction every property holder has ar- [email protected] , ranged early clearance to avoid any disruption. The with the word ‘ Subscribe ’ in the subject. parish council are very grateful for this and we are If you’d like both, just leave out your postal sure highways are as well. It has been suggested that address from the these events are probably weather related due to the e-mail. large amounts of rain and the extra special growth we

Page 2 Page 3 Want to Advertise Your Business in the Next Issue of Birdbrook Local Blood News for Free? Donor Sessions

Birdbrook News is distributed 5 times a year to all Wednesday 23 rd July (Haverhill Arts Centre) households in Birdbrook Parish and some to house- Friday 1 st August (Linton College) holds in Haverhill, Sturmer, Steeple Bumpstead and Ridgewell. Monday 4 th August (Queens Hall, Halstead) Friday 29 th August (Linton College) Our rates are as follows: Thursday 11 th September (Haverhill Arts Centre) ¼ page £ 14.00 ½ page £ 23.00 To find out more about registering to give blood or Full page £ P.O.A. to book to donate please see www.blood.co.uk or 1 year ½ page in pullout section on colour pa- call free on 0300 123 23 23 per £ 110.00

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If you would like more information or would like to place an advert please contact Richard Walker on When responding to an advert you 788887 or e-mail [email protected]. have seen in Birdbrook News Dates for adverts to be submitted by are included in the please mention where you saw it. pull-out section of the newsletter. Thank you.

Page 4 Chat & Stitch Group

It’s been a quieter couple of months since last writing but We welcome Angela to the group who has recently none the less we have all still been beavering away. The moved into the area. jelly roll fabric has now been made into cushions, which She is new to the makes sitting a lot more comfortable both at Chat ‘n’ world of patchwork Stitch and Ladies Group! If you look closely in a couple but is enjoying it. She of the photo’s you can see them being used! has found Blake End Olive continues to be very productive making these two fabric shop and got lovely quilts. They are both original designs. The majori- everything together ty of the work has been hand pieced and quilted. Two in time to join some lucky recipients who will receive these as gifts! of us when we made the Quick Bow Tie block at the begin- ning of June –

On a more personal note I would like to thank all the lovely ladies for the beautiful bouquet of flowers and wishes given to me for one of those special birthdays!

Anne Hepworth

Page 5 Birdbrook Ladies Group

May fascinating insight into their hardworking lives. Our A.G.M. Was held on the 8 th May 2014. Sue The cook was quite possibly the most important King ran through the last years programme, which servant in the house next to the butler and house- had proved varied and entertaining. keeper. The cook for Ickworth was Mrs. Sang- The Committee elections were held and Sue gra- ster. She was renowned throughout the county for ciously agreed to continue as chairperson and Hi- her amazing food and remained with the family lary was equally happy to remain as Treasurer. for many years. Unfortunately she was so careful Nicky has been unable to continue as Secretary so not to let anyone in to her secrets she never wrote Diane Cook has agreed too take on the position. anything down and there are no records of any of The 2014/15 programme was discussed and several her recipes. interesting options put forward, so we are all look- It was a most informative and interesting talk and ing forward to the coming 12 months. Ickworth House is most certainly worth a visit if you haven’t been before. June Celia Graham came from the Na- Diane Cook tional Trust’s Ickworth House and gave us a slide show and talk on ‘Life Below Stairs’. She gave us a

Page 6 December Our Christmas meal this year was held at the Moot House, Castle Hedingham once again. It is a favourite with the members as we are always guaranteed good food and

service. We had a wonderful welcomeAnne of Clevesand sat House, around Hamlet the Road, fire for a pre dinner drink (or to dry Haverhill,out as it Suffolk, was a CB9 wet 8EE and windy night). Telephone: 01440 70 56 56 After much eating, chatting andwww.haverhillphysiotherapyclinic.co.uk laughing we retired to the Pre-School Care and Education seating area by the Christmas tree and did our Secret Santa. We offer places for children aged 2 to 5 years. Some people were very good and saved their present but We have excellent staff and a friendly and safe those of us who couldn't wait seemed pleased with their environment for the children to learn and play. gifts.

Sports injuries - muscle and ligament sprains Morning sessions 9am - 12pm, Januaryand strains Lunch club 12pm - 1pm, I don'tBack Pain know - Sciatica, what trapped it isnerves, about disc the beginning of the year but prolapse Afternoon sessions 1pm - 3pm onceNeck again Pain - Direct our Injury planned (Whiplash), speaker Postural was unable to attend. At suchStrain short notice a replacement was not viable so we had Peripheral complaints, e.g. upper and lower Opening times thatlimb ‘old problems favourite’, a Beetle Drive. You either love it or hateArthritis/rheumatic i but it was conditions a bit of fun. We also used the opportunity Monday 9am - 3pm Repetitive strain injuries/Sports injuries Tuesday 9am - 1pm to Assessmentplan for ofnext undiagnosed month's aches meeting and pains which is a fund raiser, our Thursday 9am - 1pm chosenPost operative charity rehabilitation this time being something for the men – ProstatePilates Classes Cancer. The decision was made to hold a supper and(small quiz. classes Refreshments - Halstead & Haverhill) were served half way through the Interested? Registered with all major insurance companies For more information or to book a visit meetingSelf financingand also patients the welcome. raffle was drawn. Carol Harding was please contact Rachel on 07855 159357 or theRegistered winner with theof Healththe BeetleProfessions Drive Council and won a small prize. Member of the Organisation of Chartered Physio- 01799 586524 (out of hours) therapists in Private Practice

Themed parties for 3-8 year olds

We provide non-stop fun and games with prizes for everyone: Magic•Disco Dancing•Fun Races•Action Songs•Guessing Games Ball Challenges•Musical Games•Puppet Fun•Talent Show

You relax whilst we keep the kids fully entertained and make sure the birthday child has the time of their life!

Contact your local party team to find out more:

Page 7 St AUGUSTINE’S Judi and I would like the thank everybody who worked so ghard and those who generously donated so much, so CHURCH as to make the day such a success. The totla raised was over £500.

Patrick Crouch and Judi Price On the 10 th May my fellow Churchwardens churchwarden Judi Price and I went to our annual visitation and swearing in. This time, however, it was held in Chelms- ford cathedral as part of the centenary celebrations of the founding of the diocese of . The service was con- ducted by the bishop, the Rt. Revd. Stephen Cottrell, assisted by the Arch Deacon pf Stanstead, our own Robin King, the Archdeacon of Colchester, Dean of Chelmsford, with a number of Rural Deans, clergy, lay readers and hundreds of church wardens with their supporters. The cathedral was packed. It was a moving service with so many people giving voice to the hymns, quite different to the usual numbers we get at Bird- brook. It was also nice to talk to other churchwardens, often from totally different parishes.

Our main fundraising event of the year was the ‘Bizarre Ba- zaar’, held on Saturday 28 th June. Our visitors were able to en- joy traditional strawberry cream teas, and tried their luck on the tombola. The children were kept amused with a treasure hunt, guess the number of sweets in the jar and large hoopla. Several new outfits were chosen from the ‘Nearly New’ selection of clothes, nicely presented on hangers, with shoes, hat, jewellery etc. also for sale. There were also cakes, preserves, plants and books available to buy. We had wisely taken the decision to hold most of the event in the church, as we certainly had some rain on the day but that did not stop a good number of people attending. It was nice to see so many friends and there was plenty of chat going on. One of the advantages of these events is to bring the community to- gether.

Don't forget to keep us advised of all your events so we can include them on the ‘notice board’ and on the dates page. Timing of issues and deadline dates are in pull-out section.

Contact 788887, e-mail [email protected] or forward to The Meadows, Daw Street.

Page 8 Page 9 Just for Kids!

Colour me in!

Chilly Banana Ingredients: • 2 bananas • 300g of frozen raspberries (not defrosted) You can make this with any frozen soft berries; maybe strawberries or blackberries or mixed soft fruits. • Some cream, whipped if you like • 2 small glasses Directions: 1. Pop the raspberries into a liquidizer (blender). Peel and chop the bananas. Add them too. 2. Put the lid on and whisk for a few minutes. 3. Using a spatula, scrape the mixture out of the liquidizer and divide it between the glasses. 4. Add a blob of cream before sharing.

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Portable Gas Heaters from £74.95 Open 7 Days a Week M & M Leisure Centre LTD Sturmer Rd, Haverhill CB9 7UU 01440 703974 www.mmleisure.co.uk Page 11 BIRDBROOK NEWS is supported by Birdbrook Parish Council, who meet all printing costs not covered by sponsorship / adver- tising. It is produced by Richard Walker and Carrie Webb and all copy should be left at The Meadows, Daw Street or e-mail [email protected] or call 788887. News is issued February, May, July, September and late November and copy deadlines are published on diary page of this Newsletter.

We welcome comments, reports and stories on village life, past and present and also general correspondence, which may be edited due to space reasons.

The acceptance of, and subsequent publication of, any advertisement does not in any way constitute any endorsement by Bird- brook News of goods or services being offered. The views and comments in Birdbrook News do not necessarily reflect the opin- ions of the Parish Council. TRW/CW/BdbkNews/Issue66July2014/26/06/2014 Printed by Hedingham School. Page 12