The Village News January 2021 Edition

THE VILLAGE NEWS JANUARY 2021 EDITION

Cover photo courtesy of Sam Auger-Forbes

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1 – COVER 2 – PARISH COUNCILLORS 3 – STAFF & LOCAL COUNCIL 4 – COUNCIL WORKING GROUPS,COMMITTEES & REPS 5 – 2020 REVIEW 6 – 2020 REVIEW 7 – 2020 REVIEW 8 – 2020 REVIEW 9 – 2020 REVIEW 10 – REVERAND MANDY 11 – REVERAND MANDY 12 – ST EDMUNDS CHURCH 13 – LOCAL NEWS 14 - GREENER GROWTH 15 – KSSC / LOCAL HISTORY 16 – KEITH NICHOLS 17 – BIRD RINGERS & VOLUNTEER GROUPS / BOOK EXCHANGE 18 – FUN AND GAMES 19 – USEFUL INFORMATION 20 – USEFUL INFORMATION 21 – WOMEN LIKE ME 22 – KESSINGLAND BOWLS CLUB 23 – KESSINGLAND LIBRARY 24 – PROJECT PEN PAL / ENTRIES

KESSINGLAND ‘FREEWOMAN’ JOAN ODDY

JANUARY’S UPCOMING MEETINGS

FULL COUNCIL – 13/01/2021 at 10:30 (ZOOM) FINANCE & GOVERNANCE – 27/01/2021 at 11:00

YOUR PARISH COUNCILLORS

CHAIR COUNCILLOR SID JAMES BRIAN KITE

Tel: 01502 740521 Tel: 01502 742345 Email:sjames@kessinglan Email:bkite@kessinglandp dparishcouncil.org.uk arishcouncil.org.uk

VICE CHAIR COUNCILLOR DAVE BOYLE JULIE MCLEAN

Tel: 07707201300 Tel:07539696904 Email:dboyle@kessinglan Email:jmclean@kessinglan dparishcouncil.org.uk dparishcouncil.org.uk

COUNCILLOR COUNCILLOR ALAN GREEN DAVID MOTTRAM

Tel: 07789644645 Tel: 07377624686 Email:agreen@kessinglan Email:dmottram@kessingl dparishcouncil.org.uk andparishcouncil.org.uk

COUNCILLOR COUNCILLOR CHRISTINE COOK BARRY BURDEN

Tel: 07592555345 Tel: 01502 742442 Email:ccook@kessingland Email:bburden@kessingla parishcouncil.org.uk ndparishcouncil.org.uk

COUNCILLOR COUNCILLOR BILLY NICHOLLS BOB SAUNDERS

Tel: 07584168200 Tel: 07901530770 Email:bnicholls@kessingla Email:bsaunders@kessing ndparishcouncil.org.uk landparishcouncil.org.uk

COUNCILLOR COUNCILLOR IAN GRAHAM MARTIN DUNNE

Tel: 07985462200 Tel: 01502 741945 Email:igraham@kessingla Email:mdunne@kessinglan ndparishcouncil.org.uk dparishcouncil.org.uk

COUNCILLOR KESSINGLAND PARISH CLAIRE GOWER COUNCIL

Tel: 07747441061 Tel: 01502 744367 Email:cgower@kessinglan Email:clerk@kessinglandp dparishcouncil.org.uk arishcouncil.org.uk Kessingland Parish Council Hall Road Kessingland, Lowestoft Suffolk, NR33 7PP

YOUR PARISH STAFF

CLERK & RFO DEPUTY CLERK NEIL COLEBY SHELLEY HOGG

Telephone: 01502 Telephone: 01502 744367 744367 Email: Email: clerk@kessinglandparish deputyclerk@kessingland council.org.uk parishcouncil.org.uk Office hours: Office Hours: Mon – Thu 9-5 Mon – Thu 9-5

CLEANSING OPERATIVES GENERAL FACTOTUM NIALL MCLEAN RUTH ORRIS PAUL REID

YOUR LOCAL COUNCILLORS

COUNTY COUNCILLOR DISTRICT COUNCILLOR MICHAEL LADD LETITIA SMITH

Tel: 01502 724337 / Tel: 01502 512862 / 07714597994 07596812358

Email: michael.ladd@su Email:Letitia.smith@easts ffolk.gov.uk uffolk.gov.uk

EAST SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk Automated payments 0300 7900509 Out of hours emergencies 0800 440 2516 Find us on Facebook & Twitter

PARISH COUNCIL WORKING GROUPS, COMMITTEES & REPRESENTATIVES

EVENTS & COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE FINANCE & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

CHAIR – D.Mottram CHAIR – B.Burden

MEMBERS – D.Boyle, J.McLean, C.Cook & C.Gower MEMBERS – D.Boyle, I.Graham, S.James & B.Nicholls

LEISURE & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

CHAIR – B.Nicholls CHAIR – I.Graham

MEMBERS – D.Boyle, B.Burden,J.McLean C.Cook, MEMBERS – D.Boyle, C.Cook & A.Green M.Dunne & B.Kite

PLANNING COMMITTEE EMERGENCY PLANNING WORKING GROUP

CHAIR – M.Dunne CO-ORDINATOR – D.Boyle DEPUTY – S.James MEMBERS – I.Graham, A.Green, B.Kite & MEMBERS – A.Green & B.Kite B.Saunders HERITAGE WORKING GROUP

HEALTH & SAFETY WORKING GROUP CHAIR – A.Green

CHAIR – D.Boyle MEMBERS – B.Kite & M.Dunne

MEMBERS – C.Cook, J.McLean & B.Nicholls MARSH WARDEN – D.Boyle

HIGHWAYS & FOOTPATHS WORKING GROUP ALLOTMENTS – B.Nicholls

CHAIR – M.Dunne GREENER GROWTH – J.McLean

MEMBERS – A.Green, B.Kite & B.Saunders HIDDEN NEEDS IN YOUTH & ELDERLY

BEACH WARDENS C.Cook, C.Gower & D.Mottram NORTH – M.Dunne

SOUTH – S.James KSSC – C.Cook

CLEAN UP TEAMS – D.Boyle BENACRE & KESSINGLAND FLOOD GROUP M.Dunne KESSINGLAND IN NEED TRUST M.Dunne COMPASS SUITE TRUST

COMMUNITY ACTION SUFFOLK B.Burden & M.Dunne C.Cook

A LOOK BACK AT 2020

2020 was undoubtedly a year like no other in modern history, we were all affected in one way or another and the year on the whole was a challenge, a challenge we are still enduring. But endure it we did, all the stress and hardship aside we witnessed people come together as a community, businesses adapted to survive and the community backed them. New services were created and existing ones changed to continue to provide people with what they need. Emergency help was established and people volunteered in their dozens. People found a way to help each other, to support each other and to rely on each other. 2020 may have been the worst many of us have seen but it brought out the best in so many of us. Here we look back at the POSITIVES of 2020, because there were so many!

JANUARY saw the introduction of walking football into the village at the newly formed Kessingland FC. The club was formed after an absence of a local team for 4 years after the Juggernauts folded in 2016. The club had initial aims of a walking team, a senior men’s team and an under 9’s team. Operating out of The Hub at Francis Road the club is run by passionate local people and they also offer refreshments at training and match days.

In FEBRUARY essential work was carried out at the entrance of the Church Road allotments, easier and safer access was achieved as well as a more attractive design. Kessingland community fitness ran their popular family fun sessions including indoor football (right) and rounders on the field. They also held walks and exercise sessions around the village bringing people together.

The end of FEBRUARY saw Kessingland Church of England Primary Academy receive an OFSTED report of ‘GOOD’. This was a huge achievement having previously been ‘NEEDS IMPROVEMENT’. MARCH saw the formation of Kessingland events group, bringing groups and businesses around the village together to collaborate and support each other in projects and events in the village. Created by former councillor Dawn Taylor it is a legacy the parish council will retain.

On March 26th we all took part in the first clap for carers, this was a weekly event taking place on a Thursday evening and ran until the 28th of May. Families, businesses and workers would all clap, cheer and even bang pots and pans to create a positive vibe and show appreciation to our key workers and local heroes.

In APRIL John and Katy opened the Kessingland book exchange, residents could swap, donate or take books, art supplies, dvd’s and magazines all free of charge. This service was vital to so many people in isolation, John and Katy would even deliver items around the village. The parish council raised nearly £500 for Sports Relief by doing a charity fun run.

To respond to the lockdown an emergency helpline was created by the parish council meaning people who needed help could get it from a volunteer. This service was fantastic, people volunteered in their dozens to help with shopping, transport and support. Pictured left, two of our volunteers who delivered information leaflets to every house in the village, no small task!! Thank you to all our volunteers, without you so many people would have struggled alone. The food bank also provided the community with essential groceries they needed.

In May we sadly had to cancel the planned Easter activities due to covid, we were however able to adapt and still offer the children an Easter egg. All they had to do was draw a lovely picture and display in their window and on Easter Sunday the ‘Easter bunny’ delivered over 130 eggs! Morrisons very kindly donated a lot of eggs, any left over were given to the food bank. The parish council erected their NHS flag at Roy Browns gardens. Residents took part in a ‘Garden Party’ theme to replace the usual street parties, to comply with guidelines people decorated their gardens and houses and had tea parties or BBQ’s to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE day.

In June Kessingland FC’s men’s team and under 9’s, the Hunter Thor’s both kicked off their debut seasons. It was wonderful to hear football in the village again and especially to see something so positive for the children. All at Kessingland FC should be proud of what they have achieved and given the community. The men’s team play in the Lowestoft & district league, division 2, which is the 18th tier of English football. Home games are played at Francis Road.

In JULY we put up our new flag to thank the key workers, shown left by Chairman Sid James. Other big news in the village was the much anticipated reopening of Africa Alive! The park had been forced to close but under new procedures it was able to welcome back guests on a booking only format. Work really began to push on at the Greener Growth community garden on Rider Haggard, the former site of a play park. It had long been run down so to see it repurposed for the community and nature is brilliant. Anyone is welcome to visit and work in the gardens or just view wildlife such as bee’s, butterflies, hedgehogs and if you are lucky a deer!

AUGUST was a busy month, Tilly the talespinner (left) visited the community garden to read stories and poems to families. The childrens free summer club held 3 days of activities at Francis Road. The children played football, golf, tennis, rounders, jenga, did obstacle courses and had water fights. The Kessingland Library was able to reopen, this was fantastic news for the community. The Benacre project received a grant to help protect our coast. And you might recall a special visitor to our coast, the cruise ship ‘Arcadia’ moored off the coast of Kessingland and then Southwold during the month.

In SEPTEMBER the winners of Kessingland’s first sunflower competition were announced. The newsletter became ‘The Village News’ after a renaming vote. Kessingland youth club ran its trial, operating from the Hub at Francis Road 4 sessions on a Wednesday evening were all well attended by the children. Everyone had fun and the future looks promising for its hopeful permanent return in 2021.

OCTOBER saw the return of the pumpkin carving competition, fancy dress and sweet jar game. Due to covid we couldn’t provide a disco this year but the day was well attended. Also this month the memorial plaque was

erected in Roy Browns garden, the library reopened again, The Sailors Home won an award, the Men’s Shed project moved into its new premises at the old Bethel and village legend Keith Nichols joined the Village News with his column.

NOVEMBER was another busy month, the winners of the Guy/Scarecrow were announced, replacing the usual Summer slot of the scarecrow competition due to covid. Pictures above. Pictures below show the winners of Kessingland’s first photography competition, the competition will become an annual event due to its popularity.

DECEMBER was another busy month, the Christmas tree at St Edmunds Crescent returned bigger and brighter this year and residents were allowed to add their own decorations. On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of December Santa’s nautical sleigh toured the village accompanied by the Kessingland elves. On the morning of the 20th the elves delivered chocolate reindeers to all the children who had entered the drawing competition and returned letters and gift boxes to all the children who wrote to Santa. On Monday 21st the winners of the window display competition were announced. The village looked lovely this year with many people making the extra effort after a tough year. Throughout the whole year, come rain or shine the village clean up teams have

been out litter picking and improving countless areas in the village, the marsh and at the beach. Operating on a Friday morning and during the warmer months on a Monday morning too. The work these people have put in is amazing and the improvement is clear to see. At the end of the month Councillor Nicholls installed the first bench as part of his refurbishment project at Roy Brown’s gardens. Well done Billy it looks great.

Photos below show the ‘Coastal Sleigh’ and team Christmas!

Photos: left – Santa on his sleigh. Centre – the delivery elf. Right – 2020 Christmas tree.

Below, the 3 winners of the 2020 Christmas window display competition, all winning large Christmas hampers.

Shirley Hirst Annalise Miles Dawn Taylor

Thank you to all who donated during the sleigh tour, your kindness raised £100 for the foodbank.

REVEREND MANDY

From the Rectory Revd Mandy writes about Healing and Reconciliation in 2021:

During my time in ministry, rural and coastal villages are familiar to me; so it is that I often see RNLI boats and crews. Close to Kessingland we have the RNLI in Lowestoft and in Southwold, in my previous posting there were stations in Hemsby, Caister and Great Yarmouth. Always a vision of reassurance bringing a greater peace of mind to the many who wander from the shoreline into the waters. With current news on the brexit situation (I have no idea what that may be by the time you read this) and the current situation with the virus having kept many separated from loved ones since last March, and all the other dimensions of pain and suffering the virus has brought upon so many people; it is not surprising the levels of disagreement and anxiety have been raised and perhaps you may find yourself in a situation where there is unrest between you and another or several others. With a New Year, a new vaccine, a new way of living outside of the European Union, adapting to unemployment, reduced income, the adjustment in trying to adapt to our changing world, and all the upsets we have endured, we may be wondering how we are going to start healing some of the divisions that we’ve experienced, and seek reconciliation. In Europe, in our United Kingdom, in our villages, homes, families and work places. As I often walk along Kessingland beach I see boats, it comes to my mind that perhaps we can be a reassurance to those around us as the lifeboat stations are to others. A sign of hope, a people of community, looking out for one another and trying to avoid the danger of heading into a storm with one another. Lifeboat crews are well aware that turbulence and storms are a way of life, but they work as a team, to try and keep people safe and direct them away from such storms. They seek to carry people to a calmer place. Lifeboat crews are families of people young and not so young who draw on each other’s experience and strength; and when they are alerted to some-one in need, in danger; they put their own lives at risk to go and save them, to help them, to bring them back on safe ground. We are not all called to serve as a lifeboat crew, but I do believe all of us would like to help save some-one from a storm, seek to avoid a storm and look for calmer ground as a priority. When we hear someone described as a good Samaritan, we think about that person taking the time to help another. But it’s also a story told by Jesus about someone taking the risk of reaching out to another who was very different to them. Yes, the person needed help, but they also needed a sense of belonging and being valued, a sense of being welcomed; they needed connection. Christian faith doesn’t promise us a comfortable life, but Jesus birth last month, does promise us hope, meaning, peace, purpose and joy, if we want it. Not always, being a Christian does not guarantee we will always have comfort. Being a Christian is about following in the footsteps of Jesus, who took the risk of connecting with people who were separated from him, Jesus welcomed them, whoever they were regardless of their background and their own faith. Jesus offered peace. We rightly think of lifeboat crews as heroic, yet every time we reach out and connect with someone, it is an act of heroism. Do not underestimate it. A kind word, reassuring word, a helpful tip, a supporting arm. It could be someone you know. It could be someone you have always wanted to connect with but never have. It could be someone you really disagree with. 2020 has been well...... a horrible year. Let us seek to be life savers, lets seek to go for a heroic new year’s resolution. Let us seek to reconnect with one another. To reach out to just one person we do not know, or from whom we have drifted apart. Pick one person. Pick up the phone. Send them a text. Meet them for a cup of tea(if permitted).Make that connection. Let us begin cementing our unity one step at time .For this new year, and those to come. I pray that we find the hope offered in Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. I wish you all a happy and peaceful new year.

God bless you. Revd Mandy.

REVEREND MANDY

From the Rectory Revd Mandy writes about Moving forward:

2021 HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all dear friends, I welcome this additional space to engage with you. In previous parishes I have served in, it was the church that provided the parish magazine so,I really do appreciate the Parish Council giving the Church this opportunity. THANKYOU. Where do I begin, 2020 has been an unprecedented year and a time of discovery about who we are and what we might strive to be. The reality is I was only here a few months and then came lockdown, but in those few months I discovered much about you all, through integrating in the school, care-homes, uniformed groups, pubs, the over 60’s, friendship group, Women’s Institute and Mothers Union. Hospital visits, home visits and sadly end of life care. Of course, in March it was so incredibly sad to encounter temporary closure of many of the local groups and so my physical interaction with you was restricted beyond what I could ever have imagined. In addition our friendship and fellowship with you all through all the wonderful social interaction and care that the church provides in coffee morning, luncheon club, café church, Easter fun day, and services, FISH (food in school holidays) summer fete, flower festival, and the services of remembrance and Christmas all scaled down. We missed the joy of the Christmas bazaar, the crib service, and being able to go into the school. It has been difficult for the whole village and beyond, as we all sought to find new ways to connect and stay connected, and it must have felt sometimes that God and the church had “shut up shop”. BUT THE OPPOSITE was the reality, our churches buildings had to close, but THE CHURCH was not shut down....all church family and their friends were redeployed to serve quietly behind the scenes in service to God and without notice, as they always have been but now in greater numbers as the need for help increased. To the most in need and in greater difficulty, to people that always have been unseen and sometimes fall off our radar, we were here throughout and are here now....Please be assured Kessingland church responds to confidential referrals from community carers, GP’s, police,teachers and others of those in need by regular calls, and where possible a PPE visit. The opening up of foodbank to everyone was a way of engaging all you lovely people supporting each other and gave you an opportunity of coming together. I give thanks to God for all of you who respond to that and continue to give so generously. Bless you, THANKYOU. Sometimes visible, but often not and behind the scenes, Kessingland church has been here for centuries and continues to be, to walk alongside you from cradle to grave and all inbetween. I give thanks that numerous weddings and baptisms are scheduled for this year and next and pray they may all go ahead. I am encouraged that hundreds of you are tuning into online services and new faces have started coming to church on Sundays, you are all so very welcome. Kessingland church priority is and shall always remain, the pastoral care and support of those we serve. Our prayers for 2021 are that all of you who have been affected by the virus in whatever way may come to a place of healing and we may all be able to come together physically again soon. A New Year brings new hope and the opportunity of a new beginning. We hope to launch a baby & toddler group and additional outreach groups in 2021 and hold services of remembrance and thanksgiving for all bereaved during the Virus. As always, I encourage all to speak kindly to each other and about each other and I pray we may all now look forward to a peaceful, and a better New Year .Oh yes...... I am looking forward to dancing again at the Working Men’s club and hope to see some of you there.

God bless you all, Rev Mandy

ST EDMUNDS CHURCH

ST EDMUNDS CHURCH SERVICES

Services Every Sunday Whoever you are, whatever your background, wherever you are on life’s journey. Faith or no faith, you are welcome here. (Facemasks and social distancing apply)

10.45am: Holy Communion We are a Church family, who seek to welcome and embrace everyone in friendship, pastoral care and to uphold our Christian commandment of “love one another as I have loved you”. Simple; come ,all are welcome. Come when you can, leave when you like. Simple.

Facebook: Kessingland Benefice YOUtube: The True Kessingland Benefice Website: www.kessinglandbenefice.uk

LOCAL NEWS FROM KESSINGLAND & EAST ANGLIA

Kessingland FC returned to action in December after the second lockdown halted fixtures. On 12/12 they played at home in the Suffolk Primary Cup against Grundisburgh Reserves. Grudisburgh play at a level two tiers up from Kessingland and showed their class with an 1-11 win. On 19/12 they played their only league fixture of the month at home to AFC Oulton First team and lost 2-4. They end the year in 8th.

Kessingland Youth Club update; we are delighted to announce that the club has secured £1600 in funding from district councillor Letitia Smith and county councillor Michael Ladd. We simply wouldn’t have been able to continue without their support. The funds will be used to purchase gaming consoles with controllers and games, a second TV, art supplies, darts and pool equipment, 2 large football goals, footballs, basketballs, games and to stock a diverse tuck shop within the club. Volunteers will also be provided with a youth club branded hoody. Thanks also to Jo McCullum who is funding youth work training for the volunteers at the club. We aim to bring the club back on a permanent basis in early 2021 following the successful trial during September 2020.

Roy Brown’s garden had it’s first refurbished bench installed this month. The project of Councillor Billy Nicholl’s who is planning to refurbish most of the benches in the garden. The new bench looks great.

Despite the news that the government has published an amended Statutory Instrument which permits outdoor attractions, including zoos, to remain open in Tier 4 areas. Africa Alive! Has taken the difficult but cautious decision to close until further notice. Any pre booked tickets can be exchanged upon reopening. We wish all the staff and animals good health and applaud their selfless decision.

East Suffolk Council completed pathway resurfacing on the footpath between Llloyds Avenue and Church Road. This was an essential piece of work due to the footpath becoming very uneven. Thank you to East Suffolk Council for this work.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN GARDEN / GREENER GROWTH

The small piece of Kessingland trying to save the world

...... one bee and butterfly at a time......

At the bottom of Rider Haggard Lane, you may have seen a small piece of land which used to be the Old Playground and wondered what was happening with it. A few years ago, Greener Growth CIC in collaboration with Kessingland Parish Council and help from the children of Kessingland Primary School, took over the management of this area to convert it into a Community Kitchen and Wildflower Garden for all the Community to enjoy.

During the first half of 2020, not much work could be carried out due to the first lockdown; however, in the Summer the Garden was able to host its first event where Tilly the Tailspinner came to visit to entertain the children with lots of stories. The event, along with a Butterfly & Nature Trail, proved to be a big success and Tilly will be back in 2021. All being well, more events will be able to take place too.

The latter half of 2020 proved to be much busier with a volunteer group being set up to help with the garden maintenance. Lots of new wildflower seeds have been sown & bulbs planted, the raised vegetable beds have all been tidied and fresh compost added, fruit trees have been added and members of the Community have very kindly donated vegetable seeds, a Hedgehog Hotel, bird feeders and new Bee boxes…. other plans include new fencing and signage along with additional raised beds. In the Spring there will be an abundance of colour from all the flowers and an amazing wildlife haven, all in your own backyard.

Come along & see it for yourself whilst out on your daily walks, join the volunteer group & help to maintain the Garden, or just have a seat and enjoy the peace & tranquility for a while.

If you wish to volunteer, please contact Jannine at Greener Growth via email [email protected]

THE KSSC

2020 has been a very challenging year for everyone even more so for the KSSC committee. Just when we thought that we had got things in place to able to reopen by purchasing PPE equipment and adhering to government guidelines, we realised that our heating was a warm air system that would circulate any germs in the building. In addition, the windows do not open to allow for ventilation. Therefore the heating system will have to be replaced and some of the windows. We have had some verbal quotes to replace these between £20-25,000. We will apply for any available grants but we will need to fund raise towards the total cost. Some of you will have seen on Facebook, we have already joined the One Lottery to start the fund raising initiative. It works like the National Lottery but is just for the KSSC with 50% of the ticket sales donated to the KSSC and 24% on prizes. The prize amounts depend on how many tickets sold. As a village you can help us to reopen by joining at www.onelottery.co.uk and search for Kessingland Sports & Social Centre to purchase a ticket(s). Tickets are £1.00 each. If you do not have a computer you can telephone 01865 678679. The first draw is on Saturday 28th November but at the time of writing (1 week before) only 13 people have bought 20 tickets of the 50 needed to participate. We have also joined Amazon Smile. If you shop on Amazon you can join and nominate Kessingland Sports & Social Centre as the charity you would like to support for every £1 you spend Amazon will donate 5p to us. Just log onto www.smile.amazon.co.uk and select Kessingland Sports & Social Centre every time you purchase something log onto smile.amazon instead of just amazon .Last year we applied to the CO-OP Community fund to help replace the kitchen we were lucky to qualify and were given £1243.28. This will now go towards replacing the heating/windows. David Mottram is supporting the KSSC by donating money from his raffle’s. These are small measures and the Committee are doing their best to reopen the community centre for the Village. We cannot do this alone and need the support of the Kessingland village community to do this. Our thanks go to the 13 people who have purchased tickets for the lottery, David Mottram and the Co-op Community fund for their support .On behalf of the KSSC Committee I would like to wish you and your families, a safe and healthy Covid free 2021.

Carol Mallard Secretary/Treasurer

LOCAL HISTORY

Pictured left is the stone marking the term of Kessingland Lifeboats last Coxswain, Edward J Smith. He served for 15 years in total, firstly as an officer then with his final 7 years as Coxswain. After the station closed he retired and sadly died just 4 months later. In 1920 Mr Smith won a silver medal for his part in the rescue of the smack AJW of Rye. The stone currently sits in the building formerly used as the Kessingland Bethel, the building is in the process of becoming the site of the Kessingland’s Men’s Shed. There will be more information of Kessingland’s lifeboat in a future edition.

“1929 THE LAST COX OF THE KESSINGLAND LIFEBOAT 1936”

LET KEITH LEAD YOU DOWN THE GARDEN PATH!

JANUARY - Giant ' vipers bugloss'

What are those very tall and very weird plants at the top of Rider Haggard Lane?! Well, l can answer that one, I've grown these for ten years or more, and hardly a person who passes me in my front garden fails to ask what are those triffids looking plants that look like they're straight out of Jurassic Park!! Let's go back a few years, l first saw these monsters when holidaying in North Norfolk in an open garden. Walking amongst these plants you really expected a dinosaur to come round the corner! What l can't recall is where l bought my own plants, but have a good few now, I've put the common name of this plant at the top of the page as you've seen, the botanical name is ECHIUM, (pronounced ECK E UM.). Some folk may even pronounce it as EK KY YUM!! I have no idea why its common name is vipers bugloss, one expert l spoke to told me that the leaves look like a vipers tongue, but had no idea, what bugloss meant, I'm sure some of you more knowledgeable ones will know? One of my plants grew to the height of a lamppost, now that's tall! And a variety called BLUE TOWER , the flowers last for weeks, smothered in bees by day, and humming bird hawk moths in the early evening, although this year for some odd reason the moths were a bit thin on the ground. Sowing seeds of ECHIUMS isn't easy, but windblown and self-set seeds grow away in abundance, and very quickly too. l should also point out that good compost isn’t worth using on its own I’ve found, but using a lot of added grit seems to do the trick in getting the young plantlets to survive and take root far easier. The seedlings seem to grow in the very poorest of soils too, cracks in paving etc but are difficult to pull out without snapping or damaging the long tap root . When folk have bought plants from me ,they see that after a time the leaves start to die and drop off and the stems turning almost tree like, and much smaller leaves appearing between all the actual flowers .l have been lucky in growing both the pink variety called Pink Tower, and the rarer white form White Tower. My youngest son bought me seeds of the red variety Red Rocket but not a single seedling came up sadly, yet l grew these in normal garden soil by just throwing them down, some raked in, some in the greenhouse, but nothing. It is possible that the seeds lose their viability if not sown straight away, for you can’t tell how long the seeds have been packed. Echiums come from Madeira etc so it surprises me when l can have a good crop in the coldest of winters including the now well-known beast from the east The plants are biennial and die after flowering, you may be lucky to get side shoots appear after the flowers fade ,therefore getting the plant to flower for a further year .The plants can be a little expensive to buy because of the fast growing rate for the constant repotting. Keith Nichols Landscape Gardener [ retired ] and Plantsman ,Author.

BIRD RINGERS, MARSH, CLEAN UP TEAMS & COMMUNITY GARDEN

BIRD RINGERS REPORT.

During November, 111 birds were captured at Marsh Lane, 88 were new birds that we subsequently ringed (N) and 23 were already ringed (R). Biometrics were recorded for each bird (age, sex, wing length, weight etc) and the data submitted to the British Trust of Ornithology database. Blackbird – 50N + 8R, Blackcap – 1N, Blue Tit – 6N + 2R, Bullfinch – 1N, Cetti‘s Warbler – 1N, Chiffchaff – 1N + 1R, Dunnock – 1N 1R, Firecrest(pictured) – 1N, Goldcrest – 1N, Goldfinch – 3N, Great Tit – 2N , Grey Wagtail – 1N, Lesser Redpoll – 8N, Long Tailed Tit – 1N +5R, Meadow Pipit, Redwing – 3N, Robin – 3N + 4R, Song Thrush – 1N, Sparrowhawk – 1N and Wren – 1N + 2R.

The Kessingland Ringing Group can be found on Twitter, they are currently looking for helpers and trainees.

CLEAN UP TEAMS

The clean up team’s main focus during December was at the promenade. The slope from the holiday camp was tidied and lots of hard work was put into clearing back the overgrown dunes to widen the walkway (photo left). This project at the promenade has been the idea of Sally Soughton, Sally and her team of Angie, Foxy and Cathy have dedicated extra time to doing this. Thank you so much to you all. It has been no small task and will benefit the area greatly. The litter pickers were also out throughout the month, sometimes in dreadful weather.

The work this group of hard-working volunteers has done over the course of 2020 is amazing and the community should feel proud and grateful of them. So many areas, which would otherwise be left have been improved and the level of litter around is at an all-time low.

KESSINGLAND BOOK EXCHANGE

Kessingland Book Exchange remains open, on a membership only basis you can still borrow books, CD’s, DVD’s and magazines. For more information you can go to the Facebook page ‘Kessingland book exchange’ or email [email protected] for membership enquiries.

FUN & GAMES

KESSINGLAND STREET NAMES MIX UP - Unscramble these local street and road names.

1) DGSBARE LOTH 2) LOPETCACH SLOCE 3) LEAFDIMY EUNVAE ______4) HET LORDLANS 5) FRESHNAMIS AWY 6) GROSTACDUA NEAL ______

PICTOGRAM’S – NAME THESE 5 FILMS USING THE PICTURE CLUES.

BEFORE AND AFTER – FILL IN THE 10 MISSING WORDS, EACH WORD CAN COME AFTER THE WORD TO ITS LEFT AND BEFORE THE WORD TO ITS RIGHT.

MILK ______NECK FRENCH _ _ _ _ _ DRESS DRAG _ _ _ _ _ VICTORIA MAPLE _ _ _ _ _ SPONGE COCKTAIL _ _ _ _ _ POPPER BLACK ______MACHINE MAGIC ______BURN STEAM ______OIL POCKET _ _ _ _ _ GRABBER FINGER ______CAR

USEFUL INFORMATION

During these difficult times it is easy to feel lonely and isolated, however, there are several services in the area available to people who would like to offer or receive help.

Called ‘Home But Not Alone’, the service has been launched to help connect people who want to volunteer in their communities with neighbours who are most in need. The service will mean willing volunteers, charities, town and parish councils, community and religious groups can all log their details and offers of support on an app, while people who need help can phone to request support. TEL: 0800 876 6926

USEFUL INFORMATION

We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.We won't give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. WE ARE MIND.

TEL: 0300 123 3393 . TEXT 86463. EMAIL: [email protected]

KESSINGLAND POST OFFICE, CURRENT OPENING TIMES (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

MONDAY – FRIDAY 09:30 – 14:15

WOMEN LIKE ME

Women Like Me is a small local charity that aims to help women build positive wellbeing and help prevent mental health decline. With thanks to the Parish Council, we have been fortunate to have an allotment in the village for just over a year now and we have worked really hard so far to create a welcoming space for women to come and be surrounded with peace and tranquillity - except of course when we’re laughing, and we try to do a lot of that!

We have 3 allotments in total - Kessingland, Lowestoft & Beccles. The pictures show the work we’ve done to date, all with support from women living in the village. We call our allotments ‘A Place To Be’ because we all need a place to simply just be ourselves, to make time for ourselves to just breath and feel content. We were so grateful to have been donated a shed by a local lady, Anne, so now we have somewhere for the kettle to live. There’s always time for a cuppa. We try to ensure our sessions are fun and productive and you certainly don’t need any gardening experience to join us, just a willingness to get stuck in when works needed.

Plans for 2021 – With thanks to recent funding, we are going to be able to offer individual raised beds for women to grow whatever they wish – ideally sharing/exchanging their crops with the other women, so each season you should have a basket full of fantastic produce. And during these uncertain times we know we are needed more than ever so - in line with government guidelines - we offer 1-2-1 sessions so everyone can have a chance to get out of the house for an hour, but once the restrictions have been lifted, we hope to go back to having our weekly group sessions again, because being around other women can really boost your mood and give you something positive to look forward to each week. Booking is presently essential, and we can be contacted by phone, e-mail or via our Facebook page. www.women- like-me.co.uk www.facebook.com/womenlikemeandyou or call Claire on 07837354760

And finally, if you have anything related to gardening that you no longer have use for please do keep us in mind, we rely on donations to help us provide the best possible experience for each and every women who joins us.

Claire

Kessingland Bowls Club are Members of the English Bowls Federation and Members of Bowls England.

OPEN DAY Sunday 9th May 2021 From 11 am

All welcome - come and have a go! No need to book – just turn up (Please wear trainers or flat shoes)

We’re located: The Avenue, Kessingland, Suffolk, NR33 7QD (Just behind the Kessingland United Working Men’s Club just off the High Street)

Contact: Ken on 07511 817277 or Mark on 07788 922267 for more information or just come along on the day.

KESSINGLAND LIBRARY

Our current “Around the World in 80 Books” Library display and Facebook banner

Hello Everyone, we do hope you had a happy Christmas.

Just as we were closing for the holiday, the message came through that, given the increase of Covid cases, Suffolk Libraries have taken the decision to keep all libraries closed after the Christmas holiday until further notice. We were so sad to have to put the closure notices and Facebook posts up again but the protection of our customers and staff is the priority.

The situation will continue to be reviewed as we see what the case numbers are post-Christmas and New Year. We have everything crossed that we'll be able to open again soon. For the latest updates please check: • The Suffolk Libraries' website or • Kessingland Library's Facebook or • The posters on the Library windows. We will update all of these as soon as we have any news.

We know it's frustrating not to be able to borrow books from the Library at the moment but did you know we have lots of resources available online for free? You can borrow eBooks and eAudio books from Overdrive And you can borrow eAudio books from Borrowbox too. Bring the newsstand to your screen – the latest magazines and daily newspapers are all available on Pressreader How about streaming movies, documentaries and courses? – there's lots of choice on Kanopy. And last but definitely not least, you can find all you favourite music to download or stream on Freegal .

So why not take some time to explore the wealth of free online resources provided by Suffolk Libraries? All you need is your library card.

In the meantime we have lots of digital content available on our Facebook page. There, you'll find posts on anything and everything including free activities available for all the family, live streams you might be interested in, local news and information plus lots of our own “home grown” posts including bounce sessions, craft ideas and story-times for the kids and quizzes and poetry readings for the grownups, all performed by the Kessingland Library team. Photo - the New Year Crown created by Carol last Sunday

The timetable for our own Facebook posts is as follows: Bounce sessions - Monday and Thursday mornings Quick Quiz for Grownups – Tuesday and Friday mornings Story-times – Wednesday mornings Craft Time – Sunday mornings It's obvious that we're in for a bit of a rocky start to the New Year but, with the vaccine here and springtime on its way, the future is definitely looking a lot brighter.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2021 from all of us at Kessingland Library. 23

PROJECT PEN PAL

The hidden needs group of the Parish Council is offering a new service aimed at those in our community who may be feeling alone and would like to make new friends or support other people in the village. Social media is a popular method of communication, but it is not everyone’s cup of tea! Therefore we are looking at using a good old fashioned method, the written letter!

How it works: If you would like to be a pen pal all you need to do is send a few details to us at the parish council. Your name, address and a few interests or facts about yourself. It is entirely up to you what you include.

EG: Ronald of 37 Letter Street. Lover of poetry, wildlife and wine.

Your address will not be given to anyone or included on our information sent to other members, we will simply store your submitted information on our pen pal register. This list, excluding your address will then be sent to each member who can then write to as many people as they wish. These letters are to be sent to us and we will distribute them personally to ensure data protection and sanitisation.

If you are reading this on our digital copy of The Village News maybe you might know somebody who would be interested in the service, or maybe you would like to be a pan pal yourself to help others stay in touch. Behind every door is a story, we never know who needs help or support so anything we can do, we should.

Information and letters can either be posted or emailed to us at the following; Project Pen Pal c/o Kessingland Parish Council, Marram Green, Hall Road, Kessingland, NR33 7PP. [email protected] - titled project pen pal

ENTRIES / SUBMISSIONS

The Village News welcomes contributions from everyone within the Parish; news and reports from village organisations are particularly welcome but contentious issues or articles promoting personal causes should be avoided – the Editor reserves the right not to print items and to edit items submitted for publication. The views expressed in the Village News, unless stated as such, are not those of the Editor or the council, and no liability can be accepted for any error or omissions although we will publish corrections.

If you would like to submit content, the deadline for copy is 12 Noon on the 24th of each month. Please send submissions to the Editor - [email protected]. Articles can be half or full page or can be included within the local news section. To subscribe / unsubscribe from the Newsletter Mailing List, please email [email protected]

Food bank update The foodbank which previously operated out of the East Point Pavillion in Lowestoft has relocated to 5-6 Bevan Street, Lowestoft. This is the former Butchers shop. Opening hours Monday, Wednesday & Friday – 10-12am. Please bring ID with you, donations can still be taken be to St Edmunds church, Kessingland. 24