Dennington News Issue 22: October-December 2020

www.denningtonvillagehall -sportsclub.org

The Queen After a tough 2020 so far, we are open again and looking forward to welcoming old and new friends back through our door. We have created a very safe environment, both adhering to Government guidelines as well as going that little bit further, for example by taking temperature checks of staff and customers upon arrival. Your safety is our priority. We will be offering our usual Christmas menu from 1st December (maximum of 6 per table unless the rules change again!) and the log fires will be lit sooner rather than later! We look forward to seeing you soon! For bookings please call us on 01728 638241.

Jon & Lorna Reeves

EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION

Well - what a year it has been so far, and what a lot of tumultuous times we have been through. As always, it has been fantastic to see the way in which people in the village look out for each other, but don’t forget you can contact your local Parish Councillor if you need anything. And a reminder that if anyone needs a little extra help this Christmas, Dennington’s Charity gives grants - see page 33.

We also have a report from those intrepid cyclists who took part in this year’s Ride & Stride in aid of the Historic Churches Trust (page 18), a tremendously interesting village personality in Bill Ablett (page 10), and updates from all the usual clubs and societies that take place in Dennington - though, sadly many not operating at the moment with the current situation. However - the pub is open, The Neathouse is doing great business, some church services are going ahead and pupils are back at school, so life is beginning to feel more normal - for now at least! Don’t forget if you have any photos of Dennington to submit for the calendar to raise funds for the Village Hall, please do that now (see page 29). And finally, if you have a glut of tomatoes we have two great recipes for you (pages 21 and 30).

My email is [email protected] and my phone numbers are 01728 638795 or 07979 600442 if you need to get in touch.

Jo Denton, Editor

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Dennington Village Hall

This pandemic is likely to be with us for at least another year, possibly longer, so we must factor that in to all our future activities. We receive new regulations regularly from Government and these are updated on our website, so keep a check to see what is allowable before you book. Currently, events with up to 30 people can take place in the main hall, provided they don't come in groups of more than six at one time. This will change, so keep a good look at the website.

In the meantime, we await the fitting of the large curtains and the setting up of a new website and booking system. The new website will look stunning and will really help to market the Hall.

Thanks so much to Mary and Neil Hannon for looking after the flowers in the flower pots so well. They look gorgeous.

We will, in the near future, be considering ways of using the hall as a venue for activities which you can attend either in person or online. This will be a new development which we hope will allow you to participate, without risk, in events. We will keep you updated. And if any of you have good ideas to help with this in mind, please let us know ASAP.

Cheers!!

James Maberly

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DENNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

The Annual Parish Meeting was held in July, and following the meeting Robert Wardley stood down after 22 years as the Chairman of the Parish Council. Robert continues to serve on the Council as Vice-Chairman and will celebrate 50 years on the Parish Council in 2022. I look forward to working with Robert, Nick, Mary, Doris, John, Sam and Lydia in my new role as Chairman.

Following Ken Hoyle’s resignation earlier in the year, I am pleased to announce that the vacancy has been filled by the co-option of Tom Mountain. Tom works for a local agricultural machinery supplier and has lived in the village with his young family for 5 years. We look forward to working with Tom.

However, we now have another vacancy to fill. The Code of Conduct for Councillors requires their attendance at a meeting at least once every six months, otherwise they automatically forfeit their position on the council. Due to work commitments and then the infrequency of meetings due to Coronavirus, I regret to report that Rebecca Smith has been required to forfeit her position due to this rule. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rebecca for her 20 years of service to the Council and the village.

The vacancy has been advertised on the website and notice boards. If ten electors petition East Suffolk Council for a by-election by the 8th of October, the vacancy will remain unfilled until the local council elections in May 2021 (assuming that Government doesn’t postpone these elections again). If no petition is received, the vacancy will be filled by co-option after the 8th of October 2020. If anyone wishes to find out more about becoming a councillor, please do not hesitate to contact me.

The focus of the Council's activities during the autumn will be the submission of applications to install/replace new posts for the

Vehicle Activated Speed sign that was purchased in response to villagers’ concerns about speeding, with a grant from our County Councillor Stephan Burroughes. It is proposed that some existing posts will be replaced on the Laxfield and Roads and new posts installed on The Street/ Road. The sign will then be moved around the village to remind drivers of the speed limit. There are a number of constraints that must be satisfied with respect to the siting of these posts. These include being at least 100m inside the 30mph zone, having at least 100m clear line of sight for the radar to work, and to have sufficient physical clearances around the sign to prevent damage by passing vehicles.

As a result of these constraints, finding a suitable site along The Street/Badingham Road is particularly difficult. If you receive a letter asking for permission to erect a post outside your property, I would be grateful if you would respond in agreement. Without your positive response, the application cannot be submitted and the safety sign cannot be used.

Finally, the Parish Council can apply for grants of trees to plant around the village. If residents have any suitable locations to suggest, please can they let us know.

Matt Lunn, Chair

Southwold Harbour (abstract) mixed media

Jillifar Amor 01728 638213

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E. B. Button & Sons Ltd.

Brothers Colin and Stephen Moore, together with their sister Kate Eagle, took over the running of the company when their parents, Janet and Derek Moore, retired in the late 1990s. Colin, Stephen and Kate have many years’ experience and can offer help and guidance through all the funeral arrangements, providing the highest standards of service and care to families during their time of grief.

Please contact us on 01394 382160 (24 hours) for support and information on our services.

24 St. John's Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1EB Email: [email protected]

THE NEATHOUSE - AN APPRECIATION!

Having a shop in any village is a valuable asset and huge advantage to everyone who lives there, whether you need emergency groceries, a friendly chat or are selling your house!! To have a café and shop is even better. I was thrilled when The Neathouse came to Dennington as I live alone and being visually impaired can’t easily run to the shops in Framlingham if I have run out of something.

Vashti has worked The Neathouse tirelessly to meet our needs whilst providing superb cakes, breakfasts, lunches and after- noon teas all at very competitive prices. The cafe became the village hub where many of us could meet with friends and chat over a cup of tea/coffee and maybe something delicious!

Then COVID-19 came and lockdown happened, but throughout that period Vashti has worked tirelessly, always with a smile on her face, to meet our needs. She had to close the cafe but kept going as a shop despite an anxious time with her own family and moving home. She ordered or went to pick up items we needed and delivered to those who were shielding, myself included, often not getting home until after 9pm.

I don’t know where she gets her energy from and now she is offering “take-away” refreshments, still with that lovely smile and enthusiasm. She has been awarded “Best Afternoon Tea in Suffolk”, which is very well deserved - and all despite the recent difficulties. We are so lucky to have her, and we need to support our village shop as much as ever.

So thank you Vashti, for being there in our time of need, without your cheery presence I don’t know what I/we would have done.

Shirley

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VILLAGE PERSONALITIES: BILL ABLETT

Bill was born in in 1939, one of three children. His father was a horseman with Suffolk punches in the villages of and , later working at Great Lodge Farm, Framlingham. His elder sister, Margaret, married and moved to Babbling Green; his brother, David, was a tractor driver at Great Lodge all his life. Bill went to Easton Primary, then to school in Yoxford, which he left at 15. It was a much bigger school then than now, with nearly 300 pupils. Bill managed to get out of his handicraft lessons to manage the school gardens, which included growing vegetables on site for the school canteen. How things have changed!

Following his father, Bill began working life in 1954 at Great Lodge, helping with the horses during the summer harvests, which lasted from July to October. National Service was still mandatory, and Bill signed up at 20, with training in Bury St. Edmunds followed by active service for 19 months in Malaya until the end of the emergency campaign. Bill soon got used to snakes in his frequent jungle patrols before being promoted to a post in the armoury. He left for the Far East as a boy and returned a man.

Bill returned to Great Lodge Farm, which then had 26 workers. He drove a Ford Dexter tractor there between 1961 and 1965, when he changed to lorry driving. In those days, a car licence was enough to qualify one for much larger HGVs. Bill then accepted a vacancy at H.A. Walnes, corn merchants, on Station Road, Framlingham, now

based in . He delivered seed and animal feed to farms, carried fertiliser, and took corn to the mills. He loved the job, not just behind the wheel, but also lifting the bags on and off the vehicles: 16 stone sacks of barley, 18 stones of wheat. Only in 1985, after a heart attack, did Bill call it a day with the firm.

Socially, Bill began playing for Dennington United Football Club in 1955, when the club was first formed, playing in the and District League, Division 3. The ground was at The Glebe, the field on the opposite side of the road to the main gate of The Rectory, and they had blue shirts with white trimmings. In the first season, they lost every game, and in the second season, they won one and drew one! Bill was elected captain in 1959 and then re-elected in 1961 on return from service, when the ground switched to Church Meadow, where it is today. In-between, they had played one season at Park Gate Farm and another at White House Farm. In 1963, Bill was made secretary for the club as well as player- manager, and for 8 years was responsible for signing up new players in the pre-season period. In 1962 the team were promoted a league, to Division 2, and were losing finalists in the Leiston League Knockout Cup. They joined the and Districts League in 1968 as a stronger side, which meant increased travel demands, all at personal expense. The most satisfying match was at when one of the cars carrying players broke down en route, and Dennington had to play with just 8 players, winning 4-1! Club ‘legends’ included Peter ‘Buster’ Grey, who scored 150 goals in three seasons. In a match against Ufford, he scored 7 headed goals, and in another, against , 9 goals in one half. Bill stopped playing in 1971, but from 1988-2005 he maintained the pitch and marked it out for home matches.

From 1962 in summer months Bill joined the newly formed village cricket side and captained them between 1963-1969 as a medium fast, first choice bowler. These were single innings match days, with the bowls pavilion being the changing and tea room for both sides. All matches were friendlies, and not always 11-a-side affairs:

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the village often struggled to get a full eleven out. Only Bill and one other wore the traditional white flannels, things being very relaxed then. Against the Framlingham firm side of E.G. Clarke, Bill took 9 wickets for 7 runs, and, at Yoxford, 7 wickets and 56 not out with the bat, a more than useful all-rounder.

In 1971 at a dance Bill organised for the football club at Wilby Village Hall he met Kathleen, a local girl from , who was then then living on Swainson’s Way. They married the same year in , and Bill took on not only a wife but two daughters, Karen and Wendy: Kathleen’s first husband, who Bill knew, had died prematurely from kidney failure. In 1973 they had a son, Richard, today a self-employed plasterer living in Framlingham. They were able to move into Blyth Villas in 1972, where Bill has been ever since, selling vegetables from his roadside stand to all those who truly appreciate fresh produce. Bill is visited frequently not only by his children, but 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

In 2003 Bill had a quadruple heart bypass and, very sadly, lost his wife on his son’s birthday in 2006. Bill picked himself up and took a number of part-time positions, including the very early morning delivery of the ‘Stars and Stripes’ newspaper to American servicemen at the Bentwaters and Woodbridge bases. He had to be up by 3.30 am for the papers needed to be delivered 90 minutes later into the mess halls. Latterly, Bill volunteered his services at Tony’s Pet Shop on Bridge Street, Framlingham, where you will find him after the pandemic, weighing out and then delivering all the pet food. On Thursday afternoons, Bill loves to go to the Foxhall Road speedway meets, a season ticket holder for 15 years; on Sunday afternoons, he regularly visits Mildenhall Speedway. He has been to the British Grand Prix at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff 8 times. Bill has now lived in Blyth Villas nearly 50 years. He received the O.B.E in 2019 (in his own words, ’Over Bloody Eighty!).

As told to Mark Kendall Photograph by Angela Kendall

ST MARY THE VIRGIN PARISH CHURCH

After the lockdown it is wonderful to have the church open again and services happening every month. At the moment we are having a service of Morning Prayer at 11.00 on the 2nd Sunday of the month.

Very many thanks to Jim Carpenter who has been keeping the churchyard looking so lovely and to Peter Reeve for unlocking and locking the church every day. Peter and Celia also look after the roses which have been looking stunning!

The Sponsored Bike Ride took place on 12th September – very many thanks to all those who cycled and to those who manned the church! There was a lovely stream of visitors while I was in the church – some of whom had been battling against a rather stiff west wind but at least it was a lovely sunny day.

Harvest Festival will be on 11th October at 5.00 pm – sadly we will not be able to have the Harvest Supper afterwards this year.

Remembrance Sunday is on 8th November and we will have a service starting at 10.55 and, all being well, there will be a Christmas Day service at 11.00.

Veronica Maberly JPF Tree Services

Tree Felling and Pruning * Hedge Cutting Garden Clearance * Fencing and Landscaping Woodland Management Competitive firewood prices

Tel: 07772 330351 / Email: [email protected]

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Case-Sera Wines What will be... will be...

Whether we are in Lockdown or no Lockdown, we all need Wine! Would you like quality wines delivered safely to your door? We can provide you with a mixed case of 6 bottles (or more!) with a starting price of £53.50 (inc. vat. and swift delivery). The wines are from various regions around the world, each chosen for their individuality and interest.

For more info or to place an order please contact Eve & Richard Berrill Email: [email protected] Tel: 01728 638 395 Or see our website for more about us: case-serawines.co.uk

DENNINGTON CEP SCHOOL

Autumn half term: Monday 26th October-Friday 30th October Autumn term ends: Thursday 17th December (Friday 18th December PD day) Spring terms starts: Tuesday 5th January (Monday 4th January PD day)

It has been an incredibly busy start of the school year, with all the COVID-19 extra issues to be dealt with. It is challenging in some respects, but the most important thing is that all the children are back and happy and learning well. There is not much to report in the way of extra activities or visits, as these are quite restricted at the moment - and for the foreseeable future. The classes are doing some lovely work on WW2, dinosaurs, learning brass instruments and many other things, and a full report will follow in the next newsletter.

Charys Rushbrook, Head of School

DENNINGTON 100 CLUB

As only 50% of subscriptions were collected before lockdown, and with several of the collectors shielding, it has not been possible to restart the 100 club for 2020. In consultation with the village hall chairman it has been decided to restart the year when it is practical to do so. All monies already collected have been banked in the Village Hall account and a record of members’ payment already received noted. I thank everyone for their patience and understanding at this difficult time, and look forward to your support in the future.

Jenny Dyne

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Chris Mann

Painter and

Paperhanger

Seasonal flowers for all 30 years experience occasions and workshops. For a free quote phone: Frances Boscawen 01728 638768 / 07799621403 Tunstall (01728)687438 www.moatfarmflowers.com Mobile: 07941 262663

DENNINGTON WI

Following the new government guidelines of no more than six people at any gathering, it will not be possible to hold any WI meetings for the foreseeable future. The committee has therefore decided to suspend meetings for the remainder of 2020 and to look at the situation for a possible restart in early 2021. Members will be kept informed via e-mail.

Jenny Dyne

DESIGN IN GARDENS

Spending more time in the garden can make one aware that there are parts that do not quite 'work'. Maybe a group of plants do nothing for each other or the odd corner seems dull or over- familiarity with a problem blinds one to a solution. A fresh eye might be needed to see different options.

Here we are entering the realm of design in gardens and all that that entails. The relationship of borders to lawn, in visual terms of mass to void, and the layout of paths and hedges all affect the atmosphere of a garden. Is the garden 'bitty' or does it possess a sense of unity and are the elements of the garden in scale with each other? Generally the outdoor scale is more generous than indoors, for instance steps outdoors need to be shallower and wider than those indoors.

Contrasts, colour and texture can enliven the garden scene but do not forget that green is a colour too. How does light play in the garden and where do shadows fall; which leaves reflect, and which absorb light and how does this property affect that which is adjacent? It can be instructive to take a photograph of the garden and convert it to black and white in order to illustrate how strong the structure of the garden is.

Andrew Stansfeld, Stansfeld Garden Design

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SUFFOLK RIDE AND STRIDE

There was quite a contingent of us from Dennington cycling in this year’s Historic Suffolk Churches charity bike ride, all having a very en- joyable day.

Avril Palmer, who is the local organiser of the event, said: “After all these weeks of lockdown thankfully the Suffolk Churches Ride & Stride was able to go ahead. I have done this ride for several years now and the weather was perfect for riding through the countryside. This year I decided not to make it about how many churches I could visit, but to enjoy Avril’s final stop - the Castle on the Hill a more leisurely ride. After all, I did not have the competition of Peter Reeve to push me, who in the past has completed so many miles and visited numerous churches. Sixteen churches would suffice his approval I hoped. Not all the churches were able to open due to the virus, which is a shame as the different interior designs are of great interest.

Whilst waiting at Easton Church for my friends, a group of men arrived looking like they were on the Tour de France in their Lycra on racing bikes and to my surprise they were also doing the Church Ride. Quite a change from the usual folk you see for this event. It was interesting to hear where they had cycled from.

This yearly event is not about being a Church goer but appreciating the area in which we live, its history, the beautiful architecture and the labour put into these buildings. The majority of us love to see a church wedding, baby christening or Christmas Carols. Easton church and crinckle crankle wall

With this year’s lock down we have seen more cyclists out and I had hoped this would encourage more interest – maybe next year when the oldies can no longer pedal.

Two Dennington riders set off... Many thanks to the riders who took part and the people who sponsored them, and for those who gave up their time to sit at the Church to sign the riders in. Next year I think I shall take a leaf out of Mark & Angela Kendall’s book and be more adventurous and make it a bigger event by doing an overnight stay by the sea.”

Mark and Angela Kendall, as Avril mentioned, made a real event of it: “Weather, light winds but sunny and fairly warm. Angela and I took a taxi to Aldeburgh with the bikes the day before to start our trip from the coast after a B and B overnight stay and full breakfast (!) and thereby including half a dozen ‘new’ churches we hadn’t cycled to in recent years. Got to 14 churches, although one had been sold off privately and was being converted by a builder...a sign of things to come? Also, 5 with no recorders this year, as Covid 19 played its part. Interestingly, Dennington, with St Peter and St Paul in Aldeburgh, the biggest. Some really lovely people as recorders, most with some kind of refreshments...one of the great joys of the day (the nice people, rather than the food and drink). We caught a tan, some history from a couple of the recorders (), popped into a library, bought a couple of items ( open market), had an inexpensive pub lunch (Crown, ...hadn’t church been for years) and saw an art exhibition (Our Lady and St Peter on The Terrace in Aldeburgh). We passed three bed and breakfasts we researched as possible for future sorties and enjoyed an eclectic mix of architecture from all periods. Next year...we’ll definitely be back!”

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Andrew Stansfeld looked very professional when we passed him near the abbey church in Letheringham. Although he wasn’t trying to break any records, he says, he did manage 24 churches and about 37 miles in a roughly elliptical orbit around Framlingham, “avoiding Letheringham church main roads as far as possible so that if either I or the bike ran out of steam it wouldn't be too far home! Obviously the big difference this year was the number of churches that were closed. I did seem to be cycling into the wind for quite a lot of the time and the killer hill between and Cransford, my last church, was not best planned! It was interesting to see how the landscape changed from the flat, somewhat featureless beet fields around and Worlingworth to the more rolling countryside around Debenham and then the beautiful wooded valley of the Deben river.”

Teresa and Robert Rous enjoyed a lovely morning on their bikes visiting 7 Churches – Dennington, Saxtead, Bedfield, Tannington, Worlingworth, Wilby and . Robert says: “Apart from a headwind on the way out, it was a glorious day to be in the Suffolk countryside and looking at our amazing Churches while raising some money.”

I’ll report back in the next issue on how much was raised overall – 50% of the money goes to Dennington church to help maintain the fabric – and hope to see even more riders out for next year’s event!

Jo Denton All pictures: Jo Denton Saxtead church

Dennington Horticultural Club

It now seems unlikely that we will be able to have a meeting in November as hoped - but we will be keeping an eye on government advice and if we can go ahead, we will. The speakers would be Robert and Teresa Rous, who will talk about A Year in the Life of a Farm and the date would be Wednesday, 18th November. If that proves impossible, we’ll reschedule to the New Year. In the meantime, for those who have a glut of tomatoes and apples to use up, here’s a great recipe from Club Chair Penelope Evers.

“This is a very popular, well-tried recipe for Tomato Chutney which originally came from an aged aunt, and I have made vast quantities of it over the years:

1.5 litres of red or white wine vinegar 1 kg onions, chopped 1 kg red tomatoes, chopped 1 kg apples, cored and chopped 1 kg sugar Jar of red peppers, chopped 1 tsp ground ginger Handful of sultanas Ground black pepper and salt

Firstly, using a food processor chop the onions and place with the vinegar in a preserving pan and cook for an hour. Add all the other ingredients and cook until all the liquid has gone and the mixture is thick. Fill sterilised jars and enjoy straight away, or keep. 2+ kgs of everything will fill a preserving pan, and can take up to 3 hours or more to make! But it's worth it.”

Jo Denton (secretary)

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SOME RECENT READS BY THE BOOK CLUB...

Erebus by Michael Palin This is the story of a ship which travelled to the Mediterranean, the Arctic, the Antarctic and then back to the Arctic again. It charts these journeys until she was lost with all hands, together with her sister ship, The Terror, looking for the North West Passage in 1846. The book is meticulously researched and a compelling read.

The Story of the British Isles in 100 Places by Neil Oliver No matter where you travel in the British Isles there is always somewhere to visit of historical and/or archaeological interest. Even if you are not a big history buff, this book is so well written it is an absolute pleasure to read. It covers tales of myth and legend as well as interesting facts, and a UK holiday maker should not leave home without it. Neil Oliver is an historian, an archaeologist, a sage and a philosopher, and the reader cannot but be exceedingly impressed by his style of writing. He describes the book as his ‘love letter to the British Isles’, and it certainly is that.

Janet Wyatt

DENNINGTON QUEEN CRIBBAGE TEAM

With the current situation it was not possible to start the new season in September as hoped. The League committee has tried to arrange some social games with limited numbers but with the latest regulations it has not been possible for us to participate. It is hoped the league season will be able to re-start in September 2021. Please contact Allan Dyne on 01728-638166 for information.

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You will all have seen the harvest gathered in around the village. A straight forward harvest with good weather but, as expected, lower yields. The team bringing home the harvest includes Bradley Leist on the combine with Jacob

Aldrich collecting the grain in the chaser bin loading the wheat into a trailer with Jasper Maberly who carts to the grainstore operated by Oliver Thomas. While Marcus Smith cultivates it all and Ed Knock sprays and cultivates both using Challenger crawlers.

We await the sugar beet harvest with the factory opening at the end of September but unless it rains, the beet will be hard to get out of the ground. We are hoping for just a bit of rain and not the six month deluge of last year! Farmers and weather again! There is a balance with the winter cereal drilling, too early and the crop can be devastated by blackgrass and BYDV - a virus carried by aphids which can severely affect yields - or waiting too long and finding our heavy land is too wet to drill. I expect that by the time that you read this we will have either drilled - or wished we had!

There is a lovely autumnal feel to the air as I write this and Teresa and I hope that those who walk the footpaths (leaving the conservation headlands for the wildlife!) are stopping to eat blackberries, or collect crab apples for jam and the many sloes.

There is a bounty of food in the hedgerows for the wildlife. With 60 miles of hedge to manage, we have to cut some while it is dry but our margins do allow us to continue through the winter as the berries are eaten. We have been noticing a lot of owl noises recently as the tawny owls have to find new territories, the little owls make their “wheep” calls and the blood curdling screech from the barn owls who, with all the strong winds which prevent them hunting, have had the hardest summer of the owls.

BRUISYARD COUNTRY ESTATE

Although not in Dennington - a brief update. COVID-19 has made things very difficult. Gareth Clarke has dealt with so many disappointed brides who have changed their dates to next year while David Reeve continues to keep the garden looking beautiful, but all the rest of the team have been on furlough. We have started having small weddings under the new guidelines and hope to be offering some opportunities to have a meal in the spacious Barn and courtyard followed by a walk in the lovely countryside around Bruisyard. If you are interested in booking a table please email Gareth Clarke [email protected] or just keep your eyes out for news about this new venture.

Robert Rous

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DENNINGTON ALLOTMENT & GARDNERS ASSOCIATION

As we enjoy the last of the Summer sunshine we can see that autumn is on its way, and no doubt will be well and truly with us by the time this edition of the Dennington News reaches you.

We will certainly be glad of some rain as we have had a particularly dry summer, with some crops needing a little extra help. Despite the dry conditions we have all had good results with a broad variety of crops and as usual there has been an abundance of some - in particular courgettes! Please do help yourself to any produce that has been left outside the main gate of the allotment.

Late summer and early autumn is a busy time for us as we finish harvesting the last of our summer crops and start preparing the soil for overwinter planting, or leaving turned over ready for next spring - to start the process all over again!

We are pleased to report that we have full occupancy of the plots and have begun a waiting list, so if you are interested in joining us please do get in touch and we can add you to the list.

Pamela Turner (Secretary) [email protected] John Jarvie (Chairman)

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DENNINGTON’S HISTORIC ROOTS…

...may go back further than one imagines. In retirement, one Julius Caesar used to live at Dairy Cottages, opposite Framlingham Hall Farm. Rumour has it that he got so fed up with the rooks in the trees at The Rectory one summer that, when the then owners were away, he took a shotgun to them and wiped out the lot. Clearly a colourful character!

Mark Kendall

DENNINGTON CALENDAR

You may remember we asked for photographs of Dennington throughout the year, so we could produce a calendar. At the time we expected a particularly vibrant year, with lots of celebrations to come. But, well, we all know what happened to those...

We are going ahead with the calendar as we have had some lovely images sent in, though there aren't many people in them. So we are now inviting photos of the village, and people in or from it, tak- en in any year. We're also bringing forward the deadline, to the end of October, so there's time to organise the printing, show it to everyone and take orders in time for Christmas, as more will need to be done remotely.

Please email your photos to [email protected] AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! Thank you.

Kate Viscardi

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TOMATO SAUCE FOR PASTA (or added to minced beef for lasagne, spag bol etc.)

Do you have a glut of home-grown tomatoes? We always do, and I make this tomato sauce and freeze it in small batches for use throughout the year. I call it a ‘Ragout’ or ‘Passata’…but I’m not sure either are correct! It’s difficult to give precise weights of ingredients, and I’m not sure it matters anyway.

Ingredients: • Ripe tomatoes (skinned and roughly chopped) • Olive oil (or similar) • Onion (finely chopped) • Garlic (finely chopped) • Seasoning, tomato puree and sugar • Other possible ingredients: celery, red pepper, basil

Method: In a large pan, gently cook the onion and garlic in a little oil until soft (but not browned). Peppers and/or celery can be added here if using. Skin the tomatoes and remove the hard core (pour boiling water over tomatoes to enable the skin to be easily removed) roughly chop and add to the pan. Add a good squeeze of tomato puree, and season with salt and pepper. Stir well and cook on a medium to low heat until the sauce is reduced (this can take 1-2 hours). Stir occasionally and check the seasoning, adding a good pinch of sugar. Chopped basil can be added at the end of cooking if using. The sauce can be left ‘chunky’, but I like to use a stick blender to give a smooth sauce. When cool, place in suitable containers in the freezer. The sauce can be ‘blitzed’ before it’s too thick, and served as soup too.

Maggie Achard

DENNINGTON ART EXHIBITIONS

It was with great regret we had to cancel the planned art exhibitions in the village hall at Easter and over the August bank holiday weekend, and we will not be holding a Christmas Fair either. We can’t yet be certain when we will be able to hold the next exhibition, due to these challenging times we’re living through, but we will be back as soon as we can.

Rosie Mckenzie Here is a picture from the last event, to remind you of how wonderful it was, and a recent picture by one of our artists. Everyone has had lots of time to be creative within their various media and we can’t wait to see what else they have produced. Watch this space!!

Dennington Arts Committee

SPORTS CLUB You won’t be surprised that there is very little on the Sports Club to update you on from the previous newsletter, as we have not held a meeting since the pandemic began. We hope to be able to provide an update on new play equipment in the park after our funding event prior to lockdown restrictions, and we have also received a government grant, and need to make a decision on how best to in- vest this.

We are still looking for a secretary for the sports club: the main duties are arranging the quarterly meeting, taking minutes and setting agenda items. If you are interested in the voluntary position to assist the local community, please contact me on 07535715252.

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CHRISTMAS CHARITABLE GRANTS AVAILABLE

Dennington’s Charity gives a Christmas grant to individuals who live in Dennington over 65 who qualify by completing a simple financial questionnaire. Those who already receive the grant need not reapply, but please could any others who feel that they might qualify apply to Peter Lamb by email on [email protected].

The Charity also distributes an education grant to those commencing further or higher education. Again, please apply to Peter. The Charity was created for those in need and if you need financial help the Trustees are prepared to listen.

Robert Rous

THE HAT MYSTERY ARTWORK SOLD

The artwork donated to The Neathouse by the mystery artist ‘The Hat’ sold at auction, via Clarke & Simpson, for £800 on September 5th. All proceeds will be donated for something in Dennington, but what that might be still has to be decided.

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LATEST NEWS FROM DR. DAN POULTER, MP Dr. Dan Poulter, in his September letter to constituents, praises the efforts of the pop-up shops and dining outlets who switched so successfully to offering take-away to local residents - and the valuable contribution that they make to the local economy. He adds:

“As we’ve come out of lockdown, businesses and consumers have readjusted...Our towns and villages are at last seeing increased footfall and sales are slowly beginning to recover. Although many consumers are still being cautious, our businesses have gone to great lengths to ensure they are COVID-19 secure, giving consumers confidence that they can shop safely.

That said, it is important to remember that the virus has not gone away, and we all have a part to play in stopping the spread of the virus whilst also supporting our local economy. Good hand hygiene is particularly important; when out and about, if you can’t easily wash your hands, remember to take along an anti-bacterial hand sanitiser and wear a face covering when indoors. Keeping at least 2 metres apart from people who are not from your own household helps to protect you and others and reduce the spread of the virus.

In closing, I would like to put on record my thanks to all of those who have worked tirelessly during these recent months – our teachers, frontline public sector workers, NHS staff and community carers, along with the army of volunteers who stepped in to help deliver food or prescriptions and looking out for others.”

Please send all stories or items to be included in the next issue, which covers January - March 2021, to the Editor no later than 9th December. Send via email to [email protected] , or via post to Spring Farm House, The Street, Dennington IP13 8JF. Please send pictures and advertisements as jpeg attachments.

SOLAR POWER

Are you interested in harnessing nature to provide energy in your home? Suffolk County Council, in their mission to make Suffolk a ‘net zero’ county by 2030, has set up a group buying scheme to prove solar panels to homes at what they say is a competitive price, with house- holds saving up to £2000 on installation costs and £140 per year on energy bills – and, of course, helping stop carbon emissions. The scheme operates under the name Solar Together Suffolk, and offers ‘good-quality’ solar PV panels and battery storage. Since 2018, the consortium has installed solar panels in over 800 house- holds across Suffolk, and is now open to Suffolk residents fora third time. If you already have solar panels installed, you can also use this scheme to register to have battery storage added to maximise their benefit.

In order to take advantage of the scheme you need to register – for free and without obligation – at solartogether.co.uk/Suffolk by 6th October, providing details about your roof, its size and orientation. The more people that register, the better the deal for each household. Once registered, you’ll be emailed with a personal recommendation including costs and specifications, although there is no obligation to continue. You have to 11th December to accept the recommendation, and installations will be complete by May next year. There’s also a freephone helpline available to answer any further questions.

Jo Denton

Disclaimer: Dennington Village Hall produces this newsletter in good faith from articles submitted by local organisations and individuals. Dennington Village Hall can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracies contained therein, which must be taken up with the relevant organisation or individual.

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