Volume 8 • Issue No. 3 • JANUARY 2021 Your free local community magazine: essential local news, services & information delivered through your door every month ™© Inwith Creeting St Mary,Touch Creeting St Peter & Needham Market www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk Community Chinwag is coming back! See page 4 Report from your MSDC Councillors See page x Happy New Year from Mansion House Publishing Hawksmill - Lisa Tyte 2 In Touch online: Published by: A WORD FROM THE EDITOR Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd, 20 Wharfedale Road, Ipswich IP1 4JP I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to welcome in a new year, not because I’m desperate to see the back of 2020, I’m excited because of 2020! EDITOR: Sharon Jenkins The trials and tribulations we’ve shared in the last year have proven just how resilient we can be, both individually and as T: 01473 400380 a community. We’ve faced unprecedented challenges and met them head-on, we’ve looked out for those who were alone Send editorial copy to: or in need, we’ve volunteered, donated, sewed, baked, planted, painted and zoomed left, right and centre, all in the name [email protected] of making the best of 2020 together. Readers are invited to submit articles, illustrations and photographs for publication. The publishers reserve the We’ve smiled in sympathy at strangers and chatted to neighbours more than most of us have even done before. We’ve right to amend such submissions and cannot accept responsibility for any loss. written thank you notes to our bin collection teams and occasionally left them a packet of biscuits (though I’m not sure ADVERTISING they would have chosen Party Rings!). We’ve thanked our postie, even got to know them by name, and stood in our T: 01473 400380 doorways to applaud our previously underestimated keyworkers who have worked so tirelessly and risked their own lives E: [email protected] to keep us all safe and healthy. DISTRIBUTION Those of us who attempted to do homeschooling have developed a newfound respect for teachers (each and every one Tree Martin: 01473 400380 of whom deserves a knighthood). We now acknowledge delivery drivers and have found it is possible to stand patiently E: [email protected] in queues. We’ve emailed, Zoomed, called and written letters to strangers. We’ve raised huge sums of money for charity PRINTING by supporting those who took on extraordinary personal challenges. We took part in socially distanced events devised by ColourPlan Print: 01473 400379 some very clever people and we supported our local traders when it was possible to do so. E: [email protected] Our local businesses stepped up too, reminding us just how much we need them and why we must continue to shop Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors are not locally when normality returns. necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort is taken to ensure that the contents of this magazine All of this we did willingly (if not without complaint) despite feeling scared, sad, lonely, disappointed, even angry at times are accurate but the publisher cannot assume any and frequently just plain fed-up. I know I’ve cried my fair share and sometimes for no particular reason. responsibility for errors or omissions. While reasonable care is taken when accepting A year that should’ve isolated us has actually brought us closer than ever, and I am so proud to be able to share all of advertisements or editorial, the publisher/ the amazing things you have been up to. I cannot wait to hear about even more incredible things you get up to this year. editor will not accept responsibility for any unsatisfactory transactions and also reserves the Thank goodness a vaccine is on the way and we can be hopeful about conquering this beast but come what may, we must right to refuse to include advertising or editorial. They will, however immediately investigate any take strength from what we have achieved and how we have behaved since March 2020. written complaints. © Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd. Let’s take what we have learned about ourselves and about others and work together to ensure that the kindness and No part of this magazine may be reproduced or thoughtfulness we know we’re capable of is allowed to flourish and continue into the new year. used in any form or by any means, either wholly or in part, without the prior written permission of Let’s not forget how strong we are when we work together and how the publisher. lucky we are to live in a community of like-minded people. © In Touch with Stowmarket & Stowupland is published by Mansion House Publishing (UK) Ltd Whatever lies ahead, we are in it together. Happy New Year! Several months ago, I mentioned Mansion House Media, our new media management company, and now I’d like to tell you more about how it helps local businesses to upgrade (or create) their digital media strategy. Printed on gloss paper from FSC certified sources Run by Daren Stainton, MHM provides a complete (but constantly expanding) range of digital and social media services, Please recycle. from video production, apps and website design and development to social media management and logo design for IN TOUCH TITLES bespoke campaigns. However, it’s not just the technical skill and know-how which Daren brings to the table. With over 25 • Stowmarket & Stowupland years’ experience in sales and marketing, Daren and his team work with clients to achieve long-term payback, using digital • Kesgrave & Rushmere St Andrew and social media to add genuine value by maximising profile and reach in an increasingly competitive online market space. • Melton & Woodbridge Of course, every business is unique and therefore faces unique challenges. It’s also the case that some businesses need • Manningtree, Brantham, Lawford & Mistley help setting up social media platforms, while others need to use existing platforms more successfully. Following an initial • Hadleigh, Chattisham, Hintlesham, Holton St Mary, Layham & Raydon review, Daren identifies the priorities, sets goals and devises a bespoke strategy to get each business, no matter how big • Ipswich East, Ravenswood, Broke Hall or small, noticed. & Warren Heath Many clients simply don’t know where to start, don’t believe they have the capacity to produce compelling (written • Elmswell, Beyton, Drinkstone, Haughley, Hessett, Norton, Tostock, Wetherden or visual) content and don’t understand how important (and relatively easy) it is to use social media to interact with & Woolpit customers. Others worry about having the capacity to engage consistently across multiple channels. MHM enables clients • Needham Market & The Creetings to meet these challenges head-on and provides the reassurance and training they need to produce content people want • Shotley, Chelmondiston, Erwarton, Harkstead, to see – and to have fun doing it. Holbrook, Pin Mill, Stutton & Woolverstone Throughout 2020, MHM worked with several business owners who needed to adapt rather more urgently that they • Martlesham might have wanted to. Daren guided them through a period of intense uncertainty, providing a digital lifeline when it • Claydon, Barham, Henley & Whitton never mattered more. In the same period, the number of new businesses in the East Anglian region surged and MHM has • East Bergholt, Dedham, Flatford & Stratford St Mary worked successfully with several to establish and promote their brand. • Bramford, Offton, Somersham & Willisham Daren encourages clients to become digitally independent but when that isn’t possible, MHM provides ongoing support, • Capel St Mary (Capel Capers) working closely with clients to ensure every new opportunity is maximised. • Copdock, Belstead, Bentley, Tattingstone & Washbrook Follow MHM on social media so you don’t miss their next free online training seminar but if you’re ready to enter the • Gt & Lt Blakenham, Baylham & Nettlestead digital world today or wish you could use existing channels more successfully, give Daren a call. • Westerfield, Ashbocking, Tuddenham St Martin & Witnesham • Sproughton & Burstall KEEPING IN TOUCH We also publish Spotlight on Felixstowe keepingintouchwith.co.uk / spotlightmagazine.co.uk / vanillamagazine.co.uk Sun 10 January Twitter: @InTouchEast / @vanillamagazine is the advertising and Instagram: @mansionhousepublishing / @vanilla.magazine editorial deadline for Facebook: @mansionhousepublishing / @vanillamagazinesuffolk the February edition www.keepingintouchwith.co.uk/needham 3 NEWS NEEDHAM MARKET COMMUNITY CHINWAG Sadly, when Age UK Suffolk closed, all future funding for monthly Chinwag sessions held at Needham Market Community Centre ceased and the Chinwags had to be stopped. The Chinwag sessions were for over sixties who wanted companionship, conversation, advice or a place to make new friends. It started in September Would you like to help us empower more women of all ages, sizes, abilities 2019 and has been growing in popularity, with between 40 and 50 people and backgrounds to believe they can run? attending in March 2020. I Can Run CIC is a unique, women-only running organisation, partnered with There was often live entertainment with local singers and it was a common Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign. Founded in 2016, ICR CIC was created sight to see people singing along or having a dance or two. Quizzes created a to bring women together in safe and supportive environments to experience lot of fun and laughter and new ideas and suggestions were always welcomed. the power of running. Well, we have some news! The Chinwag sessions will be back in 2021 with ICR CIC provides free weekly runs and beginners courses (outside of a similar format and new ideas. They will take place at Needham Market lockdown!) in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Stowmarket, Needham Market and Bury Community Centre on the first Wednesday of the month from 2-4pm (when St Edmunds. we are allowed).