NEWS FROM ACROSS THE BENEFICE

The Yoxmere Fisherman

November 2020 Church Services for November

Sunday 1st Nov. All Saints' Day Sunday 15th Nov. Luke the Evangelist 09.30 All Saints' Service 09.30 Holy Communion (CW) 11.00 All Saints' Service Westleton Holy Communion (CW) 15.00 All Souls' Service Yoxford family@church 11.00 Darsham Holy Communion (CW) Sunday 8th Nov. Remembrance Sunday Morning Worship Darsham 10.50 Remembrance Service Peasenhall Holy Communion (BCP) at Westleton Sunday 22nd Nov. Christ the King 12.30 Wreath Laying 09.30 Theberton Holy Communion (CW) Dunwich 10.50 Remembrance Service with Middleton at Westleton Westleton Holy Communion (CW) 12.30 Wreath Laying Yoxford Holy Communion (CW) Middleton 10.50 Wreath laying and 11.00 Dunwich Holy Communion (CW) short service at the 11.15 Peasenhall Service at Methodist War Memorial Chapel Peasenhall 10.50 Remembrance Service 15.30 Darsham Evensong at Yoxford 12.30 Wreath Laying Sunday 29th Nov. Advent Sunday 10.50 Remembrance Service 09.30 Westleton Holy Communion (CW) at Peasenhall Yoxford Holy Communion (CW) Theberton 10.55 Wreath Laying 11.00 Peasenhall Holy Communion (CW) 11.15 Remembrance Service Sunday 6th Dec. Advent 2 Westleton 10.50 Remembrance Service 09.30 Westleton Holy Communion (CW) with Dunwich and 11.00 Yoxford Holy Communion (CW) Darsham 12.30 Wreath Laying Every Wednesday Yoxford 10.50 Remembrance Service 09.00 Westleton Holy Communion (CW) with Peasenhall and Sibton Every Friday 08.30 Dunwich Prayer IMPORTANT: due to difficult and changing 09.30 Darsham Morning Prayers circumstances these times are not finalised. Please check your church noticeboard for CW – Common Worship updated details. BCP – Book of Common Prayer

It is mandatory to wear a face covering Remember to bring a small amount of whilst inside the church (unless you bread and wine to communion services have a legal exemption). for your own consumption.

Thanks to Irene Lucas for the cover photograph this month

2 Rector's Ramblings Remember, remember… November is a remembering month. It begins with All Saints’ Day — a church celebration dating back to the fourth century, in which we remember particularly those Christians who were martyred for sharing their faith. This is quickly followed by All Souls, when we remember those others who have died in faith, and especially family and friends. Then we Remember, remember the fifth of November, and use fireworks in a patriotic celebration of the thwarting of treason. Or is this now just a good excuse for bonfires and fireworks and the prospect of going back inside on a cold night and having a warm mug of cocoa? And then there is Remembrance Sunday, as we remember those who gave their lives in the two World Wars, and in wars since then. By the end of the month we’re approaching Advent and Christmas, and all the remembering that this asks of us, and, if that weren’t enough, some chaps will take part in "Movember", growing moustaches in order to draw attention to men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer. George Santayana said: “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This is a significant reason for all this remembering: so that we can remember the mistakes of the past and not fall into them; so that we can remember heroes of the past — the courage of saints and soldiers alike, and be inspired to follow their example. The Bible also contains encouragement to remember. The Old Testament urges the Israelites to keep remembering God’s actions in their midst so that this memory can inspire them to trust in God and live in a way that fits that. In the New Testament Jesus seldom commands us — but at the last supper he broke bread and shared it with his disciples, saying "This is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me". So as we remember all saints, souls and heroes, remember them with gratitude, be inspired and think about how you would one day like to be remembered. Blessings, Tim.

3 YOXFORD CHURCH, Sunday 15th November, 9.00 for 9.30am

A relaxed family-friendly service for the young and the not so young

Do please join us on 15th November. It's going to be a special occasion as we are having a baptism in the service. To make sure the church building is Covid safe, we have to make a note of your name when you arrive, and then show you and your bubble to your place. There’s hand sanitiser at the door, and please wear your masks in church - though children under twelve do not need to wear masks. In line with current restrictions we can't sing songs and hymns together, but the music group is allowed to play and sing, so there is some music in the service. From the Registers Funeral Pamela Marion Pehkonen on Wednesday 14th October aged 77 at St Peter’s Church, Theberton, followed by a burial in St Peter’s Churchyard, Theberton.

CORRECTION: PLEASE NOTE In the notice last month about Steve Pike's sponsored beard grow, the end date was given as 22nd December 2020. This should have said December 2021. (His beard will be much longer by then!) See a reminder of Steve's fundraising effort for Hospital and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Page 34. Apologies for this error.

4 Above, right & below right: flower arrangements for Darsham's harvest celebration

Above, below & below right: Christmas window displays in Yoxford last year. See Page 33 for details of this year's Christmas Countdown.

5 Lectionary & Liturgical Colours for November

1st White Revelation 7:9-17 1 John 3:1-3 Matthew 5:1-12

8th Green Wisdom 6:12-16 1 Thessalonians 4: Matthew 25:1-13 13-end 15th Red Zephaniah 1:7, 1 Thessalionians 5: Matthew 25:14-30 12-end 1-11 22nd Red Ezekiel 34:11-16; Ephesians 1:15-end Matthew 25:31-end 20-24 29th Purple Isaiah 64:1-9 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 13:24-37

WORSHIP AT HOME - For those who are shielding or for whom it is difficult to get to church Online Daily prayer with our diocesan bishops on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BishopsCofEsuffolk/ And look for live-streamed services from St Edmundsbury Cathedral on Facebook www.facebook.com/stedscathedral and Twitter @stedscathedral.

THE YOXMERE FISHERMAN Guidelines for Contributors The Yoxmere Fisherman is published for the Yoxmere Benefice, which comprises the Church of parishes of Darsham, Dunwich, Middleton, Peasenhall, Sibton, Theberton, Westleton and Yoxford. Visitors may find more information about our parishes at www.achurchnearyou.com Submissions should be sent by the 14th of the preceding month, and preferably by email to [email protected]. Alternatively, by post to The Editor, Cottage on the Common, Bakers Lane, Westleton, IP17 3AZ. For details of advertising please email: [email protected] VIRTUAL FISHERMAN Since going online only, when we couldn't print the Fisherman between May and July this year, we have continued to post copies online. They should appear on your village website. The current edition and a few months of previous issues can always be found at http://westleton.onesuffolk.net/church/yoxmere-fisherman/ You can also find the benefice on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Saxmundhamdeanery

6 It always amazes me how quickly time Curate’s Corner passes, and it only seems a couple of weeks since Maureen and I were sat together in the body of Bury St Edmund’s Cathedral waiting for the start of my ordination service. We are living in very strange and challenging times and it can be easy to wonder where God is, but if we look hard enough there is plenty of evidence of God working through even the most trying and difficult situation. For me this was an incredibly special and intimate service; the fact that there were only a few people around us only made me more aware of the people of Yoxmere who were supporting me in prayer and with their wishes. It made me acutely conscious of why I was sitting there waiting to be ordained a priest, so that I could return in some small way their faith in me. I am very thankful to all those people and feel blessed to be licensed to such a special benefice, combining the beauty of God’s creation with communities that genuinely look out for each other. It is my intention to write a regular article for the Fisherman to promote the joy and the lighter side of God’s mission in our benefice. So, I would be grateful for any ideas, pictures, or thoughts that anyone might have. I have been very aware of how our communities are responding to the Covid-19 crisis and how even simple things and small acts of kindness have made a big difference to many people. One example is that of a lovely person (or persons) who has been painting stones and leaving them anonymously around the footpaths in the Yoxford area. This selfless act has brought a lot of joy to those who take their exercise especially during the lockdown period. But there have been many examples of similar acts of selflessness and kindness. Once again, I would just like to say how grateful I am to all those of Yoxmere for their support. It is now my turn to find ways of supporting these special people. Brian Jolley

Brian's ordination day: an elbow bump to seal the Jolley-Rogers partnership

7 Already and Not Yet

November is the month in which the leaves on the trees, ablaze with colour, begin to flutter and fall as autumn gradually passes into winter. It is also (appropriately) the month in which there is a change of gear. It is essentially the month of remembrance. November 1st is the feast of All Saints where we celebrate the past heroes of the Christian faith. The old word for saints was "hallows". Hence the feast of All Hallows, the eve of which was – and is – "Hallow Even" or, as we put it nowadays, "Halloween". On November 2nd we remember all those who have died, particularly those of our family and friends. Finally, we come to Remembrance Sunday, when we remember those killed in the two World Wars – including those of our erstwhile enemies. (If anyone questions remembering the German and Japanese fallen, it is worth recalling that Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for them.) At the end of the month, we move on to the next major season, viz. Advent. This is the season in which we are reminded that we live in the in-between times. Jesus died and rose from the dead. This is the most decisive event in the long story of the human race so far. Not the so-called "Enlightenment" of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, with the rise of modern science, great as the significance of that was and which led Alexander Pope to declare: Nature and nature’s laws lay hid in night, God said, Let Newton be, and all was light. Nor was it the landing on the moon – although that was indeed a "giant step for mankind". No, the most significant event in the history of the human race and indeed in the history of the cosmos is the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. For in those events the Kingdom of God was inaugurated with power, as Jesus had predicted, and the New Creation was launched. Death, which awaits everyone, had been overcome in his case and a new creation begun, with the consequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For those who followed Jesus, and for those who follow him now, there was – and is - the opportunity to live in the light and power of this new creation.

8 "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation", St Paul tells us. Life can never be the same again. The New Creation has begun already. Jesus’ resurrection launched a new creation. And we live in its light and by its power. The Kingdom is a fact ALREADY. However, the Kingdom did not come fully! This is all too obvious, not least in the present circumstances. There is a remainder, so to speak. The present (original) creation still awaits its full transformation. The new creation exists in a hidden way alongside the old in which there is still evil and suffering and death. The Kingdom is NOT YET. It lies at that point in the future which we call the End-Time. It is the object of our hope. We live, then, in the in-between; between the Already and the Not Yet: with both worlds and in the tension between the two. And we must keep them both in focus. It is all too easy to set the Kingdom aside as something remote, and live conforming to the standards and expectations of the present time. On the other hand, it is also possible to imagine that the Kingdom is somehow present in our little circle, and live in a kind of pious cocoon and let the world go hang - or at any rate leave it to God. Both positions are illusory and out of touch with the reality of things. St Paul sums it all up for us. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he reminds them that he is painfully aware of the fullness of the Kingdom being Not Yet, for he has endured ...afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labours, sleepless nights, hunger….. But in what we know as his second letter to the church at Corinth, he speaks of the Already: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new. This is how we are to live in this troubled world: namely, in the light of the New Creation in which Christ’s friendship sets us: ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven and joyful and loving. But also praying, "Your kingdom come", holding fast to the sure and certain hope of our resurrection into the Kingdom in its glorious fullness, in which heaven and earth are renewed and transformed. John Kemp

9 10 NEWS FROM THE SCHOOLS Yox Valley Partnership of Schools including Middleton Primary and Yoxford and Peasenhall Primary

MIDDLETON PRIMARY SCHOOL Ash Class has had a great start to the new academic year. With our new Reception children joining us they have all been hard at work, with a little bit of fun included. Ash Class have been learning the basics in first aid with Mr Hopkinson. Maple and Spruce Class have been continuing their work on the Key Stage 2 topic of the Tudors.

YOXFORD AND PEASENHALL PRIMARY SCHOOL The Nursery children in Elm class have been busy using their listening skills and had a lot of fun on a listening walk around the school. They also made their own play dough and carefully listened to instructions and took turns. One of our new skills in Willow class is to be able to speak in Spanish. In Silver Birch we have been learning about forces in our science class, such as air resistance in parachutes, and we have re-enacted the Battle of Bosworth - socially distanced of course. In Oak Class we have been exploring sounds made from different instruments and how the sounds are made. We used a range of instruments including accordions and boom whackers.

11 REMEMBERING RICHARD Last month's memories of Richard Ginn prompted two more people to send brief tributes - see opposite page. Meanwhile his family had sent this dramatic picture of Richard on Dunwich cliff, resplendent in flowing robes and a splendid quiff whipped up by the wind. In answer to my enquiries about the circumstances of the photo, his wife Linda has kindly provided the account below. PD

It’s 1991. Five years into being Vicar of Westleton, Dunwich and Darsham, Richard can be seen standing near a solitary tombstone precariously near to the edge of an eroding Dunwich cliff. The inscription reads “Sacred to the Memory of John Brinkley Easey, died aged 23, on September 2nd 1826”. This last headstone needed to be relocated before it was gone for ever. All Saints’ Church Dunwich, one of the biggest churches in , was lost to the sea at the turn of the century. Often Richard and I would go to Dunwich to walk our dog through the gate and along the monastery footpath at the edge of the former graveyard where, if you knew where to look, you could still see three more identifiable masonry mounds in the thickets, seaward-side. In 1990, there were several storms and sea surges along the 47-mile sand and shingle coastline, with Dunwich being perhaps the worst affected.

12 That year, the erosion of the Dunwich coast had been 23 feet– equal to what had been lost between 1973 and 1989. After a storm, Richard and I would go and inspect the damage. Dozens of human bones could be picked up from the beach or be clearly seen protruding from the crumbling cliffs, and often he would point out to me the discolouration and rectangular shapes in the newly disturbed cliffs marking where coffins had once been. Over the following days and weeks, locals would collect up the bones from the beach, bring them to Westleton Vicarage and put them in a black sack by our back door. When the bag became heavy Richard - sometimes accompanied by John Pooley, the local policeman - would go off to St James’s Church and together they would have a small dignified reburial service. Not always did things go smoothly: on one occasion an enthusiastic tourist excitedly sent a human bone to Scotland Yard for forensic analysis. It was returned in the post with a note simply saying “For Richard”. Another time I noticed a large cardboard box on the kitchen table and, thinking it was the shopping, opened the box. I wondered why the children’s small, mud-caked, pitted, dirty white/grey football was lying on top. Then I realised it wasn’t the groceries – or the football. Over time, five other skulls and many more bones have turned up intermittently (and one skull may have found its way to the Westleton art group for the still life class). Perhaps if you are still possession of such, and wonder what you should do, an amnesty or a word with the Rector might help….. ? Linda Ginn

We were very saddened indeed to read of Richard Ginn's untimely death. Revd Ginn established or encouraged (we are not sure which) so many community activities in Westleton, many of which benefited our mother during her long illness and our father whilst he was her carer. After her death, these activities helped our father in coming to terms with his new status as a widower. Richard Ginn was always so warm, cheery and encouraging, never judging but always accepting, with a twinkling eye and a ready sense of humour. We are forever grateful for the help the Revd Richard Ginn has given our family and his terrific sense of community. We send our deep condolences to Linda and family. Sharon Rutter and Carol Herrmann

I still feel sad when I walk past the vicarage in Westleton because it reminds me of when Richard was there and it was where he wrote his interesting and helpful sermons. I feel sure that his cheerful and welcoming smile has been much missed in the village. He was always approachable. Elisabeth Young

13 14 Overwhelmed by Debt? We have been living in times of unprecedented uncertainty in all aspects of our lives: our health and well-being, our social patterns, our travel plans and, perhaps not least for many of us, our financial circumstances. There is no doubt that the huge economic support that the Government provided by way of the furlough scheme and other measures has massively reduced the economic destruction that would have been wrought by the pandemic. However, that does not mask the fact that many incomes have fallen over the last few months, many more people are out of work than was the case six months ago and the threat of redundancy looms for yet more now the furlough scheme has been wound down. East Suffolk, with its beautiful countryside and coastline, is more exposed than many other parts of the UK, given our relatively high dependence on tourism, hospitality and culture - three of the worst hit sectors of the economy during the pandemic. The impending danger would not be so serious if fewer people had been struggling in the good times. National statistics point to the fact that over half of UK households can barely support themselves from one pay slip to the next, with little or no buffer for a crisis. For some, the pandemic might have been a chance to rue unwise spending decisions and commitments made during the good times. But for many more, it is simply a struggle to earn enough for life’s necessities: housing, heating, food, clothing and family expenses. But the Christian faith requires of those who follow it a special care for the poor and those on the margins of society. The Old Testament speaks of a rural economy in which those who farmed would leave the edges of their (small) fields unharvested so the poor could gather something to eat. Jesus himself has a special care for the poor (and little positive to say to those who hoard their wealth). He came to free people from, amongst other things, oppression to debt - as big a problem 2,000 years ago as it is today.

So Christians now volunteer to man food banks, distributing to those in extreme need. But we also seek to support those in even greater financial distress, who, often for no fault of their own, find themselves through illness or family break-up overwhelmed by debt. A couple of years ago, the BBC ran a documentary called Debt Saviours about the debt help organisation called Christians Against Poverty (CAP for short). Jesus Christ is, of course, the saviour from all of life’s perils for all who believe, but the programme title was fitting as He is the inspiration for CAP. Here in East Suffolk, based in but covering over a quarter of the county, we have a CAP Debt Centre. As I write this, we are just recruiting Karen Storer, a new Debt Centre Manager, who will join our existing team of volunteers to support those in debt distress in East Suffolk. We serve all in need, regardless of their faith or lack of it, their age, background or any other characteristic. Our debt coaches work together with those in distress to find the best way out of debt. Our volunteers walk alongside our clients, often for years, until debt freedom is finally attained. And our supporters show them God’s love by small acts of generosity to show that someone cares. As Martin Lewis, Money-Saving Expert, says: "CAP are unsurpassed when it comes to the debt help they give people across the country. There’s nothing better to start you on the path to having more money in your pocket." If you would like to help us in this mission to support those in debt distress, please get in touch with me ([email protected]). More importantly, if you yourself are in debt difficulty, then please contact CAP directly on 0800 328 0006. CAP will then arrange a meeting with one of our debt coaches to start the (completely free!) process of freeing you from debt. Our customer surveys show that over 80% of those who contact us regard the fact that they have done so as a transformation of their lives! As one of our clients said, after talking with a local debt coach, "I felt as though a weight was lifted off my shoulders", as she realised she was no longer having to deal with financial dilemmas alone. Although we might like to take the credit for that, it really goes to one who is far greater than any of us. Rev. Nic Stuchfield Chair, Debt Centre

16 THE WHITE HORSE WESTLETON A massive thank-you to everyone who has continued to support us

We are now back open for food & drinks daily

Lunch 12.00—3.00pm Evenings 6.00—11.00pm

01728 648222 [email protected]

PIES still a speciality!

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Groups in & BOOKING ESSENTIAL For more details contact Julie 07940 583320 [email protected]

18 Darsham

Harvest Festival Service The Service was held on Sunday 11th October. There were some lovely harvest displays to celebrate God’s gifts to us. We collected £162 that will be donated to The Trussell Trust. Friday Prayers These take place in the church at 9.30 and are also available by email. Should you wish to receive a copy please email Roger on [email protected] , who will add you to the circulation list. Churchyard Tidying There will not be an official autumn churchyard tidy this year due to Covid. But if you can spare some time to help tidy it would be appreciated. Please contact Roger (667037) or John (668712) for further information.

Darsham Village Hall The hall is now open, and operating in accordance with the government’s latest Covid restrictions system (announced on 12th October) The following classes are currently planned: •Sequence Dancing – Tuesday and Thursday afternoons •Yoga – Monday and Friday mornings •Table Tennis – Friday evenings •Pilates – Starting Tuesday 5th November (Taster sessions 9.15am and 10.40am) - all welcome. For more information see our web page at www.darshamvillagehall.net.

Darsham Village Hall 100 Club for September: 1st (£100), Mrs J. Evans; 2nd (£50), Miss T. Brabbin; 3rd (£25), Mr R. Leggate

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20 Darsham (cont.) Royal British Legion Coffee Morning On Saturday 7th November from 10 to 11.30, Darsham Village Hall will be holding a coffee morning to commemorate the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. There will be a minute’s silence at 11.00am, after which there will be the unveiling of a plaque to remember those that served at RAF High Street Radar Station Darsham, during the Second World War. A second plaque will be unveiled in memory of Bessie Thomas (née Shackley) who passed away on 5th August this year; Bessie also served at Darsham Radar Station. The RAF will be sending a contingent to lower the Standard at the unveiling. The hall, at the time of posting this notice, is coronavirus compliant as well as meeting government guidelines. The social distancing rules will allow eight tables of six with a space of 2 metres between, with table service. Therefore, the maximum number of people allowed in the hall will be forty-eight; this is subject to change if government guidance is altered. Please come along, see your friends, and enjoy the usual scones, tea and coffee. £1.50 for drink and refreshment Raffle tickets £1 a strip ....looking like creaturesTrack & Tracefrom another for every planet table Masks must be worn when moving around within the hall. All proceeds to the British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Table Tennis Table tennis is up and running again at Darsham Village Hall between the hours of 6pm and 9pm every Friday. The evening is divided into two sessions. The first session, from 6 to 7pm is mainly for younger players. The second session, starting from 7.15, is mainly for older players. We are open to all levels of skill and ability, and all the equipment you need is provided, so if the approaching winter evenings are looking blank, why not come and join us? Note: all sessions are conducted in strict accordance with the latest guidance laid down by Table Tennis England and the ‘Guidance for the Safe Opening of Village Communities’. For further information contact Katherine (Tel: 07788 721864) or Alan (Tel: 01728 668451)

21

NHK

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We donate to Breast Cancer now after every completed sale.

22 Darsham (cont.)

Darsham Parish Council The October Parish Council meeting was held, once again, using Zoom. One member of the public also attended. Our County Councillor, Richard Smith, reported on the present Covid-19 situation, which is not as bad in Suffolk as the rest of England but, sadly, is deteriorating. The clerk reported that East Suffolk had not allowed our choice of Fox Close for the new development of 26 houses. It had therefore been agreed that it would be called Greenside. The Construction Management Statement for Greenside suggested by Hopkins and Moore was extensively discussed and the chairman agreed to write to the planning department suggesting that 1) there should be no parking of contractors’ vehicles outside the site itself, 2) the site should not be lit outside working hours (in line with Darsham’s Dark Skies Policy) and 3) these working hours should not start before 8am. Robin Leggate

Peasenhall and Sibton

Poppy Collection 2020 in Peasenhall andHector Sibton & Simon Because of the Covid-19 restrictions there cannot be a house-to- house collection this year; you will be sent an envelope containing some poppies for your use. Donations to the British Legion will be appreciated. These can be made at any of the following places: Emmetts, The Village Post Office and Store, Weavers Tea Rooms, Salter and Kings or at The Sibton White Horse. (More poppies etc. will be available at these places.) Donations may also be dropped In the box by the gate at Rose Cottage on The Causeway in Peasenhall. If you wish to donate by cheque, please make it payable to “The Royal British Legion” or you can make a bank transfer to: The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Sort Code 30 00 00 Account No 00253111 Reference EFJ48 3829207 On behalf of the Royal British Legion,Thank You. Kenneth Parry Brown, Local Organiser.

23 www.mow4you.co.uk Providing GRASS CUTTING GARDEN MAINTENANCE HEDGE CUTTING LAWN SCARIFICATION ALL JOBS CONSIDERED

Andrew: 07850 583093 [email protected] WILDLIFE PONDS Water Garden Services Established 1985 Specialising in Wildlife ponds New Ponds built from Scratch Ponds relined or repaired Ponds cleaned out or renovated Ponds planted out Tel: 01502 478140 Please call Mark Daytime & Evenings The Lilacs, St Michael's Way, , , IP19 9EH

24 Theberton Christmas Eve Crib Service - with a difference!

Thursday 24th December Surrounded by Christmas trees

Due to restrictions on numbers we are planning TWO JOYFUL CHRISTMAS SERVICES at 4pm and 6pm

Please let us know the time you would like to come and how many in your bubble. In this way we can allocate safe seating. email us at [email protected] Or put your note in the letterbox of Church Cottage with a contact number. Please let us know by the end of November giving us time to work out seating.

We would love the children to come in fancy dress, as kings, shepherds, sheep, cows, donkeys. Local children will be given pictures to colour and asked to make a banner to hold up at the relevant point in the story. We would also love them to colour their face masks. There will be two poems in the service. We would love it if the children could write one to be included. The Nativity story will be told while building the crib with puppets and/or knitted figures.

Come and start your Christmas at St Peter’s. The church will be sanitised thoroughly between the two services. Masks and social distancing will be observed.

25 A gem of an unspoilt 16th-century Suffolk country pub

Halesworth Road, Sibton, Suffolk. IP17 2JJ Telephone: 01728 660337 www.sibtonwhitehorseinn.co.uk email: [email protected] The perfect place for a light lunch or a three course meal

TAYLOR MADE FLOWERS Lesley Taylor Wedding, Event and Tribute Florist Fully qualified with 15 years experience Red Lodge Barn, Middleton Moor, Saxmundham IP17 3LN 07970 257329 [email protected]

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26 Westleton Mim Hendricks – An Appreciation Mim Hendricks died on Sunday 20th September 2020 after several years of declining health. Mim had been a stalwart of Westleton Village Hall and member of the hall committee for many years until she retired towards the end of 2013. I got to know her when I joined the hall trustees in 2004. The village hall was a very important part of Mim’s life and without her hard work the hall would not have been as successful as it was. And without her contribution the hall would not be the vital part of Westleton community life that it is today. She played a significant role in laying the foundations for the hall’s present success. Mim looked after all the bookings, was the key holder and prime means of access to users. She ran the annual Table Top Sale and took charge of all the catering during the annual Exhibition and Wild Flower Festival. As well as this she did all the cleaning and it was not unusual for her to work long into the night after evening events. I also found her very helpful personally. When I joined the committee, I was very new to the hall and the sometimes strange ways of Westleton. She was always ready with advice; she put me on the right path when I didn’t understand how things should be done. She helped me understand the idiosyncrasies of various colleagues and put those colleagues right when they didn’t understand mine. Mim’s contribution to Westleton was considerable. John Bebbington

27 28 Westleton (cont.) Westleton Common Events

The last Nature Walk of 2020 will be held on Saturday Nov. 7th starting at10.30am until 12 noon There should be some interesting fungi to see. On Saturday Nov. 21st there will be a Working Party. Meet at 10am for instructions from David Rous. We usually work until about12.30pm Still no refreshments to tempt you out, but do bring your own, as there will be a short break at about 11am. All welcome - bring stout gardening gloves - tools are provided. For both these events, social distancing will of course be observed. We meet at the green container, which is down a short track on the right at the top of Mill St.

Westleton Common News

It was decided at the October parish council meeting that, in view of the uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, THE NEW YEAR FIREWORKS AND BONFIRE PARTY IS CANCELLED.

Other news: As the Community Payback Scheme is unable to help with maintenance on the Common at present, the Common Advisory Group is seeking outside quotes for additional clearance work to be carried out on the common during the winter.

100 Club

The winners for September were: 1st, Martin Dilke-Wing; 2nd, Mrs E Calder

29 Westleton (cont.)

The Trustees continue to monitor the Government guidelines so you can be sure the Hall is officially Covid-Secure, and we can offer a warm (socially distanced) welcome to everyone. Please see the noticeboard or website westletonvillagehall.co.uk for any updates. Join us on Facebook too. Our foyer is open for coffee every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am – 12 noon. This month will be the last chance to see the Foyer Photographic Exhibition of the wonderful fauna and flora of Westleton Common. What’s on? Exercise Classes - Qi Gong is now running on Thursday mornings 11am to 12 noon with Steve (01502 478120 or email [email protected]). There is also a Pilates class now on Thursday 7-8pm every week with Harriett. Contact [email protected] or call 07583 446129 to book. This class is for all abilities at £10 per session. Children’s dance class for 5-9 year olds - starting on Saturday 24th October 10- 11am. Fun and creative, these sessions use stories and music to lead children through energetic and imaginative dance. £5 per class. Contact Bev Jarvis to book (essential)[email protected] The hall’s foyer will be open for coffee while the class is on. Kids' Club - We hope to start a monthly Kids' Club on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon doing fun things like arts and crafts and storytelling, but we need willing volunteers to help make it happen. For more information please contact Annie [email protected]. Art work sale - Wednesday 18th November. Paintings by David Thompson will be displayed for sale in the Hall, 10.30-12 noon. Talk on Swifts - Friday 27th November. Join us for an evening of escapism with Edward Jackson from the “Save our Suffolk Swifts” project. Edward will talk via Zoom to an audience in the Hall about “The Swift: its life stories, the reasons for the rapid population decline, and what we can do to help these amazing birds.” Come along and watch on the big screen in the Hall, or on your own device at home if you prefer. Tickets £5 each, to attend or receive the link for Zoom, available from the Village Shop or the Foyer (weekday mornings only). Wine Tasting - Friday 20th November. Eve and Rich are back with a new selection which may help sort your Christmas planning. Tickets £15 (see below). Booking essential as this is likely to be very popular! How to Improve your Immunity – Friday 13th November. 7.30pm start in the Hall. Tickets as usual (see below); more information on the website, Facebook or village hall notice board. (Continued on Page 33.)

30 Place your business advertisement here and reach 2000 households in Darsham, Dunwich, Middleton, Peasenhall, Sibton, Theberton, Westleton and Yoxford. Contact [email protected]

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30 Westleton (cont.)

32 Westleton (cont.)

Tickets - please note - numbers are strictly limited for the village hall events to allow social distancing. We cannot sell refreshments but do bring your own. Tickets are available three weeks before the event from Westleton Village Shop, or the foyer when it’s open for coffee on Monday /Tuesday /Wednesday /Thursday from 10am to 12 noon. We regret no tickets will be available on the door. Please leave your name and contact number at the shop in case of any changes. Christmas “Tree” & Book of Wishes Many people may prefer not to do the usual walk round the village to deliver Christmas cards to friends, and this year it could be even more problematic with not only slippery steps but also COVID-19 considerations. Friends of the village hall recognise how important this has been to so many, so as an alternative to the traditional cards, the Hall will be acting as a place to share your Christmas wishes - and help the village hall fundraising effort. To take part, a blank card for your personal message, poem or picture, will be on sale in the Foyer and displayed in a special Book of Wishes for people to browse through. You will also receive a wooden token to write your name on and hang on our Christmas “tree” specially made by Antony Clough. You can purchase a Christmas wish card and token (suggested donation of £5, with no change given!) from 27th Nov. in the Foyer, Monday -Thursday 10.00 -12 00. Yoxford Yoxford Christmas Countdown 2020 The planning of this year's event is well under way with several windows being snapped up already! Anyone can get involved. If you don't have a window that can easily be seen, why not decorate your door or an area in your garden? It's not a competition, it's fun and a way of bringing the community together by creating an illuminated festive trail around the village for all to enjoy. Check out our Facebook page @YoxfordChristmasCountdown for more information and ideas or contact Carol One of last year's varied and 07552501809 / [email protected] imaginative windows

33 Family History Talk - Monday, 16th November The Alde Valley Suffolk Family History Group has fully embraced technology to put on a series of talks for its members during the remaining months of 2020. So, on Monday 16th November at 7.30pm the group will host a Zoom-based event, when author and professional speaker Dr. Penny Walters will deliver a talk on the evolution of decennial censuses in the UK. The first census was taken in 1801, but it wasn’t until 1841 that details about named individuals were collected. Dr. Penny Walters has been a University lecturer in Psychology and Business Studies for thirty years. Penny’s interest in genealogy started after having her first child and then wondering about her biological parents, as she was adopted. This talk is for paid up members only. For more details see of this and other events, see http://aldevalleyfamilyhistorygroup.onesuffolk.net/events/ .

Update from Stop C Firstly a huge thank you - an incredible 1,220 individuals and businesses registered with the Sizewell C planning process, the vast majority expressing opposition to the project. There were also sixty-three registrations by town and parish councils, all with issues of concern. As we write, we are waiting for details of timings for the next stage of the process. and East Suffolk Council have written to the planning inspectorate, requesting that public examinations do not start until the new year because the /Scottish Power DCO examination will constrain their - and our - ability to properly engage. Meanwhile, ministers appear to be mulling the possibility of taking a direct stake in Sizewell C. The funding model proposed by EDF (the "Regulated Asset Base", or we call it the nuclear tax) has been determined to count as government debt, so is looking even less desirable to ministers. You can help discourage the treasury from approving a direct investment in Sizewell C by writing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak. You can find guidance and contact details on our website at www.stopsizewellc.org/action - where you will also see details of current petitions and other actions. Alison, Paul and the Stop Sizewell C Steering Group. [email protected]

Sponsored Beard Grow Steve Pike is growing his beard until his 70th birthday on December 22nd 2021 to raise money for Ipswich Hospital and the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in memory of his late wives Zoe and Angela. Please donate at https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/stephen-pike-1

34 Church Contact List

CLERGY Churchwardens Darsham Rector Revd Tim Rogers Shirley Field 668371 The Rectory, The Street John Millward 668712 Darsham, Suffolk, IP17 3QA Dunwich 668951 [email protected] Christine Palmer 648890

Assistant Priest Middleton Revd Susan Warne 668410 Margaret Perrett 648141 Curate Rita Pateman 648377 Revd Brian Jolley 668579 Mobile 07590 046282 Peasenhall Work 01502 726088. Michael Thickett 660549 Michael Trovell 660218 Reader Richard Newnham 648877 Sibton Lay Elders Jan Belton 660111 Roger Coates-Smith 667037 Theberton Lesley Davies 648144 Simon Ilett 833364 Carole Lee 07849 849191 Tina Neal 830237

Michael Trovell 660218 Westleton Methodist Minister Jeremy Branch 648140 Revd Derek Grimshaw Sue Foster 649034 01473 805486 Yoxford Roman Catholic Priest Fr Tony Rogers 01728 452782 John Sutherell 07766 146883 Fr Richard Ireson 01986 875837

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